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weebeasties

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I just wanted some clarification here. The vet that did the dental cleaning saw nothing wrong with his mouth but the other vet saw multiple lesions on his tounge. So are they saying that these lesions formed between Monday when he had the dental and Friday when you took him back? Did they give you a reason for the lesions? I don't want to distress you further, but I am seriously wondering about the competence of the vet who did the dental. IF the lesions were already there, that would explain the problem that caused you to go to the vet in the first place. IF that is the case, why didn't the dental vet notice the lesions? It all seems very odd.
I'm assuming both vets work at the same clinic? I know you mentioned that you were going to look for cat only vet. Make sure to get copies of all his recent medical records to take with you. Copies of the xrays or a disc as well. I'm really thinkining that a new set of eyes (not affiliated with this clinic) would be a good idea.
Also you mentioned he isn't drinking much. Did they check for dehydration? Just something to keep in mind because with ANY ailment, dehydration will just make things worse.
Please keep us posted and let us know if they gave any causes of those lesions.
Keeping your boy in my thoughts.:vibes:
 

Faikey

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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.
Okay this a shot in the dark but my cat literally went from moderately sick to not even moving and they also said it was a stroke and he couldnt even move. It hurt him to move his neck. It was like he was paralyzed.

On a hunch the vet tried a 3 day steroid shot which immediately helped him regain some use of his legs in just hours. He was eating. Amazing. After the shot wore off and yes he was on antibiotics as well, he relapsed right.away. we tried prednisone but no luck. Then we went for the longer acting steroid shot. It's been 7 months and besides some clumsiness with his legs hes totally back to normal. He went from looking like a dead cat to amazing from this. The vet who suggested it wasnt even his vet but one who desperate to help and saved my cats life
 

Faikey

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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.
Also ivs are easier and more reliable for fluids. For feeding use the f/d cat food in cans. It's extremely palatable and cats love it.
 

weebeasties

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So I was looking up FCV and oral lesions can be a complication from it. If that is what you are dealing with then have you looked into l-lysine? There is some debate going on with researchers about whether or not it is effective, but many people do swear by it. It is inexpensive, doesn't require a perscription, and it may help his immune system. Doesn't hurt to try.
 

Faikey

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So I was looking up FCV and oral lesions can be a complication from it. If that is what you are dealing with then have you looked into l-lysine? There is some debate going on with researchers about whether or not it is effective, but many people do swear by it. It is inexpensive, doesn't require a perscription, and it may help his immune system. Doesn't hurt to try.
I would not do this because lysine can cause lower arginine levels in cats and ultimately be fatal. People often times associate its success due to over 90%of vets recommending this as part of their regular ongoing treatment. However it showed no benefits compared to the control groups in multiple scientific studies.

Lysine supplementation is not effective for the prevention or treatment of feline herpesvirus 1 infection in cats: a systematic review. - PubMed - NCBI
 

weebeasties

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I would not do this because lysine can cause lower arginine levels in cats and ultimately be fatal. People often times associate its success due to over 90%of vets recommending this as part of their regular ongoing treatment. However it showed no benefits compared to the control groups in multiple scientific studies.

Lysine supplementation is not effective for the prevention or treatment of feline herpesvirus 1 infection in cats: a systematic review. - PubMed - NCBI
Faikey Faikey
That's interesting. As I said, there has been some debate about how effective it is. This is the first I have ever heard of it being harmful. I know a lot of people here on TCS use it. Maybe you could start a post to make them aware of this? It would be tragic if someone inadvertently harmed the cat they were trying to help.

jbb924 jbb924 I do apologize for "muddying the waters" at such a trying time for you. I only meant to suggest something that other members and vets have recommended that may help. Apologies. Wishing you all the best.
 

She's a witch

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So I was looking up FCV and oral lesions can be a complication from it. If that is what you are dealing with then have you looked into l-lysine? There is some debate going on with researchers about whether or not it is effective, but many people do swear by it. It is inexpensive, doesn't require a perscription, and it may help his immune system. Doesn't hurt to try.
I am managing my cat’s FCV with probiotics: I use the below at the moment and it completely eliminated the chronic symptoms that he has (eye and nose discharge). It works great on his immune system. However I wouldn’t use it before the diagnosis is confirmed by another vet and lab testing and without vet’s consent. And since the virus is visibly active now (if it is indeed FCV) he needs much stronger meds anyway.
Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Cats...
 

Faikey

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Faikey Faikey
That's interesting. As I said, there has been some debate about how effective it is. This is the first I have ever heard of it being harmful. I know a lot of people here on TCS use it. Maybe you could start a post to make them aware of this? It would be tragic if someone inadvertently harmed the cat they were trying to help.

jbb924 jbb924 I do apologize for "muddying the waters" at such a trying time for you. I only meant to suggest something that other members and vets have recommended that may help. Apologies. Wishing you all the best.
Oh sorry I wasnt trying to impose you weren't helping lol. I'm a scientist who researches medical treatments quite often as a result of years of watching people give bad advice to others. I know theres herpes medication I believe it's the same as the one humans get and yes lesions in the mouth can be hsv1.
 
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jbb924

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I just wanted some clarification here. The vet that did the dental cleaning saw nothing wrong with his mouth but the other vet saw multiple lesions on his tounge. So are they saying that these lesions formed between Monday when he had the dental and Friday when you took him back? Did they give you a reason for the lesions? I don't want to distress you further, but I am seriously wondering about the competence of the vet who did the dental. IF the lesions were already there, that would explain the problem that caused you to go to the vet in the first place. IF that is the case, why didn't the dental vet notice the lesions? It all seems very odd.
I'm assuming both vets work at the same clinic? I know you mentioned that you were going to look for cat only vet. Make sure to get copies of all his recent medical records to take with you. Copies of the xrays or a disc as well. I'm really thinkining that a new set of eyes (not affiliated with this clinic) would be a good idea.
Also you mentioned he isn't drinking much. Did they check for dehydration? Just something to keep in mind because with ANY ailment, dehydration will just make things worse.
Please keep us posted and let us know if they gave any causes of those lesions.
Keeping your boy in my thoughts.:vibes:
The vet that did the cleaning is not affiliated with the hospital I took him to. He has a small practice and didn’t have the capability to do ultrasounds, and xrays. I went to a large veterinary hospital. He saw multiple vets at the animal hospital and none of them saw the lesions. It has to be a new symptom. I also brought him to another vet separate from the animal hospital, and the one who did the cleaning. All of the vets checked his mouth and no one saw anything. He has had fluid multiple times for dehydration. He just got more fluids yesterday. I have been giving him fluids from a syringe. Some days, he drinks a little. He had water today. I am guessing the pain medicine is helping. He also had some food today. Very little and the attempt to chew made him bleed. The lesions on his tongue are pretty bad. I appreciate all your suggestions. I am so ready for a resolution.
 
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jbb924

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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?
I agree. I am going to push for more answers tomorrow. He hasn’t had a fever. I specifically asked the vet about blood work to confirm my suspicions of cancer and he said that there blood panels are not the same as they are for human beings. I am not sure exactly what the blood does show but he has 4 panels done at different offices and they have all been normal.
 
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jbb924

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Okay this a shot in the dark but my cat literally went from moderately sick to not even moving and they also said it was a stroke and he couldnt even move. It hurt him to move his neck. It was like he was paralyzed.

On a hunch the vet tried a 3 day steroid shot which immediately helped him regain some use of his legs in just hours. He was eating. Amazing. After the shot wore off and yes he was on antibiotics as well, he relapsed right.away. we tried prednisone but no luck. Then we went for the longer acting steroid shot. It's been 7 months and besides some clumsiness with his legs hes totally back to normal. He went from looking like a dead cat to amazing from this. The vet who suggested it wasnt even his vet but one who desperate to help and saved my cats life
Hi! Thank you for the suggestion. The vet tried a steroid injection last week. He said it may help with the inflammation in his mouth. Did not see much change. So happy it worked for your kitty!
 
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jbb924

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Faikey Faikey
That's interesting. As I said, there has been some debate about how effective it is. This is the first I have ever heard of it being harmful. I know a lot of people here on TCS use it. Maybe you could start a post to make them aware of this? It would be tragic if someone inadvertently harmed the cat they were trying to help.

jbb924 jbb924 I do apologize for "muddying the waters" at such a trying time for you. I only meant to suggest something that other members and vets have recommended that may help. Apologies. Wishing you all the best.
Oh please don’t apologize! You aren’t muddying anything. I really appreciate your suggestions. I am open to any and everything. Thanks for your help and well wishes.
 

WinniesMomma

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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 know what this is like, and I agree. I'm sorry you are going through this.
 
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jbb924

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Update. Took my boy to a specialist at a totally different facility. She thinks he has a neurological issue, which is why his tongue is curved to one side. She also believes that maybe he can’t feel his tongue and is biting it, causing the lesions. She said he has a bad infection. She gave me a stronger antibiotic, and wants to see us again on Thursday. So many different opinions. Every vet has said something different. I don’t know what to think. I’m hoping she is heading in the right direction. I just want my boy better.
 
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jbb924

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Another update. The new vet gave me some prescription food which he has been loving. He has been eating pretty well the past two nights. Still has a hard time and its takes him a while but he finished almost the whole can both days. He has also been drinking water. I am seeing glimpses of his old self, he was even playing a little and much more active than he has been in the past two weeks. The vet gave him a injection for the pain that she said would last 3 days. We were supposed to follow up today, but she had an emergency and had to reschedule for tomorrow. This morning before work he did not seem as lively and I noticed his tongue hanging out of his mouth a little. It's still to one side. He had a little drool today too. I don't get to spend much time with him in the morning and I always spend my work day worrying about he's doing at home. I also noticed that occasionally when he eats his food, which is only soft by the way he makes a grinding noise, that is worse than nails on a chalk board. I've looked up both symptoms and what I read really frightens me.

I am trying to keep the faith, but I know he is just not right. I've spent thousands of dollars now, and I don't have a definitive diagnosis. I don't want him to suffer and if this is something I can fix I want to do that, no matter the cost. He is family. The frustrating thing is that without a diagnosis, we are just treating the symptoms and not getting to the root of the problem. I am hoping that he has another good day today and maybe the vet can shed some more light on the situation tomorrow evening. Thanks for letting me vent and for the well wishes. I will let you know how tomorrow goes.
 

weebeasties

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Has there been any improvement on the nasal discharge? I know the frustration of not getting a definite diagnosis. I am so sorry that you all are going through this. I'm sending all the positive vibes I can that you receive good news soon.
:vibes::vibes::bouquet::vibes::vibes:
 
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jbb924

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Hi Weebeasties! There has been some improvement on the mucus. He is still sneezing frequently though, there just doesn't seem to be as much mucus production. I am grateful that he has improved a bit, but when I see glimpses of my healthy boy, my heart aches to have him back that way permanently. Thanks for the good vibes, we will take all we can get. Here's hoping for another good day.
 

WinniesMomma

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Fingers crossed that you had a good day. It is frustrating to not have definitive answers. :(
 
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