I'm feeling really worried and could use some advice. My sweet cat, Milly, has been on two different courses of antibiotics over the past month for what the vet thought was a bacterial infection. Unfortunately, she's shown no improvement at all. She's still lethargic, has a decreased appetite, and seems more withdrawn than usual. It's heartbreaking because she's usually such a lively ball of fluff. Our vet says we might need to try a different treatment route, but I’m worried sick since nothing’s worked so far. Have any of you dealt with something like this before? What did you do that finally helped your fur baby? I feel so helpless right now and would appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thank you!
Hello there! It sounds like you're feeling worried, and it's completely understandable. Having your cat go through two courses of antibiotics without improvement can be concerning. Let's explore a bit about what's happening.
When antibiotics don't seem to work, it might be because we're dealing with an issue that's not bacterial. Conditions like viral infections or other illnesses (such as certain fungal infections) won’t respond to antibiotics. It’s also possible that the bacteria causing the problem could be resistant to the antibiotics being used, which sometimes happens.
Until you can speak with a vet, here's what you can do at home: Ensure your cat is comfortable and keep her hydrated. Encourage her to eat by offering her favorite foods, as maintaining her strength is important. Provide a quiet, stress-free environment with her preferred resting spots.
Look out for signs of something more serious, such as a lack of appetite, increased breathing effort, lethargy, vomiting, or weight loss. These would mean it's vital to get in touch with a vet as soon as possible.
I recommend setting up a video consult with one of our vets here at Dial A Vet. A discussion over video can help delve deeper into your cat's symptoms and plan a course of action that puts your mind at ease. Take care!
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