How is this cat? When do I intervene?

May 10, 2021 11:15 AM

One of my housemate's cats bonded to me and spends all his time in my room. (I wfh, his owner works out of the house and lives on a different level of the house). He's seemed sick, so I briefly reported the symptoms, and his owner scheduled a vet house-call for next week. I think he needs to go to urgent care sooner, but I know very little about cat health.

I was out of town for a couple days and got back on Saturday evening. Soon after, he puked (clear bile, a few undigested kibble). This cat is notorious for eating too fast and making himself sick, so while it didn't look like a normal Mugen-puke, I didn't think too much of it. When he and I later met up for cuddles, there was (I assume) dried bile in the fur on his chest and side of his neck.

Saturday night I could hear unusual gut gurgling, and the cat would have occasional brief spells of forceful swallowing, unproductive retching and chewing on nothing. I put down towels so I wouldn't have to worry about him puking on the bed.

Sunday:
- yelled a lot to be let in my room at 6am (this is normal)
- Low energy
- frequently hunched in loaf posture
- No vocalizing or grooming
- Only left my room when forced (his food and litter box are in other places)
- Occasionally going under my bed to force-swallow and/or retch unproductively

Monday (today)
- Slept in my room all night, has not asked to go out at all (this is unusual)
- when I left the door open (i was making tea and using the bathroom), he came out--i didn't watch to see if he used a littler box
- offered food, only ate one kibble.
- Still responds well to me, asks for pets when I'm interacting with him, but is mostly a squinty/sleepy loaf.
- no grooming/vocalizing.

On paper, this is not my cat and not my (financial) responsibility. If he was, I'd be taking him to a vet clinic today, if not yesterday.

What should I be watching out for?
When should I go back to my housemate and ask for them to take him to a clinic (or buck up and take him myself)?

posted by itesser to Pets & Animals (48 answers total)

Response by poster: cat tax
posted by itesser at 11:20 AM on May 10, 2021 [10 favorites]

Yes, this kitty sounds very sick. Cats generally hide their illnesses until they are severe (unfortunately). The most troubling signs are the no grooming and only eating one kibble. Cats must eat every 24hrs or their liver gets destroyed and this will kill them without emergency (and costly) intervention. At the very least, I encourage you to force feed the cat some wet food.

I don't think you're morally obligated to spend money on a cat that isn't your own, but I'm sure you do want to reduce its suffering. One option would be to take the cat to a vet ASAP to do a general consultation, which shouldn't be too costly and will at least confirm the cat is seriously ill. Then you could relay that info to your housemate, in the hopes this will get them to act.

So sorry, best of luck. Edit: Oh, that's such a sweet cat - sorry again it sounds like he's unwell.
posted by coffeecat at 11:27 AM on May 10, 2021 [7 favorites]

Not a cat doctor, but have a cat going through CKD. Most of the symptoms suggest some sort of upper respiratory disease, not urgent. But the concerning ones are the reduced grooming and lack of appetite. Is it significantly less than before? Is there other food you can offer?
retching could be anything from light causes(hairballs), to serious (stomach discomfort, more serious diseases but need a blood test to figure out). Maybe keep an eye on the weight.
ETA: cat looks adorable. I would take him to the vet ASAP if possible.
posted by ssri at 11:29 AM on May 10, 2021

OOF.

This sounds bad. If a kitty is hiding and barely eating/drinking, they are sick. It sounds as if he is very unwell.

My kitty had an intestinal obstruction and needed emergency surgery, this is basically how he was going in terms of behaviour. Please urge your roommate to take this kitty for a checkup. The longer it waits the worse it gets, and he is probably in pain.
posted by dazedandconfused at 11:31 AM on May 10, 2021 [4 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you, I was just coming back to ask about food/broth. I'll offer him wet food and let his owner know the situation is escalating.
posted by itesser at 11:31 AM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Your instinct is on point, all of this is no good. Cats do a lot to hide their symptoms when they're not well so if all of this is going on you are right, kitty needed to be seen yesterday.
What I'd do is take this list of symptoms, text it to your housemate & say like "I'm really worried about kitty and I think he needs to see a vet like today, I can take him if you don't have time", and then see what they say. If housemate doesn't agree id just get the poor thing seen to anyway. But it also depends on how crazy your housemate is, if you think this could jeopardize your housing situation then don't, but if you're stable and secure then yeah, take care of the cat.
posted by bleep at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

Poor little guy. This symptom sounds like a sick cat: "frequently hunched in loaf posture." I remember our vet saying that is their "pain position."

I would go back to your housemate NOW and advise that the cat has stopped eating (and drinking? I can't tell from your post) and is not taking care of itself or acting like itself anymore.

Although regardless of what the housemate says, I would take the cat in for urgent care.
posted by cranberrymonger at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2021 [4 favorites]

Can you get the vet's contact info and call them? Maybe they can move up the appointment.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2021

Yeah, right now this sounds like Emergency Situation. Tell the roommate ASAP what is going on and if roommate has any other reaction other than "I'm taking him to the vet RIGHT NOW" (i.e. "Eh, it's not that bad, I can't afford it, let's just give it another 24 hours..."), then you take the cat to the vet. I mean, it should be the roommate's responsibility, but it sounds like the cat may be near death here.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:36 AM on May 10, 2021 [6 favorites]

Cat not eating + not excreting = vet visit within a couple days, i.e. today or maybe tomorrow at the outside. Not grooming is also a sign something is pretty wrong. I'd talk to your roommate again and focus on those. Emergency vets are expensive, if they don't have a regular vet I'd call clinics and see who can see the cat today.

Yes, offering delicious stinky wet food to see if it will induce the cat to eat is a good idea. Sometimes cats associate their usual food with feeling ill for another reason and stop eating.

I've lived with someone who was not very attentive to their pet's health and it sucked, sorry you're dealing with this.
posted by momus_window at 11:37 AM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Also, don't worry about whether you are able to take it to the cats usual vet - that's ideal of course, but if they are booked I'd call around - any vet will be able to do a basic examination and generally, either running urine and/or blood analysis will likely (I'm sorry to say) show that this kitty is seriously ill.
posted by coffeecat at 11:37 AM on May 10, 2021

Yes, this is "vet now" territory. Not eating + unproductive retching + hunching tells me something's blocking his gut. Could just be an impressively massive hairball, could be some other kind of obstruction. Either way, poor cat sounds miserable and is in need of veterinary attention.
(ETA: what a cute cat!)
posted by bedhead at 11:41 AM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

If I knew this cat, I would take it to the vet myself.
posted by Mavri at 11:48 AM on May 10, 2021 [6 favorites]

If you feel moved to do so, maybe tell your roommate that you want to take the cat in now and that you are willing to pay (or pay half) of the $X baseline emergency vet visit charge, whatever that is.

Photo: awwwww.
posted by amtho at 12:15 PM on May 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

If your roommate won't take the cat in sooner and you want to and you're worried about the cost, let us know. I'd Venmo or PayPal you to help with this to make sure the cat is OK, and I bet others would too. If this were one of my cats, I'd already have taken them in.
posted by limeonaire at 12:21 PM on May 10, 2021 [14 favorites]

My young, healthy cat had an episode recently of a day of vomiting, and not eating or drinking. I took him to the vet where, after an overnight stay on an IV, he was right as rain next day, but if I'd left it, things could have been much worse. If cats don't drink they get dehydrated very quickly and their kidneys can start to deteriorate, which is very serious indeed.

If I were you, I wouldn't take a chance on waiting much longer.
posted by essexjan at 12:26 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Yeah, this kitty is quite ill and needs to go to the vet today. Like, now. Add me to the list of people who would Venmo you some cash if needed.
posted by jesourie at 12:30 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I'd take him to the vet now. I had a cat who tended to bad hairballs, he was like this for a couple of days and I talked myself into thinking it was just a hairball but a bit worse than usual, and it could wait another day, and I woke up to find him dead. If it's different enough to worry you, don't chance it.
posted by SometimeNextMonth at 12:34 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

If he's hunched in a loaf posture, he's probably in pain. I'm wondering if he might have eaten a string or something -- which is super serious. Do what you need to to get him seen ASAP.
posted by amtho at 12:35 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I will contribute to the kitty fund if needed.
posted by Frowner at 12:40 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Ya'll are so very kind. I truly appreciate your feedback and support.

I've been letting Mugen eat a little mousse-catfood every 10-15 minutes. He's perked up a lot and has been keeping it down. His overall posture is more relaxed but still does some of the same swallow/acid-reflux behavior.

But I'm still going to make sure he gets in to see a professional tomorrow at the latest.
posted by itesser at 12:59 PM on May 10, 2021 [12 favorites]

I will happily contribute a few bucks to the kitty fund too! Poor lil Mugen :(
posted by silverstatue at 1:00 PM on May 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

Yep just adding another heads-up that I will happily contribute to the Mugen Fund!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

I will also contribute to kitty fund!

Glad he's eating a little bit and keeping it down. If you can get him to drink a bit of water or broth that would be good too. Hopefully it's just a passing thing and he's okay. You're a good housemate for caring about him!
posted by fight or flight at 1:06 PM on May 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

FWIW, Banfield is a national chain of vets in the US and their exam fee starts ~$50 and I've found the ones near me to be competent and quite reasonably priced.
posted by momus_window at 1:07 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Thanks for caring for Mugen <3
I will also chip in for vet visit if needed, please update us on this little buddy.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 1:18 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I just want to highlight one more detail -- you say he's squinty. A "squinty/sleepy loaf" sounds like a cat in pain.
posted by Corvid at 1:21 PM on May 10, 2021

Also happy to chip in for a vet visit.
posted by fozzie_bear at 2:56 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I don't mean to sound alarmist but I felt I needed to add this -- you (well really, the actual owner) might want to get the ball rolling on a vet visit ASAP, even just to know what the options are. I'm in the East Bay and a month ago couldn't get my ailing cat into any vet, emergency or otherwise, on the same day without a several hour wait in the car. This is basically because of COVID and changing practices for safety, etc., but I was pretty shocked (and I'm sure my stress did not help the cat either). Things might be different where you are but I definitely was not expecting it to be such a hassle.

(She's much better now.)
posted by sm1tten at 3:17 PM on May 10, 2021 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: One more update:

Mugen's owner and I are in talks about me formally adopting him, and we'll be taking him to an emergency vet tonight (poor buddy).

For those who are willing to help me off-set the sticker shock of sudden cat-ownership (I'm going to suggest splitting the cost of this vet visit), my venmo and paypal info are in my profile or available by MeMail.
posted by itesser at 3:41 PM on May 10, 2021 [26 favorites]

You are a good person, you are wise to expedite Mugen care, and I will keep my fingers crossed for him. (So glad he bonded to you!)

PS When I get paid Friday I will definitely contribute to offsetting vet expenses -- I've been there with the kitty bills.
posted by virago at 4:21 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

You are so sweet and thoughtful and caring. Please keep up updated with news, if you can! Thank you!
posted by annieb at 5:05 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Oh good, I just Venmoed you. Happy to send more if you need it, and it sounds like a lot of others are as well! I'm glad you're gonna get him checked out and adopt him! Like others have said, just keep us posted, and sending good thoughts to this kitty!
posted by limeonaire at 6:03 PM on May 10, 2021

When my younger cat exhibited these kinds of symptoms, she turned out to be very, very sick and we were glad that we got her to the emergency vet right away. Sending you some dough in honor of her and wishing you both the very best!
posted by merriment at 6:22 PM on May 10, 2021

I just Venmoed you, too! Good thoughts to you and Mugen.
posted by jesourie at 6:27 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Yup, Venmoed you. Glad you're going to the vet tonight. Kitties are so little, they can go downhill very quickly. Best wishes to you both.
posted by dorey_oh at 9:02 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Venmoed you for little Mugen. Sending love to that little guy!
posted by fairlynearlyready at 9:53 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Venmoed you. Hope Mugen feels better!
posted by bedhead at 7:07 AM on May 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

Venmoed you! I hope Mugen feels better soon.
posted by fozzie_bear at 8:53 AM on May 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

Just sent you some via paypal. Hope Mugen is feeling better.
posted by kathrynm at 10:38 AM on May 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Y'all are incredible. The generosity has been a huge help in lifting the stress of the past couple days.

Diagnosis is pancreatitis, and he'll be getting drugs for pain and nausea for a few days.

Taking over his care means I'm on the hook for food/vet bills and doing more to clean up after cats around the house... but it's worth it to have more say over his care, and to know that if I move out, I don't have to leave him behind.
posted by itesser at 12:39 PM on May 11, 2021 [27 favorites]

Glad he's got a diagnosis and treatment plan. Here's to a speedy recovery!
posted by dorey_oh at 1:38 PM on May 11, 2021

Aww, poor kitty! Pancreatitis is really painful. I'm so glad you were able to get it figured out!
posted by limeonaire at 2:04 PM on May 11, 2021

Thank goodness it wasn't anything worse, poor little guy! I just paypal'd you something.
posted by Frowner at 2:16 PM on May 11, 2021

Oh, poor kitty. I took over a friend's sick cat while he was in the hospital. Very expensive home vet visits, but it was worth it to make sure the cat wasn't suffering. Thank you for taking on the care and cost of this poor kitty.
posted by KayQuestions at 5:16 PM on May 11, 2021

It's a relief to hear that they've figured out what's going on and that he'll be getting better! I just Venmoed you something.
posted by virago at 7:10 PM on May 11, 2021

I'm so glad you updated, I was thinking about this little dude!
posted by fairlynearlyready at 11:15 PM on May 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

Also: Request for update to cat tax when Mugen is back to his old self and feeling up to posing. :)

No hurry at all, because I know that you both have a lot on your plate.
posted by virago at 5:56 AM on May 12, 2021 [2 favorites]