Cat drooling with runny nose
February 9, 2015 9:24 PM Subscribe
I will call her vet in the morning. Should I call emergency tonight?
She was fine this morning. Tonight she is huddled in one of the beds, drooling, with a runny nose. Can I wait until morning or should I take her to emergency tonight?
She was fine this morning. Tonight she is huddled in one of the beds, drooling, with a runny nose. Can I wait until morning or should I take her to emergency tonight?
It could be as minor as a mouth problem (e.g., a mouth ulcer or a broken tooth), or she may have consumed something irritating to the mucus membranes, or it could be something more serious (e.g., a respiratory infection). There's too little information here to offer a very helpful reply, but emergency vet visits can be very expensive, so it depends on your financial situation. You might try calling an emergency vet and asking them about it; they may be able to give you better advice after posing some questions.
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:00 PM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:00 PM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
With my emergency clinic, I've often found that if you call them and describe the situation then they can give you a good view on whether you should bring your pet in or not.
My usual rule of thumb is that if a cat is eating and drinking, it can usually wait until morning, but I am not a vet.
posted by frumiousb at 10:01 PM on February 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
My usual rule of thumb is that if a cat is eating and drinking, it can usually wait until morning, but I am not a vet.
posted by frumiousb at 10:01 PM on February 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
I should elaborate regarding the potential cost: a few years ago I took my cat to an emergency vet late one night (around 10 pm) and the bill ended up being about $1100 when all was said and done.
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:10 PM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:10 PM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Salivation and maybe Lachyrmation it sounds like (runny eyes can make a runny nose).
The drooling is worrisome, and I don't think it's often a symptom of upper respiratory infection,
but I'm not a vet.
Are there any Urination or Defecation abnormalities? Is she eating/drinking okay today? How are her pupils?
You might have some indicators for SLUD, a collection of symptoms associated with some kinds of poisoning.
Is this an indoor only, indoor/outdoor, or outdoor cat? If it's an indoor only cat, could she have gotten into anything, or chewed any poisonous houseplants? If it's an indoor/outdoor or outdoor cat, was the cat outside between appearing well and having symptoms?
How fast was the onset of these symptoms? It's been about an hour since you posted.
Is she getting worse?
posted by the Real Dan at 10:19 PM on February 9, 2015
The drooling is worrisome, and I don't think it's often a symptom of upper respiratory infection,
but I'm not a vet.
Are there any Urination or Defecation abnormalities? Is she eating/drinking okay today? How are her pupils?
You might have some indicators for SLUD, a collection of symptoms associated with some kinds of poisoning.
Is this an indoor only, indoor/outdoor, or outdoor cat? If it's an indoor only cat, could she have gotten into anything, or chewed any poisonous houseplants? If it's an indoor/outdoor or outdoor cat, was the cat outside between appearing well and having symptoms?
How fast was the onset of these symptoms? It's been about an hour since you posted.
Is she getting worse?
posted by the Real Dan at 10:19 PM on February 9, 2015
Response by poster: We're at the emergency vet now. She was perfectly normal this morning. No idea about urination or defecation but she refused her wet food dinner. Pls send good thoughts. Thanks all.
posted by janey47 at 10:30 PM on February 9, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by janey47 at 10:30 PM on February 9, 2015 [8 favorites]
I will keep you in my thoughts. After hearing that your girl refused dinner, I can tell you that you did the right thing -- kitties can get very sick (fatty liver disease) if they go without food. (And that's not even considering her other symptoms.)
posted by virago at 5:46 AM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by virago at 5:46 AM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Update. She's evidently got a virulent URI. Her temperature last night when I took her in was 106.6. When I called this morning they said it had only come down to 105.5 and she's continuing to refuse food. They're giving her iv antibiotics and fluids. And yep, you called it, Hot Pastrami, the low estimate is $1100, of which $600 is one day in an isolation ward. I appreciate everyone's good thoughts for her.
posted by janey47 at 8:17 AM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by janey47 at 8:17 AM on February 10, 2015 [7 favorites]
Thanks for the update. Keeping both of you in my thoughts.
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:38 AM on February 10, 2015
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:38 AM on February 10, 2015
Poor kitty :-( Thinking of you both. Hang in there.
posted by barnone at 9:07 AM on February 10, 2015
posted by barnone at 9:07 AM on February 10, 2015
Good on you for taking her in so quickly! Hugs.
posted by mightshould at 9:09 AM on February 10, 2015
posted by mightshould at 9:09 AM on February 10, 2015
Best answer: The moment has passed, but for future reference: Any pet that is lethargic and refusing food should have prompt veterinary attention. I work for a large veterinary hospital, and if an owner reports that their pet is showing these signs, we offer them an appointment the same day even if it means having to squeeze them in as an extra. I would not leave an animal with these symptoms overnight.
(The issue with cats not eating isn't so much "fatty liver disease"; it's simply that cats don't refuse to eat unless they're feeling very unwell. )
posted by Perodicticus potto at 1:15 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
(The issue with cats not eating isn't so much "fatty liver disease"; it's simply that cats don't refuse to eat unless they're feeling very unwell. )
posted by Perodicticus potto at 1:15 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so much, everyone. Her temperature has been about 103.5 this afternoon and if it doesn't spike and if the labwork doesn't show something that they need to address, they're talking about releasing her tonight. Her doctor said that she's very scared, and that makes me sad. I was hoping that she would be woozy enough from her illness to not realize that her sister isn't nearby. They've never been separated before. Your good thoughts and good information have meant a lot to me.
posted by janey47 at 3:44 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by janey47 at 3:44 PM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Poor kit - glad she's on the mend and that you took her in!
posted by leslies at 3:49 PM on February 10, 2015
posted by leslies at 3:49 PM on February 10, 2015
Happy to hear that she's getting better -- I've been there and I know how nerve-wracking it is. I bet she can't wait to be home, where she can get lots of love from you and her sister. <3
(Just wanted to affirm that you did the wise thing by going to the emergency vet straight away. Perodicticus is right -- lethargy + lack of appetite = something to worry about.)
posted by virago at 5:47 PM on February 10, 2015
(Just wanted to affirm that you did the wise thing by going to the emergency vet straight away. Perodicticus is right -- lethargy + lack of appetite = something to worry about.)
posted by virago at 5:47 PM on February 10, 2015
One tip for when your kitty comes home: one of my cats had to go to the vet hospital overnight, and when she came home her sister (who she'd never been separated from before) seemed very agitated around her. She (the non-sick cat) kept hissing at her every time she got near. It was the saddest thing ever!
Some googling indicated that the sick cat probably smelled like strangers (and possibly dogs, or whatever else the hospital smelled like) and did not smell like herself. The only thing that helped was taking a towel and rubbing it all over the well cat, then taking the towel and rubbing it all over the sick cat. That way when the well cat sniffed the sick cat, her own smell had been transferred onto her sister and she was much less upset.
Good luck to you and your kitty - you did the right thing. Keep us posted please!
posted by 8dot3 at 8:37 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Some googling indicated that the sick cat probably smelled like strangers (and possibly dogs, or whatever else the hospital smelled like) and did not smell like herself. The only thing that helped was taking a towel and rubbing it all over the well cat, then taking the towel and rubbing it all over the sick cat. That way when the well cat sniffed the sick cat, her own smell had been transferred onto her sister and she was much less upset.
Good luck to you and your kitty - you did the right thing. Keep us posted please!
posted by 8dot3 at 8:37 PM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
I am so glad your kitty seems to be recovering.
One of our cats, Jorji, displayed similar symptoms--especially lethargy and drooling, loss of appetite. In his case it was from nibbling at an iris plant. They are extremely toxic to mammals, and can cause kidney failure. We had to infuse him for a week, to keep his kidneys flushed, until he finally recovered. It was touch and go for a while.
posted by mule98J at 12:01 AM on February 11, 2015
One of our cats, Jorji, displayed similar symptoms--especially lethargy and drooling, loss of appetite. In his case it was from nibbling at an iris plant. They are extremely toxic to mammals, and can cause kidney failure. We had to infuse him for a week, to keep his kidneys flushed, until he finally recovered. It was touch and go for a while.
posted by mule98J at 12:01 AM on February 11, 2015
8dot3, thanks for posting the reminder about rubbing both cats down with a towel to give them a similar scent. You can also rub them both down in a towel that's been moistened with any type of cat fur cleaner. The recuperating cat may want to hide for a few hours or even days so make sure she can do that, with water and food and her own poop box. Also, this is NOT a good time to give the kitties catnip.
posted by kinetic at 2:55 AM on February 11, 2015
posted by kinetic at 2:55 AM on February 11, 2015
Response by poster: Last update. She came home tonight and will remain separated from the other two until she finishes her antibiotics in a week. Everyone is grumbling but they'll get used to it. Thank you all for your support in this very scary experience!
posted by janey47 at 10:05 PM on February 11, 2015
posted by janey47 at 10:05 PM on February 11, 2015
Thanks for the update, glad the kitty is doing well.
Please pay the bridge toll of a minimum of (2) kittty photos. Thank you kindly.
posted by 8dot3 at 5:17 AM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Please pay the bridge toll of a minimum of (2) kittty photos. Thank you kindly.
posted by 8dot3 at 5:17 AM on February 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: 8dot3, sorry -- I knew at the time I should post some pix, but I was distraught and then I forgot.
Here she is this morning.
Here she is a week ago.
posted by janey47 at 4:56 PM on March 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Here she is this morning.
Here she is a week ago.
posted by janey47 at 4:56 PM on March 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: She's a gorgeous girl - glad she's better!
posted by leslies at 5:31 PM on March 2, 2015
posted by leslies at 5:31 PM on March 2, 2015
My first thought after opening the links: "Either I'm having a stroke or those are two totally different cats." (I forgot for a second that you had two cats.)
They both are gorgeous. Glad all is well.
posted by 8dot3 at 10:51 AM on March 4, 2015
They both are gorgeous. Glad all is well.
posted by 8dot3 at 10:51 AM on March 4, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by killdevil at 9:57 PM on February 9, 2015 [1 favorite]