Very concerned about Humane Society Kitty...

[Sue and Kids]

I wanted to hear any opinions you might have about this dear little kitty, "Fang". Fang lives at our local no-kill Humane Society. I volunteer there three times a week (the director is recovering from a bad case of pneumonia).

On Friday, I noticed Fang could only walk about three steps, then his back legs collapsed and he fell over on his left side. This little guy is only about 9 months old. Several months ago, he appeared to have blood behind his eye but no sign of injury to the eye itself and had no other symptoms. His vision in that eye appears to be fine. He is eating, drinking and using his litter box normally.

Geney (our director) took him to our vet right away. Dr. Sharon checked all his extremeties and found nothing broken or sprained. She did X-Rays and did blood tests for any possible diseases and all were negative. Dr. Sharon did say one of his pupils was larger than the other. When I heard this from Geney, I felt sick. Our older kitty, Leo, had this occur years ago when he suffered a stroke.

I would think Fang would be too young for a stroke. Dr. Sharon feels it is a neurological problem. Could he have a brain tumor? I can't really find much information about that. Dr. Sharon gave him medication (Geney told me the name but I can't remember it - starts with a "D"). He is being kept quiet in a cage for now and was to start prednisone this weekend. I assume this is to reduce any inflammation.

Traci, have you dealt with anything like this with such a young kitty or has anyone else here heard about anything like this? What do you think his prognosis could be?

Fang isn't my kitty but I'm very attached to him. He is just beautiful - jet black - and very sweet. The sad problem is that the Humane Society money is limited. I'm worried about him. Thanks for any information.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Traci]

By Friday, do you mean just yesterday or last week?

Was an FELV/FIV test done? What bloodwork exactly, was done?

Does he have reflex response when the legs and toe digits are manipulated? Does he seem to feel pain in this area or in the spine and tail?

Can you explain "blood behind his eye"...do you mean around the globe, across the cornea, giving the appearance of a red film over the lens? If so, this might indeed be indicative of some injury, like blunt forced trauma. If there was any trauma prior to this kitten brought in, one must keep that in mind, since nerve damage could have occured and his slight growth or movement since could be pressing a nerve or a disc could be out of place (if an undetected vertebrae or disk problem as a result of prior injury, his growth spurt could actually cause this to worsen).

What I would rule out:

Bacterial infection somewhere (if she did a CBC, that would most likely show up somewhere)...do you know if he had a fever?

Diabetes insipidus (especially if drinking and urinating more than usual).

Urinary tract infection or obstruction or bowel obstruction.

Check all pet food on the premises for problems, especially if any other pet elicits the same symptoms/rule out food toxins.

Any chance of a bug or spider bite?

Viral disease affecting neurological function, a immunological profile would help.

Vitamin/mineral deficiency.

Cerebral problems, whether bacterial or viral.

I realize funds are limited, but because this kitten seems to have been at the shelter for some time and is quite adoptable, it would be worth pursuing and at least, conferring with another local vet on the case. If Dr Sharon has a VIN account, ask her to get on and ask the specialists for their opinions and they can also help form a diagnostic workup based on limited costs. Sometimes just another opinion from a colleague/specialist does wonders. Even if she isn't a VIN member, she can still consult with a specialist. Again, would definitely try to get immunological profile to rule out viral infection, then address any cerebral problems if the condition worsens.

[Sue and Kids]

Thank you for your prompt reply, Traci. I'll answer your questions that I can reply to now. The others I will need to contact Geney about.

By Friday, do you mean just yesterday or last week?

It was on Friday, February 5th.

Does he have reflex response when the legs and toe digits are manipulated? Does he seem to feel pain in this area or in the spine and tail?

Yes, he does have reflex response when his legs are manipulated. He doesn't seem to have any paralysis. Fang doesn't seem to be in any pain at all.

Can you explain "blood behind his eye"...do you mean around the globe, across the cornea, giving the appearance of a red film over the lens? If so, this might indeed be indicative of some injury, like blunt forced trauma. If there was any trauma prior to this kitten brought in, one must keep that in mind, since nerve damage could have occured and his slight growth or movement since could be pressing a nerve or a disc could be out of place (if an undetected vertebrae or disk problem as a result of prior injury, his growth spurt could actually cause this to worsen).

The blood is barely visible around the lens of his eye (in the "white"). It is not a film over his eye. Earlier this eye turned from a yellow to an orange color. It is now starting to return to the normal color and look like his other eye again. The kitties are in large rooms (not in individual cages) and do interact with each other. Fang loved to run and jump like any other young kitty. Possibly, he could have hit his head and we weren't aware of it. He has shown no signs at all of an injury until Friday.

Bacterial infection somewhere (if she did a CBC, that would most likely show up somewhere)...do you know if he had a fever?

Fang did not have a fever. I'm not sure what exact tests were done but I'm pretty sure she did a CBC. Geney would have mentioned if he had an infection.

Diabetes insipidus (especially if drinking and urinating more than usual).

It appears Fang has been drinking and urinating normally. He was confined alone in a cage for part of the day Friday until he could be seen by the vet. He did drink some water and urinated in his box but no more than normal.

Check all pet food on the premises for problems, especially if any other pet elicits the same symptoms/rule out food toxins.

All the kitties here eat the same food and none of the others are ill. They are all fed Iams dry cat food.

Any chance of a bug or spider bite?

Anything is possible, I guess. I've spent a lot of time there and seen no insects at all. In the fall, the inevitable fly or two sneak in but I haven't seen any type of spiders, etc.

Vitamin/mineral deficiency.

I can't say for sure, but I doubt this is the case. He and the other kitties get high-quality food. As I said above, all the others appear healthy.

I don't know the answer to any of your other questions for now. I don't know if we will be able to get another opinion on Fang. Living in a very small town, we have only the one vet. I would be willing to take him out of town to another vet. However... How do I say this tactfully? Our director is a very controlling lady and wants all control over what is done for the animals. She has a heart of gold. But I know I would be seen as overstepping my boundaries as a volunteer to proceed on my own.

I will ask Geney if Dr. Sharon did any tests for viral infections. Otherwise, I'll wait and see how he's doing. (I don't volunteer there on weekends.) If he isn't improving, I'll try to tactfully suggest that our vet contact a specialist. Thank you for the information, Traci.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Traci]

I think I would propose the question to Dr Sharon, since you have a good working relationship with her, maybe the two of you could work something out? Since Dr Sharon already examined him, isn't she willing to consult, or does she require an additional fee for consulting with another colleague? Is she adverse to speaking to the director about kitty's condition?

I assume your position at the shelter is volunteering, are you in the position to donate a small amount of money toward Fang's testing? Or, the exam fee by another vet? That might be one way to approach the director. If you had Dr Sharon's backing, that might also help your cause.

If by Monday, he still is unable to stand or walk, if you're in the position to, I would offer whatever I could to pay for the exam fee for another vet or ask Dr Sharon if immunological testing would be a good idea and offer to help with the cost.

As long as there is no pain evident and clearly he has a good reflex response, there is a chance this is temporary, and that it may resolve, but testing might be necessary to get to the heart of the matter. Fang deserves a chance to improve, whether through additional testing to diagnose effectively, a specific treatment, or tincture of time to gauge improvement. Sometimes, muscles or nerve problems simply take time to resolve.

[Sue and Kids]

Thanks for your reply, Traci. I will be going to the Humane Society tomorrow and will try to find out as much as I can about Fang.

I'm sorry to report I'm on Disability now and my funds are very limited. I volunteer at the Humane Society as my way of helping out.

I posted tonight at a pet loss forum, asking folks there to send out prayers for little Fang. One lady who replied (who I believe is a Vet Tech too) mentioned that a potassium deficiency could also cause these symptoms. What is your opinion? Do kitties need supplements?

Thanks again. I hope Fang can get through this.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Traci]

Unlikely potassium deficiency, since there would most likely be combined symptoms, and assuming his growth rate is normal. Certainly, if there is a disease progress going on, or vital organ disfunction affecting vitamin or mineral imbalances, supplementation from the vet can help. But in Fang's case, I doubt potassium is the problem.

Hang in there, Sue, please update me when you know more. Fang is in my thoughts and prayers, let's have good thoughts it is nothing serious and that he is on the mend as we speak! (((((HUGS))))))

[Sue and Kids]

Hi, Traci. Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it.

I'm afraid I don't have any more medical facts (test results, etc.) to provide about Fang. But I wanted to send an update about him.

Fang seems to be improving. I don't know if he will recover 100%. But he is a feisty little guy. Of course, we don't know how much these little critters realize about their own physical problems. Fang is a fighter.

Fang has been receiving sub-q fluids twice a day, and getting antibiotics and prednisone. He has been syringe-fed liquified canned cat food last week. Now he is trying to eat on his own - both canned and a tiny bit of dry food. Fang is very aware of his surroundings. He wanted OUT of that cage! LOL

He's still pretty wobbly but I imagine he's weak after what he's been through and needs to rest and regain his strength.

I am trying not to expect too much too soon. But I am hopeful. He is much better than a week ago. Please keep sending prayers for our little guy. Thanks, Traci.

[Traci]

Did the shelter director not think it prudent to test additionally, since it appears Fang wasn't eating on his own?

Of course my prayers continue for this sweet little guy, keep me updated if you can.

[Sue and Kids]

This is a very sad post today. Despite our best efforts, our dear little Fang has gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

I was with him yesterday afternoon and our H.S. Director was with him last night. Fang seemed so much better. He was eating on his own and wanted out of his cage. I had him out in the main cat room yesterday and he was so happy. He sat next to me and purred and interacted with the other cats. He couldn't walk but was able to pull himself over to the food bowl. Fang was such a little fighter with such a strong will to live. We were beginning to feel hopeful that he would recover at least to some degree.

Geney said when she checked him this morning, he was gone. The fact that he seemed to be improving made it even harder to lose him. We all did everything we could but it wasn't enough. We will never know for sure why Fang died. I had taken a pictre of him yesterday so I could show how he was getting better.

Tomorrow I'm going to download the picture from my camera onto my computer. I'll be putting a "prayer post" here tomorrow and will include the photo.

Thank you, Traci, for your information and concern.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Tambrey]

I am so sorry.....safe journey sweet Fang