Help!

[riley1]

My 10-11 year old domestic short hair started vomiting last Sunday. It was just her morning dry food for two days so I wasn't real concerned. Tuesday night she ate her 5 pm wet food & threw up 5 times. She didn't eat her 10 pm wet food. Threw up liquid in the morning. We had a vet appoint in the afternoon Wednesday. Blood tests, an x-ray of her abdomen, fluids and an anti-nausea shot. Didn't vomit or eat so took her back to the vet Friday. More fluids & a blood pressure check. Vet said if she got worse or wasn't eating by Sunday to go to the ER. She woke me during the Friday night crying. She was also vomiting clear liquids. Called but no one to do an ultrasound until 12 pm next day. She was there 5 hours and got the ultrasound, more fluids, & an anti nausea shot. Today she was drooling and would not eat. Crying a bit like her stomach hurt but not vomiting. ER said to bring her back for more fluids and another nausea shot. Did not recommend an appetite stimulant. None of her tests showed anything out of the ordinary. She continues to pee (reduced volume), poop (no diarrhea) & does not have a fever. Today the ER vet said if she doesn't eat by tomorrow I should talk to my vet about hospitalizing her with a feeding tube.
Background: In the last few years she has started intermittent vomiting of her morning dry food. Vet and I discussed getting a CT or ultrasound but hadn't done it yet. On July 26 she had a Solensia shot for arthritis. Dasiquin hadn't helped and my experience has been that gabapentin makes animals sleepy. The vet said the new Solensia shot would be the best thing for her. Her symptoms are side effects of this shot but didn't start until 8 days later. My vet and the ER vet yesterday said the Solensia was not the problem. The vet today said I was right to question the Solensia effect because this drug is quite new & could have potentially caused this issue.
So has anyone else experienced a health care situation like this or have any experience with Solensia? I have no problem putting her in the hospital if this will get her up and running but worry that we may just be torturing her last days. Of course they also mentioned having biopsy's done to look for cancer. My last kitten had cancer but I didn't get the biopsy done. They said exploratory surgery was the best way to go but could be inconclusive. I already knew in my heart he had cancer and didn't want him put through surgery or get treatment.
Any information on feeding tubes, Solensia or this type of problem would be most appreciated! Thank you!

 

[neely]

I'm sorry your cat is not feeling well and you don't have a diagnosis. What tests did they run for her bloodwork? Just out of curiosity did they include a fPLI to check for pancreatitis or T-4 for Hyperthyroidism? I'm glad they were able to do an ultrasound. I noticed you are in Greendale, WI which is not too far from Madison. This is just a suggestion - The Univ. of WI Veterinary Specialty Hospital is located there and I have heard glowing reports about it. You may want to consider getting a second opinion from them if you think that would help.

Regarding Solensia, our cat did have a reaction after two injections so we stopped it. However, the side effects were not the same problem you described for your cat. Instead our boy was having constant itching and skin irritations under his chin/neck area.

Sending special thoughts to your cat and you. Please keep us updated on her progress.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I am so sorry your cat is this sick.
You need a referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist.

Feeding tubes are wonderful. Not if the cat is vomiting. It has to be discovered as to why she is vomiting.

Can you post the bloodwork? Did they do X-rays?

You need a specialist to do an abdominal ultrasound.

Do you know if a specific test was done to check for pancreatitis? It would be called an FPLI. It is not included in normal blood panels.

Acute on chronic vomiting can be pancreatitis, foreign body causing intestinal obstruction, acute flare up of IBD, toxin, and many other things.

Is it was your cat overweight? Does your cat’s skin near the ears look yellow?

There are many reasons for vomiting. Any plants in the house? Any flowers? Human medication, topical or other?

Make sure your vet reports reaction of Solencia to the company, but I doubt it is that.

Try to find a veterinary specialist and get in with them ASAP. Your cat sounds from what you describe to be critically ill and needs experienced knowledgeable help.

I wouldnt want to leave my cat in the hospital either if they didn’t know what was going on.

There are also GI blood panels that can be done. FPLI would be more important to check.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Honestly, her issues could be a number of different things. The only issue my cat had with Solensia was itchiness, which ceased after she stopped taking it, as noted above. She was on it for 6 months. You've been given some ideas to pursue in the above posts. So, I won't repeat them.

But, I will say that the problem with the anti-nausea shots is that they only last about 24 hours, so if not given daily, or changed to be given orally, there is no consistency in keeping her from feeling nauseous. I'd personally ask how to best deal with this aspect. I'd also look into giving her baby food meat (Gerber Stage 2 or Beechnut) - PRONTO - and see if she will eat that and keep it down. It won't hurt to give her something that is not nutritionally complete for a cat for a while to see if you can get her back on track.

It could be related to food changes - either ones you have made, or ingredients that have changed in the foods you have been feeding her. This sounds like it has been building up over time, so that is the problem in trying to immediately ascertain the potential cause(s).

If the ultrasound didn't show anything suspicious, I am not sure what a biopsy would have accomplished, as what would they have biopsied?

Also as noted above, having the tests that have already done reviewed by a specialist might be a good idea at this time. Ask the vet to assist you with getting this done; they should have contacts that they can reach out to - up to and including the Univ. of WI Veterinary Specialty Hospital, which should be able to review her records on a consult basis.

 

[Margret]

If the ultrasound didn't show anything suspicious, I am not sure what a biopsy would have accomplished, as what would they have biopsied?

I'm pretty sure that was about the kitten that had cancer.

 

[FeebysOwner]

She woke me during the Friday night crying. She was also vomiting clear liquids. Called but no one to do an ultrasound until 12 pm next day. She was there 5 hours and got the ultrasound, more fluids, & an anti nausea shot.

I'm pretty sure that was about the kitten that had cancer.

I think it is for the OP's current cat, but they can clarify to be sure.

 

[riley1]

Thank you all for responding! My vet said she was running all blood tests but that doesn't necessarily mean the specific ones you mentioned. I can ask tomorrow. I have tried Churos, baby food, her regular food & tuna water. Normally, tuna water is her favorite. At the ER they tried Royal Canin. I didn't make any food changes. She gets three canned meals Tiki Cat chicken types in broth or water, 2 dry meals of Tiki Cat and dental greenies. When I adopted her 9 1/2 years ago she was found starving, hence the small frequent meals. Apparently, even with a normal ultrasound and three d x rays they still recommend a biopsy. One type is with a scope but only surveys a small area. The other is major surgery. I was told with these invasive processes can be inconclusive. Not sure I see the point. Don't think this changes the outcome. She is still drooling & not eating. Has been out in the house a little bit today, however. Sadly, we my last cat all the internist offered was biopsy.

 

[riley1]

This is my current cat. Had an ultrasound Saturday afternoon as there was no one available at 2 am.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Apparently, even with a normal ultrasound and three d x rays they still recommend a biopsy. One type is with a scope but only surveys a small area. The other is major surgery. I was told with these invasive processes can be inconclusive. Not sure I see the point. Don't think this changes the outcome. She is still drooling & not eating. Has been out in the house a little bit today, however. Sadly, we my last cat all the internist offered was biopsy.

All I know is that if there is nothing obviously wrong, I am confused about what they would biopsy. My cat had enlarged intestinal lymph nodes, and they were able to do a fine needle aspiration (FNA) during the ultrasound, which is non-invasive, followed up with a PARR Assay of the same tissue to determine she did have cancer. No biopsy needed. I guess that is something you can ask about.

 

[riley1]

All I know is that if there is nothing obviously wrong, I am confused about what they would biopsy. My cat had enlarged intestinal lymph nodes, and they were able to do a fine needle aspiration (FNA) during the ultrasound, which is non-invasive, followed up with a PARR Assay of the same tissue to determine she did have cancer. No biopsy needed. I guess that is something you can ask about.

That's my feeling but all three vets mentioned the biopsy things as the next step for her. My last cat would not eat well and intermittently throw up & 10 years ago I was told the same thing. He had an ultrasound as well that didn't show anything! They said he either had stomach or intestine cancer and would not treat him without the surgery. This is how they diagnose cancer apparently. This cat was very adverse to vet visits and medical treatments. The vet said I could keep him at home if he ate something every day. When I noticed discomfort I let him go.
I just don't think cancer shows up with acute symptoms as what happened with my girl. I appreciate you and others recommending other tests.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Your cat is way too young to consider these her last days. If need be, get on her on a feeding tube and continue to pursue getting her additional help through specialists, as well as the additional testing. It sounds severe, but may not be so once other investigations are done. From what I know, and without a vet degree, it seems to me this could very well be something other than cancer. I think she may have something like gastritis or pancreatitis, given her symptoms.

I wish we could be of more help, and feel your frustration and exasperation. Please keep us in the loop.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. They are recommending biopsy because that is the next step in their level of education as to what to do. That is why you need a specialist.
An abdominal exploratory, if done correctly will run the entire length of the bowel looking for any impaction. It will also give them a look at all the internal organs. The biopsies are taken of anything that looks out of the ordinary.
As sick as your cat has been, I don’t know if she would be okay with such a procedure.
A skilled internal medicine vet should be able to see an obstruction with ultrasound. If there is an obstruction, they have to go in surgically to remove it.
If your cat has intestinal lymphoma, it is usually easily managed with medication.

There is also an older school radiograph diagnostic called a barium series. The cat is given a radio opaque solution and radiographs are taken every 15 minutes to 1 hour until it goes through the entire GI tract. If it stops you know there is an obstruction.

Is your cats skin at all yellow?

 

[riley1]

Your cat is way too young to consider these her last days. If need be, get on her on a feeding tube and continue to pursue getting her additional help through specialists, as well as the additional testing. It sounds severe, but may not be so once other investigations are done. From what I know, and without a vet degree, it seems to me this could very well be something other than cancer. I think she may have something like gastritis or pancreatitis, given her symptoms.

I wish we could be of more help, and feel your frustration and exasperation. Please keep us in the loop.

Thank you for the positive encouragement. I am willing to do most anything for her while also considering her quality of life!

 

[Margret]

It could also be allergies. Has anyone said anything about novel proteins or a prescription diet?

 

[maggie101]

My 10-11 year old domestic short hair started vomiting last Sunday. It was just her morning dry food for two days so I wasn't real concerned. Tuesday night she ate her 5 pm wet food & threw up 5 times. She didn't eat her 10 pm wet food. Threw up liquid in the morning. We had a vet appoint in the afternoon Wednesday. Blood tests, an x-ray of her abdomen, fluids and an anti-nausea shot. Didn't vomit or eat so took her back to the vet Friday. More fluids & a blood pressure check. Vet said if she got worse or wasn't eating by Sunday to go to the ER. She woke me during the Friday night crying. She was also vomiting clear liquids. Called but no one to do an ultrasound until 12 pm next day. She was there 5 hours and got the ultrasound, more fluids, & an anti nausea shot. Today she was drooling and would not eat. Crying a bit like her stomach hurt but not vomiting. ER said to bring her back for more fluids and another nausea shot. Did not recommend an appetite stimulant. None of her tests showed anything out of the ordinary. She continues to pee (reduced volume), poop (no diarrhea) & does not have a fever. Today the ER vet said if she doesn't eat by tomorrow I should talk to my vet about hospitalizing her with a feeding tube.
Background: In the last few years she has started intermittent vomiting of her morning dry food. Vet and I discussed getting a CT or ultrasound but hadn't done it yet. On July 26 she had a Solensia shot for arthritis. Dasiquin hadn't helped and my experience has been that gabapentin makes animals sleepy. The vet said the new Solensia shot would be the best thing for her. Her symptoms are side effects of this shot but didn't start until 8 days later. My vet and the ER vet yesterday said the Solensia was not the problem. The vet today said I was right to question the Solensia effect because this drug is quite new & could have potentially caused this issue.
So has anyone else experienced a health care situation like this or have any experience with Solensia? I have no problem putting her in the hospital if this will get her up and running but worry that we may just be torturing her last days. Of course they also mentioned having biopsy's done to look for cancer. My last kitten had cancer but I didn't get the biopsy done. They said exploratory surgery was the best way to go but could be inconclusive. I already knew in my heart he had cancer and didn't want him put through surgery or get treatment.
Any information on feeding tubes, Solensia or this type of problem would be most appreciated! Thank you!

What did the ultrasound show? Her symptoms are very similar to my old cat Josie with tiaditis shown by ultrasound by a specialist.
Until she sees a specialist and she's not eatingg,a feeding tube will help. Best of luck for your kitties! Josie lived to be 17

 

[riley1]

Thank you to everyone who responded. Checked her into the hospital this morning. They did IV fluids all day & appetite stimulant. Said she was willing to eat a little kibble but nothing else. I could leave her over night but the vet said she would do better at home so I brought her back. Ate only hospital kibble. Very alert and active but now off for a nap. Hope she will be okay from here on out. I appreciate the support!

 

[riley1]

What did the ultrasound show? Her symptoms are very similar to my old cat Josie with tiaditis shown by ultrasound by a specialist.
Until she sees a specialist and she's not eatingg,a feeding tube will help. Best of luck for your kitties! Josie lived to be 17

They got her eating during the hospital stay today. The ultrasound was read by an outside radiologist. The vet who did said she has been doing them for 15 years. I know, not a specialist. They didn't find anything. Her blood work and blood pressure checks were fine as well.

 

[neely]

They did IV fluids all day & appetite stimulant. Said she was willing to eat a little kibble but nothing else. I could leave her over night but the vet said she would do better at home so I brought her back. Ate only hospital kibble. Very alert and active but now off for a nap. Hope she will be okay from here on out.

Thanks for the updates, Glad her b.p.and bloodwork was fine. I hope all goes well from here on out too!

 

[Margret]

R riley1 , Please keep us in the loop; we tend to be worrywarts.

 

[riley1]

R riley1 , Please keep us in the loop; we tend to be worrywarts.

Will do!