Doc's medical thread

[Traci]

Did you in fact confine him for his day or two after Friday, as you normally did every other time?

I don't think you're being overly worrying, I would be too, you've always been keenly aware of the kiddens, so don't second guess...if you feel something's off, trust your instincts.

[Tina B and crew]

I confined him over night...but he wanted out on Saturday. I think if there is not a drastic change toward the positive by tomorrow morning I am calling and taking him in. something is just not right. And we know cats, they are good at hiding things!

[Traci]

Well for now, just let him rest, offer small amounts of food at a time, make sure he's drinking, etc.

Please keep us updated, k?

[Tina B and crew]

I am sensing that this is some nausea. I saw him go sniff the food bowl and just lick his lips...but he wouldn't eat. I've seen him do a lot of the lip licking too. I gave him fresh food and he ate a little, then covered the rest with his toys. <3

Edited to add - Whenever I think he may be coming around I end up getting let down. He came out for a while, showed some interest in catnip, almost started something with Lucy (over said catnip), sat and looked out into the dark for a while then slowly made his way back to my office where he's "meatloafed" on one sherpa pad I have in front of the window for them. All in all he was out for about 15 minutes.

[Tina B and crew]

Vet suspects infection. His temp is slightly elevated...checking CBC right now. Vet will hold onto sample in case we feel the need to do a chem panel in the next few days. He is also slightly dehydrated so they are giving fluids. Probably injection of convenia (I don't want to stress him with pilling) and some anti-nausea and see if he gets to feeling better.

[Traci]

Can your vet relay this to your VA-Tech vet?

[Tina B and crew]

Ok...looks like I'll be pilling him anyway. My vet consulted with one of the oncologists at VT and they suspect this is a toxoplasmosis infection. The oncologist said they just recently had a case there with another chemo kitty - so when she heard Doc's symptoms that is what she suspected. The symptoms match - loss of appetite, fever, lethargy. No, they didn't test for it (because I know you will ask Traci *wink*). We are giving him a round of Clindamycin. His blood work was normal other than elevated monocytes. If he's not feeling better in a day or two my vet will run a chem panel. He also got some sub-q fluids as a said, and an injection of serenia - I have some pills to give him at home if need be.

So, he went through a lot this morning, again, and he wasn't very happy. He hissed like the dickens when they opened the carrier to get him out! He was in a major grumpus mood when they brought him back in. But I got him home and let him out in the bedroom, and maybe it is my imagination or wishful thinking, but I swear he looks more bright eyed and is moving more quickly than before. He also ate a little.I am telling you, I sensed that this was nausea. I wonder if it was and the serenia helped him feel better. So he's confined again, and I'll keep checking on him, start the Clindamycin tonight and see how he feels in the morning.

And I managed to get out of a vet visit for under $200

[Traci]

I'll post a little more in a bit, I'm really mad right now.

[Tina B and crew]

OK

[Traci]

Alright, my blood pressure went down a tad.

Now I know you love VA-Tech and so do I, they've done so much for Doc, but the least they could have done was warn you, inform you, with a chemo kitty!

In an otherwise healthy cat, toxo is serious enough, but generally treatable at the onset and the cat is generally good to go. But, in an immunocompromised kitty, you really have to be diligent.

You have to watch his appetite, keep him hydrated, comfortable, rested, happy and get him back to good health. No stress. Clean litterboxes once a day, preferably every time you see feces in the boxes. Wash your hands after each litterbox scooping and make sure you don't transfer anything to anything. A recheck is paramount and depending on the recheck and Doc's recovery will depend on how long you'll have to give antibiotics. Some cases, if severe, can take as long as 3 months.

I don't mind so much they didn't test him, since the test might not be useful if he is shedding or past shedding toxo, I think it would come up positive anyway. But, be prepared you might want to test sometime in this monitorization period, either by a PCR, or ELISA or a fecal test. Just to make darn sure he's over it after the course of antibiotics. I would get a chem panel done either at next checkup or in a month, just to monitor protein levels and liver enzymes.

Yes, the cerenia is fast acting, so it could target nausea right away, plus the fluids were just what he needed. Try to make sure he's drinking normally from this point on, maybe even add water to his food if you notice he isn't drinking enough.

If he vomits while on clindamycin, contact your vet at once, since an alternative antibiotic may have to be chosen. Clindamycin is the standard for toxo though.

Give Doc tons of kisses for us, keep an eagle eye on him and keep us updated, I know he'll get though this, it just might take a little time, hopefully not that much time!