Tom cat.

[cupid04]

I recently took our 11 year old tom cat to the vet as he was off his food. The vet gave
him a thorough examination and couldn't find any major problems. Mentioned his
coat was a little dull and gave him a vitamin jab. Also gave him 5mg of Prednisolone,
a 7 day course and told us to bring him back in a week if he dosen't improve. Well I'm
pleased to say his appetite has picked up, but he is sleeping a lot more. Has anyone's
cat or dog had these tablets. Would they cause drowsiness, I can't remember what
the vet said they were for.Would be grateful for any information.

[Buenchico]

This link refers to the use of Prednisolone in humans but I note that known side-effects include increased appetite and tiredness, so those might explain your cat's reaction to the drug.

Anyway, there's nothing particularly unusual about 11-year-old cats sleeping a lot. My feline friends seem to get to a stage where they've finally worked out that they're never going to catch the birds in the garden, so they settle down for a nice nap instead ;-)

[Barmaid]

Chris - any chance your feline friends could persuade my feline friends that sleeping is the best option rather than wrecking the house at 3am?!

[cupid04]

Thankyou for both your answers.He does usually like catching the birds but since he
has been under the weather he has lost interest. My husband got up before me this
morning, fed the cat etc and then opened the patio doors. Whereupon a collared
dove decided to come indoors and pay a visit. The cat looked up from his nap wanting
to know what all the commotion was about and totally ignored the whole thing and
went back to sleep. After flying up and down the lounge a few times the dove finally
flew away to safety.

[woofgang]

umm Chris...what link???????

[karenmac60]

Prednisolone are steroids.

[Buenchico]

Oops!

This link:
http://www.patient.co...cine/Prednisolone.htm

SORRY!!!!!!!!

[JustJenni]

Are old cat was like this and we took her to the vet and she had a jab of some sort but it kept here going for another 2 years, also we have another old tom cat now whos pushing at least 17 and has gone all boney and we have none put him on iams food and hes perked up so much his coat is better and hes put on alot of weight.

[CuckooCreatures]

My cat went through a phase where he wasn't eating much and just didn't seem himself, left it a couple of days and was just about to take him to the vets when he suddenly perked up and all was well again. I guess cats can just pick up bugs and feel a little under the weather too.

I think it can sometimes be worth waiting a day or 2 if there are no obvious signs of suffering but anything beyond that it's best to get them seen ASAP.