Expert: Brandy - 2/12/2007

Question
Hello,
My cat has been very listless the last couple of days. She won't eat (not even tuna) but she drinks a lot of water. She doesn't act like she is in any pain,no sneezing or runny nose. She has a lot of little scabs around her tail like she has been biting at flees,but she's had a flee collar on. She will sit and stare a lot when she is normally curled up and sleeping. Her not eating is the main thing that is worrying me.

Answer
You didn't say how old she is, or if she goes outside, but please think about taking her to a vet just to rule out any kind of disease or disorder (like thyroid or diabetes) or even a sort of allergy either to food or something in the environment or parasites other than fleas (which could cause the scabs around her tail.

A cat should not go for days without food; their little bodies cannot handle fasting like dogs can, and it can affect their internal organs. And by your account, her behavior is not typical.

Please take her to a vet. I hope all goes well (and the peace of mind will also help you, too).