I called the vet as soon as they were open this morning. I told them Tigger's symptoms and they wanted to set up an appt.(thankfully today) but I had so many appts today myself I asked if I could drop him off and pick him up later. They thought that was the best idea.
I called when I got home from my appts today.
They said Tigger had a temperature so they gave him an antibiotic shot first thing. They thought he was acting like he'd had a cat bite that had gotten infected but they couldn't find a bite anywhere on him. I mentioned the kitten and how they constantly were biting and playing and they agreed a kitten bite could have been so small and closed so quickly that they wouldn't find it now.
Now this is the other vet in the practice, the guy I usually don't see. Tigger was in for his rabies shot a couple of weeks ago and the vet we usually see mentioned he needed to lose weight. He was about 16.4 lbs. The vet today is evidently all concerned about the cat being overweight and it causing diabetes. He was wanting to get a urine sample to see if he has any ketones or sugar in his urine. In the morning if he isn't better they want to do a blood test but the test they run for everything costs over a $100. If they just want to know what his blood sugar is I can do that myself and it won't cost me anything extra. I know how to do that (I've read about cats with diabetes) and I am willing to do it right in front of them. I always have my meter with me.
I know he is sick but this going on and on about the diet and their brand of food for cats who need to lose weight is not what I want to hear right now. If he does have diabetes that is another story. If he doesn't, well, I know many people with cats far fatter than Tigger who are fine. We can work on the weight issue but I don't want to be pushed into buying their brand of food.
I have good reasons for reservations about that brand (that i am not mentioning here) and I hope they are not going to try and bully me into buying their stuff. The vet that is treating Tigger today is a guy who is very loud and intimidating. The kind of doctor I always avoid. The other vet I have been using with the cats is a woman who is gentle and quiet and not pushy. I don't deal well with domineering intimidating doctors.
I just want Tigger to feel better.
Here is Tigger with Latte from a day he was feeling better earlier this month.
Latte is very sorry if her play biting hurt Uncle Tigger and just wants him to come home because she misses him terribly. China won't play with her at all.
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Comments: 17
I hope Tigger is much better soon. It is hard when our furbabies are sick :( I wouldn't let the vet pressure me into buying anything unnecessary. The bill alone is expensive enough and some of the things they want you to buy can be purchased from other sources at reduced rates.
I hope Tigger gets well soon!
I don't think he is diabetic. If he were, he would be eating a lot and losing weight. He would also be constantly thirsty and just about flooding his litter box. I also don't think his diet is a problem. Unless there is a known medical condition like diabetes or blocking problems, any cat food, outside of generic or store brands, should be fine for him.
I hope he feels better soon.
My diabetic cat , Marcus Aurelius, lived for 17 years.
I hope Tigger is feeling better soon. I'm glad you could get him into the vet quickly.
i hope he gets to feeling better soon
I hope it's just an infection that needs to be cleared up. DH had a cat he had to give insulin to. He lost a lot of weight and went to the bathroom a lot and that was a sign of diabetes. Sounds like Tigger isn't diabetic. He just likes to eat;) My Fuzzy is 16 LBs, but he is a big cat too in length and height. He makes two of my Missy.
Heather tried to use that special food to save simon, and I think it actually made him worse. Vets get a pretty hefty profit from that food I say dont use it. My good vet never pushes that food, but he does carrie it. The other vets in the area push it as a cure all! I think it helped do simon in.
Hoping that he is feeling better soon.
Hope he gets well soon.
I certainly hope that Tigger feel better real soon!
Just like I knew what was best for my kids, I know what is best for my cats. I may listen to recommendations, but it's ultimately my decision. Don't let that vet intimidate you. Hope & pray Tigger doesn't have diabetes!
This is not the time to change diets. This happened to Merlin last year. It's easy miss a scratch and then it gets infected or worse abscessed. He was so sick but bounced back from a course of antibiotics. Let's hope that's all Tigger needs.
Aww, I'm sorry Tigger isn't feeling well, hope he is back to himself soon.
Poor, sweet, beautiful Tigger. I hope he will feel much better real soon!
Oh I sure hope the report on Tigger tomorrow will be a positive one!
I hope he is feeling better soon...