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Expert: - 2/20/2010


Question
Cat is not eating much , his gums are whitish and roof of mouth.  Could this be virus cat nis 8 yrs old. only eats tuna, ciuld gums be sore. not pooping much or drinking

Answer
Hi Debra.  Your kitty needs to see a vet for sure.  White gums can be a sign of anemia.  This can be caused by viral illnesses like feline leukemia, bacterial infections like feline hemoplasma, cancer, kidney failure and many other things.  Hemoplasma is treatable.  Vitamin supplmentation can help in some of the other cases.  It is possible that his gums are sore and causing him not to eat, which can result in anemia from malnutrition.  But only a vet can diagnose the kitty and prescribe the appropriate treatment.  Be sure to let the vet know he's not pooping much and that his water intake is down.  He could be suffering from serious constipation, and this is very dangerous, so I would try to get him to the vet right away.

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

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15 years' hands-on experience

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