Cat Health Never Improves

Jellyguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
12
Purraise
14
Hello! I'm new here but came out of desperation one might call it, because I truthfully care heavily about my feline companion. Her name is Baby, and we rescued her a year ago, so she's (about) one year old. When we got her, she had ring and round worm, which we dealt with swiftly. However, it has been a year now since we got her, as stated, and it seems she is in WORSE condition than we found her. Whenever I type in her symptoms to the web, it comes up as Feline Hypersthesia, but I'm not sure that's all this is. The vet never says theres a major thing wrong with her, or that there is something we can do. I will attach a photo as well, but here is what I notice about her.

Her hind legs are very long, compared to the rest of her. Very often, she never extends them fully out of what would be her own free will. Rather, she only fully extends them in what seems to be a sort of spasm of the leg. She then falls over and collapses.

On her legs mainly, her hair seems to look very dirty or clumped it may seem, and I believe the inside of her legs have cuts on them.

Her nails grow very long and in very strange directions/ways.

Her tail was not looking the best, and when we got some of the stuff off her tail, it was all raw.

Her hair just does not look good in general.

She is constantly peeing anywhere, especially her own bed. She will fall over and just pee in it, or where she lays. When she goes to use the litter box, it pains her, and her back legs will spasm, causing her to look like she does a hand stand, and then either urinate outside of the box or cause her feces to go everywhere.

There is probably a lot more, and as I was writing this, she was eating food and then suddenly has a spasm attack and basically rolled right over next to me in an instant. I'm going to try to attach a video, and then some photos to show her, either in this post, or in the thread if they dont post.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

Jellyguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
12
Purraise
14
In the last photo of her leg, it may be discolored because of her feces, I'm cleaning it off now
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

Jellyguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
12
Purraise
14
Her handstand spasm 15596026040245995677247805824007.jpg
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,440
Hi and welcome to TCS :welcomesign:
Has she been seeing the same vet since you got her? I'm no vet but that picture and her symptoms make me think something is definitely wrong that can maybe be treated or helped. Is there a way you could get a second opinion from a different vet?
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,440
That handstand spasm (and her lack of coat) would make me discredit the vet that's treated her and find someone else. To say an almost bald cat that can't pee or poop without having spasms is "fine" is not something I'd accept.
I wish I had some ideas for you but this is really perplexing :(
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

Jellyguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
12
Purraise
14
Hi and welcome to TCS :welcomesign:
Has she been seeing the same vet since you got her? I'm no vet but that picture and her symptoms make me think something is definitely wrong that can maybe be treated or helped. Is there a way you could get a second opinion from a different vet?
We're unsure about going to another vet, mainly because of money issues. However, this vet helped us with our last cat, where or previous vet had been unhelpful, which is why we trust this one greatly. But I have been doubting him, however the rest of my family is unsure about going to a new vet.
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,440
We're unsure about going to another vet, mainly because of money issues. However, this vet helped us with our last cat, where or previous vet had been unhelpful, which is why we trust this one greatly. But I have been doubting him, however the rest of my family is unsure about going to a new vet.
Is this vet independent or ran by a corp (VCA, banfield etc)?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,870
Purraise
34,257
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
I am going to pipe in and ask if you could find a cat-only vet to go to. If you are worried about expenses, you could minimize the cost of switching to another vet by getting a copy of all her records for the new vet to review. This should help reduce some of the redundant tests/costs. And, whatever vet you do go to, make sure it is with an entirely different practice. Vets within a practice tend to stand by what their colleagues say.

She could have a number of issues going on - one of which could be seizures and/or, muscle spasms due to chemical deficiencies - which might also play into the hair issues - and, even the nail problems. And/or and a whole host of other potential reasons.

Has the vet you are going to ever run a full spectrum of blood tests - CBC, Chemistry Profile (enzyme and electrolyte levels)?

I don't think her problems have anything to do with hyperesthesia. I am not a vet, but there is no way that is what this is - at least not to me. I would ask if you have even shared a video of her with the vet, but personally I am not sure it is worth the effort.
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,440
I am going to pipe in and ask if you could find a cat-only vet to go to. If you are worried about expenses, you could minimize the cost of switching to another vet by getting a copy of all her records for the new vet to review. This should help reduce some of the redundant tests/costs. And, whatever vet you do go to, make sure it is with an entirely different practice. Vets within a practice tend to stand by what their colleagues say.

She could have a number of issues going on - one of which could be seizures and/or, muscle spasms due to chemical deficiencies - which might also play into the hair issues - and, even the nail problems. And/or and a whole host of other potential reasons.

Has the vet you are going to ever run a full spectrum of blood tests - CBC, Chemistry Profile (enzyme and electrolyte levels)?

I don't think her problems have anything to do with hyperesthesia. I am not a vet, but there is no way that is what this is - at least not to me. I would ask if you have even shared a video of her with the vet, but personally I am not sure it is worth the effort.
We have a cat with hyperesthesia and he never spasms or collapses.
I agree with FeebysOwner FeebysOwner , this may not be a cheap thing to fix but I'd be driven to help her and driven to find out what's really going on so I could march into the vets office that said she's "fine", slap the results on the desk and tell them they need to continue their education.
Sorry, but I do get a little annoyed when a vet sends a pet home that's obviously ill and needs help as "Fine" or "spoiled" or something ridiculous like that. Drives me nuts.
 

susan denning

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 25, 2016
Messages
286
Purraise
111
I'm wondering if there could be a genetic or other congenital issue going on with her. If her hindquarters weren't quite right, that might explain why she has so much trouble going? In which case, maybe a referral to an university hospital or other specialist might help?
 

white shadow

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
3,133
Purraise
3,082
Location
CA
.
Hi jellyguy and welcome to the forum !

Baby really does need some competent care. I don't mean to 'dis' this Vet, especially since he helped with your other cat....but, he's just not getting to the root of things this time.

Would you be able to post your general location (town/city & state) ?

Sometimes there are places that can help.......if we don't ask, we'll never find out.
.
 

1 bruce 1

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
5,948
Purraise
14,440
J Jellyguy no matter what happens I'm pulling for you and your cat. It's upsetting when they're unwell but we can't find a vet to turn to. A one year old cat should be energetic, driving you bonkers, and playful. And they should look healthy.
Pop in when you can to let us know how she is......
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,870
Purraise
34,257
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
J Jellyguy no matter what happens I'm pulling for you and your cat. It's upsetting when they're unwell but we can't find a vet to turn to. A one year old cat should be energetic, driving you bonkers, and playful. And they should look healthy.
Pop in when you can to let us know how she is......
Right there with 1 bruce 1 1 bruce 1 - and YOU AND BABY. We are routing for her!!!!!
 
Top