My cat suddenly won't stop wagging his tail. I'm really worried.

Hello, everyone!

I'm a teen cat owner, and I'd like to ask if anyone has experienced something similar with their cat.

I was away for about 2 and a half months, and during that time my cat stayed with another family member. He's an indoor-outdoor cat and is 7 years old, turning 8 soon.

Ever since I came back, I've noticed that his tail keeps wagging or twitching almost constantly, even when he's trying to rest or sleep. He looks uncomfortable, like he can't fully relax, and this wasn't how he behaved before. I've also noticed that he's lost some weight, drinks more water than usual, and I think he may have some skin irritation on his ears.

I've been wanting to take him to the vet, but I'm still saving up because it's quite expensive for me at the moment. He also wasn't bathed very often while I was away because he can be quite fierce, and he often gets into fights with other cats.

Has anyone experienced something like this with their cat? I'd really appreciate any advice or similar experiences while I save up for a vet visit. Thank you so much! 🐾🤍