Cat is sick...non responsive...

[TronzKore]

My cat, Buddy, is a large feline that has recently fallen ill.  He has a history of liver problems but we always get them cleared up.  Yesterday he began acting a little ill(A little sluggish, minimal vomiting and using the bathroom on the floor - all problems we'd faced with his previous issues) but unfortunately our local vet was closed.  Thinking we could ride it out until Monday we decided to just keep a really close eye on him and today he was acting a little worse, not vomiting or using the bathroom, but just more dragging.  So we leave for a few hours and come home and he is absolutely non-responsive.  He's alive but is basically a ragdoll had barely responds when you move him.

If we can help him survive till tomorrow he WILL go to the vet but I need some advice to ensure that he makes it through the night.

Help!!!

[peekawho]

When you call your vets office after hours, there is a recording telling you what to do in an after hours emergency.  If you are so rural that there is no ER within 100 miles, local vets alternate taking emergency calls.

We used to live in very rural NC.  There is a university hospital in Tenn that many people would go to after hours for emergencies, it was about 2-3 hours away, or they would call their local vet who would come in after hours if it was critical.  

You can also call your local vet (during business hours) and ask for future reference, what you should do in subsequent emergencies that happen at night or on weekends.  I've owned dogs for 30+ years in communities that are flat out backwoods, to large cities.  There are always emergency arrangements available.  Farmers, for example, have to have access to 24 hour vet care for desperately ill livestock.  

My condolences on the death of your cat.

[ibizan]

wow that is sad.....i live in rural Ohio and many vets around here offer after hours ER services!

[TronzKore]

Sadly I live in rural mississippi so it's basically my only refuge for verteranarian assistance.  They have no numbers up for such an instances, by the way.

[ibizan]

so sorry about the loss of ur cat but my vet when closed if not taking emergencies posts a ER number and several other vets in the area do after hours ER.Something to remember in the event u get another cat!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am so sorry about your loss.  

[TronzKore]

Update:  Immediately after posting this message I went to check on him and he had passed away.

[TronzKore]

I meant that instead of using the litter box he'd just urinate or deficate anywhere he wanted to.  I had a time cleaning it up...I sincerely hope that is not the case...any more help?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

When you said he was not using his litter box, if you meant that he was urinating inappropriately than he may be blocked.  This is a medical emergency and I do not know it he will survive until tomorrow.  Since he is already unresponsive he may already be moribund and possibly on his way out.  However,  this kind of behavior could be caused by many serious problems such as diabetes (diabetic coma), kidney disease, cancer and many others.

[TronzKore]

I really hate bumping my own post but this is an EMERGENCY and I need help ASAP people PLEASE!