Timmy has been lethargic for a few days

[kathryn]

Hello everyone. Timmy (my heart surgery kitten) has been lethargic since about 10/2. It was not a really sudden onset but more of over the course of the day he was just kinda like blahh. He hasn't really played much since then.. he's still very alert.. bright eyes... no other symptoms other then a general lack of energy and his appetite isn't what it was before.

I brought him to the shelter early afternoon 10/5 after I had talked to his dr and 'medical team' if you will and they just said that if he wasn't feeling better by monday to bring him in. The only staff at the shelter monday was 1 tech and another veterinarian (not his surgeon). So we took his temp and it was 104.5... tried to give him fluids but of course he put up a fight!

He still is pooping and peeing fairly normally. he was constipated yesterday but he hadn't eaten much other then a couple treats since he didn't want any canned food.

I switched him to Aunt Jeni's raw chicken formula and he's been quite interested in that... but I mean I'm just at wits end trying to make this kitty perk up a bit. The seasons have just changed here and it's gotten quite cold out... and it's gotten colder in my house for sure. I think this may have something to do with it.

He has been seen by his vet twice since he hasn't been feeling well and he's been checked head to toe and no obvious signs of anything. His temp. has gone down and it appears he has just had a minor infection.

He's been on clavamox since last monday and I gave him a penicillin shot last week as well. Overall he's not sick in the way of sneezing or barfing or anything... but just been kinda blahhhh and not as hungry as before. He's not loosing much weight though other then an ounce or two...

Any suggestions?!? he is supposed to go for his followup x-ray tomorrow to see if his esophagus and heart have healed properly from his surgery. They were telling me they may have to sedate him and I really don't want to sedate this cat while he is like this!! His doctor just is saying we really need to wait and see and other then that see how the clavamox works.... but maybe someone has a good recipe to help his appetite and give him a little boost.

thank you!!

[sugarcatmom]

I would have no guesses as to what the original problem mighty be (was he vaccinated recently?), but I do know that antibiotics can cause digestive upset in many kitties and result in them losing their appetite. I would make sure to give the Clavamox with some food, and if he's not eating enough, talk to the vet about discontinuing it.
At the very least, start giving him some probiotics to counter the annihilation of his gut flora.

Have you tried offering him plain chicken baby food? How about some lightly boiled chicken breast with the broth? The juice from a can of low sodium salmon will also help get some extra fluids in him.

[kathryn]

He finished his FVRCP series over 6 weeks ago.. his rabies shot was.... I think about a week before his surgery? But yeah nothing recently and he had no adverse reactions to any shots.

I'm pretty sure his little infection is gone and just kind of knocked the wind out of him (figuratively).. but as you can imagine my mom is like OMGHEDYYINGGGG 'cause he isn't eating too much. I know antibiotics usually do cause digestive upset, and since he already wasn't feeling well to begin with that this made him worse.

I was thinking of giving Geneflora a try. It comes in a big container and would be good to mix into my cats nightly canned food. Also my mom had a hunk of turkey leftover from her dinner recently and I had been heating that up and mushing it up and water and he LOVEDDDD that. He still loves his treats but more or less has been sleeping about 14+ hours a day... like a typical cat lol


I'm just not used to my little bundle of energy to be so sleepy and not pigging out. I kinda just wanted to hear someone else's opinion so I could say, 'hey look mom so-and-so said blah blah blah' and try and calm this crazy lady down!! lol

[14+kitties]

Sending lots of for the little guy. He sure has been through a lot.

[Love4himies]

Awwww, poor Timmy.

There are viruses, (calicivirus for one) that have no vomiting, diarrhea, or sneezing, but can have fever, loss of some appetite, sore joints. It is a virus that can come in with your shoes (or bare broken feet). It can anywhere from severe to mild depending on the kitten. It may be a bug that just requires supportive care and will have to take it's course.

Sending some that he perks up soon.

[mikischo]

I have no advice. Just sending that Timmy is back to his old self soon.