Cat liver issues

[christymexico]

I have hartman, a line and a 19 or 21 gauge needle..i forget which is better

[christymexico]

I gave her the hartmans and she did fine..i only gave 75mg shes so tiny..about 6 pounds..she did great..thanks im sure she needed it and no one had mentioned it at all.
Truly thanks
Christy and rosa..i want to send a pic of her here..so everyone can see her but i dont know how..

[Traci]

I'm really confused, yesterday she seemed to be doing ok, even improving, now today you say she's having trouble breathing, etc. If there's no fluid in the thoracic cavity, then I don't know why the new breathing problem. Is it possible she was overly stressed at the vet today?

How much weight has she lost?

Is her skin pale, or jaundiced?

If she kept chicken and fancy feast down, that's good. Offer small amounts every few hours, including water to drink.

The fluids, do you mean 75 ML?

I mentioned sub-q fluids because they are good for dehydration and helping fever reduction, although ideally, IV fluids are best for fever reduction, of course I do not suggest you do that. Also, with rapid fluid accumulation (the effusion in her chest), you only want to do sub-q fluids very cautiously and judiciously. If there's no effusion accumulating, there's probably no harm in a little bit of sub-q fluids given, but no more until you see how she's doing tomorrow.

What is her temperature now, are you able to take it with a digital thermometer?

Again, see this page for normal vital signs: http://www.cathelp-online.com/emergency/vitals.php

So, with your best judgment, how do you think her vitals are?

I still contend that she should be on some sort of antibiotic, obviously not the clindamycin at this point, but something similar, but the vet has to be the one to decide that.

Email me a pic of Rosa, I can then post it here. My email is linked with this post under the "email" button.

[christymexico]

She was , i thought, heading up, then sunday i had vet check fast breathing and he said was fine, no fluid..again today i noticed rapid breathing..at home, at rest 5o per minute, fast.
We went to vet he has no xray..the other vet has machine.
She was calm at vet after she urinated , scared.
Shes lost a half pound since last week
Shes pink, not white or yellow..he checked all ..and under eyelids..
Yes she kept food down
Turns up nose to water, all day..
After fluids ate more Nd is laying down..
Her temp is 38.9
Shes breathing better seems calmer, not as shallow or rapid..shes pink all over, but just unsteady on her feet, wobbly when she eats..although she does have a lame leg..she was always strong to stand.
I think she feels better from sub q honestly, yes, about 70 or 75..already the lumps are absorbed..
She just looks a bit better now..its the rapid breathing and lack of energy that concerns me. Trying to get sample to auburn is next step.
I can take her for xray anytime i need, its just one more vet visit on an already stressed kitty..im trying to keep her calm and happy. Thats why i want an ultrasound guided tap..easier on her.
He says the heavy breathing due to inflamation of plueral sac and the fever..i dont know what to do about antibiotic..i can ask..larry didnt suggest one

[Traci]

Your post indicates her vitals are normal right now, and certainly no fever.

Yes, there is inflammation somewhere, whether in chest cavity or abdominal cavity, remains to be seen. But, that shouldn't cause rapid breathing if the fluid is dissipating. Fevers can, to an extent, but she now has no fever.

The weight loss could be reduction of fluid accumulation - and/or due to minimal amounts eaten.

I suppose the next step with ultrasound and guided fluid tap would be prudent, and examination on the fluid then, and saving the majority of it to send to Auburn. But, also, a CBC and/or complete chemical blood profile should be done if possible.

Has the NYC vet said nothing about the tests I've mentioned for FIP? (other than the titer, I'm talking about the A:G ratio and the AGP)

The problem here is that even if the fluid is dissipating, it could reoccur, that's why it's imperative to get a proper diagnosis. Even chylothorax can reoccur if the cause is not detected and treated appropriately. Sometimes, it is idiopathic chylothorax, but other times, the cause is found through specific testing for other health issues as mentioned before.

I asked, but perhaps you missed it, has Rosa been tested for FELV?

[christymexico]

Shes very perky at the moment..is up chasing a lizzard.
She was tested the very firstday ..last monday for fiv..i know it was the elisa test, i think fevl is there..i can ask..was Negative
Yes, the ag ratio he mentioned and also the tp...but hes never met rosa and i know hes overwhelmed at the moment.
I had copied and pasted his response here in earlier email.
Most last ones have been about the breathing.
I dont know why shes breathing fast.
Should we run a chemical profile in house on the fluid also?
I asked last time for triglycerides and fluid trig be run at same time for chylous..the vet dies nt have equipment but we have now found another human lab that does.
Yes, we def need new bloodwork..its just hes not good with the needle and she freaks..and im not good as a holder i dont have experience..im sure its as much my fault..shes a baby, only been to vet for shots..never 4 times in a week..then last when he came to our home to try to take it she flipped..i asked today since we were already there if he wanted to..but he said he wanted to do bloods and fluids all at once..

[christymexico]

Also, as you told me, lizzards are dangerous, hes on the wall and with her lame back leg..she cannot jump..theyr everywhere in mexico..

[Traci]

You could run the triglycerides by the human lab. The fluid cytology in-house can detect protein, color, turbidity, etc, but, the fluid analysis should ultimately be sent to a lab for complete analysis, at least a suitable sample to Auburn. Does the vet know how to submit samples correctly?

Does EITHER vet in Mexico know how to obtain blood for bloodwork? How on earth do they survive vet practice if they can't draw blood!

I suppose the fluid analysis at this point would be better than nothing (especially if the vets can't draw blood for a chemical profile) - but ask them if they understand the flow chart (Dr Addie's), the necessary tests, how to perform them, and if they need to be sent to a lab in the states or if there's a lab in Mexico that can do that - to see if that's a course of action they could take to rule out FIP.

I really wanted you to be able to talk to your NYC vet in greater detail, because at this point, I don't know if you should be testing for FIP or if you should be ruling out other causes that are causing pleural effusion - plus the fact that I could understand your NYC vet's course of action and comments rather than your Mexican vets, because I have no idea what they are doing, and obviously they are very different than our vets in the states! One of your Mexican vets is focused on FIP, but is he really dedicated to ruling out other causes, and does he even know what he should be ruling out? That's my worry, your NYC vet would know better how to advise you.

The vet in NC, whom you planned to take Rosa to if necessary, do you have a client relationship with this vet? If so, can you do a phone consult with them?

[christymexico]

He did fluid cytology in house last time..himself the vet.
No, the other vet gave benny the sedative that almost killed him to take blood, and bennys super calm
I think the vet assistant can hold her better than me..
Larry mentioned chylous from day one..then fip.
Here the vet said no way bc fluid was not milky or creamy white
But hes willing to run tests for trigly.
The vet here has made up his mind its fip
And looking at the flow chart she does have some symptoms, but not enough for me to comnect
Thats why im pushing for the rivalta, the chem profile of blood and fluid, another hct value..hers were 29 and 31 on last 2 tests..
The 6.7 tp in analysis of fluid..the weight loss..lethargic..just not herself
BUT that doesnt mean FIP
No one in mexico has any fip testing. Its just assumed when no bacteria is present in effusion..
I do not know the nc vet i am still trying to decide on a place and if i want to put her through it..the test from auburn, if it in fact arrives, safely, unbroken and through customs will not be back before wed..so i am postponing my flight until a diagnosis from them.
The rivalta i will do at his office..
I dont think taking her, if she is positive is good quality of life care for her..if negative, i will take her to find out, whats going on.

[christymexico]

This may be nothing..but when ever rosa eats dry food thenpast 2 o 3 days she immediately regurgitates it up..she does not do that with canned or chicken..she is adverse to anything in wet food that has large chunks also..