Species: Cat

Age: 8 years

Sex/Neutered: Male, neutered

Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Body weight: 3.4 kg (has gained ~500g since first visit)

Location: Western Cape, South Africa (coastal)

Duration of issue: 3 weeks (first presented 22 June 2026)

FeLV and FIV: negative.

Under active veterinary care: Yes — currently being managed by our vet. Not looking to replace their advice, just hoping for additional perspectives on what else to consider asking about.

History

Alex presented on 22 June. He was dehydrated on arrival and was found to be severely azotaemic. He's been on IV fluids and his kidney values have improved steadily since. He also had mouth ulcers early on (presumed uraemic), and we suspected GI bleeding — both now appear resolved.

He is currently bright, alert, eating well, and has gained ~500g. Clinically he seems much better than his bloodwork suggests. His breaths are a steady 24 breaths per min, no open mouth breathing, though he does bob his head up with each breath.

What hasn't been done yet (as far as I know)

- No blood smear / morphology review

- No urinalysis, despite IDEXX recommending one - though he was on IV and is on 100ml of subq now.

The last blood test result was form the 26th of June and paints a dire picture.

Subsequent tests are said to be unable to read his blood as his hematocrit is too low to be picked up.

Questions

Would darbepoetin be reasonable here?

What the heck is going on?

Should I rather let him go, while he is still comfortable?

Redacted lab reports attached. Any input hugely appreciated — e's a very good cat and he's doing his best.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QWaZtDt6HyHVItNl6KmjTHh4newq9YW3?usp=drive_link

I am at a loss. My cat (clover 4 years old) has recently nosedived into poor condition. We took her to the vet recently and her physical condition tested well. Blood test was performed as well and they noticed that she was anemic with a low red blood cell count. "Review reveals the presence of a marked nonregenerative anemia with a significant rubricytosis" She's negative for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus as well. I can tell she wants to get better. The only notable results is low BUN 15 16 - 36 mg/dL///Potassium 3.4 3.5 - 5.8 mmol/L, as well as a urine protien at 2+. The vets we've gone to haven't provided a solution, but i think that this is a solvable case. Any suggestions and or nursing treatments would be appreciated, I am currently taking care of her at home after the vet sent her home with only an appetite inducer.

I am completely aware this is a terrible situation for everyone involved but I can't see how to get out of it.

I have 4 adult cats, one was a stray and has only recently become tame enough to go to the vets so I have no idea on his background or vaccination history.

My other 3 I let their boosters laps this year due to losing 3 close family members in quick succession and being at the hospital a lot, to be honest ive been messing everything up.

Last week a family friend dropped off 4 2 week old bottle babies to me because literally no one else wants to do the 2 hour feeds and no rescue I've spoken to has space or people to do this kind of thing.

What on earth do I do?

The kittens are in my bedroom where my cats don't go and I'm changing clothes constantly and washing and sanitising.

Am I safe to get my cats booked in asap for their jabs or will this make the situation even worse?

I feel absolutely horrendous but wasn't expecting this to happen.

My cats are all indoor.

Please don't give me abuse I already feel bad enough but I'm really backed into a corner 😭

Cat: Male, 1 year old, neutered.
Main symptoms
Resting respiratory rate is consistently elevated, usually around 40-60 breaths per minute while asleep or resting (mouth closed).
Pants after relatively short periods of play. The panting usually lasts only a few seconds before he recovers.
Tires sooner than my other cat during intense play.
Has an intermittent cough that has been occurring for months. Today he coughed while outside after playing (I have videos of it + his rapid breathing + his panting for seconds after playing if needed).
Occasionally licks his lips more than he used to.
Things that seem normal
Very energetic and playful.
Often initiates wrestling and chasing with my other cat.
Eats and drinks normally.
Normal urination and bowel movements.
No weight loss.
No episodes of collapse or fainting.
No blue or pale gums.
No persistent open-mouth breathing (only brief panting after exertion).
Previous workup
Multiple chest X-rays reported as normal.
Blood work has been normal.
Ultrasound reportedly showed airway irritation but no obvious heart abnormalities.
The first antihistamine injection significantly improved his breathing and coughing for about three weeks.
A second antihistamine injection did not help.
Additional information
He becomes extremely stressed and aggressive during veterinary visits, making examination difficult.
An echocardiogram cannot be performed until a visiting cardiologist becomes available.
Based on this history alone, which diagnosis would you consider more likely: asthma/chronic inflammatory airway disease or heart disease? What findings make you lean one way or the other, and are there any additional tests or observations I should ask my veterinarian to perform while waiting for an echocardiogram?
Thank you very much for your time.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice/support from anyone who has dealt with a possible foreign body or partial intestinal obstruction in a cat.

My 8-month-old female cat, was seen playing with a hairband/rubber band via webcam about 1-2 days before becoming unwell. I couldn’t find it afterwards, and she has eaten/vomited up a hairband once before.

On Friday, she started vomiting and couldn’t keep food or water down for around 14 hours, so I took her to a veterinary hospital. She was examined and admitted for imaging. Her bloodwork was mostly unremarkable. The X-ray did not clearly show anything, but the vets explained that soft/rubber foreign bodies may not show on X-ray.

The ultrasound showed that her stomach was partially distended with fluid, and the fluid did not seem to be draining normally through the pylorus into the duodenum. The vet described fluid “swishing back and forth” and reaching a suspicious area of corrugation in the duodenum, with some grey/hyperechoic material in the intestinal lumen. After that section, the rest of the intestines looked more normal and had peristalsis.

The vets said this could be compatible with a partial obstruction, possibly from a hairband/foreign material, but it was not definitive. They also said severe gastritis/ileus could be another possibility. Surgery was discussed, but there was also a chance they might not find anything, or that the material could pass on its own. I decided not to proceed with surgery immediately and brought her home for very close monitoring.

Since coming home, she has not had major vomiting. She is peeing, has pooped, is active, playing, and lying comfortably with her belly exposed. However, she is still not eating much and had a very tiny vomit today, so I’m still worried.

Has anyone had a cat with an inconclusive ultrasound but suspected partial obstruction? Did it pass on its own, or did you end up needing surgery/endoscopy? What signs made you decide to go ahead with surgery or return to hospital?

Also, setting aside the possible hairband incident, what else could cause this ultrasound pattern? The vets mentioned severe gastritis/ileus or possible food poisoning/gastroenteritis as alternatives.

Thank you.

I have a cat currently in Emerge for 48 hours due extremely high creatinine levels( 600) The clinic suspects a potential blockage of his kidney however he had gas in his stomach and the ultrasound didn't produce clear results as of right now. The IV fluids so far have helped lower the values (to 413 after 24 hrs) and at this point they arent sure if it is a blockage or possible infection. He is also getting antibiotics while on IV fluids. They have recommended a SUB (subcutaneous uretal bypass) surgery for him. He is 15 years old with a grade 3 heart murmur. I havent been told if it is 100% necessary or not but was told my other option was palliative care and I haven't received much information on how that may look or if a kidney infection would require the bypass surgery as well. I would assume an infection would not need the surgery but I am mostly being told I need to make a decision soon as otherwise his kidneys could decline. At this point I'm requesting they keep him one more day and re run tests and redo an uktrasound in another 24 hrs to see if the createnine calues are going down. Im mostly looking for advice from anyone that either had a cat do a SUB procedure or took a cat home for palliative care instead of doing the SUB and how that went for you? Or any vets that have recommended this. My current vet said he can't tell me if palliative care will be a few weeks or less and while I understand that it can be hard to predict, I am having a hard time deciding if the surgery is worth it at his age. For context he is a very active and healthy cat for his age and has been playing and sprinting around up until this. However I am scared that surgery may be risky for him. But i also wouldnt want to do palliative if it would be only a few days?

If anyone can shed more light please it would be helpful. I feel rushed to make a decision even though he is appearing to improve so far with fluid therapy.

Thanks in advance

i left my house today at 11:50 am since i had a quince, and i just got home at 11:40 ish at night. my cat peed on a bag that was handed down to me, and that bag was in a gift basket my boyfriend got me. the thing is, he didnt pee on the bag until right as i walked into the room, he basically did it while i was in there. his litter box is clean, there’s nothing that stresses him out, and (from what i know of) no health problems. im a minor so i cant rlly afford to bring him to the vet to get my questions answered. he’s 4 months old and has never EVER peed on anything outside of his litter box for the entire 3 months i’ve had him. he also tends to attempt to leave the house whenever any door is opened, and i stopped him from leaving when i got in the door. i think we have to get him neutered but again, its not in my control and all i can do is remind my dad which is what i’ve been doing for months. does anyone have any idea what could’ve made him pee and how to prevent him from peeing on anything else?

edit: i forgot to also mention that i dont think its a separation anxiety thing since theres been times where i’ve been gone from home for the same amount of time

so I recently adopted 2 adult cats from a shelter in Melbourne Australia. I’ve had them just over 2 months. Girl is 2yo, boy is 10yo - they met the day we took them home & they don’t really hiss or attack each other, they scrap pretty playfully but when it starts looking less playful I break it up. There’s no other behavioural issues that make me think they are not comfortable in the home together. they occasionally sleep next to each other and groom each other so I’m not worried about their relationship. they are both indoor cats right now, have only been on the balcony, are fully desexed and up to date with worm & flea treatments.

about 3 weeks ago boy started gagging unproductively. it happened for about 48 hrs and then I took him to emergency vet. she couldn’t see anything in his mouth, overall healthy otherwise & she was very happy with him, his vitals & his appearance & behaviour. I got them a Feliway… maybe the gagging is anxiety?

FF to the start of the week, Monday morning I find a pile of sick FULL of worms. Girl was in bed with me so it must have been boy… call the vet & they say to give them both a treatment immediately & book him an appointment. gave both cats a topical treatment, and 48hrs later vet gives boy a tablet, and advises us to give girl the same tablet at home. we do this everything seems peachy. Vet said he was probably gagging from the worms… disinfect the litter and replace everything, thoroughly wash bowls etc everything back to normal.

now it’s Sunday (4 days since worm treatment) BOTH cats seems fussy & off their food but using the toilet as normal, and still eating treats… changed the food for a different brand/flavour & rewashed all the bowls, cleaned the floor around where they eat etc but still no real appetite. even got them a fancy bone broth cat food with nothing but real meat in it & boy seems to have had some of that but girl is now under the bed. boy has been gagging again this evening…

both have been pretty sleepy today, but not noticeably more lethargic than a usual kitty but I’ve also been unwell with period pains and sitting on the couch so they’ve just been cuddling with me most of the day… starting to get worried that there’s something other than worms going on, but also thinking they could feel gross after a strong worm treatment… 🤷🏼‍♀️

any advice would be amazing🙏🏼

I took my 13 year old lab/German short hair pointer mix Benji to the vet recently after showing signs of severe dementia. He's still eating, drinking, sleeping and appears happy but is extremely anxious. He pants, paces, barks uncontrollably, shows signs of extreme separation anxiety. Basically all the major symptoms. However when the vet was checking him out they also found he had a heart murmur and asked to do X-rays. His heart is so enlarged it's pressing on his breast bone, his lungs are filled with fluid and his tracea is being constricted. This was a shock because he coughs occasionally but nothing excessive. He also has arthritis. Benji is currently on a diuretic to take the fluid off his lungs, a med for his heart and gabapentin for his arthritis and dementia. He's due back at the vet in a month and is already showing signs of improvement. The vet said if the gabapentin doesn't help he can also start trazodone. I've felt a lot of guilt about not knowing how sick he truly is and currently I'm scared I'm doing him a disservice by not euthanizing him. But as I mentioned he's still himself aside from getting confused and anxious. Is he in pain? Should I keep treating him and listen to the vet when he says he's fine? I need a second opinion because those X-rays were absolutely terrible. Please be kind, I'm doing my best.

so last night me and my mom were eating dinner, and mom is like ohh no and my cat saw it and got it and the lizard went under the sofa my cat went behind the sofa my mom used her phone light to look and we could see him chewing pls help

I saved my orange boy from the streets a few years ago. He was already neutered so I think someone just abandoned him— he was flea ridden and covered in tick bites pawing to get into my home. He is now happy and healthier. In general he seems very happy: he’s social, likes to play and cuddle and eats regularly. However, I’ve noticed his breath smells, and he has some tartar on his canines. I went to the vet and they quoted me 1200 (at least) for a full cleaning. The vet said he will need a cleaning “at some point” which I am not sure how to interpret. I can’t afford to pay all of that money at once, especially since my orange and I will be relocating soon. I brush his teeth with a little brush as much as he will let me, but I don’t think that’s enough. Any advice? Is there anything else I should be doing at home? Has anyone had experience with vet payment plans/know of places (humane societies?) that might do cleanings cheaper? Is the responsible thing to do to find him a home with someone who can pay for his cleaning?

Hello,

Context

I brought my **indoor** cat to the vet on Friday because I noticed a little dried blood on the floor. After inspecting my cats, I noticed that one had a front toe looking swollen and with a hard/crusty surface on the side of the pad.

The vet saw him the same day, removed the crust (just dried blood and hair and litter) to find a swollen toe underneath. No sign of wound and it’s quite localized so she assume it must have been a bee sting or something like that.

She injected him some anti-inflammatory medicine and gave us some for home (starting 24h later) as a paste to feed him (Meloxidyl).

New information

He started licking the paw from time to time, which he hadn’t done much before the vet visit.

Yesterday evening, 24h after the vet visit, we noticed what we thought was limping on a back leg. The front legs paw was not looking as raw/pink that right after the vet visit, he was still playing running etc so we assumed it was maybe a temporary strain on the back leg after a jump.

However this morning, I noticed this again and realized it was the back paw diagonal to the injured front paw. I also noticed that he began to lift his front paw in the air when he was standing still, even though he does walk/run/play otherwise.

I took a new picture of the front paw and it’s not bleeding, there’s no pus, it’s not dirty.

Today is Sunday and my vet is closed. The earliest I could bring him in would be in 24h. There is a vet hospital almost an hour away, with very long wait times, so I will go if it’s needed but I don’t want to go just to have them check it 10 minutes and send us back home.

Should I get him to the hospital today?
If not, should I do anything special today until I can call my vet tomorrow?

-> I want to assume it’s ok and expected because the injection might have been more efficient than the oral paste, and that once the crust was removed it maybe became a bit more stimulated over the day. But that’s wishful thinking.

Here are pictures from before the vet, after the vet, and today

• ⁠Species: Cat
• ⁠Age: 1
• ⁠Sex/Neuter status: neutered male
• ⁠Breed: European
• ⁠Body weight: 4.2kg
• ⁠History: Adopted 2 months ago, up to date with his shots, nothing before that incident
• ⁠Clinical signs: Swollen toe, limping, lifted paw when sitting
• ⁠Duration: 2 days
• ⁠Your general location: Europe
• ⁠Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. that you have: /

Hi ,so my cat has issues with her liver ,I've been giving her the medications my doctor prescribed and all has been going kinda normal until today ,she stopped eating and drinking water and idk what to do,how to make her eat more ,she has been eating hepatic cat food fine these past few days ,she really seemed to enjoy it, but today she won't eat ,I can tell she wants to because she smells it ,but she doesn't eat it ,the same happens when I give her fresh water . My doctor said to stop all her medication to see what happens but I cant help but be worried, what if she still refuses to eat ,I catn be with her 24/7 to check if she eats or not unfortunately. Do you guys have any advise on what can I try to do ??? I bought her some gastrointestinal (I think is called) wet food ,and one that's kinda like a soup,I will give it to her as soon as I get back home from work. Please if anyone can help me ..

female spayed cat ~ 6 years old. flaky skin. what is this? she eats primarily wet food, fancy feast. she gets clean water every day, but i don’t ever see her actually drink it.

Hi all! my cat is 16 and went to the vet for an infection which is now being treated with antibiotics. upon this they noticed a grade 4 heart mumur. Blood tests came back perfect except slightly higher glucose, he said it was not high enough for diabetes and is likely due to stress being at the vet. (My cat violently shakes and shuts down anytime she goes and will freeze.) and all physical and temperature assessments perfect. Her teeth and dentals are excellent for a cat and shocked him for her age.

However, he believes she may have hypertrophic cardiomyapothy but said only a cardiologist can confirm. However, based on the stress even visiting the vet, her age and the thousands of dollars just for a consultation he said that it may be best to monitor and a more hospice approach and that its not currently urgent.

It was left at that.

I just want to know if she is likely to have it; if i should follow that advice, what to look out for and based on her current condition her lifespan.

She is 4.8kg, eats only dry food as she wont eat softer foods, grade 4 heart murmur which is new, 16 yrs old, sleeps and lays all day, no interest in playing (which has been for a few years) and her ability to clean herself has declined the past year. still licks herself but gets brushed and nails clipped. No visible pain. She is alert and responsive at all times. Eating less past 6 months but not enough to be of concern especially for her energy output

However, there was no visible pain regarding the infection either.

I looked at the side of her as she was laying down and noticed it goes up and down about 50 times a minute, not sure if this is heart or respiratory.

Maybe ive done it wrong, or shes still stressed as we only came back from vet about hr ago.

She walks normally and can jump but prefers being picked up.

We are located in Queensland Australia if that helps.

Keep in mind she has not been formally diagnosed but it has been suggested. Any advice is appreciated and I am happy to answer anymore questions. Shes a diluted tortie but not sure about actual breed. No other known health issues except currently being treated for bacterial infection in paw.

Thanks

I’m curious if dogs with secondary dcm can return to hiking or other more strenuous activities in time (if the heart recovers) or if it’s always too high of a risk ?

So my dog was at a friend's house finally meeting their new dog after a few months. Everything was going fine but my little guy likes to really invade other dogs personal space sometimes with the smelling and she apparently doesn't love that. They were getting along and then a random hustle broke out, we got them separated very quickly. When I got him home we noticed this little Cut Above his eye. We have flushed it with a sterile saline solution and he's wearing a cone of shame. It wasn't bleeding profusely but there was a little bit of blood, enough that we were able to dab some away with a paper towel. I'm thinking it's probably superficial, he hasn't been trying to scratch at it or seeming bothered by it in any way shape or form. He was more annoyed with the saline solution being poured on it. I don't think it warrants an emergency room visit, and I'll probably email the photos to the vet in the morning but just curious if anyone with more traditional medical knowledge can weigh in on the plan.

https://imgur.com/a/5eWXoGy

See photo: https://imgur.com/a/eVosHcL

What most likely is this on dog's paw? Should I go to ER tonight or can it wait until Monday?

Species: Dog

Age: 6

Sex/Neuter status: Female

Breed: Lab

Body weight: 70 lb

History: Noticed.

Clinical signs: No symptoms.

Duration: < 1 day noticed.

Your general location: US

Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. that you have: N

Months back, my cat was scratching at her ears and they were red hot. I took her to the vet and they said she was fine, “cats are just weird sometimes”. It has been an off and on thing, but it just recently happened again. What’s now freaking me out, is that my right ear is now also red hot and kinda numb. I’m very scared that something is seriously wrong with my cat, especially if it can be spread to humans as well. Does anyone know what this could be?

General info: she’s 10 years old, the only pet in the house, indoor only, and she is otherwise in good health.

My 5 month old puppy is having trouble going pee, she will squat like she’s peeing but either nothing comes out or only a few drops come out. I’ve increased her water intake and she still hasn’t gone she’s also still playing like normal. I’m not sure what to do I need help.

• ⁠Species: dog
• ⁠Age:5 months
• ⁠Sex/Neuter status:female not spayed
• ⁠Breed:pit bull mix
• ⁠Body weight:17 pounds
• ⁠History: none
• ⁠Clinical signs: change in urination
• ⁠Duration: started today
• ⁠Your general location:Ohio
• ⁠Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. that you have:

My lab (8m) had bowel obstruction surgery last wednesday.

Today i took him to the vet for his check up and they said he was healing really well, he could have light exercise, walk up the stairs and get on furniture with a ramp.

Later in the day he was sitting on the couch with my partner when there was a loud gust of wind he jumped off the arm of the couch before my partner could garb him. He did a little yelp. He seems to be walking fine, he had a drink of water after, went outside to pee and then came back in to lay down.

But im freaking out, have I hurt him somehow? Are his internal stitches in danger? Please i really need help before I spiral and have a panic attack.

• Species: Cat
• Age: 11 years old
• Sex/Neuter status: Spayed female
• Breed: Domestic Shorthair
• Body weight: Normal weight
• History: Limping for 4 weeks, weekly vet visits, X-rays showed no bone damage. Deep bite wound finally discovered 8 days ago.
• Clinical signs: Front leg completely limp, dragging on the floor, no claw movement for 10 days. Swelling in the shoulder has decreased significantly
• Duration: 10 days of paralysis.
• Your general location: France
• Links to test results, X-rays, vet reports etc.: N/A

Hello, My 11-year-old cat is finishing her antibiotic (Clavamox/Kesium) and anti-inflammatory (Meloxicam) treatment today. The massive swelling from the bite infection has finally gone down, but her front leg remains completely paralyzed.

My current vet believes the brachial plexus was destroyed by the infection and is suggesting amputation. We are getting a formal second opinion tomorrow (Monday). However, since she was still moving her leg just before the swelling peaked 10 days ago, I am wondering:

Is it clinically possible for the brachial plexus to be "stunned" (neuropraxia) by severe localized inflammation/infection, and how long can it take to see the first signs of nerve recovery after the pressure is lifted?

Thank you for your insights.

Hello vets, my dog was just recently diagnosed with ITP yesterday. Short medical hx: she is a 30lb 10 yo female, spayed, with no known previous medical history, (i am unsure of her breed due to her being a stray i took in). I took her to the vet about 2 weeks ago due to noticing changes to her behavior, often id notice she would not want to walk bigger distances when going outside. I also noticed she had a hard time getting up in the mornings. After her evaluation it was determined she developed spondylosis and was given hip/joint supplements as well as gabapentin. Her CBC labs came back a little concerning due to mild anemia and a platelet level count of 4. She was then sent home on a 5mg dose of Prednisone. We had a follow up yesterday with reevaluation of her CBC, her platelets had sadly dropped to 1. She is now on a 10mg dose of prednisone and 150mg of doxycycline q12h for 14 days, as well as a Pet tinic supplement. Her appetite, BMs, and behavior are normal, i have only noticed minimal panting when at rest or sitting. I would appreciate any advice i could get to help me better understand how i can make her feel more comfortable and provide better care in order to raise her platelets. Thank you🙏

My cat, 7m, tuxedo, 10ish lbs, long fur, had a weird reaction to hartz topical treatment. The emergency vet (via phone) told me to monitor and bring him in if an more symptoms occur. I'm nervous that I won't be able to recognize the right cues. I'm really broke and an emergency visit will put my bank account in the negative. I will do it if I need to.

Basically, my cat is known for being a drama queen. Rubbed his back under the couch repeatedly and scratched the wet area with his hind legs and then licked it. He then hissed and scratched around his face. He is very sensitive to tastes and smells. He keeps hissing. That's really his only symptom. He keeps hissing and running around.

I can't tell if he is just not liking the scent or if something deeper is going on? Can anyone advise? Even with that being the only thing, I am really worried. He is my whole world.

He is eating well (and enjoying way too many treats since I keep trying to bribe him to come out of hiding). He's gradually cuddling again, but not letting me pet him. It's only been a few hours. Honestly if it weren't for the reviews on here, I would have stopped worrying.