StreetScooby 5 #1 July 18, 2008 My tom cat has been laying low the last few days, in addition to "gipping" pretty seriously every now and then. Prior to this period, he's been on a serious killing spree. Many birds, chipmunks, and other things we weren't able to identify. We're wondering if he has a bone stuck in his throat. Any way to identify this without spending $500 at the vet? Will it dissolve? Any positive thoughts or comments will be appreciated.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #2 July 18, 2008 What is 'gipping'? Is he indoors where you have a litterbox and when was the last time you saw him urinate?Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #3 July 18, 2008 Gipping is dry heaving, i.e., trying to throw up without throwing up. Good question re: urinating. He his drinking alot (we have one of those continuous flow thingys). He always goes outside, mainly at night. I should check to see if he's eating the food we leave out for him.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #4 July 18, 2008 Yeah, sometimes they can get blocked and can't urinate or sometimes kidney issues (infection, etc) can cause vomiting/heaving. Not to mention his prey items may have been poisoned. I would probably err on the side of caution and take him to the vet if it were me.Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #5 July 18, 2008 I prodded his internals today from throat to what's left of his testicles (...actually, stopped just shy of those). While he didn't enjoy it, there was nothing dramatic in his response. My vet will be more than happy to take $500 for what may turn out to be nothing Stanley can't deal with. Been there, got the T-shirt.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #6 July 18, 2008 Well in answer to your original question there are some locations where it can get lodged and only be detected on x-ray. No it won't dissolve. Sometimes they perforate the esophagus and enter the chest cavity causing all kinds of hell. (had a friend's lab that this happened to from a stick the neighbors were throwing for him to fetch). Fat cats that don't eat for several days can start having metabolic problems that can cause death. But like you said, maybe he can handle it with nothing. You obviously know something is up with him or you wouldn't have asked about it. Good luck with him, I hope it all works out and it is just nothing.Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #7 July 18, 2008 I appreciate your responses. I'm going to actually start paying attention to the litter tray to see what's there. That's the next step.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilDevil 2 #8 July 18, 2008 If youve noticed hes drinking a lot, then theres something wrong, take him to the vets Please.``````````````````````````````````` " Cant keep a good woman down " Angels have wings, but devils can fly ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #9 July 18, 2008 Ok. But, he _always_ drinks alot. More than any cat I've ever had.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #10 July 18, 2008 QuoteYeah, sometimes they can get blocked and can't urinate or sometimes kidney issues (infection, etc) can cause vomiting/heaving. Not to mention his prey items may have been poisoned. I would probably err on the side of caution and take him to the vet if it were me. Give him a few charcoal tablets. And lots of fresh water Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilDevil 2 #11 July 19, 2008 do you give him dry food or cans ? If its dry food then maybe thats why you see him drinking a lot.``````````````````````````````````` " Cant keep a good woman down " Angels have wings, but devils can fly ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpin_Jan 1 #12 July 19, 2008 I am not a Vetrenarian. Only the vet can be sure. Two possibilities come to mind. Hairball causes similar symptoms. Hairball remedy is about 10 dollars. Squeeze out a dollip and put it on the cats upper lip and it will consume it. Repeat 5 or 6 times. The instructions say to put it on a paw but that can create a huge mess! Does he eat grass? (they like very long grass or weed grass) Grass is the cats way of trying to solve it on it's own. A SEVERE case of worms causes similar symptoms too. Take a wet turd to the vet and have them check it. Cats that eat critters WILL get worms. Do you regularly give worm medicine like 'once a month wormer' ? If it is worms blocking the lower GI then you prolly need a professional. Is he still eating and shitting? If not don't wait! Vibes to ya critter!!! PULL! jumpin_Jan"Dangerous toys are fun but ya could get hurt" -- Vash The Stampede Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #13 July 19, 2008 Quote I am not a Vetrenarian. Only the vet can be sure. Two possibilities come to mind. Hairball causes similar symptoms. Hairball remedy is about 10 dollars. Squeeze out a dollip and put it on the cats upper lip and it will consume it. Repeat 5 or 6 times. The instructions say to put it on a paw but that can create a huge mess! Does he eat grass? (they like very long grass or weed grass) Grass is the cats way of trying to solve it on it's own. What she said here. My cat does the same thing due to these 2 things. When Mere, my fat boy, gets a hairball going, he dry heaves and THEN eats grass (when there's no snow on the ground) and it comes out in the yard. Winters, they tend to come out on the stairs in the precise spot I STEP on when going down them. Big fat ICK from me! Quote A SEVERE case of worms causes similar symptoms too. Take a wet turd to the vet and have them check it. Cats that eat critters WILL get worms. Do you regularly give worm medicine like 'once a month wormer' ? If it is worms blocking the lower GI then you prolly need a professional. Is he still eating and shitting? If not don't wait! Haven't experienced this (thank god)! Quote Vibes to ya critter!!! What she said. Good luck with your kitteh! PULL! jumpin_Jan'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Croc 0 #14 July 19, 2008 I had a cat that drank water constantly and pissed by the quart. Also, when she walked her hind legs splayed out. Turned out she had diabetis. I currently have a cat that yuks up hairballs. Never takes more than a few minutes. Take him to the vet. Something major is wrong."Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #15 July 20, 2008 QuoteMy tom cat has been laying low the last few days, in addition to "gipping" pretty seriously every now and then. Prior to this period, he's been on a serious killing spree. Many birds, chipmunks, and other things we weren't able to identify. We're wondering if he has a bone stuck in his throat. Any way to identify this without spending $500 at the vet? Will it dissolve? Any positive thoughts or comments will be appreciated. I would check his temperature. Tom cats commonly fight and develop abscesses. A high fever makes them lethargic. I would also check him for FIV, FeLV, and heartworms. A CBC and Profile along with a blood and fecal parasite exam would give you a lot of information. Plus don't be so stingy with your Vet he/she may need jump money to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #16 July 21, 2008 QuoteMy vet will be more than happy to take $500 for what may turn out to be nothing Stanley can't deal with. I'd hope that anything costing $500 would mean he did need professional help. I say take him. It's only money, and you won't forgive yourself in a hurry if anything bad happens that could have been avoided. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NtheSeaOrSky 0 #17 July 22, 2008 How is kitty?Life is not fair and there are no guarantees... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stuntbabex 0 #18 July 22, 2008 He's pregnant. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #19 July 22, 2008 QuoteHow is kitty? Yes, how is kitty?Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
