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- Nov 10, 2014
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Hi. I just wanted to warn anyone with a cat who has sudden neurological signs to check for cryptococcus. It is an easy, although expensive blood test.
At work last week we had a very sweet family with a very sweet cat come in as an emergency with circling and unsteady gate. Signs appeared after the cat had been out for a brief time in an enclosed yard. The cat was only 4 years old, neutered male domestic shorthair.
We ran bloodwork which was unremarkable, checked for FELV/FIV negative. We hospitalized and sent home at owners request the next day. Cat was getting worse.
The cat was first seen on a Sunday, we had to humanely euthanize on a Wed after getting the results of a positive cryptococcus. By wed he was so bad he couldn’t barely move and was crying out in pain and confusion.
This cat never showed any signs of congestion or sneezing.
I’ve seen one other cat like this when I worked specialty. That cat I kept with me for 2 weeks ( owners were out of town) and I used my vacation time to care for him. It was a 24/7 typeof care taking with him having to be tube fed etc. He got treatments of Amphotericin B three times a week. That cat was able to walk by the time he left to go back home. He still wasn’t normal by any means. Unfortunately the owner euthanized the next day as he was to much for them and they felt he was suffering. I begged to take him but they were strong in their convictions and also thought it would be unfair to me. I was devistated.
So just something to keep in mind with neurological symptoms.
At work last week we had a very sweet family with a very sweet cat come in as an emergency with circling and unsteady gate. Signs appeared after the cat had been out for a brief time in an enclosed yard. The cat was only 4 years old, neutered male domestic shorthair.
We ran bloodwork which was unremarkable, checked for FELV/FIV negative. We hospitalized and sent home at owners request the next day. Cat was getting worse.
The cat was first seen on a Sunday, we had to humanely euthanize on a Wed after getting the results of a positive cryptococcus. By wed he was so bad he couldn’t barely move and was crying out in pain and confusion.
This cat never showed any signs of congestion or sneezing.
I’ve seen one other cat like this when I worked specialty. That cat I kept with me for 2 weeks ( owners were out of town) and I used my vacation time to care for him. It was a 24/7 typeof care taking with him having to be tube fed etc. He got treatments of Amphotericin B three times a week. That cat was able to walk by the time he left to go back home. He still wasn’t normal by any means. Unfortunately the owner euthanized the next day as he was to much for them and they felt he was suffering. I begged to take him but they were strong in their convictions and also thought it would be unfair to me. I was devistated.
So just something to keep in mind with neurological symptoms.