My cat is having progressive tremors and any advice is more than welcome

[Chris Redfield]

Hey guys,you asked me to report back with test results for toxoplasmosis and MR scan.
He's negative on toxoplasmosis and MR didn't show any abnormalities on brain and they concluded it's fine.We also castrated him when he was under anesthesia right after MR so he doesn't have to go to another procedure and be under stress again.
He's been eating a bit less last few weeks and we think it's because he was in heat.
He ate similar amount today like he did before he went under procedure yesterday,but I think that's because heat can't end next day right after procedure right?
He's still shaking like he did before, but he's not meowing loudly anymore since he got castrated.

So,after we did MR and results were fine and after results for toxoplasmosis came back negative, what's next we can do to find out why is he's shaking?
Like I said, I wouldn't be worried too much if it wasn't progressive.

What's your advice guys?
PS Antonio65,they sent MR scans to Verona Italy to International Veterinary Radiology,so I feel a bit more comfortable with another expert working on this case.


I also uploaded his MR results in case someone may need them in future.Also ignore it's says Uglješa instead of Boško,they made a mistake while writing down his name.

Kind regards guys and hope to hear from you soon.

 

[lesliel76]

Did you ever find out why your cat was shaking? I have a situation with a cat shaking with some other symptoms like weight loss. The vets can't figure out what's going on. The just tested for toxoplasmosis don't know results yet.

 

[lesliel76]

Did you ever find out why your cat was shaking? I have a situation with a cat shaking with some other symptoms like weight loss. The vets can't figure out what's going on. The just tested for toxoplasmosis don't know results yet.

Hi just fyi I just got the results it is toxoplasmosis. I'm hoping there is not more but I'm curious what you found out bc I'm trying to see stories of people who have went through this and there is not a lot. My cat just started the antibiotics yesterday and I've seen no improvement yet with the shaking. I am inpatient of course but I'm nervous he has more than just this parasite.

 

[lesliel76]

The antibiotics for this seems to be making Oliver way worse. We are on day 6 now and he just seems to be in so much pain. Even if I give a gabapentin.

Another thought is he's got something way worse going on. I am thinking about putting him down bc he's so miserable at some points.

I see the vet Tuesday but I cannot afford to do an MRI. It's too expensive. I wasn't in the best financial spot before this and it's on the tails of another cat being sick and dying so I can't keep charging it I won't be able to recover.

It's upsetting but I am taking the time to process it. I don't think it's today but it's just been weeks and months of this. I can tell his little body has had enough. He's fighting but he's getting super scraggly and losing fur.

 

[fionasmom]

Toxoplasmosis in Cats.

I do not mean to throw an article at you to read, but parts of this may help you to know what to ask the vet tomorrow, compare meds, etc. Some cases of toxoplasmosis in cats can be severe; your question of another concurrent condition is also valid.

You can only do what you can do. Please don't feel remiss if you cannot do an MRI. If other tests or imaging is suggested, ask what would possibly be found and what a treatment plan and prognosis could entail.

 

[lesliel76]

Toxoplasmosis in Cats.

I do not mean to throw an article at you to read, but parts of this may help you to know what to ask the vet tomorrow, compare meds, etc. Some cases of toxoplasmosis in cats can be severe; your question of another concurrent condition is also valid.

You can only do what you can do. Please don't feel remiss if you cannot do an MRI. If other tests or imaging is suggested, ask what would possibly be found and what a treatment plan and prognosis could entail.

No I am thankful for the article I read it.

I've read a lot about Toxoplasmosis now. I have a list of questions for the vet tomorrow. All I know is he's suffering and not well. I am skipping the meds today bc he seems even sensitive to touch. I'll maybe do the gabapentin later but he's growls when I go near him and telling me he's had enough.

It is just at that point now of his quality life is low and how much longer can he keep going like this. He seems to have moments where he might feel ok but they are getting further and further apart. I'm super sad. I don't want to see him go but I'm kind of thinking about calling on Friday to have the guy come this weekend or that day to put him to sleep. Unless I'm able to get him more comfortable. I'll have to see what my options are. Even without the meds today he's really bad. So I don't know what's what anymore. It may be sooner than they day too. Or maybe I'll get some sort of miracle who knows.

 

[tayoftayville]

Did you find out what's going on with your cat? I have two cats that are also having weird spasms for months and we still don't know what's going on.

 

[lesliel76]

Did you find out what's going on with your cat? I have two cats that are also having weird spasms for months and we still don't know what's going on.

I was actually going to update today on here so funny you ask. Honestly the short answer is no I never figured out and he's still doing it. Did your cats lose weight? Just curious if the symptoms align.

For Oliver the vet now said its not toxoplasmosis which I guess he must of been exposed and was showing a flare of it but when we tested a 2nd time no.

Right now the vet thinks it's a combination of digestive problems and back pain...possibly leg pain from an injury but that theory doesn't always align bc he will be playing and then shaking. They said it could also be spinal cancer but I feel like that would progress really fast. I can't afford a 5000 MRI to look into that.

Right now he has good days and bad days. He had a good week but dipped and was shaking the last 2 days again. I have been trying some homeopathic stuff mixed with pain meds and an all hydrolyzed protein diet ( vet suggested that not convinced yet). He also is getting a anti nausea when needed bc he threw up a bit here and there... and I bought this cold laser thing for his back.

I have seen significant improvement bc I thought he was a goner and for now he's back from that..but weight loss continues and he's shedding alot of fur for him so we are not out of any woods yet.

I hope you figure it out it's honestly one of the most frustrating and scary things to watch where you just feel helpless. Emotionally it's been hard to ride this Rollercoaster. If you find anything out please let me know bc I am still trying to get him him healthy again.

 

[tayoftayville]

I was actually going to update today on here so funny you ask. Honestly the short answer is no I never figured out and he's still doing it. Did your cats lose weight? Just curious if the symptoms align.

For Oliver the vet now said its not toxoplasmosis which I guess he must of been exposed and was showing a flare of it but when we tested a 2nd time no.

Right now the vet thinks it's a combination of digestive problems and back pain...possibly leg pain from an injury but that theory doesn't always align bc he will be playing and then shaking. They said it could also be spinal cancer but I feel like that would progress really fast. I can't afford a 5000 MRI to look into that.

Right now he has good days and bad days. He had a good week but dipped and was shaking the last 2 days again. I have been trying some homeopathic stuff mixed with pain meds and an all hydrolyzed protein diet ( vet suggested that not convinced yet). He also is getting a anti nausea when needed bc he threw up a bit here and there... and I bought this cold laser thing for his back.

I have seen significant improvement bc I thought he was a goner and for now he's back from that..but weight loss continues and he's shedding alot of fur for him so we are not out of any woods yet.

I hope you figure it out it's honestly one of the most frustrating and scary things to watch where you just feel helpless. Emotionally it's been hard to ride this Rollercoaster. If you find anything out please let me know bc I am still trying to get him him healthy again.

So interesting! This sounds very similar to my cat. I describe it exactly the same you just did. Good days and bad days.. sometimes a full week of one of the other. We have also had the worst experience with vets trying to get to the bottom of it to the point I hardly trust them anymore.
Most recently he's been really well, he was doing so well I thought perhaps finally this was behind us but just in the last few days.. I'm seeing a small dip again.
Also similar to you, we were given gabapentin to try and I swear it made things worse! I stopped it after only two days because I just felt so bad for him.
Its really interesting the speculation about digestive problems. I've read a lot of posts all over the internet from people with twitching cats and a commonality does seem to be good allergy. My cats have been on the same cats food for years though, so I struggle to believe it could really be that? Most recently I've been wondering if it's just some kind of gastrointestinal issue like constipation or IBS? I started my cat on Purina pro calming care probiotic and though the spasms haven't gone away, I do think his mood has significantly improved and he's definitely less anxious which I have also thought could be a contributing factor. I've also tried those homeopathic drops but my cat didn't really like them and I felt like it was possibly upsetting his stomach so I abandoned them pretty quickly..
This whole experience has been absolutely maddening!!

 

[Furballsmom]

Would either of your vets consider consulting with a university medical veterinary department?

 

[lesliel76]

So interesting! This sounds very similar to my cat. I describe it exactly the same you just did. Good days and bad days.. sometimes a full week of one of the other. We have also had the worst experience with vets trying to get to the bottom of it to the point I hardly trust them anymore.
Most recently he's been really well, he was doing so well I thought perhaps finally this was behind us but just in the last few days.. I'm seeing a small dip again.
Also similar to you, we were given gabapentin to try and I swear it made things worse! I stopped it after only two days because I just felt so bad for him.
Its really interesting the speculation about digestive problems. I've read a lot of posts all over the internet from people with twitching cats and a commonality does seem to be good allergy. My cats have been on the same cats food for years though, so I struggle to believe it could really be that? Most recently I've been wondering if it's just some kind of gastrointestinal issue like constipation or IBS? I started my cat on Purina pro calming care probiotic and though the spasms haven't gone away, I do think his mood has significantly improved and he's definitely less anxious which I have also thought could be a contributing factor. I've also tried those homeopathic drops but my cat didn't really like them and I felt like it was possibly upsetting his stomach so I abandoned them pretty quickly..
This whole experience has been absolutely maddening!!

Wow this is so crazy to me. It's so maddening beyond words. Even more bizarre for you is how do 2 cats at the same time develop a food allergy. Like what are the chances. I wish I could help you but I've lost hope with the vets. They act like I'm making this up but I can't pretend he's ok when he's not.

I've been to several different ones 2 that are Internal Medicine one an hour and half away. The best one I could find that was drivable. The amount I spent is over 5000 at this point.

I also thought the Gabapentin made things worse on some days but then others better. Zofran for nausea seems to be helping a lot. I tried Carbo Veg homeopathic for the stomach along with nano silver. Both seemed to help but not significant enough. The laser wand I have also is good for digestive problems so I use all over his body and there seemed to be a vast improvement after that for a long time but honestly it's hard to say what's what anymore. Heat also helps him. The sun and heating pads. I'm trying to keep a calm house with less stress from me. I also got calming rescue remedy. I am trying everything I'm hopes he will heal whatever this is.

His brother died in January i had to put him down for Cancer so his immune system did go into shock. It kind of rocked the whole house even though we lost some of our fur family before this was sudden and out of the blue.

I should note he has had several rounds of various antibiotics too.

For now I am just giving up and watching as I try this diet. If it is something more serious he will start to decline I figure and for now I make him as comfortable as possible.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm going to repeat my post from above in case it was missed, veterinarians can consult, and should with these people. Specialized researchers etc will be involved.

Would either of your vets consider consulting with a university medical veterinary department?

 

[lesliel76]

I'm going to repeat my post from above in case it was missed, veterinarians can consult, and should with these people. Specialized researchers etc will be involved.

Thank you appreciate. That might be next on my list but I'm out of funds at the moment and I don't think my cat can handle more right now. The last place I went to was 15 mins away from the university which would be an hour and 45 min drive for me. I did call them but their wait times were months. So I went to this one hospital that has only internal vets and specialist that was 300 to walk in the door. They were the 2nd Internal vet I saw to get a 2nd opinion. So a lot has been covered.

But yeah I will try maybe but for me right now I've been trying to figure out for so long that I already spent so much. It's also on the tails of another cat dying and me not being in the best money spot. Not to make it all about that but it's part of it and the only testing left is so expensive and too much to put him through that I don't think it's right. But I might get desperate and try one last thing before pulling any plug. But I kind of hit my wall and it takes a lot for me to get to that so I know we are there.

 

[tayoftayville]

Would either of your vets consider consulting with a university medical veterinary department?

We already went to a neurologist specialist and spent almost $400 for them to tell us they also don't know what's wrong and gave us overpriced gabapentin. Unfortunately I'm in the same spot financially. We've already spent so much on vet visits (this all started after an emergency room visit for suspected lily toxicity -which turned out to be a false alarm but still cost us $2000 and traumatized my cat). So he has no patience for being poked by vets right now anyway. At this point I'm just try to keep him calm and happy until I feel he can handle a very visit again.