You said..."Vet suggested behavioral food/other cats in household issues." Assuming he took a full history on Lucy, what were your comments to him that lead him to this particular comment? Did you tell him there might be stress issues at home, did you tell him one or more other cats may be intimidating her for some reason?
You said "diet, food was not discussed". Did he even ask you what you were feeding, or, did he even suggest to use a mild food, such as one prescribed for GI problems? Did he not tell you that her anorexia and dehydration were concerning? Did you tell him she has diarrhea now? Did he suggest a fecal exam? Did he weigh her this time, and if so, has she lost additional weight since 6 months ago? If so, how is he addressing this?
Again, what are you feeding her? (other than Fancy Feast)
You said the vet told you he "covered all the bases"...but, again, was a urinalysis and thyroid function testing done???
On your receipt, can you tell me what bloodwork/tests were done exactly?
According to your posts at other times, your first post indicated she was 9 years old in 2004, so she is really only 12 years of age, rather than 14?
A year or two ago, she had a health issue of drinking and urinating excessively, what was determined at that time? Was bloodwork and urinalysis done at that time? Did your vet take that into account this time? Did he also check her anal glands this time, since she had a problem with them before?
Now maybe your vet is being thorough and perhaps something is being left out of your posts, but according to your posts, it doesn't sound like your vet is addressing much of anything. If he didn't do a urinalysis, he can't determine if she might have an infection, or glucose in the urine which might indicate diabetes, which could also cause any of the symptoms Lucy is having. While other health issues need to be ruled out, diabetes should be ruled out as well, particularly given the symptoms she had some time ago, your vet needs to take that into account.
The anorexia and vomiting, and now diarrhea are being caused by something and your vet needs to be concerned! Because it doesn't seem to be resolving and he knows that continued vomiting and severe dehydration can lead to organ damage quite quickly. Did he suggest she needs more fluids administration? Did he ask you to bring her back in for fluids? Are you declining a re-evaluation or further tests for some reason?
If there is any indication he is stumped or not taking this seriously, you owe it to Lucy to get a second opinion immediately. The longer she goes without food and water, the longer she continues to vomit and has diarrhea, the more at risk she is for renal or liver problems. This needs to be nipped in the bud right now! This started on Sunday, it's now Thursday, that's 5 days of dehydration, insufficient nutrition, and something going undetected. Don't wait around, see a new vet today and get her records faxed to the new vet TODAY so he/she can review and possibly pick up on something your current vet has missed. Get urinalysis, thyroid function testing, and fecal exam done if indicated!
14 yr old vomitting clear liq. only drink, no eating
Re: 14 yr old vomitting clear liq. only drink, no eating
..........Traci
Re: 14 yr old vomitting clear liq. only drink, no eating
Lucy seems a little better today. It's Thursday noon. She ate a little wet food last nite and must of drank some water 'cuz she peeded tons this morning. Still has diarrea, though. Also, she went outside on patio to look around this morning. Has been sleeping most of the time. However, last nite when I announced dinner time, she came into kitchen for a few bites. I will keep trying new food to tempt her taste buds or buy the prescription diet when I go to vet, tomorrow.
She was born in 1994. first blood panel was done Jan 2007 because I was concerned with excessive drinking and peeing ie:renal. Uranalysis was not done . (Isn't that done for cats with FLUTD symptons...like not peeing.) Results came back normal. At that time, she weighed 6 1/2 lbs. so the weight loss was from prior years. I think she only weighed 9/10 lbs at the most. She's always been a small cat with a waistline. Only noticable change to me over the last year was she stoped eating the dry as much and begs me for wet food, all the time. Had her anal glands extracted, too. Yes, I'm sure teeth cleaning would be beneficial, but there are no signs of infection or absess present and my teeth get cleaned , first.
As of today , she does not seem dehydrated as her skin/fur when pulled goes right back into place. I will call/go back to vet tomorrow morning and ask, once again, about thyroid/diabetes/infection, etc. should I see no improvement in appitite by dinner time, tonight.
This full service clinic, incl. dental is a one man practice . (Dr. L. Davidson) It is very popular because services are much less inexpensive than most of L.A. 's other animal hospitals and/or vets and it has a first come first serve atmosphere. Unfortunately this makes it super crowded and vet one-on-one time is limited. Most important, it is accross the street from where I live and less stress for cat in carrier and me in the car.
I have results from both blood panels and access to x-rays if I wish. I will be discussing results and other courses of action with a young vet who lives in my building, tonight. She can do a sub-Q fluid administration, if needed.
Now, after reading your reply I'm really freaked out. But I need to stay calm. As long as see Lucy-Mitts pooping & peeing, she must have something in her stomach. No more vomiting as of tuesday nite.
Behavioral: nothing has changed in home environment However, took in a female stray kitten 1.5 years ago. Lucy is the main cat in household, Spookie, also female who is 1 year older is the submissive one. Spookie & Lucy have lived together since young but dont get along. Its been 14 years in total. Lucy intimidates Spookie. The kitten gets on everyones last nerve.
Gotta go.. my brain hurts not to mention my wallet. Keep you posted over the weekend.
She was born in 1994. first blood panel was done Jan 2007 because I was concerned with excessive drinking and peeing ie:renal. Uranalysis was not done . (Isn't that done for cats with FLUTD symptons...like not peeing.) Results came back normal. At that time, she weighed 6 1/2 lbs. so the weight loss was from prior years. I think she only weighed 9/10 lbs at the most. She's always been a small cat with a waistline. Only noticable change to me over the last year was she stoped eating the dry as much and begs me for wet food, all the time. Had her anal glands extracted, too. Yes, I'm sure teeth cleaning would be beneficial, but there are no signs of infection or absess present and my teeth get cleaned , first.
As of today , she does not seem dehydrated as her skin/fur when pulled goes right back into place. I will call/go back to vet tomorrow morning and ask, once again, about thyroid/diabetes/infection, etc. should I see no improvement in appitite by dinner time, tonight.
This full service clinic, incl. dental is a one man practice . (Dr. L. Davidson) It is very popular because services are much less inexpensive than most of L.A. 's other animal hospitals and/or vets and it has a first come first serve atmosphere. Unfortunately this makes it super crowded and vet one-on-one time is limited. Most important, it is accross the street from where I live and less stress for cat in carrier and me in the car.
I have results from both blood panels and access to x-rays if I wish. I will be discussing results and other courses of action with a young vet who lives in my building, tonight. She can do a sub-Q fluid administration, if needed.
Now, after reading your reply I'm really freaked out. But I need to stay calm. As long as see Lucy-Mitts pooping & peeing, she must have something in her stomach. No more vomiting as of tuesday nite.
Behavioral: nothing has changed in home environment However, took in a female stray kitten 1.5 years ago. Lucy is the main cat in household, Spookie, also female who is 1 year older is the submissive one. Spookie & Lucy have lived together since young but dont get along. Its been 14 years in total. Lucy intimidates Spookie. The kitten gets on everyones last nerve.
Gotta go.. my brain hurts not to mention my wallet. Keep you posted over the weekend.
Spookie & Lucy Mitts are old
Chardonnay is 1 years old
Chardonnay is 1 years old
Re: 14 yr old vomitting clear liq. only drink, no eating
Um, no, a urinalysis is a crucial test, especially with increased water consumption and increased urine production! Your vet knows that and if he doesn't, he doesn't deserve your business. He also knows the only way to diagnose diabetes appropriately is to test BOTH urine and blood glucose.
It sounds like you think his fees may be reasonable, but it also sounds like he doesn't pay attention to his patients' needs. First-come, first-served atmosphere? I'm sorry, but this is NOT good practice for ANY vet! Waiting long times during an appointment is unacceptable! Do you think your cats appreciate that?
Just because she continues to urinate does not mean she's getting sufficient water intake or food/nutritional intake or appropriate nutrients. What you are describing are fluid losses which occur in the body when there is no nutritional support, no fluid's support, ...she is using the body's electrolytes and fluids reserves (what little are left), and now that she has diarrhea, she is at further risk because her elecrtrolytes are out of balance and she can't replenish them. This is a serious condition and can lead to organ damage quickly!
Despite what you beleive about her oral health, diseased teeth, inflammed or red gums (gingivitis), oral ulcers, stomatitis, and tooth abcesses are painful and debilitating to cats, not to mention excess bacteria that leads to the bloodstream and causes more problems (i.e., seriously affecting the kidneys, heart, etc). Just because you can't SEE the problem doesn't mean there ISN'T a problem. Oral health should be properly evaluated once a year and treated when necessary.
I think you mean the anal glands were expressed, correct? In one of your older posts, you mentioned the vet wanted to do surgery, but you never indicated further what happened there.
You said she vomitted last night, so she is STILL vomiting. Please, it helps greatly when you are consistent with posting her symptoms.
I strongly advise you get Lucy to a qualified, more comitted vet , like yesterday, and since you didn't today, you are in fact, delaying her treatment. You must understand that electrolyte imbalances are serious and should not be taken lightly, especially in view of insufficient food and water intake, and her combined symptoms, and since these occured rather suddenly. Just because the bloodwork appeared normal, doesn't mean something isn't going on, and your vet is failing you if none of the questions presented you above were ever addressed by your vet.
PLEASE, again, get her to a new, more competent, comitted vet IMMEDIATELY, and get her records to the new vet so he/she can review them! I'd not utilize your neighbor vet since she hasn't seen/examined, done tests on your cat, nor is she at a clinic to utlilize proper testing materials or diagnostics. Lucy is not her patient, correct? If not her patient, she isn't in the position to be treating your cat. Yes, she could give sub-q fluids, but she doesn't have Lucy's medical records, nor has she performed the tests, nor anything else, etc.
It sounds like you think his fees may be reasonable, but it also sounds like he doesn't pay attention to his patients' needs. First-come, first-served atmosphere? I'm sorry, but this is NOT good practice for ANY vet! Waiting long times during an appointment is unacceptable! Do you think your cats appreciate that?
Just because she continues to urinate does not mean she's getting sufficient water intake or food/nutritional intake or appropriate nutrients. What you are describing are fluid losses which occur in the body when there is no nutritional support, no fluid's support, ...she is using the body's electrolytes and fluids reserves (what little are left), and now that she has diarrhea, she is at further risk because her elecrtrolytes are out of balance and she can't replenish them. This is a serious condition and can lead to organ damage quickly!
Despite what you beleive about her oral health, diseased teeth, inflammed or red gums (gingivitis), oral ulcers, stomatitis, and tooth abcesses are painful and debilitating to cats, not to mention excess bacteria that leads to the bloodstream and causes more problems (i.e., seriously affecting the kidneys, heart, etc). Just because you can't SEE the problem doesn't mean there ISN'T a problem. Oral health should be properly evaluated once a year and treated when necessary.
I think you mean the anal glands were expressed, correct? In one of your older posts, you mentioned the vet wanted to do surgery, but you never indicated further what happened there.
You said she vomitted last night, so she is STILL vomiting. Please, it helps greatly when you are consistent with posting her symptoms.
I strongly advise you get Lucy to a qualified, more comitted vet , like yesterday, and since you didn't today, you are in fact, delaying her treatment. You must understand that electrolyte imbalances are serious and should not be taken lightly, especially in view of insufficient food and water intake, and her combined symptoms, and since these occured rather suddenly. Just because the bloodwork appeared normal, doesn't mean something isn't going on, and your vet is failing you if none of the questions presented you above were ever addressed by your vet.
PLEASE, again, get her to a new, more competent, comitted vet IMMEDIATELY, and get her records to the new vet so he/she can review them! I'd not utilize your neighbor vet since she hasn't seen/examined, done tests on your cat, nor is she at a clinic to utlilize proper testing materials or diagnostics. Lucy is not her patient, correct? If not her patient, she isn't in the position to be treating your cat. Yes, she could give sub-q fluids, but she doesn't have Lucy's medical records, nor has she performed the tests, nor anything else, etc.
..........Traci