I didn't make it all the way to the vets. Cartman seems fine now. I am so full of self doubt I just don't know what to do.
Here's what happened. Cartman came in, and, I might add now, seemed a little frantic... He came gallumping across the yard like he was in what he calls a "hurry". He then started pacing around rather out of sorts. He knocked some dishes off the desk, and then went up on top of the little bookshelf the other cats jump up on a lot but he never does.... knocking the picture frames off onto the floor as he went. This is when I noticed he was panting... and he looked scary! Growling at me when I touched him.
Well, I called the vet and acted like I thought he was dying, had this tense conversation with the vet about whether, if I came right in could I get in quicker than 3:30 because it was such an emergency, shoved him in the crate and posted what I posted before and headed out the door.
On the way there I could tell that whatever it was had passed. He wasn't panting, he wasn't frantic, he purred when I opened the gate and pet him. I stopped on the side of the road and tried to figure out if I should still even go to the vets, let alone trying to trot into the lobby and act like I was having this big emergency... They'd look at the cat sitting there all relaxed and think I was a lunatic. There's nothing unusual or wrong with him ~now~.
So I came home. The cat's still in the crate and happy there... I still have the other cats locked in the bedroom, and he's been grooming and now he's napping. He purrs now when I pet him.
And I've been staring at him trying to figure out what to do. Appointment in 30 minutes... But nothing to see. WTF DO I DO NOW?
vetvetdoug, I've always appreciated your input before. I hope I'm not abusing the privilege...