Hello there...just adopted and cat is sick

[LisaB356]

Hello there...My name is Lisa and last Wednesday I adopted a male (unaltered) cat that we named Patch. He's only about a year old and has white fur with tiger patches. Thus the name Patch!
However, Patch has been sneezing for most of the time now (very frequent). Then two days ago he started hiding under our bed and hasn't eaten or drank any water on his own since. I brought him to the vet yesterday and he presumed it was pneumonitis and Patch had a 104 degree fever. So he gave Patch antibiotics that I have to force into him. Today he still is the same and I'm supposed to go back to the vet tomorrow to do a follow up. I can't afford the high costs of a vet. I was going to get pet insurance but haven't even had time to do that since we just got Patch. I'm very sad and discouraged. I want to know if this sounds like more than just pneumonitis (basically a cold!) or if anyone else out there has dealt with something similar. I can barely even force feed him water. He absolutely refuses his food. I'm going to try sardines, baby food, and pedialyte as well and see if I have any luck. How long does this sort of things last and do I need to worry as much as I am? I'm a mess...In April we had one of our ferrets die due to cancer and I have no money saved up because of that (it cost almost $1000 after all was said and done). I wish vets weren't so outrageously expensive. It's very very discouraging.
I appreciate any info anyone else may have!
LisaB

[brandy pup]

I am very sorry about your kitty. Were did you get him? Please inform the place you got him in case it is contagious so they can take precautions.

Has he been tested for FeLV/FIV? If not please do so. Also no more vaccinations at least for a year - 3 years. (more on this later)

Your cat is sick, the number one thing you must do now is get him well or find someone else who can. You can't just adopt a kitty with no funds. Emergencies pop up as you know and these must be planned for. There are low cost options out there you can look into. Ask you vet if the accept carecredit.com.

It sounds like your doing everything right. Ask your vet (not the reseptionist) if he can give you a break. Or set up payment plans or something. There is also IMOM.org for financiale assistance.

Check your shelters, rescues and colleges for low cost programs. And remember to save up for his neuter!

[Left Paw]

Cat's won't eat what they smell. And he's not going to like being forced- as his antibiotics kick in, and his nose clears a little, food might be tempting. Meanwhile, keep him warm- put a hot water bottle in his bed or find him a nice sunny spot to sleep- and try maybe heating his food a degree or two above room temp so he might can smell it better. Keep fresh water nearby at all times. Cats get colds like us and they'll get over them like us- you've gotten him medicine and I think you'll just have to wait a day or two for it to start helping him. Antibiotics generally DO take about two days to start having an effect.

[LisaB356]

Well, Patch is still sneezing a lot. A few times he sneezed and the spray was tinged with blood. Not a lot but I could see it. Is this common in cats who sneeze too much from a cold? I'm assuming his nasal passage is raw or something. I'm just not sure because when I have a cold I don't sneeze quite so much and if I do there is no blood! Just curious if this accompanies sneezing in feline pneumonitis.
Also, I did not intend on Patch getting sick ASAP and as a matter of fact have taken a lot of overtime at work in the coming weeks. However, nothing seems to matter since all of this is taking place NOW. I also have a neutering certificate from the shelter since I adopted him. Patch (when he's well again) will have a 'free' neutering appointment. That's one more reason why I was so happy to adopt him now because I knew those costs would be covered.

[Left Paw]

when you said blood in the mucus, tht made me think of sinus infections- i wasn't sure if cats have sinuses- but I found this link- maybe it will help- anyway, if it is sinusitis- the antibiotic should help


http://www.petsmart.com/pet_library/home_remedies/sinus.shtml

[LisaB356]

My sick Patch has been to the vet for a second time this morning. Thank you for your help! Actually thank you to everyone who has posted to me. Today his temp is down to 102.9 -- I was told that is on the high side of normal. Supposedly a cat should be somewhere from 101 (or so) to 102.5 degrees. So that's a marked improvement from Monday (when he was 104 degrees). They also gave me Nutri-Cal to supplement his diet until he eats normally again. He took to it really well because when we got home he chowed down on it like it were the best thing in the world! Even though he hasn't really drank any water the vet says he isn't looking dehydrated. Thank goodness. He also said that it could take anywhere from days to weeks for poor Patch to recuperate. I hope it's more like just a few days! The blood in the spray when he sneezes is probably just due to him sneezing so much and the blood vessels breaking in his nose because of this. I figured that could be it but I'm a paranoid mother! I'll keep everyone informed and hopefully things will continue to look up for Patch. Thanks to everyone who gave advice! I appreciate it!
:alien: