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What does it mean if a cat has white gums2007-11-25 12:28:13

My kitty is acting tired and is sleeping a lot. He is hardly eating or using the restroom. I just checked inside his mouth and his gums are white. He has been tested for Feline AIDS and leukemia. The tests were negative. Can you please give me some suggestions as to what is wrong and to make him more comfortable. I will be taking him to the Vet tomorrow. Thank you in advance.

Answers:

Hi Maddie.this means your cat is very dehydrated, which is causing the lethargy, excessive sleeping, lack of appetite. Gums and the nose (if it's a pink one) will change to a white colouration when a cat becomes dedyrated. d

Cats can become dehydrated for many reasons including illness, accidental ingestion of toxins inside our outside of the home, fever, infection, vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes, and kidney problems, etc. You can tell if your cat is dehydrated by doing the 'pinch' test. Take a bit of skin on the cats back and pinch it, let go and see how long it takes for the skin to retract back to its normal spot. The skin should be extremely elastic and immediately bounce back, if it takes more than a second or two your cat is probably dehydrated.

Symptoms to look for:

- Dry nose

- Dry mouth or eyes

- 'Pinch' test

- Severe thirst

- Lethargy

Treatment:

In more serious situations your cat may need to be given fluids subcutaneously (SubQ) or intravenously (IV).

Feline Kidney Failure: http://www.felinecrf.com/comm0.htm. (see Dehydration)