My cat's sick. How bad is this?

[LiberalHeart]

My cat is about 4.5 months old. He sneezes, is anemic, has ear mites, and a parasite. He's on an antibiotic for the parasite, an ear med for the ear mites, and vitamins for the anemia. Nothing for the sneezing.

I'm worried about him, but he's acting feisty and happy. He had lost a pound, but is gaining a bit back. The vet said he should be rechecked in three weeks, but offered no opinion on whether this is serious. All that was said was, "I hope the anemia is from the parasite because the medicine should get rid of the parasite."

Has anyone gone through this with a cat?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. Ear mites & parasites are pretty simple to treat.

The anemia is most likely just due to the parasites. As for the sneezing, my cat Midnight has an undiagnosed chronic sinus problem. She has a permanently stuffy nose. She sneezes often and breathes heavy all the time because she's stuffed up. Medications don't help it.

She's been this way since we rescued her at 7 weeks. She's almost 14 years old now. She's active and otherwise the picture of health. In fact, the vet said that aside from the sinus problem, she's in much better shape than most cats her age. So, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Robeson]

2. I'll post this in the Pets Group....

...I'm sure they will give you some good advice.

[LiberalHeart]

3. Thanks, but where is the pets group?

[Robeson]

4. It's here....

...http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

But you've got to have donated to DU - i.e. have a star - to be able to post in a group. So I posted this over there for you so I'm sure you'll get a response. You can browse and read the posts over there, however. Check it out.

On edit: Be sure and check back here later today, since that's when posters from the pet group will probably respond.

[LiberalHeart]

6. Many thanks. n/t

[wickerwoman]

5. Yes. Did you adopt him from a shelter?

We adopted four kittens about two years ago when there was a nasty epidemic going around. They were all sneezing non-stop, had ear mites and fleas and couldn't gain weight. Three of them made it but one didn't. She was very lethargic from day one though and had terrible diarrhea. I would say as long as he is fairly active and is staying hydrated he's not in serious danger. I'd get him to a vet though if he has serious diarrhea. Otherwise, I think all you can do is wait it out. What are you feeding him? Our vet said Science Diet chicken flavor for kittens and if they really won't eat try chicken and rice flavored baby food as long as it doesn't have onion powder. The kittens who wouldn't eat regular food lapped this up like mad but it might be better not to change his diet if he's already eating enough.

I think he'll probably be fine, but I know how stressful it can be having a sick little one in the house!

[LiberalHeart]

7. He's adopted from the Humane Society

He'd been to a vet, deemed healthy, but did have ear mites. They gave me medicine to get rid of them and that's a multi-week treatment plan that he's still in.

He weighed four and a half pounds when I got him. I noticed he had the runs at times, so I switched his food, or rather mixed it with another, and the problem seemed to go away. But then returned, so I took him to the vet and that's when I got the parasite diagnosis (today).

I've been feeding him a mix of Nutro and something with Blue in the name, both recommended by the Humane Society. He had gone down to 3.4 lbs., but was up to 3.8 today. He seems to have a good appetite now and does drink his water.

Purrs a lot, plays a bit. He ran a fever for a while, but it's normal now. He's a really sweet little guy. I've gotten very attached super fast. It'd break my heart if he's seriously ill. But from the messages here, it sounds like maybe I've been overly worried. I hope.

[wickerwoman]

8. I wouldn't worry about the ear mites.

One of our kittens literally had black plugs of dead mites in each ear and they cleared up fine with no loss of hearing.

He sounds like he's on the mend. :-)

[Lisa0825]

9. It sounds like he's on the right track...

When did he start the medication? I assume he's also on flea control? Flease can cause anemia as well as worms.

Just like with people, colds are usually viral, so there isn't much to do unless there is a secondary infection to treat with antibiotics, and he's already on one of those. And just like people, even a little cold can leave residual sneezing for a week or two.

He's acting happy and gaining weight, so those are both good signs. A pound is a lot to lose when your little, but it is good that he is gaining it back. When cats are really sick, they often stop eating. As long as he is eating and has a good energy level and mood, try not to worry much.

[LiberalHeart]

10. Started meds about ten or eleven days ago

I took him to his free check up with a participating vet that came with the adoption (he'd already gone through the vet process at the shelter, then they have you get the animals checked within a week of adoption by your own vet). That vet said he had a fever and gave him an antibiotic (the pink one), which took for a week. Then yesterday he started on the stuff for the anemia and the parasite (giardia). He has been on ear mite med since before I got him and he'll be on it for several more weeks.

[SOteric]

11. Sneezing and a kind of coughing are pretty common

(and relatively harmless) side affects of Amoxycillin in cats. Is that the antibiotic he's on?