So, it never fails, our rescue is known for having cats with odd, unusual or rare medical issues. We're just trying to help our vets stay on top of their game. [emoji]128521[/emoji]
This is going to be long, so the quick question is...has anyone dealt with this before? It appears we are likely headed to surgery soon (meaning this week.)
Background:
I want to preface by saying we are looking for a new clinic to work with, and that this whole ordeal has been very trying.
So, the cat in question has had issues since we've had him (about 9 months). The cycle goes like this...excellent eater (wet only), has an episode or two of vomiting (massive, and typically projectile) and drops off food completely.
It never fails, he has pica associated vomiting (we eat carpet, litter mats, hard plastic place mats..you name it.) We've had close calls in regards to foreign bodies, but have never required surgery. He is kept in a contained area that is as safe for him as possible (in regards to things he has access to that he can eat.) He ALWAYS goes off his food for 3-4 days. During which time I usually resort to syringe feeding baby food (it tolerated it really well.) He is also treated with Cerenia and Famotadine until we are eating well on our own for 3 consecutive days. He has always gotten back on his normal food (Instinct) after about 3 days...until our most recent episode.
This most recent episode took place about 4 weeks ago and I could find no evidence of anything eaten. Got him into the vet's when he vomited even with Cerenia on board. X-rays taken were inconclusive and we made the decision to take him to our local emergency clinic for overnight care. Once there, they started him on IV fluids, IV Metronidazole and IV Famotadine.
He's had ups and downs ever since. He was doing better when I picked him up from the e-clinic to transport him to vet clinic #1. I love wanted an abdominal ultrasound done on him for further diagnostic purposes, so transfered him to clinic #2 that was suppose to be equipped to do this. They didn't see the need for u/s and wanted to do surgery to look for a foreign body (understandable due to this kitty's history). We opted to wait and try feeding kitty (by this time it had been 36 hrs since he had eaten) and see if he vomited.
Clinic #2 opted to not continue with fluids or metronidazole.
Kitty ate on his own, no vomiting and was sent home around 3 pm. He did well for about 36 hours after discharge and then appetite started to dwindle.
Due to his decreased appetite, we made the decision to try and get him into another clinic for an u/s (this was 2 Sundays ago). U/s showed 2 pockets of fluid, possibly cysts (the fluid appeared clear) and the Dr. Wanted to consult with some specialists to determine the appropriate next step.
Fast forward to today. Opted to do an aspiration of the fluid pockets and found the fluid to be thick and opaque. This would point at the likelihood of these areas being abscesses.
We are awaiting consult with a board certified surgeon to determine if surgery is our next step.
This is going to be long, so the quick question is...has anyone dealt with this before? It appears we are likely headed to surgery soon (meaning this week.)
Background:
I want to preface by saying we are looking for a new clinic to work with, and that this whole ordeal has been very trying.
So, the cat in question has had issues since we've had him (about 9 months). The cycle goes like this...excellent eater (wet only), has an episode or two of vomiting (massive, and typically projectile) and drops off food completely.
It never fails, he has pica associated vomiting (we eat carpet, litter mats, hard plastic place mats..you name it.) We've had close calls in regards to foreign bodies, but have never required surgery. He is kept in a contained area that is as safe for him as possible (in regards to things he has access to that he can eat.) He ALWAYS goes off his food for 3-4 days. During which time I usually resort to syringe feeding baby food (it tolerated it really well.) He is also treated with Cerenia and Famotadine until we are eating well on our own for 3 consecutive days. He has always gotten back on his normal food (Instinct) after about 3 days...until our most recent episode.
This most recent episode took place about 4 weeks ago and I could find no evidence of anything eaten. Got him into the vet's when he vomited even with Cerenia on board. X-rays taken were inconclusive and we made the decision to take him to our local emergency clinic for overnight care. Once there, they started him on IV fluids, IV Metronidazole and IV Famotadine.
He's had ups and downs ever since. He was doing better when I picked him up from the e-clinic to transport him to vet clinic #1. I love wanted an abdominal ultrasound done on him for further diagnostic purposes, so transfered him to clinic #2 that was suppose to be equipped to do this. They didn't see the need for u/s and wanted to do surgery to look for a foreign body (understandable due to this kitty's history). We opted to wait and try feeding kitty (by this time it had been 36 hrs since he had eaten) and see if he vomited.
Clinic #2 opted to not continue with fluids or metronidazole.
Kitty ate on his own, no vomiting and was sent home around 3 pm. He did well for about 36 hours after discharge and then appetite started to dwindle.
Due to his decreased appetite, we made the decision to try and get him into another clinic for an u/s (this was 2 Sundays ago). U/s showed 2 pockets of fluid, possibly cysts (the fluid appeared clear) and the Dr. Wanted to consult with some specialists to determine the appropriate next step.
Fast forward to today. Opted to do an aspiration of the fluid pockets and found the fluid to be thick and opaque. This would point at the likelihood of these areas being abscesses.
We are awaiting consult with a board certified surgeon to determine if surgery is our next step.
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