Please, If Possible I Need A Second Opinion...

[Saikotic]

My cat, Kai, 3 year male siamese, has been acting out of sorts lately...he used to follow me everywhere but now doesn't and seems rather lethargic. His appetite fluctuates, sometimes he eats more and other times less. So when we took him to the vet she gave him antibiotics and meloxicam and sent us home without much of a diagnostic. For a couple of days he wasn't getting better. Everything was the same. So we took him to the same vet again, and she ran a blood test saying that his white blood cell count was high. In other words there was an infection somewhere but they didn't know where. So they sent him with more meloxicam, gave him antibiotics and sent some home with us. I really feel like something is amiss and being overlooked by this vet...she doesn't understand how frightened I am to lose my best friend, especially at such a young age...it makes no sense to me, why didn't they even try to look what the infection might be? She even said that they found nothing in a urine test...(not sure how they went about getting a sample, but oh well...) anyways, please I hope someone here can lend some advice. Should I seek out a different vet? Should I risk trusting her? What should I do...? By the way, he's already vaccinated for all of his shots up to date including the one to prevent leukemia, if that helps. I really hope to hear back soon and I'm sorry for any typos. I'm on my phone and it's not easy using the keyboard. Thank you lots. :'(

 

[HPeters]

I would go back to your vet and explain why you are dissatisfied with the care provided so far. If nothing changes or they dont acknowledge your concerns I would suggest seeking another vet. Best of luck!

 

[basschick]

if the vet ran a blood test, did they only check for white blood cell count or did they check to see just what kind of infection your cat has?

if you're not sure, call them and find out. if they don't know, i, too, would suggest another vet. our vet isn't the best, but she tests thoroughly and tells us the results and what they mean.

 

[JamesCalifornia]

~ I will admit I have not had great results with veterinarians. If it were me I would bring kitty to another doc. Ask your friends/ coworkers / neighbors etc.
Good luck ...

 

[Elphaba09]

I agree with others. See what else the tests said and ask your vet if there is anything else you can do. Ask her if she has any idea what may be causing it other than a general idea. Make sure you get copies of all the tests. That way, if you switch vets, you will not have to waste time and money on the same tests.

How high is "high"? That could be several things. What color are Kai's gums? Has he vomited at all? Did she ask for a stool sample? Has he been using the litter box normally? Is he drinking? Is he pressing his head against walls or furniture?

 

[Antonio65]

My opinion is that you take Kai to another vet as soon as possible and ask the vet to have a full blood panel done and a full physical visit done.
By what you are describing I had a suspect, but don't want to express myself before you have more details.
Best wishes for you and your Kai.

 

[CatLover49]

My cat, Kai, 3 year male siamese, has been acting out of sorts lately...he used to follow me everywhere but now doesn't and seems rather lethargic. His appetite fluctuates, sometimes he eats more and other times less. So when we took him to the vet she gave him antibiotics and meloxicam and sent us home without much of a diagnostic. For a couple of days he wasn't getting better. Everything was the same. So we took him to the same vet again, and she ran a blood test saying that his white blood cell count was high. In other words there was an infection somewhere but they didn't know where. So they sent him with more meloxicam, gave him antibiotics and sent some home with us. I really feel like something is amiss and being overlooked by this vet...she doesn't understand how frightened I am to lose my best friend, especially at such a young age...it makes no sense to me, why didn't they even try to look what the infection might be? She even said that they found nothing in a urine test...(not sure how they went about getting a sample, but oh well...) anyways, please I hope someone here can lend some advice. Should I seek out a different vet? Should I risk trusting her? What should I do...? By the way, he's already vaccinated for all of his shots up to date including the one to prevent leukemia, if that helps. I really hope to hear back soon and I'm sorry for any typos. I'm on my phone and it's not easy using the keyboard. Thank you lots. :'(

If ure baby continues to seem not right to u n the vet continues to do same routine shes doing.And u dont feel comfortable.I would seek another vet

 

[neely]

First, I'd like to welcome you to TCS! However, I'm sorry your 3 yr. old Siamese cat's health issue is what brought you here. You know Kai best so trust your gut if you think he is not feeling well and if the vet is not properly diagnosing his problem(s). For your reference, we have an Article about meloxicam:
Metacam For Cats: The Pros And Cons Of Meloxicam For Pain Relief

I am not a vet and, therefore, would suggest you discuss the use of any medication for Kai with your vet. I probably would not bring him back in and stress him out more if you can talk to the vet over the phone. If Kai is still not acting right and you feel your vet is not addressing his issues then I would look into a second opinion. Do you have a feline only specialist in your area?

Best of luck, please keep us posted on Kai's progress.

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

I agree with others here, in strongly suggesting another vet for a second opinion -- even for a new blood work panel, CBC & chem panel, etc.

The thing is, any high stress the cat might feel just from being in a vet's office can affect the blood work and more. Was your kitty very scared and stressed during the visit, or during the blood draw with the vet techs, or perhaps even in the waiting room prior to the visit? That can sometimes complicate finding the right diagnosis.

Excitement and stress, even dehydration and when a cat has last eaten, can change several aspects of blood results, affecting things like the WBC count, just to name one thing-

Cat Blood Test Results Explained

excerpt: "[...] Cats often also have changes in what types of white blood cells are present due to stress-induced release of adrenalin. This process causes abnormalities in a pattern called a stress leukogram that has to be recognized by the clinician as due to stress, not disease. This physiological reaction to stress can also mask abnormalities. [...] "​

Why Is My Dog Or Cat's White Blood Cell Count Abnormal ?

excerpt: "[...] A very common problem when pets come to animal hospitals is their fear, apprehension and excitement; although some have those feeling much more than others

Being in that agitated, stressed state, releases two compounds that will increase your pet’s WBC count. Both are released by your pet’s adrenal glands. The first is epinephrine (adrenaline) that chemical increases your pet's heart and respiratory rate and dilates its pupils (the adrenaline rush). Another effect of epinephrine is an increased WBC count (leukocytosis) as white blood cells that once clung to the walls of blood vessels (the marginal pool) detach and move into circulation while additional WBCs stored in your dog or cat’s spleen are squeezed out into its blood stream. This happens fast – within minutes. In dogs, it is usually the more mature neutrophils (segs) that have increased in number. In cats it may be lymphocytes as well. Heavy exercise can have the same effect. [...] "


​

If a vet was just telling me the WBC count was high and was assuming an infection without going into (or trying to find out) more details (taking the whole panel and stuff into account), that is not very explanatory.

​

As frustrating or hard as it is, I think trying to find another vet for an independent, more informed opinion could lead you to better answers. Are there other vets near you that you can contact?

 

[Saikotic]

Oh my gosh I didn't think I'd get this many responses if any at all, thank you everyone! Okay so to give more detail on his symptoms:
- His gums look good and pinkish red I think (forgive me I'm colorblind...)
- He eats a huge amount of food after the doses of meloxicam we were given for him, but otherwise hardly touches his food.
- He sleeps ALOT
- He acts like it hurts to pick him up instead of the usual reaction of just disliking it.
- His coat is poorly groomed now
- When I try to play with him like normal he's not nearly as energetic as he once was. Instead he asked like he wants to play by watching the laser or cat toy intently, but doesn't pounce unless it's nearby.

As for the vet, no she didn't run any other tests. My mother inlaw was the one who took him the second visit since I'm still trying to recover from major back surgery I had last month. (Funny enough, I actually was prescribed meloxicam before I had surgery, and long story short it destroyed my stomach and was ironically unnecessary. Hence why I'm so touchy about this medication at all.)
Anyways, he doesn't ever go outside, he's a 24/7/365 indoor cat. You're right, it would only stress him out more to have him visit any more than he already has. I already feel bad for putting that on him...
I'll try and get a photo comparison for you guys since I'd like to know what you think. I'll be back to update with it. Thank you again so much!

 

[Saikotic]

The one where he's looking directly at the camera is before all of this. The one where he's looking away is current.

 

[Elphaba09]

The one where he's looking directly at the camera is before all of this. The one where he's looking away is current.

His behavior reminds me a great deal of when our Estella was sick last month and our Tara when her chronic pancreatitis acts up. Was this pretty sudden or was it gradual?

Call your vet and ask if she has some sort of diagnosis, how high was the white blood cell count, and what else the blood tests show. Ask if you can get Ondansetron for nausea and if administration of electrolytes may be helpful. (Hex, I would already be doing that.)

If that does not help, get a copy of the tests and call another vet. Obviously, I do not know where you live, but, if it is in Northeast Ohio, I have a couple of vet suggestions.

 

[Etarre]

I think you're absolutely right to be worried about Kai. If he's normally energetic and fastidious about grooming, it is a notable change that he's lethargic and not taking care of his grooming. I hope you can get your vet to explain the test results more fully, and if she doesn't do so to your satisfaction, that you have other options in your area. Good luck to you and Kai!

 

[verna davies]

Noone knows our cats better than us and you know Kai isnt his usual self despite the medication given by your vet. As everyone above has said, get a second opinion, get copies of the tests already carried out and speak to another vet. They will most probably want to see Kai but explain everything to them first. It is our responsibility to take the best care of our cats and our right to get a second opinion. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Kflowers]

i see no reason to give your vet a third chance to act like, you know, a medical professional. Go by her office, get his records, they have to give you a copy. If you ask them to send them to a new vet all they will send is his vaccination record. Insist that they photocopy every page of his records and give it to you. If they charge a fee it shouldn't be more than $5 for the copying paper.

Go to a new vet now, your baby is in trouble and needs help not this pretend vet business.

 

[CatLover49]

i see no reason to give your vet a third chance to act like, you know, a medical professional. Go by her office, get his records, they have to give you a copy. If you ask them to send them to a new vet all they will send is his vaccination record. Insist that they photocopy every page of his records and give it to you. If they charge a fee it shouldn't be more than $5 for the copying paper.

Go to a new vet now, your baby is in trouble and needs help not this pretend vet business.

U know u r right.I have seen vets that will keep u coming back.$$$$$$

 

[Saikotic]

i see no reason to give your vet a third chance to act like, you know, a medical professional. Go by her office, get his records, they have to give you a copy. If you ask them to send them to a new vet all they will send is his vaccination record. Insist that they photocopy every page of his records and give it to you. If they charge a fee it shouldn't be more than $5 for the copying paper.

Go to a new vet now, your baby is in trouble and needs help not this pretend vet business.

Thank you, this actually makes a great deal of sense and you're absolutely right. I can't waste any further of mine or Kai's time like this. It's much easier for them to get away with gambling with a pet's life than it is a human's, and I feel like she is doing just that. By the way, everyone, he isn't having any trouble at all with vomiting or diarrhea. That is what is making all of this so confusing...and yes this started happening within a few days and hasn't seemed to change from this, neither worse for better. By the way I'm actually in Northeast of Colorado, and I can tell you this much is that it's hard to get good help around here. I just hope I can find a vet that actually cares. I keep you guys updated.

 

[calico man]

Oh my gosh I didn't think I'd get this many responses if any at all, thank you everyone! Okay so to give more detail on his symptoms:
- His gums look good and pinkish red I think (forgive me I'm colorblind...)
- He eats a huge amount of food after the doses of meloxicam we were given for him, but otherwise hardly touches his food.
- He sleeps ALOT
- He acts like it hurts to pick him up instead of the usual reaction of just disliking it.
- His coat is poorly groomed now
- When I try to play with him like normal he's not nearly as energetic as he once was. Instead he asked like he wants to play by watching the laser or cat toy intently, but doesn't pounce unless it's nearby.

As for the vet, no she didn't run any other tests. My mother inlaw was the one who took him the second visit since I'm still trying to recover from major back surgery I had last month. (Funny enough, I actually was prescribed meloxicam before I had surgery, and long story short it destroyed my stomach and was ironically unnecessary. Hence why I'm so touchy about this medication at all.)
Anyways, he doesn't ever go outside, he's a 24/7/365 indoor cat. You're right, it would only stress him out more to have him visit any more than he already has. I already feel bad for putting that on him...
I'll try and get a photo comparison for you guys since I'd like to know what you think. I'll be back to update with it. Thank you again so much!

He's such a beautiful cat and hopefully everything will turn out positive, not only for Kai, but for you as well. Keep us posted!

 

[Saikotic]

Hey everyone I think I just figured out something....I would take a picture if I could but he is not happy about his mouth being touched. So me and my husband added a few details up that i forgot to mention (let alone think about):
1) he refuses to eat solid canned food (bits, fillets, etc.) Or only eats a tiny amount but then walks away from it and won't touch it for the rest of the day. (Possible cause in weight loss)
2) However when we give him liquefied food or close to that consistency, he will eat it vigorously and in large amounts. (This might be from going without nutrition since he refuses solid food.) When we feed him both liquefied food and solid food mixed, he only consumes the pureed part and avoids the solid bits.
3) he seems a bit swollen on the right side of his cheek and his lymph nodes are swelled too. My theory: High white blood cell count caused by abscess and/or tooth infection???
4) After checking around his gums (which I thought were healthy), there seems to be a thick, dark yellow lining along his gums on the right side, and due to recently having this same problem with my back tooth, I'm betting it's more than likely an abscess that may burst soon.
5) he keeps licking his chops excessively after eating both liquid and any small amount of solid.
6) Laugh if you will, but I tend to get his attention by meowing. Normally he'll respond and come to me from anywhere in the house, and often he will sit in the doorway of my office and talk up a storm with me. He's even vocal (and loudly) when I'm outside. However, I have not heard him meow since the symptoms started. I've tried to get him to talk, but he just won't ..he just groans in pain and irritation when we pick him up.
7) Fatigue and pain are his only symptoms. NO diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
8) after his dose of meloxicam, he seems more energetic but only by slightly. Without it, he hides away and sleeps a lot under my blanket next to me.
9) MOST IMPORTANTLY: Right before these symptoms started he was eating some of the food meant for our son's new kitten; Jazz, since the kitten only prefers DRY food. Kai would sometimes do this if we didn't get his food to him on time each morning. But after the symptoms started up he hasn't even touched it once.
--Now, I would see this as possibly overthinking it, but when he saw a vet a couple of years back, they mentioned something about gum problems that led us strictly stay with a wet food diet for him. I can't recall what it was exactly, but I think it may have played a role in any dental mishaps.

Anyways, this morning he has a vet appointment, but I'm taking up on your advices and requesting someone else while trusting my gut. If I don't, then I'll just be going in circles and my little guy will suffer worse. We are going to the same facility since it's the best in town right now until I do more research, but trust me, that's okay. I would like to confront her personally anyways if she really has a problem with us switching. I will make sure to keep everyone updated. Until then, please let me know your thoughts and I'll do my best to get a picture of his gums to post. I just really hope to get him better again and less stressed out...nothing is worse than losing something you love in my opinion, and he's such a big part of my family. Thank you all so very much, you're all so awesome.

 

[Antonio65]

You said Kai has been vaccinated for leukemia, but I'd have the test repeated.