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Found cat with throat injury not eating/peeing. Second vet opinion?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female

My boyfriend found a cat with a hole on its throat. He took her to the vet and the guy told him that it was going to heal on its own and he gave him antibiotics to give to her for a week. But my boyfriend said that the cat hasn't peed or pooped for a whole day. And she isn't eating. Should he take her to another clinic or will she be okay.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 17, 2018

How lovely of your boyfriend to take in this poor cat! This hole in the throat will be painful to her, and she likely is feeling terrible. It is a little concerning that she hasn't peed or pooped today, and that she's not eating. It could be related to her injury, or maybe she hasn't had food recently leading her to not poop. I would try to tempt her to eat by offering her some boiled white meat chicken (no bones) with low sodium gently warmed chicken broth. If she refuses to eat that, then yes take her into another clinic. Cats cannot go long without eating because they will develop a fatty liver when starved for too long (about 72 hours). A fatty liver is fatal without treatment, so that needs to be avoided. She may also benefit from pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human ones, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I'm not sure what tests were done at the first vet, but I do recommend blood work, a urinalysis, and potentially x-rays to see how her health is overall. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 19, 2018

    Your poor cat! I would take away the food as he may need to be sedated and he needs an empty stomach for that. Keep him warm and quiet, do NOT give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Get him into a vet now. Best of luck.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 17, 2017

    It sounds like he has a chance to live until tomorrow when you can take him to the vet. Offer him some different types of food and see if you can get him to eat. Maybe he would eat some boiled chicken. Also try to get him to drink some water. You could try to syringe him some water. Take him to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. He may need some fluids and medications to help.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 24, 2017

    The best thing to do is to let him settle down for the day and monitor him first, check if he is vomiting or having diarrhea mainly. if by tomorrow he is still the same and not eating you should take him to the vet in order to get this checked.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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