My cat ate a pad, is lethargic. Could it be a blockage even if eating?

What you are describing does fit with an intestinal obstruction. The only other thing that we also commonly see is vomiting. The most concerning thing is that you report that he is acting extremely lethargic. Cats are very good at hiding their pain, so when they get this depressed, it indicates a severe problem. If you also think that he may have eaten a small toy, then I would recommend taking him to the vet as soon as possible. It would be less concerning if he was still active and eating, but a bowel obstruction can cause severe pain and quickly lead to life-threatening complications. I hope that helps and Binx gets better soon.

Please make sure he is passing urine. As you know male cats can get a urinary blockage that can quickly become life threatening. If he’s not urinating that is a medical emergency so take him in right away to have him checked. Vomiting and lethargy can be a sign also. They can get kidney damage from this too. Even if you are feeding the special food a blockage could still occur. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Loki.

Oh naughty Loki for eating string! If he is more lethargic than usual and isn't eating, I would take him into the vet right away. It is possible there is still more string instead his intestines, and he should be examined by a vet now. If there is still string in his GI tract, then he will need surgery to remove it.

If this has been going on for more than a few days it might be better to see an emergency veterinarian today, however if the symptoms are more recent you may be able to wait. If Greta's gums seem pale or she is having trouble breathing, or if she has a history of other medical problems it would also be better to have her seen today. Otherwise I think you can probably wait until tomorrow. Ultimately these symptoms are somewhat vague and can be a sign of a number of problems so you should go with your gut.

Hello, and thanks for your question about Luna. This history concerns me - I start to get concerned any time a cat skips more than 1 meal, and if Luna is also lethargic and with the history of eating foreign objects, my concern for a foreign body / GI obstruction is very high. I recommend having Luna seen by your vet as soon as possible. Even if they don't think it's necessary to take her to surgery, helping her stay hydrated can do wonders for helping foreign material pass successfully through the GI tract! Hope this helps, and all the best to you and Luna!

Lethargy can be concerning and indicate a medical problem, but it's encouraging to know that he is eating and eliminating well. Sudden lethargy is not too concerning in a kitten unless you are noticing other signs of illness, heavy breathing, or pale gums. Kittens can normally appear very lethargic at certain times of the day. It would also depend on how long this has been going on. If it's less than two hours, then I wouldn't worry. If it's longer than four hours then I would be more concerned. If it's been all day, then this would be a strong indicator that something is wrong. I would have to examine butterscotch to tell if this is an emergency. I would definitely recommend an emergency visit he is breathing heavily, or has pale gums. Otherwise, he's likely OK to wait the night and go to the vet in the morning if he's still lethargic. If you have further questions or need further clarification, then you may consider having an online consult with one of our vets on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This way, you can send unlimited pictures and have a text conversation with a vet. I hope that helps and all is well with Butterscotch.

I strongly recommend getting your cat seen by your vet right away. Lethargy is a worrying sign after such an incident and she must continue to eat or she can develop liver disease in a matter of days. There may be more hair that cannot get back out or that may be causing an intestinal blockage. If this is the case, without treatment it can be life-threatening. Your vet will do an exam, x-rays, possibly lab work, and base don these results will be better able to tell you what is wrong and how best to treat it.