My cat has a couple of things wrong. She can't meow any longer. She won't eat, barely drinks. Her left eye is swollen and it gets gunky (?)
Originally Posted by eveonastick
Lesson (tough one): When cats quit eating (or hesitate over food) the food they've previously enjoyed it's usually because they can't smell and if they can't smell the food they don't know if it's good for them to eat or not. That's usually the first sign of a "problem" ... then it surfaces in swelling and discharge. Anti-biotics is almost mandatory, but "force" feeding them and providing them with water with a syringe is just mandatory even when taking anti-biotics until they get their "smellers" back.
BTW cats instinctively (in the wild too) drink MOVING water, unless it is a source (bowl) with which they are familiar AND THE BOWL IS FREE OF DEBRIS. You can gently shake the bowl of water and let them see it move (moving water in streams is safer to drink than water standing still (stagnant)! They "know" that!).
Next time you have a problem start with the Harris County animal control "wellness" clinic (unless you live in Houston city limits). Get rabies and other shots, a medical/ID chip inserted in them, and some "evaluations" .. if not samples/low cost meds to treat your pets. I've paid 1/10th there of what a reasonable vet would charge. But you have to register your pet anyway!