Could it be from Convenia?

[the spare human]

I have a 8yr old cat that developed kidney failure rather rapidly after our dog passed away. He has also be just a hair bit anemic most his life but it wasn't very bad, or not to concerning according to our vet. We started sub q fluids, have him on Naraquin and kidney prescribed wet food. We had to force feed him for awhile an he started doing better but he had a hard time eating an would shake his head while eating. We took him back an the vet said he has some cyst and possibly needed some teeth removed. However since we still have done his 2nd round of blood work as of yet to se how much his levels have dropped, it would be to risky to do much about it for now. So in the mean time he was give a dose of Dexamethasone, Convenia and Mirataz. Right after that he actually had a large cyst fall out of his poor little cheek that left a hole. It has since closed quickly thankfully!! He is now very anemic and receiving epo shots. Those injections were given on 11/6. However now on Dec 3 he is acting strange, is off balance and breathing heavily. His back legs are very weak now. He seem very lethargic and his appetite has greatly decreased again. I've recently seen some very concerning information about Convenia and I wonder if even after 30 days could he just now be having side effect?! Maybe all this is just too much too fast for the little guy? Trying not to freak out cuz he is in my lap kinda purring but it's in rythem with his heavy/labored breathing.

 

[the spare human]

Also he is at like 60-70 breaths per minute. Kind varies a little an I feel his little heart kinda fluttering. I have an appointment for blood draw in the morning but I'm not sure I we should wait to have em looked at till then.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I doubt it would be the Convenia almost a month later.
I would be more concerned that either his anemia has worsened to the point where he doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through his body, or some sort of cardiac event like congestive heart failure.

I am not a vet and am just speculating. It could be something else too. No matter what, if he was my cat, I would take him to the ER now.
I am sorry he is not feeling well.

 

[fionasmom]

I did have a cat who reacted to this medication and I contacted Zoetis and opened an adverse reaction case. They told me that any of the major side effects will occur within 14 days, even though the medication stays in the system for up to 65 days. In the case of my boy, the reaction occurred one day later. I agree that your cat should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Not saying that your cat could not be one that has a longer-term reaction, but I would not wait to see if this resolves itself.

 

[the spare human]

We ruffed it out through the night. His breathing slowed down a bit an I just monitored him all night. We had an ultrasound and xray this morning. Seems his abdomen is 2/3 full of 2 tumors. The vet doesn't think he could survive removing them. We've been to the vet so many times and we thousands of dollars in on treatments an just now finding out he has the tumors! How? Now they think these tumors/cancer is the cause of the kidneys failing and his anemia I from blood pooling around/in them. He advised just putting him down...is this typical? I just lost a dog to cancer that spread from his toe. When we 1st went with the dog to have his toe/nail looked at they thought he just hurt it playing. Couple months later it swelled up like crazy and boom cancer! Should I consider changing vets? Man this year has really sucked

 

[silent meowlook]

I am so sorry. You could get a consult with a specialist but it could take time to get in and may not offer a better outcome. They could possible get chemotherapy started which may reduce the size of the tumors, but that is your choice. You may want a second opinion to make you feel better, but if your cat is suffering……
I am so sorry for this outcome.

 

[the spare human]

It's so hard to tell if he is suffering. He isn't trying to hide an he wants to cuddle an even tries to play a little now an then. I'm trying to find a cat specific vet in the memphis area but I'm having no luck yet. I think I'd like to have someone that focuses on cats regardless of how Opie turns out. Thank your for the sympathy!

We definitely wanna do all we can but my current vet doesn't wanna proceed with further treatments. Honestly might be best to put him down gently. It's just so hard when she's begging me to save him.

 

[silent meowlook]

I know it’s hard. Can you ask your vet for a referral to a specialist?

 

[the spare human]

Ahh that's a good idea I don't know why I didn't think of that. I'll phone them up now