Hi guys,

I've had Dylan the bengal kitten for over a month now, he came to his new home at 12 weeks.

He settled in so well, I took the first two weeks off of work to help welcome him.

Monday this week I had to travel away with work for 2 days, staying the night. (Don't fear, my OH was home). I don't have to travel away often but this might happen once every couple of months.

Whilst away my well behaved kitty cat would not stop yowling and desperately searching round the house. He wouldn't eat any of his food and was being sick, despite my OH giving him constant attention and encouraging him to eat.

Upon my return he would not leave my side. Before my trip he would follow me around the house now and then but this is on a whole new level. Even whilst in the shower he was throwing himself at the shower door to get in with me.

I'm worried that he is getting separation anxiety? Or something similar?

I don't want him to suffer next time I have to go away for a night.

Has anyone been through similar, or any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank you

I suspect you're the primary caregiver to Dylan. I don't know if kitties suffer separation anxiety from their mother or if he's just bonded with you really, really well. Personally, I'd love for my Bengal to be clingy. He's quite snob-offish until it comes to bedtime an then he wants to sleep with us, which is fine.

He will be ok. Our cats are like that when we go out of town, separately or together. I had three cats following me around constantly for a week after I was gone for 10 days last year. Give him lots of cuddles, playtime, treats, etc. and he will realize that you won't leave forever and that you love still him.

I'm definitely the primary care giver, he's my cat and I give him the most attention of the two of us.

Dylan is the absolute opposite! He's clingy all day but sleeps on top of the fridge haha!!

I've been giving him lots of fuss and cuddles and playtime but he's still not eating barely anything, did it take your three a little while after returning to settle back into routine?

Thanks Elaine,

I think if when I get home this afternoon and he's still not eaten I'll take him in for a check.

Hope all goes ok if you end up taking him off to the vet, always better safe than sorry when a little one stops eating. Fingers crossed it's just adapting to getting used to the first changes he's experienced since he's been living with you.

Bad news guys.

I came home and not only had he not touched ANY food, but hadn't had any water.

Really worried and taking Elaine's advice, I took young Dylan to my local vets and they said he was very dehydrated. After examine she said his intestines were also very swollen.

He didn't have a temperature but she put him on a drip and told me he had to go to the emergency vets to stay the night. After a long journey I got there and he wouldn't let go, wrapping his tiny paws round my neck and crying so loudly and hissing and the vets just made me burst into tears!

They are going to do blood tests in a few hours, once he's been on the drip and settled without me. They will then call me with the results.

It was agony leaving him, but I know he's in the best hands.

Even worse is its my OH night away from home with work so I'm all on my own and worrying like a crazy mother!

Thank you ever so much for your advice everyone, especially Elaine!!

I will keep you updated on his progress.

I am glad you took him in. No water can lead to dehydration in a hurry.

Did they/are they doing any xrays to see why his intestines are swollen? I would look around the house too to make sure he didn't get into anything when you were away or eat something he wasn't supposed to. The bloodwork will help them rule out a bunch of different things.

He is in the best place he can be right now with people that have the knowledge and tools to help him get rehydrated and figure out what is going on. I know that really doesn't help the emotional part of you. I hope you have some answers soon!

Hi, how is everything going now? Hope little Dylan is ok after his trip to the vet..

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't been online in a while, I've had a bit of a crazy time.

His blood tests came back clear but his health was still deteriorating.

When I went to see him the morning after his night at the vets he couldn't lift his head up.

He was kept on a drip up until Saturday when he was finally fully rehydrated. He had extreme diarrhoea and wouldn't eat or drink.

The vets sent him home with me, and said they couldn't do anything without diagnosing the issue through a faecal examination. (With his watery bottom this way literally IMPOSSIBLE to get a sample, as soon as it hit the litter or paper it would dry). The following morning he was passing blood so I took him straight back to the vets and pleaded they put Dylan on antibiotics (they refused previously as it would hide the nullify the faecal results).

He's back home now and on his antibiotics, and although he still has a runny bum he's much more himself - eating and drinking.

I'm still waiting for the faecal results (from the very limited samples I could eventually give), the vets believe it could be a parasite (one not effected by normal worming).

It's so lovely to have him home and feeling better - even if not 100% yet.

He's also been allowed to sleep upstairs with me so I can monitor him overnight and had lots of cuddles and attention (my boss has let me come home every lunch to check on him).

I'll let you all know once I have received his results.

Thank you all for your support! :) xxx

Results are back, it's TF :'(.