Where are Petco vets & what are common chronic cat illnesses?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I am so sorry that Max is sick! We are not legally allow to prescribe medications because we are unable to examine the pets, which is required to have a client-veterinary-patient relationship. A week is a long time to be sick. Causes of vomiting and diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, he ate something gross. he has something stuck (blockage), pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy/intolerance, reaction to new food/treat/table food. In an ideal work Max needs a Vet exam, a fecal test for worms and X-rays of his belly. If that is fine then I would deworm him, start an anti-nausea like cerenia (veterinary only) or metoclopramide for the vomiting, metronidazole for the diarrhea and put him on a commercial intestinal diet like Hill's i/d until his stools are normal. If you truly have no access to a Vet. I would deworm him with pyrantel or drontal, change his cat food protein source (chicken to beef or fish to chicken), and start a probiotic like Purina Fortiflora. I wish you the best! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3464

CJ really needs a vet visit when you can manage it. In older cats hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease are possibilities and require bloodwork to diagnose. The good news is many of the conditions can be treated or managed but you need a diagnosis in order to determine the best treatment. Some areas may have low cost clinics or many vets accept Care credit http://www.carecredit.com/apply/ I would contact local humane societies to see if they can offer any suggestions. Some have programs that may help with vet bills. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like Shadow is seriously ill and would benefit from seeing a veterinarian. There is really not much you can do at home at this point. It is hard to know exactly what is going on as her clinical symptoms are a bit non-specific. However, diseases such as pancreatitis or another inflammatory or cancerous process is possible. You could consider your local humane society as they usually offer inexpensive veterinary care. At the very least they can make sure she is stable. Good luck and have a good day!

Most Petco stores do not have vets. The Petco vet clinics that do are called Thrive and you would have to call them directly if you have one near you. ( https://www.thrivevet.com/ ) Petco's vaccination clinics (VETCO) do not do sick exams. Only wellness care. You will have to call a local vet. ( http://www.acctphilly.org/resources/low-cost-veterinary-options/ )

I can understand your concerns here, especially when you feel you don’t have adequate care for your pets available in your area. Here are some symptoms to watch out for in cats, since they are known to hide disease and some extra tips for caring for Muezza. - coughing - decreased appetite - excessive vomiting (more than once a week) - increased urination or drinking - hiding more than normal - lethargy - pale gums - limping Also it is a good idea to get baseline bloodwork ran on Muezza once a year and a physical exam done twice a year to help keep her healthy. Also feeding her a high quality cat food such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science diet, Evo or Eukanuba are some good ones to consider. Having a water fountain is also a good idea since most cats aren’t big water drinkers and this will help with their bladder and kidney health. Best wishes with your pet Muezza and I hope she lives a long healthy life. You seem like a caring pet parent and I am confident you will give Muezza the best life she can have. Take care.

Yes, check with your local PetCo to get their veterinary schedule. I work at one clinic and we provide free exams and offer vaccination packages. We do deworming, microchipping and can test for feline leukemia and FIV. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Baby.

Acute vomiting and diarrhea, especially with poor appetite and lethargy, are certainly cause for concern. This could be caused by an infection, something stuck in Max's intestines, or a metabolic problem. At the veterinarian, they will examine him and probably take x-rays and run some lab work to look for the underlying cause of Max's issues. I wouldn't wait very long to go to the vet since Max is so young and small and so can become dehydrated quickly. See if you can get in for an exam today.