Actually, KK, you could be right.....but I'm not sure about the transmission between birds and cats, as there are several strains. Individually, there is zoonotic potential with both, i.e., birds can transmit the strain to humans, as well as cats transmitting the strain (referred to as feline pneumonitis). Considering the anemia, this would be another potential rule out (with conjunctival stain and smear under slide, exudate exam, etc, same as with calicivirus)
Tetracycline would be the treatment of choice for chlamydia (including opthalmic ointment with tetracycline added for conjunctivitis), and considering kitty's poor response to broad spectrum antibiotics, this might explain it. However, both diseases can cause similar signs and symptoms and both can persist and re-occur after treatment if not treated agressively.
The diagnostics would be to start with cytology, exudate smears/stains, possibly culture. Might want to note, Newt, that the symptoms from both conditions may appear to subside, but could manifest into a more serious situation at any point in time, you especially want to get an x-ray evaluation of kitty's chest areas and lungs.
Btw KK, chlamydia is thought to infect at least 10% of the cat population (chronically), the incidence is usually sporadic but of course in multi-cat environments, endemic. Note also owners choosing vaccines that do not include chlamydia.......while the vaccine does not prevent the disease, it certainly can reduce the severity of infection and reduce recovery time.
Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
Thanks again for the advice. Does anyone have any experience with interferon used to treat chlamydia? As I said, my Dad said it was useless to be ingested. Just curious as we still have a whole cup full in the fridge.
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
*If* chlamydia is diagnosed, I think you would be better off treating with doxycycline or other tetracycline products.....the oral interferon's efficacy is not widely known, research indicates it may help with secondary infections, but it's efficacy is controversial. Even the IV use of 'high-dose' interferon usually loses it's effectiveness after about 4 weeks or so.
Please consider a new opinion, ask about cytology, exudate slide exams/culture, and take it from there. If you continue with antibiotics only, and without a clear diagnosis, I'm afraid your current vet is only treating blindly. And please do get a chest x-ray as soon as possible.
As for the remaining interferon, if it's bottled and recently prescribed, and you haven't adulterated it in any form, your vet may refund you (might take it back for FELV+ patients, but unlikely, oral suspensions are usually not taken back)
Please consider a new opinion, ask about cytology, exudate slide exams/culture, and take it from there. If you continue with antibiotics only, and without a clear diagnosis, I'm afraid your current vet is only treating blindly. And please do get a chest x-ray as soon as possible.
As for the remaining interferon, if it's bottled and recently prescribed, and you haven't adulterated it in any form, your vet may refund you (might take it back for FELV+ patients, but unlikely, oral suspensions are usually not taken back)
..........Traci
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
We're going to an animal hospital today at 2:30 that is accredited (one of 6) with the American Animal Hospital Association and has a vet on staff who served as the VP for the American Vetrinary Association.
I told the receptionist I wanted to get a clear answer on what was wrong before pursuing any treatment. I told her the whole story of the two vets and she said, "Lets get him in today.". I am taking the list of diagnostics Traci suggested (culture, x-ray, cytology) to see if the vet can help rather than prescribe. I hope they know what they are doing. Newt ate over the weekend, but still not enough. He was active but he goes back and forth between being active (looking at birds, jumping on furniture, etc) to lethargic.
I told the receptionist I wanted to get a clear answer on what was wrong before pursuing any treatment. I told her the whole story of the two vets and she said, "Lets get him in today.". I am taking the list of diagnostics Traci suggested (culture, x-ray, cytology) to see if the vet can help rather than prescribe. I hope they know what they are doing. Newt ate over the weekend, but still not enough. He was active but he goes back and forth between being active (looking at birds, jumping on furniture, etc) to lethargic.
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
Newt is at his third vet today, an animal hospital for all sorts of pets. The hospital is recommended by the AAHA and has a vetrinarian that served as VP for the area Vetrinary Association. Hopefully they know what they are doing.
The vet I met with said he seems to have something wrong with his abdomen area. Newt was very frisky and vocal when she was feeling his stomach. They are taking X-rays now and are going to call when he is ready. She also disagreed with the abundant use of anti-biotics but did say the L-Lysine was a good idea to help his immune system kick in. I told her I wanted to have them look at his former blood tests and run an x-ray on him. They are also going to do an FIP test and some other test that he has not had yet.
Please say a prayer for him. She sounded like she thought he may have FIP. She said that this can lie dormant and come about due to stress or sickness. This is what the other vet had mentioned, however he does not have all the signs of FIP (fluid leaking/buildup, ulcers, etc). The symptoms are:
Gastrointestinal and eye ulcers
Jaundice
Mild anemia
Neurological abnormalities
Severe conjunctivitis
I believe they gave him an FIPV test, but am not sure. Please say a prayer for him...we will know shortly.
The vet I met with said he seems to have something wrong with his abdomen area. Newt was very frisky and vocal when she was feeling his stomach. They are taking X-rays now and are going to call when he is ready. She also disagreed with the abundant use of anti-biotics but did say the L-Lysine was a good idea to help his immune system kick in. I told her I wanted to have them look at his former blood tests and run an x-ray on him. They are also going to do an FIP test and some other test that he has not had yet.
Please say a prayer for him. She sounded like she thought he may have FIP. She said that this can lie dormant and come about due to stress or sickness. This is what the other vet had mentioned, however he does not have all the signs of FIP (fluid leaking/buildup, ulcers, etc). The symptoms are:
Gastrointestinal and eye ulcers
Jaundice
Mild anemia
Neurological abnormalities
Severe conjunctivitis
I believe they gave him an FIPV test, but am not sure. Please say a prayer for him...we will know shortly.
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
You are certainly in my prayers. I'll be waiting anxiously for an update. I sure hope you get some answers soon. I'm thinking about you. kk
Don't know whether to put a smiley or a frowny on this one. Newt is very close to meeting all the requirements for FPI (wet). He now has slight jaundice from not eating. The only positive thing that came from today was that there is no fluid in his abdomen. The vet even used a needle to try and draw fluid but there was none there.
With his breathing getting rough at times (sounds like he coughs after meowing) I was certain the x-ray would show fluid and that would be that. He is now 5.5 pds (was 8 pds) and is still not eating or drinking. They have sent out bloodwork to test of FPI which my vet is pretty certain he has. In the meantime, were going to give it one last shot this week. Here is my plan:
1/2 can of Hills I/D
1 TBSP Energel (Like Nutri-Cal)
250 mg L-Lysine (amino acids to kick start immune system) (this was also recommended by the new vet)
This concoction is mixed up in a blender and given to him in 6ml increments by syringe every hour until all of it is gone. I have beleived since this began, that if he could put some weight on he could fight this, he has always been really healthy. The tests for FPI are not very accurate, as my vet told me, so we are going to try and do the best we can for as long as we can. I will not put him through misery nor my wife, but I will try and save this little guy...he is my best friend. Please keep us in your prayers, they do work. I am keeping a journal of his health, weight, food intake, water intake and will report my findings back to the board as we progress. Thanks again.
With his breathing getting rough at times (sounds like he coughs after meowing) I was certain the x-ray would show fluid and that would be that. He is now 5.5 pds (was 8 pds) and is still not eating or drinking. They have sent out bloodwork to test of FPI which my vet is pretty certain he has. In the meantime, were going to give it one last shot this week. Here is my plan:
1/2 can of Hills I/D
1 TBSP Energel (Like Nutri-Cal)
250 mg L-Lysine (amino acids to kick start immune system) (this was also recommended by the new vet)
This concoction is mixed up in a blender and given to him in 6ml increments by syringe every hour until all of it is gone. I have beleived since this began, that if he could put some weight on he could fight this, he has always been really healthy. The tests for FPI are not very accurate, as my vet told me, so we are going to try and do the best we can for as long as we can. I will not put him through misery nor my wife, but I will try and save this little guy...he is my best friend. Please keep us in your prayers, they do work. I am keeping a journal of his health, weight, food intake, water intake and will report my findings back to the board as we progress. Thanks again.
Re: Sick Cat -- Stumped but well fed Vets
Just for those wondering, here is a picture of Newt from a few weeks ago.
