HELP!

[cat lover]

I have 5 cats. One of them (5 year old female) began to have stinky breath about 5 months ago. I brushed her teeth and even got some oral mouth rinse to help her. When she began to look lethargic and not well, I decided that it was time to go the the vet with her (about a month ago) to get her teeth cleaned (and any teeth that were infected pulled). They put her under anesthesia and she crashed on the table. They were able to save her and she is fine now. In the brief time that they had her under, they were unable to clean her teeth. They did, however, discover red ulcers in her mouth. The vet did not think they were cancer, though. Apparently, there are two spots and they are in the same place on both sides of the back of her mouth.

The vet stated that he wanted to do an FIP tests. I thought he was on the wrong track. None of my cats have ever been outside a day in their life and are all very healthy.

The test came back positive. He prescribed oral antibiotics and Prednisone for her. He then wanted to test the rest of the cats. We did that and all came back positive.

Cat number one is feeling great, eats well, and is back to normal. I can still see some red in her throat, though. None of the others have any symptoms at all - none.

My question is this: Doesn't the FIP test just test for the presence of the Corona Virus. I have read that FIP is a mutation of Corona. I have, also, read that you can only diagnose FIP with a positive test AND clinical symptoms. From everything I have learned, the Corona virus is present in many multi-cat situations - even up to 80%. Up to 40% of all cats have it.

My cats have all their shots, leave in a very clean environment, and are not sick.

My vet stated that he would call me later this week to discuss options. Should I switch vets? Am I avoiding knowing the truth or am I on the right track with what I have found out by research.

Please, someone help me with this!

[bridget]

I'm sorry I can't help you with this but please keep checking back...Traci, who can help you with info., is unavailable due to computer problems. You will get information....Please don't feel like you're bring ignored.

Keep checking back for replies, OK?

I hope all works out OK for your kitties......

[Guest]

Thank you Bridget. I will keep checking back. I am determined to find some answers. I keep reading more that convinces me that this is not FIP.

[Cleo]

My 3 year old Keeks had breath that could wake the dead. I could smell her BEFORE she entered the room. Before scheduling her dental cleaning I had pre-surgical bloodwork done to be sure she could go under without any problems. She ended up having 6 teeth extracted with a diagnosis of stomatitis. From what I was told this was an indication or symptom of FIP but she's negative on everything. In our case I would relate her compromised immune system to being deathly ill at 5 months of age. Aside from the stinky breath, she was fine but she's allot better now that her mouth doesn't hurt. She ate, played and groomed normally but apparently was in discomfort. She's strictly indoors as well.

Here's a page with a helpful explanation:
Feline Stomatitis

I am so sorry your kitty crashed while on the table and is going through all of this ... all of you for that matter! Please keep us posted and good luck!

Cleo

[Guest]

Thank you Cleo and thank you so much for the link. I have been looking up stomatitus and the pictures look just like my cats mouth - identical.

Now to only figure out a way to get some of those teeth pulled without risking her again. I don't know what I am going to say to the vet on Thursday. I have been very nice and just keep asking for information on how he came up with this diagnosis. He probably has ego involved now. I wish he would just keep trying to figure out what is wrong instead of being determined that it is what he thought it was.

[Cleo]

If it wasn't for the fact that the current vet my girls see if part of a feline only group, I'd be searching for another! We tried the cat/dog/other vets ... in fact one had told me her teeth weren't bad and to leave her alone. I'm not opposed to our feline only group, just some of their practices -- too many cortisone injection quick fixes I feel. The head of the group also thinks I'm neurotic because I request all sorts of tests, etc. done. Hey, he can call me anything he wants because when it comes to our precious furry kitties, I'm not messing around!

So my point is if you're not comfortable with this vet's diagnosis or lack of further explanation, there is no reason whatsoever why you should seek a second opinion.

Cleo

[Guest]

Good Point Cleo! Problem is finding one you can trust. I have used this same group of vets for years now. We have the type of relationship that I can call up and the front desk knows me. If I need something small, they will just have it ready for me on my way home from work.

I will have to really search for the right one. No rock unturned......

[Shadowfein]

Hi there

I had a 7 year old burmese boy with exactly the same problem. Stomatitis. He went through endless sessions with medication to try and control his pain, and we eventually decided to try and remove his teeth to try and help him. He also crashed under anaesthetic but unfortunately did not make it through. They still sent his blood away for FLEV and FIP - and that came back negative.

What we did though while he was alive - was try and control the pain and the disease with Flagyl (but that was very bitter and he used to hate taking it! I used to crush it and mix it with bovril and put it on his paw - although the high salt content was another problem) and there was another type of medication - that I cannot remeber what it was called. I will try and get the name for you.

We think that it was caused by him getting snuffles when we was younger - also caused a corneal ulcer.

Hope that this helps.

[Guest]

Thanks Shadowfein! If you remember the name of the medication, let me know. I just got some great hints from someone about different methods of anesthesia for cats that are sensitive to it too.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. It is so painful to lose a friend.

[Shadowfein]

Hi there

I eventually got hold of my vet. The tablets were Kortico - a type of cortisone. He says that you MUST check with your vet first because it is not always suitable although he has successfully treated cases of stomatitis with it.

I hope that it helps.

Thanks for your commisseration - it was very hard - but I have two wonderful new kittens to help me.