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My pet is suddenly very sick, won't eat or move. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Exotic | Unknown - Exotic | Female | 1 year and 8 months old

She suddendly started making weird noises I guess while breathing, looked like in pain, doesn't want food or drink, and in couple of MINUTES rapidly got totally unable to move. Has wet nose and mouth, red swollen genital, non-rhythmic almost invisible signs of breathing, wont open eyes. If I pet her she reacts slightly, if I pick her up she complains very lightly. I think some organs are failing on her cause of her old age. I don't know what to do, I actually can't go to the Vet

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 19th, 2018

Hello, so sorry that Kiwi is having this issue. She looks extremely ill in the photo. If you can't take her to a vet then I am afraid that her chances at recovery are minimal at best. There is nothing I can tell you to do at home without knowing what the underlying cause of her symptoms are. There are many possibilities: * Amyloidosis * Atrial thrombosis * Congestive heart failure * Heat stroke * Hypothermia * Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) * Sepsis (severe infection) - common would be a uterine infection called pyometra * Toxicosis/poisoning * Trauma * Tumor / Neoplasia The only thing you can do at home is to keep her calm/quiet and warm. You can try syringing water into her mouth but without veterinary intervention I do not believe she will recover. Even with veterinary intervention she may not recover but that is going to be your best chance at saving her. Again, so sorry that you are having to deal with this and I hope she pulls through. Best wishes.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 15th, 2019

    It sounds as Kiwi is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

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