My peanut developed conjuntivitis about 1 month ago. Was treated w/ Neo/poly/dex. Cleared up, then re-occured. Treated w/ Terramycin. Developed an eye ulcer. Used the Terramycin 3X daily. Eyes are clear presently. My concern is is sharp decrease in appetite, large weight loss, constant growling, even aggression(very out of character for him) and trembling. Developed lameness in his front right paw, went away within 48 hours. Now, he has lameness in his back right leg. He is very weak, and has a hard time supporting his weight. My vet, (I work for a vet) says maybe it is herpes related and has gone into his joints? He has been back and forth to the vet several times, and still he feels lousy. He really looks like he is dying. I'm a nervous wreck, he is my baby, and yet the vets just seem to scrug their shoulders at me. It has been weeks, and no improvement. I'm also having a hard time because we are also dealing with my boss here.
Anybody know what kind of questions I should be asking the vets and maybe what kind of tests should be run or which kind of specialist he should see? I can't keep watching him go on like this. I also don't want to spend a fortune only to get no answers, so I want to get more specific.
Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
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DragonFlyGirl18
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Re: Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
Who cares if he's your boss! Seek another opinion. Sounds almost like it's neurological. Definitely go to another vet, who said you have to tell your boss anyway? 
Your pet deserves the best care available, don't deny your pet medical attention!
Re: Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
I agree to another vet immediately. This vet is doing nothing to diagnose
this. Your baby deserves the best treatment he can get, he is counting on you. You can take the records from the current vet with you, by signing a release. Mona
this. Your baby deserves the best treatment he can get, he is counting on you. You can take the records from the current vet with you, by signing a release. Mona
Re: Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
I third the motion....I strongly urge you to get another opinion from another clinic (your own vets are not gods, obviously they are not doing enough). I highly doubt herpesvirus is the culprit here. It could be associated, but not likely the primary disease.
The anorexia, weight loss and growling are extremely concerning, the growling and agression are most likely due to pain, and you need to find the source NOW. I strongly suggest full blood panel (especially liver, kidney, thyroid and blood glucose), plus urinalysis and x-rays (to rule out bone disease, bone metasticis, other rule-outs to determine cause of weakness and lameness) Without full blood profiling, your vets aren't even getting to the surface. If kitty is by chance older than 6 years of age, bloodwork is imperative to determine common disease potentials.
Don't wait another minute on this....you said it's been weeks with no improvement. The decline should be a red flag that full diagnostics need to be done. Anorexia and sudden weight loss can fast lead to hepatic failure, diabetes, etc in a matter of days....time is of the essense here, please get your kitty seen by a NEW vet ASAP.
The anorexia, weight loss and growling are extremely concerning, the growling and agression are most likely due to pain, and you need to find the source NOW. I strongly suggest full blood panel (especially liver, kidney, thyroid and blood glucose), plus urinalysis and x-rays (to rule out bone disease, bone metasticis, other rule-outs to determine cause of weakness and lameness) Without full blood profiling, your vets aren't even getting to the surface. If kitty is by chance older than 6 years of age, bloodwork is imperative to determine common disease potentials.
Don't wait another minute on this....you said it's been weeks with no improvement. The decline should be a red flag that full diagnostics need to be done. Anorexia and sudden weight loss can fast lead to hepatic failure, diabetes, etc in a matter of days....time is of the essense here, please get your kitty seen by a NEW vet ASAP.
..........Traci
There's been an update
Today we took Peanut in to the same vet(because I work there, and get a major discount and work long hours making it difficult to go elsewhere)
They tested him for fiv/felv which was negative. They tested his glucose because he ran high the last time he had bloodwork. He stresses easily so his glucose runs high. The fructosamine at that time was normal. They spot checked the glucose to see if they also needed to recheck the fructosamine. Glucose was normal. They ran a cbc/chemprofile/T4 results should be in Sat/Mon.
Doctor suspects something neurogical. She found no pain upon his examination, and today he is not limping. Still having tremors though and not eating well. He should be eating 1/3 cup twice daily, and is only eating 1/3 cup total aprox, with about 1-2 teaspoons of can food. He is underweight. Lost another pound. Could be due to stress from his boarding though.
Seems like the doctors are a bit more attentive because I broke out in tears today at work and embarresed myself.
We will see what the bloodwork shows. He may need a referral to a neurologist which will cost at least $1000. I don't really have this money which is partly why I broke down. I fear I may need this money to save his life. If he needs to go, maybe my parent's will lend me the money.
They tested him for fiv/felv which was negative. They tested his glucose because he ran high the last time he had bloodwork. He stresses easily so his glucose runs high. The fructosamine at that time was normal. They spot checked the glucose to see if they also needed to recheck the fructosamine. Glucose was normal. They ran a cbc/chemprofile/T4 results should be in Sat/Mon.
Doctor suspects something neurogical. She found no pain upon his examination, and today he is not limping. Still having tremors though and not eating well. He should be eating 1/3 cup twice daily, and is only eating 1/3 cup total aprox, with about 1-2 teaspoons of can food. He is underweight. Lost another pound. Could be due to stress from his boarding though.
Seems like the doctors are a bit more attentive because I broke out in tears today at work and embarresed myself.
We will see what the bloodwork shows. He may need a referral to a neurologist which will cost at least $1000. I don't really have this money which is partly why I broke down. I fear I may need this money to save his life. If he needs to go, maybe my parent's will lend me the money.
The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
-
Linky
Re: Posting for Kriss-serously ill cat
This sounds very similar to the symptoms my cat had for the fungal infection, Cryptoccosis. You might want to have an Anitgen Titer test performed to see if he has this, or just mention it to the vet. Cats get this fungal infection from digging in houseplants (some soil in houseplants carry the Crypto) or from inhaling bird droppings (mainly pigeons).
The fungus usually attacks the nasal and eye areas first. My cat had a strange ulcer on his face and then went lame in one leg. They biopsyied the ulcer and found out it was Crypto. He has been on medication for 10 long, costly months, but may finally be getting better.
Good luck and keep us posted.
The fungus usually attacks the nasal and eye areas first. My cat had a strange ulcer on his face and then went lame in one leg. They biopsyied the ulcer and found out it was Crypto. He has been on medication for 10 long, costly months, but may finally be getting better.
Good luck and keep us posted.