Why is my cat suddenly lethargic, not eating, and has a tense stomach?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Jax hasn't been feeling well. Does he go outside? If he does, even if you can't find one right now I would be concerned that he suffered a bite of some kind, as cats can develop abscesses fairly easily when they suffer a trauma. I would be concerned by his behavior, as it does sound like there may be an underlying issue going on, such as an infection, GI upset, or an underlying medical issue (such as kidney disease or diabetes). If he doesn't perk up, start eating and getting some energy back, I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his change in behavior, have any necessary testing done (xrays, bloodwork) and start any treatment he may need to resolve it. Good luck!

It sounds like he is getting sick. Without additional clinical signs it is hard to say exactly what is causing his lethargy and decreased appetite but he could be starting with a respiratory virus or a gastrointestinal virus. He could also have parasites that need to be treated. If it continues than he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. Your vet can run lab work to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. If he is unvaccinated, please discuss a vaccine plan with your vet once he has recovered from this illness.

Since it sounds like KD never skips a meal, its possible he is getting sick. Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from bacterial over growth to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian if he is not eating for 24 hours, not drinking well or if he is getting worse. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. I hope KD starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions!

It sounds like Kara may be pretty unwell. There are so many potential causes for her to act this way - it can be very concerning when a cat stops eating, sometimes it is due to a fever. Please take her for a veterinary exam as soon as possible to try to determine what could be wrong. Your vet may suggest tests like blood work and xrays to determine the cause of her illness. They will be able to ask you more questions to narrow down a diagnosis. Hope Kara feels better soon!

I'm sorry to hear Perry isn't feeling well. In a young neutered male cat, I would be worried about a urinary blockage. If he hasn't used the litter box in the last few hours I would get him to the vet ASAP. If he cannot urinate he could die. Of course this is worst case scenario but I would still recommend having a vet see him to find the cause of his pain. Good luck and kisses to Perry!

If his stomach seems significantly bloated it could be a sign of ascites or fluid in the abdomen. I think it would be best to see a vetas soon as you can and an emergency visit might be the best option. They may recommend blood work and x-rays after a physical exam.