I need help from a pet expert/vet - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sion · 12-30-2003, 05:23 PM

on two seperate issues:

1. one of our three cats has developed a pretty serious runny nose, from both sides (bilateral). there is no noticeable bleeding or discharge from the eyes, nor does he seem to be in pain or show any other symptoms. does he have a kitty cold/flu? or is it more likely an allergic reaction to the gerbils we have recently brung into the house? he has not gone anywhere near the gerbils' cage as far as I can tell (though the other two have and seem fine).

2. the gerbils - we had one, then brought another home tonight. the first one is supposed to be a neutered male, and the one we got today is male. upon introducing the new one into the cage, they sniffed each other a bit and a short time later they started to fight. the older one bit the new one on the back and the tail and ear, enough to draw a small amount of blood from the back and tail. question is, is this to be expected and will it pass soon? or should we keep them seperated within the cage for a while? whats the best course of action. note: the aggressor is the older gerbil who has had the cage to himself for a few weeks.

lady · 12-30-2003, 09:02 PM

You should take your cat to the vet. It might be an upper respiratory tract infection. Like a kitty flu, but it can be really serious. Is the cat still eating and drinking?

Sion · 12-30-2003, 09:44 PM

yeah, we plan to take him in on Friday if he doesnt improve.

ratbastid · 12-31-2003, 05:18 AM

Might very well be allergies. An indoor cat isn't likely to pick up a bug. Though it might very well be an infection--in which case, Friday is not soon enough. Cats get various sorts of infections easily, and the worse they get, the easier it is for them to get more later.

Sorry this isn't more definitive. I'd get him to the vet today if you can.

niarbdab · 12-31-2003, 09:06 AM

How sure are you about the innoculation status of your cats? IF it were something nasty, and you hadn't kept up with shots, then they could spread it to the others, and you'll have a much bigger mess. Cats are tough (I have two), but it's safer (and, by the way, MUCH cheaper) to be as pre-emptive as possible. Not unlike auto maintenance.

As for the gerbils, I had some when I was a tot, and they ended up eating each other. It was pretty nasty...needless to say, I didn't try the gerbil thing again. I guess that means it might not be unusual for them to go at it. As with a lot of animals, putting two males, neutered or not, is a bit of a challenge.

ananayal · 12-31-2003, 10:25 AM

richard gere! just kidding... i've got a couple gerbils myself, as they are kinda funny to watch. they can be cute. the link below will help you a lot with information about their habits and such... may be of some help.

http://members.nanc.com/~mhaines/gerbil.html

lurkette · 12-31-2003, 11:00 AM

Cat allergies generally manifest themselves differently - excessive licking and stuff, not necessarily the nasal reaction humans have. If his nose is running, but no discharge from the eyes, it's probably an infection and the vet should take a look at it.

I'm not an expert on gerbil dominance, but I'd keep them separated for a while just to be safe, and ask the vet about that, too, when you take the cat in.

Sion · 01-01-2004, 11:57 AM

thanks for the link ananayal, theres tons of good info there.

we wanted to take the cat into the vet today, but they are closed because of it being new years day. so, he'll go in tomorrow. poor little guy seems miserable. but at least he is eating a bit. from some of the things I have read, I'm pretty sure he has a kitty cold or flu and will just need some antibiotics.

timalkin · 01-01-2004, 01:01 PM

I used to have two male rats that were unneutered (not sure if you can neuter a rat anyway). They were mainly active at night and I could hear them beating the hell out of each other. It was mostly a territorial thing I guess. Separate cages wouldn't be a bad idea, and they aren't very expensive at all.

mingusfingers · 01-01-2004, 04:09 PM

They're from a different litter, and that means different smell. Won't be long before you have a missing face

Sion · 01-02-2004, 10:18 AM

update on the Tucker (the cat). just got back from the vet. said he has a sinus infection and gave him a shot. said he should feel better in couple of days. even before going to the vet, he looked a bit more alert and not so listless.

everybody keep your fingers crossed for him.

12-30-2003, 05:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	I need help from a pet expert/vet on two seperate issues: 1. one of our three cats has developed a pretty serious runny nose, from both sides (bilateral). there is no noticeable bleeding or discharge from the eyes, nor does he seem to be in pain or show any other symptoms. does he have a kitty cold/flu? or is it more likely an allergic reaction to the gerbils we have recently brung into the house? he has not gone anywhere near the gerbils' cage as far as I can tell (though the other two have and seem fine). 2. the gerbils - we had one, then brought another home tonight. the first one is supposed to be a neutered male, and the one we got today is male. upon introducing the new one into the cage, they sniffed each other a bit and a short time later they started to fight. the older one bit the new one on the back and the tail and ear, enough to draw a small amount of blood from the back and tail. question is, is this to be expected and will it pass soon? or should we keep them seperated within the cage for a while? whats the best course of action. note: the aggressor is the older gerbil who has had the cage to himself for a few weeks. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

12-30-2003, 09:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
lady Addict Location: Vancouver, BC	You should take your cat to the vet. It might be an upper respiratory tract infection. Like a kitty flu, but it can be really serious. Is the cat still eating and drinking? __________________ Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.

12-30-2003, 09:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	yeah, we plan to take him in on Friday if he doesnt improve. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

12-31-2003, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
ananayal Upright Location: Michigan	richard gere! just kidding... i've got a couple gerbils myself, as they are kinda funny to watch. they can be cute. the link below will help you a lot with information about their habits and such... may be of some help. http://members.nanc.com/~mhaines/gerbil.html __________________ Snoogins

12-31-2003, 11:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	Cat allergies generally manifest themselves differently - excessive licking and stuff, not necessarily the nasal reaction humans have. If his nose is running, but no discharge from the eyes, it's probably an infection and the vet should take a look at it. I'm not an expert on gerbil dominance, but I'd keep them separated for a while just to be safe, and ask the vet about that, too, when you take the cat in. __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

12-31-2003, 05:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Might very well be allergies. An indoor cat isn't likely to pick up a bug. Though it might very well be an infection--in which case, Friday is not soon enough. Cats get various sorts of infections easily, and the worse they get, the easier it is for them to get more later. Sorry this isn't more definitive. I'd get him to the vet today if you can.

12-31-2003, 09:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
niarbdab Registered User	How sure are you about the innoculation status of your cats? IF it were something nasty, and you hadn't kept up with shots, then they could spread it to the others, and you'll have a much bigger mess. Cats are tough (I have two), but it's safer (and, by the way, MUCH cheaper) to be as pre-emptive as possible. Not unlike auto maintenance. As for the gerbils, I had some when I was a tot, and they ended up eating each other. It was pretty nasty...needless to say, I didn't try the gerbil thing again. I guess that means it might not be unusual for them to go at it. As with a lot of animals, putting two males, neutered or not, is a bit of a challenge.

01-01-2004, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	thanks for the link ananayal, theres tons of good info there. we wanted to take the cat into the vet today, but they are closed because of it being new years day. so, he'll go in tomorrow. poor little guy seems miserable. but at least he is eating a bit. from some of the things I have read, I'm pretty sure he has a kitty cold or flu and will just need some antibiotics. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

01-01-2004, 01:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
timalkin Addict Location: watching from the treeline	I used to have two male rats that were unneutered (not sure if you can neuter a rat anyway). They were mainly active at night and I could hear them beating the hell out of each other. It was mostly a territorial thing I guess. Separate cages wouldn't be a bad idea, and they aren't very expensive at all.

01-01-2004, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
mingusfingers Psycho Location: uhhhh	They're from a different litter, and that means different smell. Won't be long before you have a missing face __________________ Still Looking

01-02-2004, 10:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	update on the Tucker (the cat). just got back from the vet. said he has a sinus infection and gave him a shot. said he should feel better in couple of days. even before going to the vet, he looked a bit more alert and not so listless. everybody keep your fingers crossed for him. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...