The Mystery That Is Fender

fender

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My head is spinning, trying to sort some things out. Our team of vets are grasping at straws. Fender was taken in as a fairly feral cat, never had vet catr. Believed to be in the 5 year ball park. He had a nasty delayed reaction to his neuter which led to extra surgery and a week long hospitalization. Never was a good eater, but last fall completely stopped eating and drinking. He responded well to pain meds, so they exlpored temo in some questionable teeth. Did better and crashed again in spring, completely refusing food or water. We have had many blood tests, x rays, biopsy of intestine and spleen. Lisa lab values are faitfa well, always just a smidge off. At first it just showed signs of inflammation, this time liver was slightly off, wbc and neutrophils. He did show moderate IBD. He now has a feeding tube and was doing well,so that I was only giving him his meds(prednisolone and entyce) and water. Then he crashed again. Despite plenty of water in tubehe was dehydrated and needed subcu fluids,cerenia another b12 injrcinje and switch of steroids to budesonide. He seems better,but is still struggling. He is eating again, minimal water intake on his own. He still is weak and most disturbing is he pees in his bed and lies in it. He has access to multiple litter boxes (currently separated from other animals and is contained in an indoor chicken coop) he walks the ramp between levels, no longer jumps.

We are riding it out, happy for the increased food and water intake but I know the moster that is causing a of this has not been found. I am on edge waiting for the next crash.

Anyone with similar experience that may lead us to look into different diagnostics? We consulted the university and they suggested a neurologist, but no strong neuro signs. I know Addison's is very rare, but wonder if we should look more at this, however basic labs don't scream Addison's. He however has responded to and needed subcu fluids neay weekly and steroids also boost.

Appreciate any advice!
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
I don't have advice regarding his health, but was wondering if you could benefit from puppy pee pads, and also rather than bathing maybe some earthbath wipes (less chemicals than most baby wipes) or micellar makeup removal wipes might help with that aspect of things.

I can't tell, if the feeding tube is out, what about Pedialyte? Goat milk? Kitten Glop?

:vibes::grouphug:
 

1CatOverTheLine

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fender fender - Primary adrenal insufficiency (i.e Addison's disease) would almost certainly show up in testing cortisol levels, and Type 2 Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome (i.e. Schmidt Syndrome) would usually be detectable with simple Blood Sugar analysis.

You haven't said whether or not your veterinary team has explored the possibility of hypothyroidism. Has thyroxine level been examined via a thyroid-stimulating hormone test?
.
 
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fender

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Hi!
I don't have advice regarding his health, but was wondering if you could benefit from puppy pee pads, and also rather than bathing maybe some earthbath wipes (less chemicals than most baby wipes) or micellar makeup removal wipes might help with that aspect of things.

I can't tell, if the feeding tube is out, what about Pedialyte? Goat milk? Kitten Glop?

:vibes::grouphug:
Tube is still in as a back up. He wouldn’t go for pedialite or go at milk I have tried those.thanks for your input!
 
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fender

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fender fender - Primary adrenal insufficiency (i.e Addison's disease) would almost certainly show up in testing cortisol levels, and Type 2 Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome (i.e. Schmidt Syndrome) would usually be detectable with simple Blood Sugar analysis.

You haven't said whether or not your veterinary team has explored the possibility of hypothyroidism. Has thyroxine level been examined via a thyroid-stimulating hormone test?
.
We have not done blood sugar analysis, I’ll runt it past the team!. I know they tested for hyperthyroidism, I’m guessing the same test would be used for hypothyroidism?
 
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fender

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What does this mean, and what does it have to do wiht responding ot pain meds?
They didn’t see anything on the surface, so they removed any teeth that they thought could be an issue based on x rays and if there was any play/movement. After that he seemed better so when it hit in spring they did more dental work. He’s lost 11 teeth now. The rest of the cats that he came with and we were told related all have had multiple teeth removed from stomatitis, reabsorption, or poor development (looked more like needles than teeth)/it wasn’t a far stretch to think teeth as a culprit. I have 4fosters from same group.
 

Daisy6

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Thyroxine (usually called T4) is an add-on test. I don't know why but the baseline blood panel excludes it. so you can't just assume T4 was included.
 
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fender

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As of last night he has stopped eating enough to sustain him, pushing food back through his tube. It's been a week since his last b12, I'm tajtak him in tonight for another. I'll bring up some of these thoughts to the vet. Thank you so much
 
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