Need advice on Sammi

[Karen]

Definitely take him to the vet. It could be a lot of different things, some of them more serious than others. It's not worth an emergency vet trip tonight, but I'd call the vet's office when it opens, and ask if they can see him that day! It's not uncommon for a kitten to have a heart murmur and lots outgrow it, but the coughing and lack of appetite are cause for concern.

[Freedom]

The coughing fit and loss of appetite require he see the vet.

Throwing up soon after eating "could" be caused by eating too fast. My RB Chestnut would inhale food like a vacuum, when he threw up it came up whole, not chewed at all. I had to feed him small amounts at a time, wait 10 minutes, give him more. Then he did OK. Chestnut was a foundling, and had to struggle for food for a time when he was a baby, so he had not learned to temper his intake; it was "get it while it is there before it disappears!"

But be sure to mention this issue to the vet as well, in case this is related to the coughing and loss of appetite. I have one cat with a minor heart murmur since a kitten, 6 years later it is still not a big deal. The coughing can be part of a 'kitty cold,' an upper respiratory infection, and nothing to do with the murmur, so the vet needs to see the kitten to sort this out.

[Shoshanna]

Thank you both for the advice. I did call the after hours service and he has an appointment for Friday morning as the vet will be out of the office tomorrow. He ate a bit of food and I did cut the amount back that he was given and it seems to be helping. The cough is still very present so I will let the Dr. know about all the issues he has been having. You have calmed my nerves though and I thank you.

[Karen]

Oh, good! Do keep an eye on the litter box as well, make sure what he does eat is "moving on through" like normal! Just think, every day he's teaching you more about being a cat person!

[Freedom]

Good job getting the appt, AND getting him to eat and keep it down!