I need input from cat lovers who have faced this problem.

My cat, Hamilton, is about 15. I have been his human since he was a kitten. Only other cat lovers would know the strong bond that this wonderful animal and myself have had for so many years, especially the last 7 or so. I have a deep love for this animal. He has been a joy and comfort to me in ways beyond expression. That is why I am posting this - in the hopes that something here might ring a bell with someone.

He is fiv positive, diagnosed so close to ten years ago. But has been healthy, very active, full of life, with a voracious appetite. This past Monday morning, he was his usual self. Waiting on his morning treats, prowling the house, insisting on going outside for a few, even though he's an indoor cat. He walked halfway around the house and I brought him in from the back door. I left the house and got back around 11. He had thrown up, and was still throwing up. And since then, he hasn't eaten, had any water, barely used his litterbox, and has kept himself under my bed.

On Wednesday I took him to the vet. They did blood work, examined him, gave him an injection of fluids under the skin that his body would slowly absorb. Thursday I was notified that his bloodwork was normal, and that xrays should be done. He spent Friday at the vet's, and I was told later that day that the xrays revealed little other than the possible presence of gall stones. The vet strongly suggested he be taken to an animal hospital to receive fluids and monitoring until an ultrasound could be done on Monday. He came home Friday evening, no change in his condition. No change Saturday. Saturday night, I took him to the animal hospital to be cared for until the ultrasound could be done on Monday. He is there now.

I know he is up there in age, and has condition that might lead to medical problems at some point, but what I can't get over is how normal and active and full of life he was Monday morning, and how he went to such a condition as I've seen this week in the course of just a few hours.

One thing I did realize tonight, and have made both the hospital and the vet aware - he was underneath a sago palm I have in the back yard on his morning prowl around the outside of the house Monday morning. I didn't know this until tonight, but that plant is very poisonous to cats (and other animals, including humans). Whether that has anything to do with this, I don't know.

Does any of this ring a bell for any other cat lover here?

Thanks.

He was vomiting and dry-heaving often, wouldn't eat or drink, and stayed in a corner of the guest bedroom with his face turned toward the wall. He acted like he was near death. I took him to the vet's and a battery of tests turned up nothing.

When they called me with the results, I said, "What about worms?" They said that they were going to suggest that next. I picked up a broad-spectrum de-wormer and after two days he was back to his old self. He literally returned from death's door.

Since then I've kept him on monthly treatments against fleas and other parasites, and the problem hasn't reoccured.

I think that some indoor-outdoor cats get massive worm infestations that clog up their stomachs and maybe even get into their lungs.

I hope that the vet figures out what is wrong with your kitty and heals him.

hopefully the vet can detox him and he'll be back to his old self in no time. 15 isn't really that old for a cat. Most cats can live into their early 20s with the right diet: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=243&topic_id=4388&mesg_id=4388

and I really doubt that his FIV has anything to do with his condition. Maybe you could train him to a leash if he really insists on going outside (I have one cat who walks on a leash daily). Aside from the dangers of poison, cars, dogs and disturbed humans, your FIV+ cat could easily infect other cats. Many pet owners don't realize that FIV isn't necessarily a death sentence, so they have their cats put down if they get the diagnosis.But that's getting a bit off topic. He could also have swallowed something that has blocked his digestive tract, so the ultrasound might help there.

Good vibes to you and Hamilton! :hug:

Check your cat food for ash content. I had an older male cat (around 13) that got suddenly ill, and that was the cause.

Also, I think they require more "wet food" as they age.

...hope he starts feeling better soon! :hug:

But the sympoms sound a lot like kidney failure, ask your vet. In my experience most cats die from that. But with proper care they can live a full and healthy life. It could be as simple as a bladder blockage from a high ash diet, change his food to low ash foods. It can't hurt and it may help.

Good vibes for Hamilton!

Khash.

getting vaccines. it took about two weeks. and suddenly, it was as if she was dying. it was very scary. she pulled through, on meds and a lot of monitoring of blood work.

good luck to you and your sweetie. hope everything turns around for the better.