Drooling and making odd noises

[Nero the Sable]

Kiley looks like he wants to throw up. He is making soft "ughmm" "ughmm" noises rather than "HACK HACK!" while he sort of drools in puddles on the ground and I'm not sure what's going on with him.

I checked out his tongue to see if it was blue or to see if he was choking, his tongue is pink and his airway is fine. He's breathing normally. His spit looks sort of like when someone spits to get a bad taste out of their mouth and not froth. He keeps moving his mouth around, and I know he is trying to gather the spit in his mouth since he does this before he grooms himself. Instead of cleaning he just spits it on the ground. He doesn't look overly distressed, sort of like he is taking his time throwing up.

I gave him a hairball treatment just in case that's the problem... but I've never had him act like this before.

Has anyone else's cat acted like this while trying to pass a hairball or throw up something that didn't agree with them? I'm going to call the vet tomorrow (they are closed today and we don't have an emergency vet to pester) if this persists. I was just wondering if there was anything I might try in the meantime to help him out?

[Heidi n Q]

Sounds like whatever he's got going on may require veterinary intervention. Tooth/mouth problem would be my guess with a slight possibility of household-cleaner poisoning (?) maybe?

[laurief]

Open his mouth and check his teeth and tongue as carefully as you can. I have read of cats getting a thread wrapped around the base of their tongue or around a tooth. See if you can find anything like that wrapped around his tongue or stuck between his teeth or between his a tooth and gums. Have someone hold him securely while you do the exam with a flashlight so you can get a really good look.

Laurie

[Nero the Sable]

I'm starting to think the vet is going to be the only way to go too. I don't think it's cleaner poisoning because we keep everything in one cabinet and its always closed. He MIGHT have tried to eat soap or maybe crumbs of an tomato and onion pie left on a plate in the sink... (but I didn't see him do anything like that). At the worst he might have eatten something like that.

Thanks for the idea. I'll have Brad hold him while I check his teeth and tongue again. Kiley might have something I'm not seeing stuck in there. I hope it's just a thread or something like you said.

[Nero the Sable]

I had hoped by this morning he was going to pass whatever was wrong with him... but I can't find anything in his mouth to pull out. I got an appointment with the vet's office. I'll keep you posted when I find out what's wrong with him.

[Heidi n Q]

Fingers, toes-es, whiskers and noses crossed here! *closes eyes to send good thoughts and healthy wishes*

[Auntie Crazy]

Oh, I hope everything turns out ok! Please let us know. Poor kitty.

[Heidi n Q]

Wow, almost 10hrs. I am hoping no news is good news. I hope the kitty is okay!

[Nero the Sable]

Sorry - I wish I could've said something sooner but I don't have the internet at home yet. Here is an update on the situation.

I took Kiley to the vet yesterday (and he examined the crud out of him - poor kitty) and he said that Kiley looks healthy and he looked into the back of his throat and nothing was caught. The vet suggested that maybe a hairball is in his tummy and it's too hard for him to expel on his own. So I'm giving him cat-lax twice a day for three days... then once a day for a week after that. If he's still trying to throw up in a few days - I should bring him back and we'll x-ray his stomach. If it's too big for him to throw up or pass - then he might have to surgically remove it. The vet said that he doesn't think that will be needed though... I hope so too.

Brad and I dosed him last night and this morning... and this morning he was eatting more and seemed more friendly but it sounds like he's having a hard time purring. Then again - he wasn't purring at all since he's started spitting. Hopefully these are all good signs.

[Heidi n Q]

Oh, boy. I was really hoping you'd have a quick-fix at the vets. Anyways, it is nice to hear he is feeling better; eating and purring. Poor baby...I hope whatever it is passes soon.
...and *not* on your good carpet or bedding!