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- Aug 5, 2020
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Hi Cat peeps-
This is Cookie, our 8 year old persian calico female. Brief background: has asthma which we medicate with inhaler (ventolin and flovent). And we also suspect feline herpes since she was a rescue cat. Has respiratory flare-ups which we suspect are aggravated by her feline herpes.
About a month ago we noticed that she was scratching a patch of her neck so hard that it caused a patch of hair loss. Around the same time we noticed that she stopped eating wet food (Merrick), and would only eat her dry kibble (N&D Prime). Very unusual as she usually wolfs down any food in front of her. So we took her to get examined at the vet. Her energy levels are the same, pees and poos are normal. Still drinking water from her fountain. Everything seems normal except for her lack of appetite.
Vet Visit #1: March 2020. Doc noted that she has enlarged lymph nodes. Possibly linked to an issue we also had last year where she had a lymph node that was so enlarged it had to get i removed (it got sent to lab for testing and tested negative for cancer, thank goodness). Doc's theory: she has some sort of underlying infection that is causing this issue. Doc also noticed during same visit that she had conjunctivitis, which we treated with Tobrex 0.3% Opth Solution. Eyes cleared up. Doc also prescribed 2 weeks of prednisone.
Results: prednisone helped for about a week and her appetite was somewhat normal. But as we reduced her dosage, she stopped eating again. We were down to hand-feeding her wet food. Scheduled another vet visit.
Vet Visit #2: April 2020. Different doctor at same clinic. Different Doc said her weight is stable. Also said her bowels felt "hard". Recommended ultrasound in case there is a cancerous growth in her bowels causing problems. Prescribed maropitant citrate tablets for anti-nausea because this vet suggested that she might be nauseous which could be suppressing her appetite.
Results: Cookie hated the pills. Started drooling after we gave them to her. Appetite got worse. HOWEVER we also felt like this other vet (never worked with her at our usual clinic before) was just guessing and not confident at all. Found her very unprofessional and did not inspire any sort of confidence in us. This clinic is also getting really questionable and not following up with us and answering calls. Cookie still not eating as much. Now dislikes dry kibble and wet cat food.
Vet Visit #3: Monday this week. Decided to got to different vet clinic completely. Did the ultrasound with new vet. Results normal. This vet was much better and suggested that something could be interfering with her sense of smell, because if a cat can't smell their food they won't eat it. This is new information to us and we were just glad to have a vet who didn't beat around the bush and gave us practical advice. Doc also suggested that we give her Flovent 2x a day on a long term basis. Appetite still not great.
Today: Tried buying her stinkiest, fishiest cheap cat food. She licked the water but didn't really eat the food. Also noticed her nose is whistling.
Our going theory: She has some sort of lingering, underlying viral infection that is interfering with her sense of smell. Might be causing congestion. Because when we open her bin of kibble she runs over to give it a sniff. And she still comes to the kitchen when we crack open a fresh can of cat food, but just takes a lick then walks off. I feel like she WANTS to eat but something is turning her off of her food.
This is Cookie, our 8 year old persian calico female. Brief background: has asthma which we medicate with inhaler (ventolin and flovent). And we also suspect feline herpes since she was a rescue cat. Has respiratory flare-ups which we suspect are aggravated by her feline herpes.
About a month ago we noticed that she was scratching a patch of her neck so hard that it caused a patch of hair loss. Around the same time we noticed that she stopped eating wet food (Merrick), and would only eat her dry kibble (N&D Prime). Very unusual as she usually wolfs down any food in front of her. So we took her to get examined at the vet. Her energy levels are the same, pees and poos are normal. Still drinking water from her fountain. Everything seems normal except for her lack of appetite.
Vet Visit #1: March 2020. Doc noted that she has enlarged lymph nodes. Possibly linked to an issue we also had last year where she had a lymph node that was so enlarged it had to get i removed (it got sent to lab for testing and tested negative for cancer, thank goodness). Doc's theory: she has some sort of underlying infection that is causing this issue. Doc also noticed during same visit that she had conjunctivitis, which we treated with Tobrex 0.3% Opth Solution. Eyes cleared up. Doc also prescribed 2 weeks of prednisone.
Results: prednisone helped for about a week and her appetite was somewhat normal. But as we reduced her dosage, she stopped eating again. We were down to hand-feeding her wet food. Scheduled another vet visit.
Vet Visit #2: April 2020. Different doctor at same clinic. Different Doc said her weight is stable. Also said her bowels felt "hard". Recommended ultrasound in case there is a cancerous growth in her bowels causing problems. Prescribed maropitant citrate tablets for anti-nausea because this vet suggested that she might be nauseous which could be suppressing her appetite.
Results: Cookie hated the pills. Started drooling after we gave them to her. Appetite got worse. HOWEVER we also felt like this other vet (never worked with her at our usual clinic before) was just guessing and not confident at all. Found her very unprofessional and did not inspire any sort of confidence in us. This clinic is also getting really questionable and not following up with us and answering calls. Cookie still not eating as much. Now dislikes dry kibble and wet cat food.
Vet Visit #3: Monday this week. Decided to got to different vet clinic completely. Did the ultrasound with new vet. Results normal. This vet was much better and suggested that something could be interfering with her sense of smell, because if a cat can't smell their food they won't eat it. This is new information to us and we were just glad to have a vet who didn't beat around the bush and gave us practical advice. Doc also suggested that we give her Flovent 2x a day on a long term basis. Appetite still not great.
Today: Tried buying her stinkiest, fishiest cheap cat food. She licked the water but didn't really eat the food. Also noticed her nose is whistling.
Our going theory: She has some sort of lingering, underlying viral infection that is interfering with her sense of smell. Might be causing congestion. Because when we open her bin of kibble she runs over to give it a sniff. And she still comes to the kitchen when we crack open a fresh can of cat food, but just takes a lick then walks off. I feel like she WANTS to eat but something is turning her off of her food.
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