Mystery Illness With Vomiting And Lack Of Appetite

cat1967

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When Benji had his first blood tests and ultrasound his liver seemed swollen and his numbers were high so the vet thought there was problem with the liver. After a week he had the blood tests again and the liver seemed ok his numbers had dropped to normal. Before he had spoken to me about biopsy but he told me it would take two weeks for the results and he then thought he didn't have two weeks to live so even he said not to do it. Which was a good choice as the liver eventually was not the problem. Now, I wouldn't trust a vet who once says the results are accurate 90% and then 60%. For 60% accuracy no I wouldn't want my cat to go through surgery I am sorry. And to tell you the truth, I have heard so much and in this world we live in where money is thought to be god for some people, I don't trust them that much as even with humans they take advantage of your pain only to gain more. Now, I am not saying this is the case with you, maybe I just don't trust people that much. But again I wouldn't want my cat to go through surgery for 60% accuracy of results. So if they don't find this, what are they going to send you to do to the poor animal. And I wonder, with cats hiding their illness and probably their pain, with inaccurate results as with stress sometimes the results are altered and cats are easily stressed, with patients who don't speak, how can they really tell? Many a times, they can't as my vet told me and they experiment until they find the issue or the right cure. Ok, I can take that but not as long as my pet goes through something which is going to cause more stress to him or her.
Of course the choice is yours I am just stating my opinion here.
 

KarenKat

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So obviously every situation is different, and what makes it so stressful is that money is usually a factor - we hate to think we wouldn't do everything in our power and empty our accounts but in reality there are four other cats and other people to worry about. We do what is best and what is within our means to help them. It is not awful or terrible to choose not to treat if that is what is best for the cat and the family.

So with that caveat, Trin showed elevated liver enzymes and low B-12 after we took him in for chronic diarrhea. An ultrasound showed no inflammation at all and a bloodtest ruled out pancreatitis. The vet specialist said it was either IBD or small cell lymphoma and the next step was an endoscopy. Eating chicken seemed to have a definitive negative effect on his stools, so we were guessing that IBD was more likely (but we could not truly diagnose without the scope).

We started him on weekly B-12 shots and started to transition his food to a novel protein (rabbit) and stopped giving him chicken. His poop firmed up immediately (which was entirely the B-12 since the food change was still ongoing). Then the vet came back with the estimate on the scope - $2000. We were shocked it was so pricey, and we had some angsty days deciding if we should go forward with it. In the end, we chose not to. Since it was simply a diagnostic tool, we felt that it was a lot just to find out. He was doing better and we decided to continue the B-12 and rabbit food and see where he was. If he got worse, we figured we can see about treating the lymphoma without a diagnosis.

After calling the vet, she told us that the B-12 would have had no affect if it had been lymphoma and she felt coming back in after a few months to check the blood work and his weight was a good plan. So that's where we are now.

So all that said now (sorry for the book!), we chose somewhat because he had improved but somewhat because the diagnostic tool was so costly. And an endoscopy seems much more sure and less intrusive than exploratory surgery.

I think it might help to call your vet and ask
1. Could the lymph nodes swelling be a symptom of IBD
2. What are you looking for in the surgery, and how would that change the treatment or prognosis?

Number 2 is important - I think vets often really want to know exactly what they are treating because it helps with their job. But if it would have limited affect in how Daisy feels or is being treated, then the information isn't helpful. I think the vets also want to provide all the care they can, and give you every tool they have. Not choosing to use one of these tools does not make you a bad pet guardian. It's just a choice, and sometimes none of the options are great.

Sending good vibes for Daisy and her family. :vibes::redheartpump:
 
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chicy724

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cat1967 cat1967
Thank you so much for your reply.
I may have not communicated properly; the PARR test that was already performed, which was basically cytology of some sort, on the aspiration of her lymph node, is what they told me at the office was 90% accurate, and on the phone today said 60% accurate.

The aspiration wasn't technically surgery. The next step they are suggesting is surgery which is what they think they can get an accurate diagnosis from, and is what I am not sure I want to do because it just seems like a lot to do to her if the treatments are very similar.

Maybe I misunderstood them at the office, but I am pretty sure I heard her say 90%.
 

Erinlinkcappy

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I’m with Karenkat - sometimes it’s better to treat them and see what works. Not just because of the money but because it will be such a relief for you and her to start treatment and see some improvement.

I went through 5 days of tests with my cat recently on a drip and miserable the whole time. They wouldn’t start treatment without a diagnosis but Eventually they had a guess at the cause because test results were taking so long. He immediately improved and it felt amazing.

It’s nice to know what it is but it’s nicer to have a healthy cat.
 
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chicy724

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Hello All.
We decided to do the biopsy.
The results came in today, and Miss Daisy has small cell intestinal lymphoma.
She will be on Chlorombucil once we get it in, and I just started her on Prednisolone this evening.

I am grateful that we now know what exactly we're up against, and just hope she starts feeling better real soon, and I can get plenty of more snuggles and kisses from my baby kitty. :bawling:
 

KarenKat

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Sounded like you made the right choice. Best wishes that Daisy starts feeling better soon.
 

jen

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I am curious how your cat is too. I am going through similar with my cat, I didn't do the biopsy just opted to treat the symptoms as she is 16 years old and lived a long happy life. They gave her a few months and here we are over a year later.

I am getting really close to having to put her down, every other day I decide tomorrow I will call the vet, and then I don't. So hard. Do you keep pumping meds in to them? Do you struggle through the bad days because the next day might be a good day? Is it every really a good day since they hide their pain so well?? So hard to know what to do.

I hope your kitty is ok though! Sorry to hijack the thread.
 

cat1967

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I am so glad you found out what caused all this. This is a relief to at least know what you are up against. So how is our sweet Daisy doing now?
Please update us. Lots of kisses to you both.
 
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chicy724

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Hi there.
Sorry I haven't updated in a while. It's been a long road of sleepless nights.
It's still early in her treatment to really know her progress, I think.

She's currently on 2.25 mg Chlorombucil, twice per week.
5mg Prednisolone once per day.
8mg Cerenia once per day.
1/4 tab Famotadine once per day with prednisolone.
2mg Ondansatron every 8 hours.

She's not eating on her own. I'm still tube feeding her.
We need to do follow ups to make sure things are ok. I hope we can figure out the eating soon.

I really want to test her B12 but it seems my vet is reluctant?

Thank you all for checking in. I hope all.of your kitties are doing well!
Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be happy to answer!
 
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chicy724

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jen jen I'm so sorry to hear about your situation.
I hope you're both doing ok.

I think you just have to decide quality of life.
If your kitty has small cell lymphoma, it can be treated orally so I would discuss that with your vet very soon.
If it's large cell lymphoma, that is a much more aggressive disease that can be treated usually, but the prognosis is more bleak.

Are you still treating as lymphoma?

Much love and best wishes to you!!
 
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chicy724

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Unfortunately, my beautiful, sweet baby, Daisy, passed away on August 18th, 2018.
She was seeming quite ill after a couple of weeks into her treatment.
I was bringing her to a new vet for a second opinion and she started gasping for air. They couldn't save her.
Shortly before this I was feeding her and spending time with her. I held her little head in my hands, looked into her eyes and said "It's ok" and gave her kisses, pets and love. That is a moment I will never forget.

I am still having a tough time, but I hope soon I can think back on my time with her with smiles and not tears.

She passed away one day after her 13th birthday. I know she had an amazing, happy life filled with love from my husband and I. She was such a huge part of my life. I miss her terribly, and I miss snuggling her. She was the best snuggler ever.

I truly do not know the cause but it would seem that her lymphoma was more progressed than know and ultimately she succumbed to the disease. I know she is no longer in any discomfort and she is now my sweet Angel up above.

<3 Sweet Girl <3
 

cat1967

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Unfortunately, my beautiful, sweet baby, Daisy, passed away on August 18th, 2018.
She was seeming quite ill after a couple of weeks into her treatment.
I was bringing her to a new vet for a second opinion and she started gasping for air. They couldn't save her.
Shortly before this I was feeding her and spending time with her. I held her little head in my hands, looked into her eyes and said "It's ok" and gave her kisses, pets and love. That is a moment I will never forget.

I am still having a tough time, but I hope soon I can think back on my time with her with smiles and not tears.

She passed away one day after her 13th birthday. I know she had an amazing, happy life filled with love from my husband and I. She was such a huge part of my life. I miss her terribly, and I miss snuggling her. She was the best snuggler ever.

I truly do not know the cause but it would seem that her lymphoma was more progressed than know and ultimately she succumbed to the disease. I know she is no longer in any discomfort and she is now my sweet Angel up above.

<3 Sweet Girl <3
Sweetheart I am so sorry for your loss. Remember I went through that with my Benji in June so I know exactly how you feel. Now my 11-year old yorkie is sick. Cannot walk properly so I fear I am going for another loss. Vets can do nothing again. Unfortunately no matter how much we try to provide everything and protect them there are other factors that cannot be eliminated. You did whatever possible as I did and as I am again doing. They had a good life near us. They were happy and loved. I hope you think of saving a kitty soon. Noone can takeDaisy’s place of course but it will ease your pain a bit and give you warmth and love again. I have another six cats thankfully. So lots if hugs and kisses from me and know this, Daisy felt every bit of love and care you offered and God loves you for being such a tender soul.
 

jen

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jen jen I'm so sorry to hear about your situation.
I hope you're both doing ok.

I think you just have to decide quality of life.
If your kitty has small cell lymphoma, it can be treated orally so I would discuss that with your vet very soon.
If it's large cell lymphoma, that is a much more aggressive disease that can be treated usually, but the prognosis is more bleak.

Are you still treating as lymphoma?

Much love and best wishes to you!!
I am so sorry to hear about your baby :(
I ended up putting mine down on July 30th.
 
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chicy724

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jen jen , I am so, so sorry to hear. :( I know time will ease our pain but our lives will never be the same.

cat1967 cat1967 I am sorry to hear your other baby is now sick. Have you sought another opinion? An Internist perhaps?

Perhaps check out CBD oil also. Many have reported it a miracle for things such as not being able to walk.
I got some for Daisy (more for nausea and any pain she may have had that I didn't know about) but never got a chance to use it on her. I got the purest NuLeaf. It's not cheap but is supposed to be really good.
I'm now just starting to use it on my other three kitties.
I hope you do not experience another loss anytime soon. It's just so hard, and you just expereexper one so great not too long aho. :(

I have a 10 year old girl named Lilly, a 6 year old boy named Milo, and a 1(ish) year old boy named Fluffmaster Flex (or Fluffykins, Fluffernutter.. lol) who we rescued from outside our office as a semi-feral who didn't want humans near him.
Now my hubby and I can snuggle and kiss him all over and he loves it! I like to think that somehow Daisy brought Fluffmaster into our lives, even though she was still alive and didn't like him... I think somehow she had something to do with it!!

Hubby made a little "shrine" of sorts on our sofa table and we just got her ashes back. In a few months we should have her paw print.. I guess the company is in Canada and takes a long time.

Thank you everyone... I appreciate all of your sweetness.
 
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chicy724

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I somehow put the wrong date she passed.
I know it won't change anything but I feel compelled to correct my misstatement.

August 17th, 2018 is the day I lost my Sweet Girl.
8/16/05-8/17/18
 
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