3337. The community cat stopped eating for a few days

May 19, 2018 


WHY IS MY CAT ANOREXIC?

"He was missing for a few days," the worried doctor usually see the stray cat in her garden every night for the past 3 years. "When he returned, he had been neutered by somebody. Who could have done it?  Could this be the other stray cat caregiver in my neighbourhood?"

The caregiver consulted me because the cat stopped eating. He was a ravenous cat whenever he returned from his outings. He was not the type to stay at home., 

"Why didn't you neuter him earlier to prevent him straying?" I asked. The lady said that she could not crate him. Most likely, she considered neutering as unnatural and cruel. She wanted him to be a normal cat living a free life.   

"I did some internet research," she shared. "There are two types of stray cats, also known as feral cats. One type does not trust human beings. The other type like this one, had been abandoned or lost. Since the latter had contact with people, he does not object to handling.:

I examined the cat on the consultation table after checking his medical record. Last month, he was treated by Dr Daniel for ear mites and had recovered. He had a blood test done, showing very low platelet count. I noticed a large right facial swelling on the lower facial area. The left face was taut. 
The owner was not aware of this discrepancy.  His ears were still oozing black wax. I palpated the right ear. The cat moved his head away from me, in protest of pain. 

"What is the cause of his loss of appetite?"

"Most likely an infection based on his lifestyle as the tom-cat of the neighbourhood," I said. "His right facial swelling indicated a serious infection from cat fight wounds, leading to a large abscess and pain."








1.  A TOM CAT came into caregiver's house to fight this tom cat. Somersault and meowing. Claws out.  Caregiver was witness and attempted separation.

2. This cat is very loving. But must go out. The night before this consultation, had gone out the whole night. That is his life-style. To look for females and to dominate other tom cats. A good fight. His skin is very thick compared to the normal domesticated short haired. Very difficult to take blood as the needle is hard to pierce the skin.


HOW TO DIAGNOSE CAUSE OF ANOREXIA.

3. BLOOD TEST. Platelets 90 (very low) last month. Now 290 (low ). Toxaemia. 
No generalised bacterial infection as the total white cell count and neutrophil count is normal.  

WHAT DID THE VET DO?
Loss of appetite would likely be due to pain in the swollen right face which was scarred by the other cat (evidence - image). No pus was detected. The infection went to the right ear area and so the cat vigorously objected to me touching the right ear as compared to the left ear. If painful, will not eat although active and wanted to go out.  

He was sedated and the ears' dirty black secretions were cleared up once again.
Right facial abscess lanced. No pus. Fibrous tissues healing. 


4. FOLLOW UP ON MAY 19, 2018.

Saturday, May 19, 2018. 22:54
Hi, is Ginger eating today?

Saturday, May 19, 2018. 23:07
Hi Dr Sing. Yes. Thank you so much. Ginger's appetite is much better today. Able to eat packet food. No dry food yet. Started ear drop and antibiotic today.