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Siwsan

(27,806 posts)
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 02:40 PM Dec 19

Merlin caused me some concern this morning

He at breakfast, as usual. A couple hours later he was just sitting and staring off into the distance. I picked him up and he just felt lethargic. I wrapped him in a blanket and held him for the longest time. He took a Churu treat, a tiny bit of pate and some water but was still just curled up, just looking out of sorts.

I grabbed the Pedialyte and an eye dropper and gave him about 3 squirts, directly into his mouth. It wasn't long after that he started perking up and started grooming. I broke out some Sheba cat food and he gobbled it down. Now he's off, just being Merlin.

I have no idea what brought that on. I do know that I'm WAY behind in today's pre-Christmas Eve dinner preparations, but that's OK. I will be keeping a close eye on him.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Merlin caused me some concern this morning (Original Post) Siwsan Dec 19 OP
Hmm... 2naSalit Dec 19 #1
I hope he will be ok! It's scary when they are not themselves biophile Dec 19 #2
Do keep us in the loop, and tell him all his devoted aunties and uncles here on DU... 3catwoman3 Dec 19 #3
Urinary blockage? SuzyandPuffpuff Dec 19 #4
He's definitely peeing. Siwsan Dec 19 #9
I second that. piddyprints Dec 19 #11
I have a couple who will go through things like this, slightlv Dec 19 #5
Churu, Sheba and water...excellent therapy.. patphil Dec 19 #6
Good vibes to Merlin MustLoveBeagles Dec 19 #7
Keep checking the 'ins and outs' chowmama Dec 19 #8
He's back to his regular self Siwsan Dec 19 #12
Good. nt chowmama Dec 19 #13
So glad he's OK, I know the anxiety that goes along with all that Walleye Dec 19 #10
I'm glad he's doing better. MIButterfly Dec 19 #14
Merlin, Merlin you are causing us great anxiety. Polly Hennessey Dec 20 #15
He's back to his mischievous self Siwsan Dec 20 #16

2naSalit

(99,810 posts)
1. Hmm...
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 03:14 PM
Dec 19

Whatever you did seems to have been the right thing. Hope he doesn't do that again soon.

3catwoman3

(28,519 posts)
3. Do keep us in the loop, and tell him all his devoted aunties and uncles here on DU...
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 03:53 PM
Dec 19

...will be waiting for at least one more positive report today.

SuzyandPuffpuff

(394 posts)
4. Urinary blockage?
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 04:20 PM
Dec 19

Be 100 percent sure he's peeing. It's imperative to know that he's urinating. Blockage can come up fast and is devastating ... excruciatingly painful and a slow horrible death. I saw this many times while working in vet medicine for decades. Don't assume he's peeing. Be positive he is.

piddyprints

(15,053 posts)
11. I second that.
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 06:02 PM
Dec 19

I would definitely keep an eye on him. My daughter lost one to that exactly a year ago yesterday. He was a little lethargic, so she took him in. He had a fatal heart arrhythmia while the vet was trying to insert a catheter. She was crushed.

My first cat died of that when I was 10. I’ve always been nervous about getting boy cats ever since, although we have had 7 other boys and only 1 of them had it. He survived it and lived to 19 years and 3 months of age.

slightlv

(7,414 posts)
5. I have a couple who will go through things like this,
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 04:44 PM
Dec 19

just as I'm trying to get something important done. Once upon a time, it was work reports...now, it's more likely to be cooking or cleaning for company coming over. It's like they hone in on "Mama's not paying us the right amount of attention... let's change that!" and they start on their ignoring, I'm so sick, routine. Hopefully it's nothing more than that with Merlin.

chowmama

(988 posts)
8. Keep checking the 'ins and outs'
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 05:18 PM
Dec 19

Eating, drinking, elimination. His scruff, when gathered up in your hand, should fall right back when it's released and not settle slowly. And his whole abdomen should feel soft and not elicit any tensing when you gently grope it.

I know you know all this already, but I'm worried and need to say, I don't know, something. It's all I got.

Siwsan

(27,806 posts)
12. He's back to his regular self
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 06:02 PM
Dec 19

Although he now remembers that getting bundled up in a blanket and cuddled by his mom is pretty nice.

He's definitely drinking water and finished his meal, tonight. That's after having an extra meal at noon.

MIButterfly

(1,968 posts)
14. I'm glad he's doing better.
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 09:36 PM
Dec 19

Hopefully, it was just one of those inexplicable things that just happens randomly.

I know you will keep a close eye on him. Please keep us posted on how he's doing. You know we love him and the rest of your kid cats! Indeed, as 3catwoman3 said, we are their aunties and uncles!

Polly Hennessey

(8,535 posts)
15. Merlin, Merlin you are causing us great anxiety.
Sat Dec 20, 2025, 09:53 AM
Dec 20

Wizards are not supposed to feel bad. Good thing you have your Magical Mom to comfort and cuddle you.

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