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Ask the Veterinarian/My 10 year old cat started meowing a lot

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Expert: - 11/8/2011


Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My cat is 10 years old. We have had him since he was born. He was fixed as a kitten. He has always been an outdoor cat. He has never acted sick one day in his life. Two days ago I started to notice he would meow a lot when we approached him. He has continued to act reclusive in the house and meows constantly when we come up to him. He allows us to pet him for a long time, this doesn't seem to cause him any pain. He is just walking very slowly and it seems cautiously. He isn't limping and doesn't seem to have any pain such as an injury. He is hanging out in different areas of the house than usual (which is very strange behaviour). He threw up his breakfast this morning, then went to lie down behind a dresser in a bedroom. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Your cat sounds like he is ill and needs medical attention as soon as possible. He could have an abscess growing, or he might be having some issues with his kidneys or liver.

When a cat starts to isolate itself and deviate from its normal behavior then you can be sure that there is something wrong medically.

He is at the age where things start happening such as kidney failure etc.
So call your vet and have him looked over.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We discovered an emtpy package of sour patch kids candy full of teeth marks. I am assuming the cat ate those. How poisoned is he and will he get better on his own or does he need a vet?

Answer
I don't think he is poisoned but he might have one bad gut ache. I would call your local vet and ask them if they are  toxic. I highly doubt it, but the vet can tell you what to give him that might help his tummy. I legally cannot.

I hope he feels better soon.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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