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My cat has gastroenteritis. What to do if she's still lethargic?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 10 years and 9 months old | 9.7 lbs

My cat (spayed, healthy weight, 10-year-old, no history) diagnosed with gastroenteritis. She presented with vomiting & bloody diarrhea. She was admitted, given IV fluids, antibiotics, & anti-nausea. X-rays and blood work fine. It’s been about 48 hours since discharge. She’s drinking water and eating a little but is still very lethargic. But I am optimistic she will recover. Question: Where do I go from here? What's best course of action to help her not have it again? Tests?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 28th, 2019

If no abnormalities were found on the x-rays but she is still lethargic despite treatment, I would recommend an abdominal ultrasound to see if there are any other abnormalities and then go from there. In older cats, I worry about intestinal lymphoma but it is possible this could be inflammatory bowel disease as well. However, there is still additional testing that needs to be done to help rule out other causes of Stella's symptoms. Changing the diet to a prescription low fat intestinal diet like Hills low fat I/D may be something to consider as well but I would discuss this with your veterinarian first. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on June 15th, 2017
I'm sorry to hear Stella is not responding to treatment. Without knowing more history or test results on Stella, its hard to say. I would advise to have Stella's bloodwork checked to see her organ function levels, thyroid levels and pancreatic levels. This may yield an answer as to why she is so sick. If all that looks normal, you must move onto imaging. Radiographs of her chest and abdomen may show pneumonia, heart abnormality, intestinal problems...any array of conditions. Abdominal ultrasound is another diagnostic that is also utilized to examine to abdomen for abnormalities. If you have not moved forward with other diagnostics, I think these are your next steps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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