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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
My 18 Year Old Cat Has Eaten Very Little Today. She Is Still Drinking…

My 18 year old cat has eaten very little today. She is still drinking and urinating normally. She is very thin. I am taking her in tomorrow. What can I expect during the visit?I’m scared that I will have to put her to sleep.

5 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    I may glad you already have an appointment. I’m sure if you tell the vet your concerns upfront they will work with you.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I expect that after an exam, some questions about how much she drinks and pees that they will recommend some blood work. I also expect it to include thyroid and a urinalysis. From here most of the needed information can be gathered. As long as her heart and lungs sound ok bloodwork usually holds the answer. At my clinic this is about $200 total.
    And for the record only you decide it is time for your cat to pass on. No one else has the right to decide. Except a judge if they deem it to be cruelty. If your cat is struggling to the point that you questioning she still has a quality of life acceptable to you then your vets job is to help both of you come to a peaceful end of life journey. It’s your decision. Never feel coerced or intimidated. Find a vet who cares and wants to help. Also hospice is available if you ask. Please let me know what happens tomorrow. I wish you both the best. Krista

  3. jen Hohman Post author

    Thank you both for answering my question. I’m still very worried that I may lose her.

  4. jen Hohman Post author

    Hello,
    I just wanted to let you know that Rugrat has passed away. She died before her vet appointment. Thank you so much for all of your help.

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
My Cat Fell Into The Pool Last Week. She Is Fine, However Yesterday I Saw…

My cat fell into the pool last week. She is fine, however yesterday I saw that she pooped on the attic floor instead of the litter box. Could she still be traumatized by the swimming pool incident? She is 18 years old.

3 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    At that age, I’d worry she isn’t well. Did you get her to the vet after it happened?

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    I called our vet to let her know that the cat had fallen in the pool. The cat has only done this once. The vet told me that as long as she doesn’t have any respiratory problems, she should be fine. We just switched her to a new food. Could this be the issue? She uses her litter box like she always did. She has accidents from time to time. She is eating and drinking normally and is not lethargic.

  3. Anonymous

    Ah, new food absolutely could be the issue, in addition to the fall into the pool. Maybe pick up some Cat Attract litter to remind her where to go…and if it’s a tall box, maybe something with shorter sides?

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
Hello, My Cat Loves To Walk Along The Edges Of Our Swimming Pool And Drink The…

Hello,
My cat loves to walk along the edges of our swimming pool and drink the water puddles ( even when we provide fresh water for her). Today she fell in the pool. Fortunately I was standing nearby and heard her trying to get out. We dried her with two warm towels and placed her inside. She is still shaken up but she is eating and drinking normally. Is there anything else that I should do?

2 Responses

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  1. Jennifer Taylor

    Our cat loves to walk on the side of the tub while I give my daughter a bath. She has fallen in several times yet continues to enjoy her time hanging out on the side of the tub! If she didn’t seem to take on any water and is acting normal; meaning normal breathing, normal behavior, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much. If she isn’t acting normal then perhaps have your vet check her out to be on the safe side Best of luck!

  2. Jayden Cihlar

    The truth is this happens a lot and could just be anxiety acting up. The cat could have been so used to not falling in that when she did she got in she was startled. The best way to determine this is if the type of cat is known to have anxiety issues. If she still shakes after a few days then maybe you would want to go to the vet. Hope it’s better soon!

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
When I Was Grooming My Cat I Accidentally Cut Her Skin. The Wound Doesn’t Look…

When I was grooming my cat I accidentally cut her skin. The wound doesn’t look deep and is not bleeding. Is it safe to use Neosporin ointment on her wound? The wound looks like a small tear.

4 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Unfortunately I see this too often. Hard as I try to beg and plead with people to NEVER USE SCISSORS! They do and it happens. The skin will often heal on its own BUT too often it closes over an infection which causes an abscess or the skin edges don’t heal due to the cat licking it which then causes infection. Cats don’t heal as well as dogs do with cuts therefore I always recommend seeing the vet now to get the wound assessed and antibiotics started BEFORE it gets to be something serious and expensive.
    I hope this helps
    Best of luck

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    Thank you so much for your advice. I have cleaned the wound and I will watch her for the next few days. She is behaving normally and is resting in our garage for the night.

  3. jen Hohman Post author

    Hello,
    Just a quick update,
    The wound on Rugrat’s back has healed up nicely. Since it was a small cut, I bought some Vetrycin and sprayed it on her wound. she is back to her old self.
    Thank you so much for your help

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
Hello, Is Baby Oil Safe To Use On Cats? I Heard That Baby Oil Can Help…

Hello,
Is baby oil safe to use on cats? I heard that baby oil can help de tangle matted fur.

2 Responses

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  1. Leah Hay

    You would probably be better to buy a cat conditioner spray to untangle the cats fur

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Leah. I would try a groomer forba shave down before trying to untangle. It can be very painful for the cat, and tear the skin which will lead to infection and even maggots. Please just ask the vet or a groomer to safely shave out the mats. Never use scissors! You can (it happens all the time) accidentally cut them which often results in an abscess.

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
Is Covenia Safe For Cats? My Cat Recently Had One For A UTI.

Is covenia safe for cats? My cat recently had one for a UTI.

2 Responses

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  1. Dawn Ferara, DVM

    Yes it is safe for cats, why do you ask?  Did your cat not get better?  This sounds like something to discuss with your vet.

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    She just had the injection today. I just read some horror stories when I googled it. Thank you for answering so quickly

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
I Was Curious If Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Is Safe For Cats. I Know It Helps…

I was curious if unsweetened cranberry juice is safe for cats. I know it helps keep the urinary tract healthy in humans. Can it do the same for cats. If so, what is the safest dose?

1 Response

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  1. Matthew Burns

    It should be fine but make sure you dilute it with 1 part cranberry juice to 3 parts distilled water as it still has a high sugar level hope this helps 🙂

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
Hello, This Morning I Went To Clean My Cat’s Litter Box And Found Little Droplets…

Hello,
This morning I went to clean my cat’s litter box and found little droplets of blood on the litter box liner, She is drinking normally, however she does seem to be straining to defecate. Otherwise she is roaming around normally.

4 Responses

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  1. jen Hohman Post author

    Hi,
    Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. The blood spatter was on the outside of the litter box. I could see no traces of blood in her urine. Is it okay if I just observe her for 24 hours ?

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    Rugrat is urinating normally, although the urine is a clear yellow. It turns out she was a little constipated. I gave her som maple flavored gel to help get her GI tract back to normal

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
I Was Just Wondering, How Can You Tell Wether A Cat Has A Sprain Or…

I was just wondering, how can you tell wether a cat has a sprain or a broken leg?

1 Response

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  1. Anonymous

    This would require a vet visit for x-rays and experienced hands on the cat.  In the interim, I would keep the cat confined to a dog crate to keep him quiet.

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jen Hohman | 8 years ago
Hello, My Cat Came Home Limping. Only One Of Her Back Legs Is Affected. She Is…

Hello,
My cat came home limping. Only one of her back legs is affected. She is in pain, however, her leg looks normal and she is otherwise healthy. There is no swelling that I can see. Could it be a sprain or muscle injury?

3 Responses

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  1. jen Hohman Post author

    Thank you for responding so quickly. She is resting in our garage right now

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    Update: Rugrat is climbing our garage attic stairs. She can put weight on her leg but you can tell she’s in pain. Other than that she is eating, drinking and using her litter box as usual.

  3. Haley Nickole

    My cats ALWAYS do a little something to there selfs , an when they were smaller , they would climb on things an jump off an limp for a day or two an then be fine . i took him to the vet after the first time an they told me it was a sprain an another time it happened to my other cat there was nothing wrong with him , he was just limping lol so sometimes unless you see a wound or they look badly in pain i honestly wouldn’t worry too much unless they persist to stay off the leg longer than 24/48 hours

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