Please Help

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
I have a beautiful 11 year old Himalayan. A few weeks ago he started having a hard time chewing. Our beloved vet retired so we brought him to a new one. The new vet said it could be dental issues. We scheduled a cleaning and x rays right away. Last Monday he had the cleaning and as soon as he returned home he was a different cat. He had no interest in eating or drinking. The vet said it was probably because of anesthesia. I brought him in the next day because I was afraid he was going to get dehydrated. They gave him fluids and an anti nausea shot and said he should be feeling better in no time. A day and a half passed and he was still not eating or drinking. I brought him to an emergency animal hospital. They gave him pain meds, an appetite stimulant and anti nausea meds and sent us home. Another day and half passed with him just laying around no interest in food or drinks and I brought him back to the animal hospital. This time I noticed a new symptom. His tongue is curved to the left side of his mouth. We met with a neurologist who said it could be cancer or stroke and said we should consider a MRI but that it would be another procedure that he would have to go under for.

That night we were weighing our options and he decided to drink some water. Since, the appetite stimulant has started to work and he is eating. But only soft foods, as he cant really chew. I followed up with our new vet this week with a visit and he said he doesn't think its cancer or stroke as he would have other symptoms. I don't know where to go from here. I have had blood work 3 times, all been normal. We did xrays and ultrasound. All normal. The vet who preformed the cleaning said everything in his mouth was fine. No extractions. Just some inflammation. The MRI is very expensive and its another procedure he would have to endure. One vet says yes, and the other says no. I am so torn. Anyone have any experience with a curved tongue? I've also noticed he's been sneezing quite a bit the past two days. Not sure if it is related. I know this is very long and if you made it this far thank you! I just want to help my baby. Any advice would be so appreciated.
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,677
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Hi and welcome!

The first thing I thought of when you said that your cat had a hard time chewing and has his tongue curved was that he has a cancer, only because these symptoms remind me of what my cat had, this doesn't mean your cat has the same thing. Anyway one of the vets had the same idea.
Are you able to look into your cat's mouth? I mean, will your cat let you inspect his mouth?
If so, look for anything that doesn't look right around his teeth, the gums (inside and outside, the roof of his mouth as far as you can look, and under the tongue.
This latter would be the first place where I would look.
I know that the vets have already checked your cat's mouth, but in my experience vets often overlook things.

Did you notice if your cat is drooling? Or if his breath has a different smell?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Hi Antonio! Thank you for taking the time to read this and reply. I cannot really get a good look inside his mouth. He has very minimal drooling. I also cant tell if it's so much as drool, or food since he has a hard time eating, he makes a big mess. His breath seems the same. The vet who said he thought it was cancer said he thought brain cancer. It's so hard because they are telling me conflicting things. I'm sorry that your poor cat was suffering from cancer. If you don't mind, what kind of cancer was it? Any other symptoms you think I should watch out for?
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,677
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Hi Antonio! Thank you for taking the time to read this and reply. I cannot really get a good look inside his mouth. He has very minimal drooling. I also cant tell if it's so much as drool, or food since he has a hard time eating, he makes a big mess. His breath seems the same. The vet who said he thought it was cancer said he thought brain cancer. It's so hard because they are telling me conflicting things. I'm sorry that your poor cat was suffering from cancer. If you don't mind, what kind of cancer was it? Any other symptoms you think I should watch out for?
Sorry for giving you terrible details...
My cat had an Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, located right under her tongue.
At first I noticed she had trouble eating the dry food, some kibble was lost while eating. Then I noticed she was having a slight problem eating the wet food too.
She was coming from a heavy surgery for a different cancer (far from her mouth) and I thought she was just weak/lazy.

She was seen by a specialist who checked her mouth thoroughly and said the cat had a gingivitis, and with a tooth gel and a brush we could fix the issue quickly. And so I did.

Then, a few days later, I noticed she had lost a tiny drop of blood from her mouth, I thought she had lost a tooth, but when I checked her mouth I saw that lump under the tongue!
And my world collapsed on me!

The mass under her tongue was visible with a CT scan, my cat had had a CT scan a month earlier, before the heavy surgery, but the vets didn't see the mass, they just overlooked it. And so did the specialist a few days earlier!
This is my terrible experience!

I do hope your cat has nothing of the kind! I'm praying for him!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Oh Antonio I am so sorry! I know what you mean by your world crashing down. I have been so sick and upset about my boy. It really does break your heart. I was reading about Oral Squamous Cell last night and thought the symptoms sounded like my baby. But then I thought how could all these vets he has seen miss that?Then I hear your story and it seems likely. I will try and take a look again. I just need answers. It's so frustrating because I want to help him and I don't know what else to do. Thanks again for your insight and your prayers. I'm sorry you had to endure that.
 

weebeasties

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 14, 2016
Messages
1,286
Purraise
4,022
Location
Florida
I too had a cat with squamous cell carcinoma of the tounge. Multiple vets didn't see it. It was only after I thoughly examined his mouth that I could see one side of his tounge appeared swollen. I took him to a new vet and he confirmed my fears.
I hope with all my heart that this is not the case for your baby. I just wanted to echo Antonio65 Antonio65 that vets do miss things sometimes. Having a knowledgeable vet who LISTENS to you is invaluable.
I will be thinking about your kitty and hoping for a speedy recovery.
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,677
Location
Orbassano - Italy
jbb924 jbb924 I was told that had the cancer been discovered earlier, we could have had very good chances to save the cat.
But we were late... I realized of the first signs of troubled eating at the end of August 2016, a few days before the follow-up visit post surgery.
The specialist checked my cat's mouth without seeing anything, just a ginivitis.
A month earlier the cat had a CT scan.

My Lola was treated for an oral infection with a combination of antibiotics. When it was clear that the antibiotics weren't working, it was the end of September, the sure diagnosis was done in the very first days of October 2016.

When I asked the CT scan tech if he could review the images taken in July to see if anything was already there, he said "Yes, now that I look at it better I can see a small mass".
He said that had he seen it in July, on the day of the scan, the mass could have been removed, and probably my Lola would be still with me.
By the time the vets did the diagnosis, the mass was so big that nothing else could be done, apart from palliative therapies, which gave my cat 5 more months with me.

I will never get tired to advice people on having their cats thoroughly checked when the symptoms sound like something I know.
I wasn't able to save my Lola due to the incompetence of many vets, I don't want anybody else to go through what I have gone through!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Did either of your cats have teeth chattering? I also noticed him sneezing a lot and mucus dripping from his nose. Was that an issue for either of you? Going back to vet tomorrow. This is miserable.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Thanks for your response and well wishes weebeasties. I’m so sorry about your cat.
 

weebeasties

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 14, 2016
Messages
1,286
Purraise
4,022
Location
Florida
To my recollection, there was no teeth chattering. No mucus from the nose either. In the latter days there was a lot of drool and a foul odor from his mouth.
I don't think you mentioned anything about antibiotics being given. Im just wondering if there are two separate issues going on. The sneezing and sinus drainage might be a cold/infection of some sort?
I was also curious if they examined under his tounge when you mentioned that his tounge was curving? I was wondering if he could have an ulcer there? Our Zuzu developed an autoimmune disorder and had ulcers on the roof of her mouth until she was put on medication for it.
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,677
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Did either of your cats have teeth chattering? I also noticed him sneezing a lot and mucus dripping from his nose. Was that an issue for either of you? Going back to vet tomorrow. This is miserable.
The sneezing and lot of mucus was when the same cat had a carcinoma up in her nose.
Yes, this cat had three cancers over a period of 5 years, one up in her nose, treated and defeated. One in her abdomen, surgically removed. One under her tongue, treated but it killed her anyway.

I hope the vet will tell you good things!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Hi guys! After your helpful posts yesterday I went home and got a look inside in his mouth and saw a lesion. I was convinced it was cancer. Brought him to vet today and he saw quite a few on his tongue. He said it does not look like cancer. He also said the sneezing and running nose was consistent with a virus of some sort. He gave him an antibiotic and said to come back in a week. Not sure what to think. On one hand, I hope he is right. Nothing would make me happier than if this was an easy fix. I love that boy so much. But, he has been sick for almost a month. I feel so bad for him. He has no appetite and lost weight. I have been worrying about him non stop. I appreciate you keeping him in your thoughts and checking in. I'm off to go buy more wet food, in hopes of enticing into eating something. I will keep you posted this week.
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,677
Location
Orbassano - Italy
This is good news!!!

He might have lost his appetite because of the lesion in his mouth, it must be painful!

If it's a virus, shouldn't the vet give your cat an anti-viral too?
 

She's a witch

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2018
Messages
1,780
Purraise
2,371
Location
Europe/WA, USA
Hi guys! After your helpful posts yesterday I went home and got a look inside in his mouth and saw a lesion. I was convinced it was cancer. Brought him to vet today and he saw quite a few on his tongue. He said it does not look like cancer. He also said the sneezing and running nose was consistent with a virus of some sort. He gave him an antibiotic and said to come back in a week. Not sure what to think. On one hand, I hope he is right. Nothing would make me happier than if this was an easy fix. I love that boy so much. But, he has been sick for almost a month. I feel so bad for him. He has no appetite and lost weight. I have been worrying about him non stop. I appreciate you keeping him in your thoughts and checking in. I'm off to go buy more wet food, in hopes of enticing into eating something. I will keep you posted this week.
Did he mean calicivirus (FCV)? Was your cat vaccinated for it?
I am not an expert, but I would think the cancer possibility would be indicated in the blood work.
Do you by any chance have an access to cat only vet?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Did he mean calicivirus (FCV)? Was your cat vaccinated for it?
I am not an expert, but I would think the cancer possibility would be indicated in the blood work.
Do you by any chance have an access to cat only vet?
Hi! He was vaccinated but vet says it’s not 100 percent effective. I’ve had 4 panels of blood work. The vet told me that their is no blood test to confirm cancer in cats. He said it’s not the same as it is for human beings. I mentioned calicivirus because his symptoms match up. I have never thought to look into a cat only Vet. I will do so now. It’s so frustrating because he has seen so many vets, and specialists. It seems like it’s just a guessing game.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Hi! He was vaccinated but vet says it’s not 100 percent effective. I’ve had 4 panels of blood work. The vet told me that there is no blood test to confirm cancer in cats. He said it’s not the same as it is for human beings. I mentioned calicivirus because his symptoms match up. I have never thought to look into a cat only Vet. I will do so now. It’s so frustrating because he has seen so many vets, and specialists. It seems like it’s just a guessing game.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
This is good news!!!

He might have lost his appetite because of the lesion in his mouth, it must be painful!

If it's a virus, shouldn't the vet give your cat an anti-viral too?
He did not mention an antiviral. He said to give him an antibiotic because something the lesions cause secondary bacterial infections. I will ask him about anti viral drugs. Thanks!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

jbb924

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 14, 2019
Messages
18
Purraise
5
Update. Last night was so scary. Right before I went to bed I saw my cats face and paws covered in blood. In total panic called the vets emergency number and rushed him over to animal hospital. They think the lesions popped. All they did was give him so pain medicine. He seems to be acting normally, but still not interest in food. Minimal water. I’ve been giving him nutri cal as well as syringe feeding. This has been such an ordeal. I just wish I knew for sure what we were dealing with. I’ve taken care of a sick parent and this is right up there in terms of stress. In some ways it’s harder because he can’t tell me what’s wrong. I’m hoping and praying hard that this is just a virus and will pass but it’s been hard to keep the faith. Thanks for listening. If you can think of any suggestions you think may be helpful please send them my way. I will try just about anything to make him feel better.
 

She's a witch

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2018
Messages
1,780
Purraise
2,371
Location
Europe/WA, USA
There is a lab PCR test to confirm if this is a calicivirus you’re dealing with. I think confirming diagnosis is crucial otherwise you’re loosing time if it’s something different. I mentioned cat only vet as it was super helpful in finding out what was wrong with my cat when I was struggling and visiting many vets. So I think if there is one in your area, I would totally give it a try.
I would think that with cancer the white cells would be elevated but as I said, I’m not the expert unfortunately.
Does your cat have a fever?
 
Top