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#1
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Cat sick for months :(
My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago.
He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago. We took him to the vet along with a feces sample. They said it was probably coccidia (he was a feral rescue kitten) and put him on antibiotics and Albon. He seemed to get a little bit better for a week or two, then got bad again. We took him to a different vet who has better weekend hours. They found no signs of coccidia, but put him back on Albon just in case, plus an intestinal antibiotic and an anti-diarrheal. No improvement after 10 days. We took him back. They gave us a hypoallergenic food, Hill's something-or-other A/P maybe? Sorry, the bag's at home. Two new antibiotics and an increased dosage of the anti-diarrheal medication. It's been another 10 days. Still no improvement. Of course, this is all extra fun because he's a medium haired cat, so we have to clip his behind once a week, which he does not enjoy, and we line the room where we keep the litter box with paper since he won't go in the box while he's sick. He's had a low-grade fever the whole time, but his fur is shiny, and he's still playful and happy, though he's starting to lose a little weight. So now we have a choice - endoscopy or observation in a controlled environment at the vet's office for several days. I don't know which one will be more stressful for him. He's such an awesome cat; I really hate to put him under either stress. A friend is pushing us to try a raw diet in case it's a food allergy even to something in the hypoallergenic food. Of course, there's no guarantee that he would not be allergic to whatever raw diet we might try, and there are added risks associated with raw diets. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm really starting to worry, and costs are really mounting up. -- Jennifer |
#2
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In article .com,
enlightened us with... My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago. We took him to the vet along with a feces sample. They said it was probably coccidia (he was a feral rescue kitten) and put him on antibiotics and Albon. He seemed to get a little bit better for a week or two, then got bad again. Did they test for Giardia? http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHea...s_giardia.html How about Distemper? http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHea...eukopenia.html IBD? http://www.bestfriends.org/members/h...felinflbwl.htm He's had a low-grade fever the whole time, but his fur is shiny, and he's still playful and happy, though he's starting to lose a little weight. Was he tested for FIV and FeLV to rule them out as causes of the fever? A friend is pushing us to try a raw diet in case it's a food allergy even to something in the hypoallergenic food. Of course, there's no guarantee that he would not be allergic to whatever raw diet we might try, and there are added risks associated with raw diets. My opinion: IANAV... If you really think it's his food, try just giving him plain, boiled chicken (human-grade) for a few days with a liquid vitamin supplement (ONLY vitamins to be sure it doesn't trigger allergies). If that helps, THEN look into raw diets. If it were MY cat, I would do the endoscopy before the observation, but only after ruling out every other virus and bacteria that might cause it and changing the food as I said above. There IS a chance it is cancer or pancreatitis, but I wouldn't think the chances are very high in a cat so young. Again, IANAV, so take this for what it is: my opinion as a cat owner. -- -- ~kaeli~ A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace |
#3
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"Jennifer" wrote in message oups.com... My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago. We took him to the vet along with a feces sample. They said it was probably coccidia (he was a feral rescue kitten) and put him on antibiotics and Albon. He seemed to get a little bit better for a week or two, then got bad again. We took him to a different vet who has better weekend hours. They found no signs of coccidia, but put him back on Albon just in case, plus an intestinal antibiotic and an anti-diarrheal. No improvement after 10 days. We took him back. They gave us a hypoallergenic food, Hill's something-or-other A/P maybe? Sorry, the bag's at home. Two new antibiotics and an increased dosage of the anti-diarrheal medication. It's been another 10 days. Still no improvement. Of course, this is all extra fun because he's a medium haired cat, so we have to clip his behind once a week, which he does not enjoy, and we line the room where we keep the litter box with paper since he won't go in the box while he's sick. He's had a low-grade fever the whole time, but his fur is shiny, and he's still playful and happy, though he's starting to lose a little weight. So now we have a choice - endoscopy or observation in a controlled environment at the vet's office for several days. I don't know which one will be more stressful for him. He's such an awesome cat; I really hate to put him under either stress. A friend is pushing us to try a raw diet in case it's a food allergy even to something in the hypoallergenic food. Of course, there's no guarantee that he would not be allergic to whatever raw diet we might try, and there are added risks associated with raw diets. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm really starting to worry, and costs are really mounting up. -- Jennifer Jennifer: Sorry for your problems. I'd suggest getting on pet medical insurance, but they don't cover pre-existing conditions. I'm currently looking at switching my cats to a raw diet. Right now I switch between Wellness Kitten formula & California Natural Chicken & Rice... I would NOT reccomend switching to raw while the cat is sick, it'll just further complicate the issue. As to what's wrong with your cat...? I wish I knew, I really do... Please keep us posted.... Here's some links on raw catfood: http://www.pet-grub.com/ http://www.ehow.com/how_12698_make-homemade-cat.html GOOD LUCK!!!!! -- Mathew Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat En Vino Veritas |
#4
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"Jennifer" wrote in message oups.com... My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago. If your cat has had diarrhea for two months, he is probably dehydrated and may need fluid therapy to replace his losses and restore electrolyte balance. Do his gums and mucous membranes look tacky or pale? When you pinch his skin on the back of his neck, does snap right back into place or does it stay in a tent position for a few seconds? Also, do his eyes appear slighty sunken? We took him to the vet along with a feces sample. They said it was probably coccidia (he was a feral rescue kitten) and put him on antibiotics and Albon. He seemed to get a little bit better for a week or two, then got bad again. We took him to a different vet who has better weekend hours. They found no signs of coccidia, but put him back on Albon just in case, plus an intestinal antibiotic and an anti-diarrheal. No improvement after 10 days. We took him back. Actually, it sounds like Giardia or a gastrointestinal obstruction to me -- which is probably why your vets couldn't find anything on a routine fecal exam. The fecal sample needs to be centrifuged in a zinc sulfate solution for about 5 minutes - standard floation procedures don't detect Giardia. Centrifugation is necessary to force the Giardia cyst to float in zinc sulfate - then the slide must be read right away because Giardia cysts start to shrink and change their form. You might to mention this to your vet and ask him about a course of Albendazole. At this stage, however, I'd probably order x-rays to rule out a gastrointestinal foreign object - which can produce the *identical* symptoms that you have described. I'm particularly concerned about the fever. Certain types of gastrointestinal obstructions (linear foreign bodies) can pleat and cut through the intestine wall and lead to pertonitis and sepsis. So, I'd be in hurry to get some x-rays - or ideally, ultrasounds. Best of luck. Phil |
#5
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"Phil P." wrote in message Actually, it sounds like Giardia or a gastrointestinal obstruction to me -- You might to also mention Trichomonas to your vet - its a organism that looks almost identical to Giardia but doesn't respond to treatment. |
#6
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Boo has had all of his shots, including distemper, and he was tested
for FIV and FeLV before we adopted him. I will being all of this up with my vet on Friday, though. Thanks very much for the informative and helpful responses -- Jennifer |
#7
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Jennifer wrote: My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago... snip long story X-rays - negative. Giardia - negative (they had tested for that before but hadn't mentioned it). Trichomonas - DH forgot to ask about that one. Blood tests - some possible indicators of pancreatic or viral problems but nothing striking. Not sure how they worded it since my husband took him to the vet. The vet seems to think that there's still a good chance that it's a food allergy. We have an appointment with an internist in a week and a half and they gave us another anti-diarrheal medication for him... Bional? Bional? Bio-something. Boo's still acting normal - playful, shiny fur, healthy gums, and the weight loss was in my imagination, apparently, because he weighed the same at his most recent appointment. So, I guess we keep our fingers crossed that it's just an allergy and that he's show more improvement with more time on the new food, and then see what the internist has to say. Possible pancreatic problems sounds kind of scary though. Even something viral could be bad. Augh. Thanks again for the feedback. -- Jennifer |
#8
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"Phil P." wrote in message
You might to also mention Trichomonas to your vet - its a organism that looks almost identical to Giardia but doesn't respond to treatment. Another thing you might want to explore is Camphylobacter. It only responds to eurythramicin and produces very similar symptoms to those you describe. Helen M -- Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG |
#9
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Jennifer wrote:
Jennifer wrote: My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago... So, I guess we keep our fingers crossed that it's just an allergy and that he's show more improvement with more time on the new food, and then see what the internist has to say. Possible pancreatic problems sounds kind of scary though. Even something viral could be bad. Augh. One endoscopy, two biopsies, one month, and $1400 later... It's not viral. It's not bacterial. It's not cancer. It has nothing to do with his pancreas. Two regular vets plus one internist have run out of tests to give him. It's "severe, chronic bowel inflammation" with no perceptible cause, but "probably due to something in his environment". We're starting a course of steroids and anti-inflammatories today. He's still on the z/d prescription diet. Huge relief that it's not something that's going to kill him soon. Smaller relief that it's nothing that will require surgery (though that would be a nice, concrete solution to the problem). He's still otherwise healthy and happy, although they shaved his front legs for the endoscopy and he looks really silly right now -- Jennifer |
#10
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"Jennifer" wrote in message oups.com... Jennifer wrote: Jennifer wrote: My poor Boo is about a year old; we adopted him about six months ago. He started having bloody, mucousy diarrhea about two months ago... So, I guess we keep our fingers crossed that it's just an allergy and that he's show more improvement with more time on the new food, and then see what the internist has to say. Possible pancreatic problems sounds kind of scary though. Even something viral could be bad. Augh. One endoscopy, two biopsies, one month, and $1400 later... It's not viral. It's not bacterial. It's not cancer. It has nothing to do with his pancreas. Two regular vets plus one internist have run out of tests to give him. It's "severe, chronic bowel inflammation" with no perceptible cause, but "probably due to something in his environment". We're starting a course of steroids and anti-inflammatories today. He's still on the z/d prescription diet. Huge relief that it's not something that's going to kill him soon. Smaller relief that it's nothing that will require surgery (though that would be a nice, concrete solution to the problem). He's still otherwise healthy and happy, although they shaved his front legs for the endoscopy and he looks really silly right now -- Bless you for taking such good care of him. I hope it proves to be something that changing his diet will ameliorate. |
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