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My cat is lethargic, not eating/drinking after abscess sedation.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 4.4 lbs

Hi, i took my cat to the vet because he jad an absess from cats bite. He was absolutely fine. Vet decided to sedate him to clean the wound. I collected cat after two hours. After 24hrs he was still lethargic,no eating,no drinking. Hes back at the vets for 48hrs now,no temperature,bit high glucose in urine but no in blood. Vet wants to wait with ultrasound until tomorrow. What do you think about this? My cat was fine and everything started after aneastesia

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 6th, 2017

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Blood work was not performed prior to the sedation and if there is a pre-existing condition, the anesthesia may have made the condition worse and more pronounced. I would also consider a fructosamine test to check and see if the level is consistent with diabetes. I would say that the ultrasound is the next appropriate diagnostic test to have performed with what is going on. I hope this helps better determine what the cause could be. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM
Veterinarian
Sorry to hear about this. Given that he recently got sedated, I am most suspicious that this is some reaction to the sedation. Different animals will metabolize medications differently and it's also possible that he may have some decreased function in his kidneys or liver that has caused this reaction. There are other complications that are possible, but I assume your vet would have checked, or is treating for those.

The treatment that your vet did for the abscess sounds appropriate for the condition. This is unfortunately a rare complication. The urine test seems to be normal (glucose can end up in the urine when they are stressed). Hopefully further tests will help identify the problem. Zuzek will likely start to feel better with fluid therapy and a little time, so it's good they have him in the hospital. I know this is stressful, but hang in there and hopefully you'll get some good answers soon.

I hope that helps and Zuzek gets better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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