Cat Is Pretty Sick And I'm Feeling Lost And Alone

Blakeney Green

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What kind of meds?
Maisie takes Famotidine to reduce acid and Enalapril to protect his kidney function, but this med combo is specific to his needs based on bloodwork and regular vet visits, so not every kidney cat (if it even is kidneys) will need those particular meds. There are treatment options out there, if needed.
 

Mamanyt1953

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I can't get your picture to load (my internet is slow tonight) but I want to float the possibility that it might be a uremic sore? Maisie has gotten those a few times when he was out of whack, and getting his kidney levels back under control fixed it.
I had not run across this before, but will certainly be tucking the information away for future reference! Uremic sores...good to know.
 
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catowner22

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This is an update post. The reason I didn't take Bubby to another clinic was because his condition didn't seem to take a turn for the worse as I as thinking the night I posted. I wouldn't say he's great, far from it. But he's doing okay so far. He's still quite thin, and bony. The worst sign seems to be that he prefers to camp out under the bed most of the time, and he's done so since I first brought him home. He does come out sometimes, mostly for potty and food, but he will socialize a bit as well. I like to lay on my lap for a bit. He appears fairly perky, but retreating back to his resting camp seems to be what he always prefers. He sleeps with me at night, but under the bed during the day. So he's not really in the mood for much else besides resting, but he isn't too exhausted either.

I noticed his mouth has some improvement, swelling is decreased, but it's still infected and I can still smell it. He's still much too thin, but eating. Sometimes almost 2 cans per day. Been feeding him in small portions mostly. I've noticed his fur looks a bit better. It is softer than before. His skin is bouncing back better than it was.

I did return to the same vet to ask some things. I was told that their system was having problems but I could get a print of the bloodwork by the time he comes back. I was also told that he should stay strictly on the kidney diet food and to take his fluids down to just 100ml per day until he comes back for his next visit. I worry that he might get tired of this Hill's kidney diet food. I'm not sure if there are multiple flavors or what. I know that Royal Canin seems to offer some different ones. All the Hill's ones I've seen online just say kidney diet.

Here was a picture of my little Bubby boy today. Notice that he drools. He's always kind of done that ever since he was a kitten, but I've noticed it more since his mouth issue came up. He is a bit more cheery than this photo makes him out to be.

http://i65.tinypic.com/30ucox0.jpg
 

silkenpaw

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Awwww, Bubby's adorable. What a beautiful color! I'm glad he's doing better. He's been on the antibiotics for 2-3 days, right? That's probably too short for his ulcer to heal.

Thank you for the update and keep them coming.
 
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catowner22

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Oh no, just when I said things were better. I found him and noticed blood, he bit into his own tongue and it's bleeding! It was stuck on his tooth! Why did this happen? What can I do in the middle of the night??!
 
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catowner22

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Hi, did you take him to the vet? How is he doing?
I think I was incorrect somewhat about last night, I'm really confused about it. When I found him, he had bitten into his tongue pretty bad, but I don't think it was bleeding. The blood I saw on his gums looked pretty dried up, and didn't see any fresh blood coming out. It makes me think that this blood could have come from his ulcer? Or maybe his tongue was bleeding, but then stopped? There wasn't any more blood after that but I bet this tongue is very sore now, which isn't good because he needs to eat.

Not sure if his ulcer is making him bite his tongue, or what. As I've said the swelling on his mouth had gone down some but the alignment of his mouth still isn't right. I find it easier to give him food on a paper towel, rather than a dish. In a dish he ends up pushing it to the edge and then he can't really get at it from that point.

I'm also afraid that he is getting tired of his kidney food. He wants to go back to regular dry food which I was instructed not to give him. Not sure what to do to make it more exciting for him again.
 

Mamanyt1953

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He's beautiful. He really is. Like a Dreamsicle kitty.

Well...glad that things aren't quite so bad as they seemed, but would certainly like for them to be better! He does have to eat. If he stops entirely, you will need to syringe feed him. He won't be happy, but he will survive!
 
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catowner22

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I can't help but wonder why he still wants mostly to retreat under the bed all the time. I know that's a sign that he doesn't feel well, but is it because of the ulcer, an anti-biotic side effect, or his kidneys?

He will be a bit social if you insist that he gets on your lap, but left to his own, he just wants to retreat. In my opinion, to look at him, he looks much better than he did the day I took him in, even a little more meat on his bones is noticeable now. His fur is soft, and looks better. The ulcer swelling has gone down a lot (though he still flinches a lot with him mouth). I guess that looks aren't everything if he doesn't feel better. He still prefers retreating under the bed even after hours of doing so, wants to go back under. I'm wondering if that's just the kind of behavior that I should come to expect from this point with his kidney disease? I wonder if there's anything I can do to help him feel up to anything more.

I worry about him staying hidden under there for long periods of time when I'm not able to be there. He seems to be okay with coming out and sleeping on the bed with me at night, but otherwise he doesn't really want to be out. Hoping that he'll come around to feeling better soon. It's so stressful always thinking about him all day, every day. I'm doing everything I know to do and just hoping beyond hope that we'll make a turn for the better.
 

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I am a long way from an expert but that almost looks like a canker sore to me. They are caused by a virus. Something I used to do for those is use hydrogen peroxide on them. Has anyone used that on their cat or heard of it being used?

Ok so I looked it up and yes it is safe to use,

Hydrogen peroxide is a local antiseptic. You use a q-tip and dab it on. It usually bubbles on open wounds but doesn't hurt and doesn't taste bad and in small amounts is not toxic. It's also really cheap. It might help kill the surface bacteria and should make it feel better. So something you can try for a mouth wound to help knock down the infection and also make it smell better is Hydrogen peroxide. If your cat will tolerate it and let you dab it on you can give it a try and see if it helps.
Just so you know I have never tried it on a cat. It did work on kids though. If it is virus it can take a long time to heal up. I believe canker sores are caused by a version of herpes virus, at least in people.
 

Docs Mom

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The fluids your vet can write a prescription for you. Then take it to the pharmacy and have them fill it for you.

I use CVS and Maggie's 95% saline bags are $11-$12 dollars each. Cheaper than my vet can do for me.

I think it was Artie's Mom that mentioned ThrivingPets.com I use them also. Of course this all is useful for kidney disease if he has it.
I sure wish I had suggestion's for the ulcer, but I don't know of any.
Good Luck and keep pushing...
Even my vet that I've had for 30 yrs needs a sharp prod once in awhile

Lisa and Maggie....and.....
 

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I am a long way from an expert but that almost looks like a canker sore to me. They are caused by a virus. Something I used to do for those is use hydrogen peroxide on them. Has anyone used that on their cat or heard of it being used?

Ok so I looked it up and yes it is safe to use,

Hydrogen peroxide is a local antiseptic. You use a q-tip and dab it on. It usually bubbles on open wounds but doesn't hurt and doesn't taste bad and in small amounts is not toxic. It's also really cheap. It might help kill the surface bacteria and should make it feel better. So something you can try for a mouth wound to help knock down the infection and also make it smell better is Hydrogen peroxide. If your cat will tolerate it and let you dab it on you can give it a try and see if it helps.
Just so you know I have never tried it on a cat. It did work on kids though. If it is virus it can take a long time to heal up. I believe canker sores are caused by a version of herpes virus, at least in people.

Careful with peroxide if they swallow it they will vomit. it is what you give a dog or cat if you suspect they have swallowed something poison.

also if you are looking for fluids
Lactated Ringer Bag - HeartlandVetSupply.com
 
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catowner22

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Well today was the re-visit. I'm overall pretty dissatisfied with the care given at this place, and I'll be going elsewhere from this point.

All the doctor did was pop in, test his skin to tell me he was still dehydrated, recommending I keep giving the fluid and basically said when he stops eating bring him in for euthanasia. No additional blood work, no discussion of the previous blood work. Oh, and I was supposed to stay at 200ml a day, not 100ml as I was specifically told by the assistant from the previous time! He was given another dose of the anti-biotic, I'm not sure why. Then I was pretty much sent on my way. I asked the assistant several times do I need an RX to get these fluids... "I don't know, maybe"... then again at the front desk who clearly knows nothing, she just said "no". I'm almost positive that you do need an RX in order to get any. I asked about Royal Canin to see if I could mix up what he eats, but for some reason he said that he didn't like to use it, and doesn't recommend it. No reason why that I could understand.

So evidently we are not interested in his prospects, at least that's the feeling I take from it. I've had enough of this place, they treat your cat like you're bring in a car for them to tinker with for 5 minutes and then stick you with a huge bill. Always one foot out the door when you're trying to have a discussion with the doctor. If he was a people doctor, I'd say he's pretty terrible. Would not recommend. I don't understand this place. Wish that I had never gone there. The whole establishment is basically one guy and a bunch of young assistants standing around.

Now Bubby is feeling pretty sluggish again, may be the anti-biotic as he was fine before I took him in. If it's a long lasting anti-biotic, why did he need another dose just a week later?
 

javannalynn

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Is this vet an older guy?? I've taken my cats to an older vet before and they still seem to think of cats as more of an accessory then a family member. My new vet (actually been using him years now) is about my age (in his 30s). Sometimes he doesn't know and goes and does research and tells me he has to go look some things up. But I would rather know you are researching then just saying "well who knows??" The other thing that I LOVE about him is after he does his exam on my kitties he always picks them up and hugs and pets them just like I would. He also baby talks to them. You can tell he loves them even though they aren't his pets. I'm actually moving soon and thinking about asking him to move with me LOL! (joking)

So maybe look for a younger vet. Not saying all older vets are not good but the younger generation loves our pets differently. :heartshape:
 

artiemom

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I am going to put my 2 cents in...

First, so sorry you and Bubba are going though all of this...

I have no thoughts as to what could be wrong with your baby.. but...

Your Vet and his entire staff sound horrible...You need a new Vet.. and perhaps an Internal Medicine Vet who is much more experienced in 'problem' cases...

Just MY opinion, based on my own experience with my Angel Artie:
200 cc per day is a TON of fluid.. You do not want to overtax Bubba's kidneys..

As per my experience; because Artie had a heart murmur, he had to have an echo of his heart, in order to see if he could tolerate 100 cc per day....

I did order the lactated ringers IV solution, (bags), from a local pharmacy.
The rest of the supplies, I ordered from:
Thrivingpets.com.. They are really good.. do not need a script for needles and lines..

You also need to find out exactly WHICH antibiotic she was given..

Bubby really needs a new Vet.. someone kind, caring, and willing to work WITH you.. not against you..

Yes, you do need a prescription for the RC or any food sold at the Vets.. sorry...

I mean, My regular vet, had them on the side. They did know me, so whatever I took, was ok with the staff.. but I did not take the food without a Vet prescribing it.. either my regular Vet or the Specialist...
If I ordered it from Chewy, I needed an actual script.

Sending you my best... wishing you and Bubba all the good wishes around..
 

brittpatt

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I'm guilty of not reading the entire post but I saw Hills Kidney food and I had to jump in. Why is he on it? Take him off it now. That food has so much filler in it and it has very low calories. I honestly think the vets only sell it for profit. But him on a good organic food like Best Feline Friend.

To me, he looks like he has cat acne that got infected. I would take him to a specialist.

Take your cat to a specialist. These people do not care and don't have your best interest at heart.
 

Jem

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C catowner22 , Are you still having troubles with your cat? If so please reply, so many of the symptoms you have mentioned are very similar to my own cat's experience. If you need some info, let me know.
 

silkenpaw

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I would get a new vet just based on the comment about euthanasia. It seems like they think Bubby is too old to bother with. Wonder what they think when they get older with a million medical problems.

I was going to say the same thing as artiemom artiemom about the fluids. The usual dose is 10 ml/lb. You don’t want to put Bubby into heart failure on top of his other problems. (I think that’s pretty unlikely with SQ fluids, but you don’t want to be inviting trouble.)

You are a wonderful cat mom to be taking such good care of Bubby. Thank you on his behalf. Hope you figure this out and that he gets better soon.
 
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