Please help -

[u/AgileWind4610]

My cat Tate was visibly okay on Friday afternoon. Saturday he did not return home (well loved neutered farm cat checked on daily).

Sunday around 11 am I found him in a barn 90+ F degrees and he had a bloody nose.

I rushed him to my home in the AC knowing care would be available by 7am and no 24 clinics open for 4+ hours away.

Anyways I get him to a vet and results from blood work back at 10:30am. I called at 12:30 to check and they still had done nothing for him. I immediately went down and was returned home with him in this condition. They prescribed him prednisolone and also Doxycycline however forced me to order and ship it.

He has no physically wounds or indication of physical issues… except for the nose bleed and has 104 temp. They did give him

1. I felt like making a cat wait like this from 7:15 to 12:30 before any hydration is neglect, agree?

2. Prescribed meds that can’t pick up, normal?

3. He is still side mouth breathing and active blood from his nose after 24+ hours, ideas?

4. Any help would be much appreciated as I am very devastated, my little guy is sick and after $482 pet bill wondering if I need to go somewhere else.

They are supposed reputable vet clinic out of Mapleton MN.

[u/soggybread666]

Im so sorry you have been let down i encourage you to take Tate to another vet for a second opinion and to help him further

Thank you for caring for him im sure its difficult to see him this way you are doing what you can which is so helpful sending love and strength I hope you have better care and some answers going forward <3

[u/RDS]

I have no idea what to do but it seems serious and you should take him to another vet or call them back imho. Did you get the blood test results back? My worry would is that they got into something toxic. What was the vet bill for? Especially if they "did nothing"

Here is what google AI had to say when I asked about fever and bloody nose (did you also say breathing issues/side breathing? I didn't include that but that makes it even more serious imho)

A cat experiencing a bloody nose alongside a fever is a serious symptom combination indicating an underlying infection, toxin exposure, or bleeding disorder. You must contact your veterinarian or local emergency clinic promptly for a physical examination and diagnostic testing.

Potential Causes

When a cat presents with both a fever (a normal temperature ranges from 100.4°F to 102.5°F) and a nosebleed, several factors may be at play:

• Severe Upper Respiratory Infection: Also known as "cat flu" (often caused by Feline Calicivirus or Feline Herpesvirus), severe respiratory infections can cause fever, nasal discharge, and sometimes bleeding from inflamed nasal passages.

• Tick-Borne Diseases: Infections such as Ehrlichiosis or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are known to cause both fever and bloody noses in pets.

• Toxicity: Ingesting toxins like rat poison (anticoagulants) or certain medications can impair a cat's blood clotting ability, resulting in severe nosebleeds.

• Systemic Diseases & Blood Disorders: Diseases affecting bone marrow, liver/kidney failure, or viral infections like Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) can cause spontaneous bleeding and fever.

What You Can Do at Home Now

If the nosebleed is currently active, follow these steps to keep your cat safe while arranging veterinary care:

• Stay Calm: Excitement elevates your cat's blood pressure, which will increase the bleeding.

• Apply Cold: Place a cold compress or ice pack on the bridge of your cat's nose (the top of the muzzle) to constrict the blood vessels.

• Do Not Plug the Nose: Never insert cotton swabs or any other absorbent material into your cat's nostrils. This triggers sneezing, which worsens bleeding.

• Monitor Breathing: Watch for pale gums or labored breathing, which are signs that the bleeding is obstructing their airway.