Something wrong with Bramble

Phil · 03-04-2010, 01:17 AM

Hi there.

Thought I'd pop back over (first time in ages) to Catsey rather than post on Dogsey. Something isn't right with our Tortie Bramble.

Before I start I'll just add that Bramble only ever comes into the house during the night or if she's getting fed. Although we've had her since she was 8 weeks (and she's 14 years old now) she lives a very private life and is a shy girl.

Anyway - because of this lack of contact it's hard to know quite how much weight she's lost but yesterday I was stroking her in the garden and was suddenly shocked by how skinny she was. The picture above is her normal punching weight.

I gave her the once over and she seemed OK. With 4 cats It's hard to tell if one cat isn't eating as the food will always be eaten so last night I fed her away from the other 3 cats so I could check if she was managing OK. She ate the dry food without any problem and i gave her meat which she also ate pretty damn quickly.

Tonight she's come in and something isn't right. She seems to be breathing quite fast, her waist and hips seems slim and her thighs seem wimpy and her back legs are a bit weak.

Again I've fed her - she ate fine. She 'meows' when I say her name - she purrs when I stroke her. Teeth are fine, gums are fine, eyes are bright, worming was due but not overdue so I've done that today.

Chippy, Murphy and Paddy are all fine.

At a loss really ?

dandysmom · 03-04-2010, 01:59 AM

Phil, that calls for a trip to the vet ASAP, methinks! I don't like that weight loss, and as she's not in the house all the time it's no wonder you didn't notice anything before; cats are extremely clever as disguising illness. Please get her checked. And please let us know.

Phil · 03-04-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandysmom

Phil, that calls for a trip to the vet ASAP, methinks! I don't like that weight loss, and as she's not in the house all the time it's no wonder you didn't notice anything before; cats are extremely clever as disguising illness. Please get her checked. And please let us know.

Just been through to the kitchen and she's still not right. I've made her a nice bed with some old towels and she's settled. It's hard to explain but rather than curling up like she always does - she's lying 'straight' a bit like the Sphinx. Her breathing still seems heavy and rather than 'sleeping' she's just kind of staring where she's pointing. Had another feel around her body but nothing seems sore or unusual other than the skinny back half.

The lethargy is a worry as she's normally quite sparky.

Anyway - she's fed, watered and cozy.

I did pick a worm off her bum a couple of days ago so whilst not ideal - I hope that it's perhaps a nutrition problem that can be sorted.

We have a uncanny history of horrible emergency vet visits on Easter Sunday so I'll see how she is the morning.

Phil · 03-04-2010, 03:46 AM

She's obviously not going out so I'm off to bed. I've shut Paddy, Chippy (she'll not be pleased) and Murphy outside so Bramble should have some peace and quiet.

Moli · 03-04-2010, 06:48 AM

Has she been wormed recently Phil??

Mags · 03-04-2010, 09:33 AM

Hi Phil, to be on the safe side I would get her checked over by the vet, especially as she is mainly an outdoor cat.

Did you give her a worming tablet or use Spot on treatment last night?? I ask because sometimes a worm tablet can cause some upset/discomfort for a while after administration ........ my Cassie was often withdrawn when I used the tablet form. That could explain any immediate lethargy.

Please keep us informed how she is...

angieh · 03-04-2010, 10:10 AM

As you mention her breathing Phil, I would suspect thyroid. It happened to my cat Smudge some years ago - she was an outdoor girl too and I noticed her laboured breathing too late. I do hope you can get her to a vet soon - it is treatable if caught in time. Good luck to you and Bramble. That is such a lovely picture btw.

Phil · 03-04-2010, 06:59 PM

She wasn't about when we got up this morning. I saw her this afternoon running accross the back garden which compared to last night was great to see but not much help for me to catch her.

She came in at tea time tonight and seemed a million times better. Whilst I still maintain she's lost weight her breathing is normal and she's as lively as ever.

It was mentioned that they can go a bit funny after a worming pill (rather than spot on treatment). As it was yesterday that I gave her the dose I'm wondering if that's what had knocked her off colour.

Anyway - she's had her tea (and a sausage) and seems normal enough just now. In terms of her weight I'll continue to supervise feeding to ensure she's getting all she needs and see how things go over the weekend.

Mags · 03-04-2010, 07:04 PM

I'm glad she's feeling better now, Phil

angieh · 03-04-2010, 07:43 PM

Phew........ that's a relief Phil. Hope she continues to improve.

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