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Sick kitty

14:24:49

Question
Kelso
Kelso  
Hi, I rescued a feral cat who was just a few weeks old. He is about 10 months old now and I just recently got him neutered and vaccinated. lately, (even before I got him neutered) he was acting a little funny, but just this morning, I noticed how truly weird he was acting. He is shaking his head, maybe because of eat mites.. But he is also occasionally coughing and sneezing. He seems quite depressed all of a sudden and doesn't want to go outside or eat. He hardly has a meow, it's very hoarse. My other cat, Ava tries to play with him, but he just sits there. I know that altering a cat can make their behavior change, but not like this. The vet never said anything about his condition when I took him in, but I am taking him back for a booster a week from today and I want to help narrow down the possibilities on what he could have, also, what medication to expect to have to get for him.

Answer
Hi Melissa,

Ear mites can cause head shaking, but a tremor can also be caused by a fever (chills), or by dehydration, which causes muscle spasms. The latter two could be caused by any infection. There are also some germs that cause neurological disturbances, including a shaking head. These include toxoplasmosis and FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). I don't think you should wait until his booster appointment to address his signs of illness. The farther he gets behind the 8 ball, the harder his recovery will be. Not eating can cause serious health complications in just a few days. He also will not be able to receive his booster next week in poor health.

The exam will determine what becomes suspect. In a cat this age, it's most often some random bacterial infection that can be treated with an antibiotic. Considering his lack of appetite and general malaise, he may require some fluids under the skin to treat dehydration. However, if the head shaking appears to be neurological in nature, the vets may suspect FIP or toxo and recommend further diagnostics for those. Usually, they will start with blood tests. Toxo is curable, but FIP is not. If you haven't had him tested for the feline leukemia virus, I would do this, also. This can sometimes cause similar symptoms.

Good luck!
Jessica