Pain Lower Back?

[catlady76paws]

Amara has been a bit off the last week. She sticks her fur out and growls when you touch her around the hips. She also growls at other cats including her 'sister' Dotty. Plus she pees in front of the litter box
Went to the vet on Monday and they gave her Metacam, (subcut). It didn't really do anything so I went back yesterday and they did an x-ray and it seemed as though her 2 vertibrea were connected like a step where one was higher, but since Amara lay in a different angle the vet wasn't sure.
It also looked like the growth plate on one of the hip bones was discoloured. When she gets a bit older we're taking another look.

They then kept her the afternoon to get some pee to test for pyelonephritis. The got some pee which was nearly water, it was that clear. No pyelonephritis but they did find a funny enzyme and perhaps a bacteria which is being cultured for 24 to 48 hours.

I was advised to give her metacam orally once a day and Amara does seem to respond but she keeps looking for warmth. I stick her in my sweater now and again to warm her up and then she goes and does her thing.
She eats, she plays, she drinks but something is wrong.

Anybody any idea what it may be?

She was spayed beginning of October with her 'sis'

You can she her in the back looking a bit scruffy


And again hair sticking out(Regina is wearing a sweater because of a wound she kept licking)

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Other than what you already know, that she has pain in her back end, and what the vet has already said, I'm at a bit of a loss. I'm sure someone will chime in very soon with some concrete ideas, but I did want you to know that you are not alone, and that you have been heard.

 

[catlady76paws]

I'm at a loss too. I gave her metacam round 1900 cet yesterday and she's walking around now growling at anyone (except me) who'll come near her. Her fur is out, she'll lash out and she just pees in front of the litterbbox. I tried putting her in but she's frantic.
I am really worried. Lots of stuff happening in our life as well and now this... I don't know how to help her....

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'm just at a loss, but I'll try to find someone who might be able to give you some suggestions. EVERYTHING Amara is doing points to kidneys/bladder, especially the unwillingness to go in her box (I'm thinking she is associating the box with pain), or inflammation in the lower back, which would do the same thing, but the vets are kinda ruling those out! At this point the best I can do is try to get word to some other members, and light a candle for her, which I will certainly do!

 

[Columbine]

It sounds to me like there could well be something wrong with her spine (going off what you said about her x-ray). If it were me, I'd want the x-ray repeating asap to rule in or out any kind of skeletal issue. I'd be asking about some more effective pain relief in the meantime - it doesn't seem fair for her to be in so much pain

For me (speaking as someone living with chronic pain), it'd be worth observing her closely and tracking her symptoms as best you can - things like is she stiffer or in more pain when getting up from sleeping/resting for a while, or is there any other trigger/situation where she seems most uncomfortable? This kind of information could help your vet in coming to a diagnosis, and certainly can't do any harm My instinct is that, if it's a skeletal/musculoskeletal issue, she'll be worse after longer periods of rest, and maybe loosen up a bit with movement. If it's an internal problem, you probably won't see that pattern, but she may be most noticeably in pain before/during/after urination. (I hope that all makes sense ).

If heat seems to help her, maybe try giving her a cat-safe heat pad to sleep on. It certainly can't hurt, and the warmth might be soothing. I'm so sorry that I don't have any better suggestions for you. I really hope you get a diagnosis for her soon, and that treatment is straightforward

 

[margd]

I think it is worth getting a second opinion on this. It's not that I'm doubting your current vet but Amara is in a lot of pain and there are quite a few odd little things showing up in the tests. Your vet may never have seen anything like this before but another vet might have, so it's worth a try. I'd look for someone who specializes in cats.

Both Mamanyt1953 and Columbine have given you excellent advice and I don't have much to add to what they said. I am curious, however, about the funny enzyme in the urine. Do you know what that enzyme was and what its presence might indicate? Unlike the x-rays where results are somewhat unclear, this is a concrete anomaly so worth following up.

Poor little Amara. You have such beautiful cats, Amara included but I can see that she's unhappy about something. Please give that sweetheart a gentle scratch behind the ears from me.

 

[catlady76paws]

Thank you all for replying. I will be calling back the vet on Monday seeing as I gave Amara 2 doses of Metacam today, one in the morning and one around their dinner. She seems to be responding to that.
She was just so mad this morning I had to see if it made a difference.

I also went out and bought some baby shirts for warmth at the second hand store but she got infuriated by me manhandling her in such a manner and had a go at me. Good thing we clipped their nails last week. I couldn't calm her down either. Apart from that she hasn't growled at any of her 'siblings' or an adult cat.
I have a heating pad but odds are another cat will steal it and crating her is going to make her miserable.

Thank you all for thinking with me. If you come up with anything, let me know

Meanwhile, here's a happier Amara(this was taken 22nd of October) if you can spot her

 

[Sarthur2]

I agree with getting a second opinion. Perhaps a round of antibiotics would help if she has infection. Prednisone might also help to resolve inflammation.

Cats tend to pee outside the box when not feeling well, and it may hurt her to step into the box. Try putting doggie pee pads down around the box. It's easy to toss and replace them.

I sure hope she feels better soon!

 

[catlady76paws]

Had a talk to the vet and there was no bacteria. So her urine is clean, her bloodwork is ok and even though nothing shows up on the x-ray she is in pain around the tailbase, lowerback and her thighs.
I have to keep her on Metacam for now and during the week see if she can do with one dose instead of 2 per day. If she gets worse we'll x-ray her again, maybe something will come up we missed the first time.

I just keep wondering, what the cause could be? Because of her rough start and being raised on powdered milk? Genetic? I hope we find something as she gets older or perhaps she'll grow over it. I hope so

 

[Columbine]

Great to hear that her urine is clear, but im sorry that that kinda puts you back to square one I think I'd be looking at either a second x-ray or a second opinion now. It's horrible for her and you that she's so uncomfortable and miserable. Mega that you can pinpoint the cause soon.

Puppy pee pads around the litterbox(es) is a great idea. I've used them like this in the past, and it works really well

 

[catlady76paws]

I know every vet in the area and the one I'm going to now is in my opinion the better. They're kind for the pets and the owners. When I went in with Jackson a few weeks back she only charged me medication and no consultation costs, just because she thinks it's wonderful what I do for the cats.

For now I'm going to see what the metacam does for Amara but if she gets grumpier I'm right back for another x-ray and/or a solution. We have used puppy pads here but the cats tear them to shreds using the pads alongside the litterboxes. Plus the kittens would run off with them..they steal our kitchen towels as well.

If anyone recognizes her symptoms in any way, let me know.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Oh, I spotted her in that photo right away! She's down below, going for the black kitty's tail! You can't miss those lovely markings, can you?

SIGH...I so hope you can find the answers you need in short order!

 

[Sarthur2]

Did you ask about prednisone as an anti-inflammatory? It might help!

 

[Columbine]

I know every vet in the area and the one I'm going to now is in my opinion the better. They're kind for the pets and the owners. When I went in with Jackson a few weeks back she only charged me medication and no consultation costs, just because she thinks it's wonderful what I do for the cats.

For now I'm going to see what the metacam does for Amara but if she gets grumpier I'm right back for another x-ray and/or a solution. We have used puppy pads here but the cats tear them to shreds using the pads alongside the litterboxes. Plus the kittens would run off with them..they steal our kitchen towels as well.

If anyone recognizes her symptoms in any way, let me know.

I never meant to suggest your vet wasn't a good one - I was simply frustrated on your behalf that you're not getting any answers. Definitely stick with your vet if you like them - they sound rather like my vets in approach

I totally forgot about them being kittens - puppy pads wouldn't last two minutes with my kittens either Maybe try getting a big, cheap baking tray with low edges, and setting that up with some litter for your girl. It might get a bit messy, but at least she'd be going in a box rather than on the floor.

 

[valentine319]

You can also buy a bin at a hardware store and cut the side. Think walk in litter box. You could leave just a one inch lip to avoid some litter tracking but it might be more comfortable. I know you couldn't fill it that full but it might be a lot more comfortable for kitty. The bins should be fairly cheap.

 

[catlady76paws]

I wasn't mad Colombine . Words on a screen and all.

I wanted to phone up for an appointment today because Amara is also experiencing pain with pressure and asked my sister for her opinion(her boyfriend is a vet but he's not my kind of vet/person) and the first thing she said: Hernia...
It sounds like it could be coupled with the vertebrae that seemed different. I'm taking Amara in for another x-ray.

If it is a hernia it would explain a lot. And your tips about lower litterboxes will come in handy. Keeping you posted and thanks again for thinking with me

 

[Columbine]

that you have an answer very soon, that the x-ray goes ok, and that the problem is easy to treat

 

[catlady76paws]

She did another x-ray and the funny bump was gone and nothing else seemed to scream hernia. She said she could send the pictures to a specialist but before she did she wanted to run a test on Amara's blood as her temperature had also gone up slightly.
And lo and behold, her white bloodcells were too high so an infection is going on, most likely because of a bacteria. I have some antibiotics now and I should notice a difference before the week is out.
Soooo

 

[Columbine]

that you have your answer. I hope that it is just an infection, and one that clears up quickly. Mega that Amara is back to her usual self very soon

 

[Sarthur2]

I suspected it was infection since nothing was showing up on x-rays. Hoping she's all better soon!