Help! Thoughts and Feedback wanted!

[auntie ev]

Hello, Cat Lovers.

I have a five year old feral named Rosie. I took her to the vet yesterday. He diagnosed her as having dental issues and as a first line of treatment advised the antibiotic Convenia, as it is injectable and means I won't have to pill her (I wouldn't be able to, as she is gentle and sweet but I can't pick her up, and she is lightning fast when she wants to be). I didn't ask what the potential side effects were, I regret that now. Today she is lethargic and off her food, which is unusual for her - the one thing she loves is kibble.

Has anyone else had this problem and how long does it last?? I'm worried we may now have a new problem, in that she won't eat. And I am concerned it may put her off her food, and this is the only brand she will eat. Any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.

Thanks!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I know other members will come along with first hand experiences/suggestions, but until then - what I have heard the most common side effects seem to be: loss of appetite, lethargy, possibly vomiting and/or diarrhea. There are a whole range of other side effects, some serious, but much less common. I have also heard that it can take up to 2 weeks for the side effects to subside.

Keep an eye on her and continue to offer her food as often as possible. Make sure things don't get any worse, and if they do call the vet and ask what can be done to help her get through the side effects. There are appetite stimulants available if need be, as well as anti-nausea meds should she end up with vomiting. In the meantime, try other foods that might entice her - baby food meats (no onions, etc.) are usually a hit with most cats. Human chicken, low sodium deli turkey, canned tuna in water, etc. Also, for some reason cats that are reluctant to eat sometimes do better if these foods are served on a paper plate. Not sure why that is true, but many members on this site have had success with this approach.

Down the road, other antibiotics might be advisable. There are liquid ones that can be added to just a touch of canned tuna water and many cats will take the antibiotic that way. I have success with Feeby by doing this - and, after she laps it up, she gets a bite of the tuna as her 'treat'. I also done this with canned chicken in water.

Good luck to you and Rosie!

 

[auntie ev]

Hi FeebysOwner,
Thanks very much for the reply. I called the vet this morning to let him know about her symptoms, and am waiting on a return call. This is really concerning to me, as Rosie only likes one brand of kibble, and no other foods. I've never had a cat like this, but she will turn down meats, fish, dairy. I have had good luck giving my other cats meds in chicken baby food. I could try that, and I'll continue to offer her her own food, as well as cookies. If it continues we will have to go back to the vets' office.

I wish I had known this was a potential side effect as I have been reading further and from what I have read, treating with antibiotics is not recommended for gingivitis. The other thing my vet recommended were steroids and I was reluctant to do that.

I am feeling kind of horrible at the moment. I have always tried to provide Rosie with care and a loving, safe home, but it appears that in trying to make things better I may have created a new problem.

Thank you for your support and for the ideas. I've got nothing to lose by trying them, and I will.

 

[white shadow]

.
Hi auntie ev.

If I were in your position, I would ensure that she is 'contained'.......that is to say, ensure that she cannot go off/away from your care and custody. You probably know that when cats feel 'lousy', they intuitively feel vulnerable to predation and will hide themselves away. That's the last thing you need!

We can only hope that her immediate reaction will be short-lived and her appetite returns......but, at least you'll be able to intervene if things 'go south'.

Most Vets, from 99.9% of the reports here on TCS, will deny any knowledge of adverse reactions to Convenia.

Do keep us updated, though, as we can help if things get 'tough'.

And.......don't beat yourself up! We do our best, most often it's others that derail the train.
.

 

[drelocks]

Unpopular opinion here, but Covenia was used on both of my cats at different times and worked amazingly well. They may have had a couple days of acting off (eating, lazy, etc.) but then were back to normal quite quickly.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Covenia on my cat(s) again.

 

[auntie ev]

Hi White Shadow,
Thanks for writing. I appreciate the support very much. For the time being, Rosie is staying on her pet bed, by the heater. She is receptive to pets and having her chin rubbed. She seems quite depressed though, which may in part be from the whole experience. I never used to be the one to crate her, as I am the one person she has bonded with. Unfortunately, though, the two family members who used to do the job have both died. But - I could be just beating myself up, and it is at least in part if not in whole, the Convenia.

I called the dr's office to let them know about her lethargy and depression and they said the vet would call me back when "he has time". So I suspect you are right and he will attribute it to something else. I am tempted to call the company and report her symptoms so that they have a record of it somewhere, that this does happen.

Incidentally, with Rose not feeling well I stayed home from work to keep an eye on her. In the morning I contacted a veterinary dental specialist down south, nine hours from here, who informed me that the course of treatment my vet wants to pursue (antibiotics-steroids for pain maintenance following extractions) is all wrong. He sent me three or four research papers that he wrote himself on stomatitis and it has me second guessing my vet in a big way. If my vet wants to charge me 1700.00 to pursue poor, irreversible treatment, I may be better to travel to see this fellow, and put that 1700 towards treatment that is the best she can get.

Anyway, still feeling lousy but at least there is some hope on the horizon and I have support here. Thank you so much again.

 

[auntie ev]

Unpopular opinion here, but Covenia was used on both of my cats at different times and worked amazingly well. They may have had a couple days of acting off (eating, lazy, etc.) but then were back to normal quite quickly.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Covenia on my cat(s) again.

Hello, Drelocks

Thank you for writing, and for sharing your experience. I am relieved to hear that they were back to normal quickly. I hope that will be the case for my Rosie. It's distressing to see her like this. My second concern is also that it may have been the inappropriate treatment for her gingivitis. But if the symptoms don't last, at the very least we will get past it quickly and can look at what she really needs. I hope! Thank you.

 

[DreamerRose]

I've never had a cat with gingivitis, but I've had it myself, and the only thing that made an improvement was a deep cleaning and using a mouthwash twice a day. The mouthwash is not possible for cats, but the cleaning is. You should ask the vet or maybe another vet about it. You can also brush the cat's teeth. There are special toothpastes (fish-flavored) for cats.

 

[auntie ev]

Hi. I know other members will come along with first hand experiences/suggestions, but until then - what I have heard the most common side effects seem to be: loss of appetite, lethargy, possibly vomiting and/or diarrhea. There are a whole range of other side effects, some serious, but much less common. I have also heard that it can take up to 2 weeks for the side effects to subside.

Keep an eye on her and continue to offer her food as often as possible. Make sure things don't get any worse, and if they do call the vet and ask what can be done to help her get through the side effects. There are appetite stimulants available if need be, as well as anti-nausea meds should she end up with vomiting. In the meantime, try other foods that might entice her - baby food meats (no onions, etc.) are usually a hit with most cats. Human chicken, low sodium deli turkey, canned tuna in water, etc. Also, for some reason cats that are reluctant to eat sometimes do better if these foods are served on a paper plate. Not sure why that is true, but many members on this site have had success with this approach.

Down the road, other antibiotics might be advisable. There are liquid ones that can be added to just a touch of canned tuna water and many cats will take the antibiotic that way. I have success with Feeby by doing this - and, after she laps it up, she gets a bite of the tuna as her 'treat'. I also done this with canned chicken in water.

Good luck to you and Rosie!

Hi FeebysOwner,

Just to say, I tried putting Rosie's food on a plate and she ate a little bit, around lunch and just now. Not up to her usual, but also not "nothing". Thanks for that tip, it's a strange thing but it worked to get a few bites into her. Thanks!

 

[auntie ev]

I've never had a cat with gingivitis, but I've had it myself, and the only thing that made an improvement was a deep cleaning and using a mouthwash twice a day. The mouthwash is not possible for cats, but the cleaning is. You should ask the vet or maybe another vet about it. You can also brush the cat's teeth. There are special toothpastes (fish-flavored) for cats.

Hi Dreamer Rose,
Thanks for the post. Stomatitis in cats can be very complicated. No one knows what causes it and there is no one good way to treat it, except extraction and even that is not a guarantee. My vet has proposed steroids which many people do not advocate, as it can cause diabetes in cats. You are right though in that a thorough cleaning and assessment is the first step. Once we know the extent of things,
I will have to go from there.

There are water additives that sometimes can help. Toothpastes and toothbrushes would not be for Rosie. She is feral and while very sweet in many ways, I can't pick her up and she is difficult to crate. She would not sit still for me to clean her teeth that way.

However - my big concern at the moment is getting her back up and running and then we will have to go from there.
Thanks for the post.

 

[EmersonandEvie]

Evie has had a Convenia shot twice, once for gingivitis and once for a severe case of feline acne that caused chin abscesses and swollen lymph nodes. I would definitely have it administered to her again.

 

[NadiaRey]

I could only add that maybe you could phone your vet to ask about this (I realize it's a bit late in the night to do this now, if your are anywhere in the American continent). For now, stay with your kitty and shower her with love. These little guys are extremely resilient, but then can you the extra affection and security that you are there with them.

 

[Margret]

Unpopular opinion here, but Covenia was used on both of my cats at different times and worked amazingly well. They may have had a couple days of acting off (eating, lazy, etc.) but then were back to normal quite quickly.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Covenia on my cat(s) again.

Most cats have no trouble with Convenia; but some cats have a lot of trouble with it. You're fortunate that your cats fall in the former category, and since you know that they do it's perfectly safe to give them Convenia.

My vet has proposed steroids which many people do not advocate, as it can cause diabetes in cats.

Steroids can also cause diabetes in humans. I've seen it.

Margret

 

[auntie ev]

Most cats have no trouble with Convenia; but some cats have a lot of trouble with it. You're fortunate that your cats fall in the former category, and since you know that they do it's perfectly safe to give them Convenia.


Steroids can also cause diabetes in humans. I've seen it.

Margret

Thank you for adding to this thread, Margaret. I appreciate your thoughts. Rose was very lethargic and off her food for a day, which the vet attributed to her vaccines. I am not sure. I don't think I will give her Convenia again, just to be safe. As for the steroids, I contacted a veterinary dentist, who said not to use steroids except in very rare cases. I think I will consult with this fellow on Rosie's health, before making any big decisions. Thank you again. It's helpful.

 

[auntie ev]

I could only add that maybe you could phone your vet to ask about this (I realize it's a bit late in the night to do this now, if your are anywhere in the American continent). For now, stay with your kitty and shower her with love. These little guys are extremely resilient, but then can you the extra affection and security that you are there with them.

Thank you, Nadia. I did call the vet and he attributed her lethargy to her vaccines. She seems much improved now, so that's a relief but I don't think I will use Convenia with her again, to be safe.

 

[Margret]

I think I will consult with this fellow on Rosie's health, before making any big decisions.

I think that's a wise decision. I'm leery of any doctor, for any species, whose drug of choice is a steroid.

Margret

 

[auntie ev]

Thank you, Margaret, for your thoughts and feedback. It's very helpful. I'm not even sure that Rosie actually has stomatitis. I think it may be gingivitis, which is normally managed by regular cleanings, various oral hygiene measures, and extractions when necessary. There is also some suggestion that health boosters like probiotics can help. Of course, it may be something else altogether, since she has always had a 'red line' where her teeth meet her gums, even as a very young cat. In any event, the suggestion of steroids right off the bat scared me too. I am going to do my best to get second, or third, opinions before committing to anything. I owe her that much. Thank you again.

 

[auntie ev]

Rosie also thanks everybody for their support on this thread!