posted 05-20-2003 11:29 PM           

When I try to move him, he growls and when he’s up on his legs. He shakes from being so weak. I have also been seeing him throw up. He’s been throwing up a yellow foamy looking material. I decided that maybe he should just drink water and not eat.

posted 05-21-2003 01:16 AM         

I'm afraid the best thing is to let a vet clean him up and put him on a course of antibiotics. He most likily has an infection in the wounds and needs the puss drained. He will be VERY sore and at risk of the infection spreeding and blood poisoning.

If you try to clean him up yourself you risk him attacking you (and you wounds may need medical treatment then too), and/or not cleaning him up enough. Also he will still need antibiotics and no vet will give you any without seeing the animal first.

Most vets will let you pay the bill off when you explain your problems, so just take him to a vet and explain. The good news is that if I'm right then the bill won't be too bad.

As far as the vomiting goes, the yellow stuff is bile and it shows he has no food in his stomache. Bile tastes foul and he won't want to eat with that taste in his mouth. However, when a cat won't eat then his situation is serious. Cats must eat because their system is not built for stavation.

The vet can sell you tins of special jelliment for sick cats that most cats will eat even when vomiting. You can mix it with water and force feed via a syringe. At this stage hydration is a big factor so try at least to get some water into him. Go talk to your vet, they can give lots of advice (much more than this forum) for free, and they are you best weapon in helping you cat.

posted 05-21-2003 06:01 AM         

I put some food by him before I went to bed. But it doesn't look like he's touched it. It's the hard catfood. I was thinking about going to the store and getting him some of the soft catfood. Is this a good idea?

posted 05-21-2003 07:29 AM         

I'm glad you're taking him to the vet. Let us know how things go. At the moment your cat probally needs soft food because it has more water in it, and so will help with fighting dehydration. Dry food is very high in energy which can make it quite rich on a poor stomach. Ask your vet about what to feed your cat, the doctor should have some advice.

posted 05-21-2003 05:05 PM         

The only other thing I could do was to have him put to sleep. To stop his suffering. And it was the worst thing I have ever had to decide on. Knowing that I dont have the 1,000s of dollars to get him better.

posted 05-22-2003 01:15 AM         

I am very sorry for your loss. At least Shad died painlessly and he wasn't alone. Its a bitter comfort but it seems to be important to us humans.

Take time to acknowlege what you've gone through. Your descion is the most awful part of having a sick pet, and its never easy losing them either. You might find other people's stories about this kind of situation a help in letting you know you're not alone.

In the end you did the best thing.