You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/What's ailing my Feline?

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/2/2011


Question
Hi Jana,
My cat is about 2 years old and just today he's started acting funny. It's a Saturday and we cannot reach any veterinarians. His symptoms are Fatigue, Dehydration, Dull and falling out hair, Not eating, and he seems to be extremely sensitive. Even if we try to pick him up to comfort him, he moans or meows softly. I'm afraid of there being something wrong with him. Please help as soon as possible.

Answer
Where is his hair falling out? Hair doesn't just start falling out all of a sudden, unless it's over a leg or foot or his cheek. He is most likely cooking an abscess somewhere on his body.

He probably is feverish, as high as 104 from an abscess. He needs see a vet as soon as possible so that he can get started on antibiotics.

I would keep trying to call your own vet tomorrow. I know it's Sunday but he may need to be seen as soon as he can.

Keep him in the house and watch his eating and drinking. It's much more important that he drinks water and doesn't become dehydrated. If he is already dehydrated then he has been sick for days.

Get some Gatorade into him via syringe or eyedropper if he isn't drinking. That will hydrate him and help him feel better.

Call your own vet or an ER vet as soon as you can.

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

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

Education/Credentials
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!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.