Two-year-old cat with mystery illness

[writer89]

For the last two weeks our 2-year-old cat has been hiding under the bed, on chairs, and most recently in the back of the cat carrier. He won't come out to eat or play, only (we think, though we haven't seen it) to use the litter box or to move from one cat carrier to the other. The only way he will eat is if we spoon feed him with wet food, and even then he is not interested much of the time. He has been to the vet, had a physical exam, blood work, fecal exam and x-rays (all negative), and just started on Amoxicillin in case he has peritonitis or some other infection. Nothing has changed. His usual vocalizations have stopped, and he only screeches in a high-pitched tone if you try to move him or bother him in some way. I've noticed that his left eye appears to be droopy. He licks his lips a lot as if he is nauseous. He doesn't respond to his litter-mate's approaches. We have stopped the tests short of doing an ultrasound. Any suggestions would be appreciated. He seems to be very sick.

Brad

[Traci]

What day exactly was he examined, xrayed, blood etc? Have you followed up with your vet since that day? He needs to know kitty isn't improving!!

What bloodwork exactly, was done? Can you post the results here?

Was a CBC done PLUS a full blood profile? Was FVR or calicivirus ruled out? Are your cats current on their vaccinations?

Were toxins ruled out, tested for? Is kitty allowed outdoors? Any chance he could have gotten into plants, chemicals, human meds, rancid food/garbage, etc?

Were obstructions, infection, pancreatitis, parasites, etc ruled out? What kind of shape is his oral health? What food were you feeding, and what are you tempting with now?

Has he been tested for FELV/FIV?

If he hasn't eaten a sufficient amount in two weeks, then chances are, he hasn't produced a normal stool either, so why isn't the vet addressing this? If he hasn't eaten a sufficient amount in two weeks, he is also predisposed to and at serious risk for hepatic lipidosis, which is fatal if not detected early, and treated agressively.

See a NEW, more experienced, feline-only vet TODAY for a new opinion, new evaluation, new tests. You can't wait on this any longer, without proper hydration and nutritional support, liver disease is imminent. It could be partial to complete obstruction in the stomach or intestine or colon, it could be blood-borne parasites (i.e., hemobartonella or tick disease, etc), or immunological (viral disease, fungal, etc), or vital organ disfunction. Without additional tests, it's impossible to diagnose specifically. Again, without proper hydration and nutritional support, your kitty is at extreme risk every day he goes without eating normally! Get to a NEW vet TODAY!!

[writer89]

Traci:

Thank you for your very thorough answer. I will need time to study it and review some of these alternatives with my wife, and check with the vet to find out exactly what tests were performed. But I can tell you that we have been in almost daily contact with the vet and have apprised them of the situation. They (two different vets) have seen the cat four times in total (each time a different test and recommendation for treatment), and we've been in phone contact several times. We are in a major metro area, so I don't think we're dealing with vets who are behind the times. The antibiotic was just prescribed yesterday, and has been administered by mouth three times so far. He also had an injection of fluid to prevent dehydration. We offer food several times a day, being patient to allow him to begin licking at it. He is hard to get to, being in the back of a large cat carrier. But once he starts eating, he is finishing several ounces at a time.

One complication is that we can't leave food out for him to take on demand, because his litter-mate has an eating disorder (they were both rescued as small kittens and have some behavioral issues) and will eat any food left out almost immediately.

We have ruled out most of what you mention, though I will check on some of them. The cat is strictly indoor and has had brief contact with only one other cat, also an indoor cat. All vaccinations are current. We can rule out any environmental causes, as the cats do not even leave the main floor of the house. We have fed them only Iams Multi-Cat and no human food, and they are well cared for and not abused. This is why we are so mystified. I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't something other than physical.

Brad

[Traci]

Well it sounds like he is in pain or severe discomfort, so perhaps a new xray should be taken to detect any changes from the last one. If you have the bloodwork results handy and can post them, that would help.

Was a urinalysis done?

I think the first rule outs should be partial to complete obstruction (stomach/intestine/colon), calicivirus/chlamydia, esophagitis, abcess on a vital organ, organ disfunction (particularly liver) bacterial infection (like urinary or bladder, abdominal or GI, or systemic) and joint pain or due to a fall from something. Do the two cats fight? Any evidence of bite wounds, abcess?

From two weeks ago until today is much too long to not have a clear diagnosis, add the fact he isn't eating sufficiently, nor showing interest unless tempted....check oral health and rule out calicivirus promptly, new xray to see if there is inflammation somewhere, new CBC to detect infection, fever activity, etc. I think I would persue additional diagnostics if only for the fact his nutritional intake hasn't been optimal and he's hiding (evidence of pain).

[writer89]

Thanks again. That's just the kind of thing I need to pursue this further. Of course, we are not wealthy people, and have already spent enough on tests, visits, medication, etc. to put a crimp in our Holiday spending, so we are coming to a point where a decision has to be made about finances.

Yes, a urinalysis was done, but early on, so it could be done again. I agree that this has seemed to have dragged on a long time, but when we've taken him to the vet, he's just seemed like a scared but generally healthy cat, no visible signs of anything. It's only when we see him at home that we know something's wrong. That's a hard idea to get across to anybody, because they probably see so many people who bring their pets in at the first sign of finicky eating!

Brad

[Tambrey]

most vets will work with clients, and there is also a place to apply for help, for pets as well as humans,

http://carecredit.com

many vets do take this and then you can make payments...it is similar to a credit card or loan account...

good luck and keep us posted!

[writer89]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not sure we would want to go into debt over this, especially during the Holidays, but it's good to know it's there if you need it.

Brad

[Traci]

Care Credit does have some reasonable plans, without interest, as long as you pay the balance in full on the required date. They do have some heavy requirements for acceptance, but if you're accepted, you can choose several payment plans to suit your needs, again, without interest. You can also apply online.

I really wouldn't wait on this, you really do need further diagnostics to determine what is wrong, any illness can exacerbate quite quickly, and the longer it goes undiagnosed/treated, the more it will cost in the long run.