Hello everyone, I joined this site to see if anybody has any insights or experiences they can share. I have a cat who is FIV positive. He is 10 years old and was diagnosed with FIV about one year after I got him. For 9 years, his blood work was “normal” and vet said he was fine. But since November of 2018 he’s had serious problems and even the vet does not know the cause. I’m hoping someone may have insight, or dealt with an experience similar. I completed a time line of events to shorten the read. Any experiences I would enjoy hearing so I can learn more of how to help my baby.
Midnight had been overweight most of his life. He weighed in at nearly 19 lbs. around September/October of 2018.
In December 2018/January 2019 he started throwing up several times daily. At first I assumed he had eaten something outside so I kept him inside to see if things got better. They did. He was throwing up hairballs so I gave laxatone and no concerns.
Brought him to the vet in February and blood work was normal. Vet figured it was acid reflux so gave me meds for this. he stayed inside had laxatone and meds but still vomited more days than not. Midnight was scratching his neck on doors and corners so explored allergies. Also advised to give half zyrtec, so I did so. Cat sneezed a ton, issue didn’t improve.
Went to another vet in March due to itching, dirtier than normal ears, and pooping on the bed on occasion. He also wasn’t using the litter box to poop daily, but once every few days. Seemed somewhat constipated.
He was placed on IV fluids for two days, some sort of infection they said they couldn’t identify was there but bloodwork revealed all organs were ok, no thyroid, no diabetes, and he was given anti biotics. He drank and ate normally. Took a few days for appetite to increase but it did. Changed him to more high protein food. He seemed to do well. He was about 13.5 lbs. at this appointment. Vet and I figured the mix of vomiting and eating less lately contributed to the weight loss. They couldn’t detect what it was.
He went a few weeks later for a follow up and was given antibiotics and steroids due to sneezing. This helped. But he still had litter box issues. He pees in the box but crawls up on the bed and tries to “bury” in the comforter like he is going to use the litter box. When I carry him to his box he has diarrhea. It’s like he isn’t sure he is going to make it to the box so he tries to go there. He sought out my comforter near the laundry to poop another time. But he uses his box more than not.
Vet recommended abdominal ultrasound to see about other issues. He went from over 13 lbs to just over 12 in three weeks.
He has the ultrasound scheduled for May 30. Today he jumped on the bed and tried to “bury” like in the litter box so I carried him to the box and he had diarrhea again. He’s eating well no appetite issues, seems less thirsty, but drinks water and eats regularly.
His poop smells like death, very pungent compared to in the past. But he does have “solid” normal days too.
He has a hard time cleaning himself, lost muscle mass and fat very rapidly, is more clingy and lethargic, but has stopped hiding under the bed and behind things. Now he is in the open so that is good but he still seems off. BUN level was low at blood work in March. PHOS, CA, and ALB levels were also low. Doctor couldn’t pinpoint the issue. No allergies but seems gastrointestinal. Has anybody experienced these things? Any ideas what could be happening to my baby boy? Any insights would be amazing, I’m a mental health counselor and don’t have lots of money to spend on what if’s, but hoping the abdominal ultrasound reveals something that is workable. Thank you In advance for your insights.
Midnight had been overweight most of his life. He weighed in at nearly 19 lbs. around September/October of 2018.
In December 2018/January 2019 he started throwing up several times daily. At first I assumed he had eaten something outside so I kept him inside to see if things got better. They did. He was throwing up hairballs so I gave laxatone and no concerns.
Brought him to the vet in February and blood work was normal. Vet figured it was acid reflux so gave me meds for this. he stayed inside had laxatone and meds but still vomited more days than not. Midnight was scratching his neck on doors and corners so explored allergies. Also advised to give half zyrtec, so I did so. Cat sneezed a ton, issue didn’t improve.
Went to another vet in March due to itching, dirtier than normal ears, and pooping on the bed on occasion. He also wasn’t using the litter box to poop daily, but once every few days. Seemed somewhat constipated.
He was placed on IV fluids for two days, some sort of infection they said they couldn’t identify was there but bloodwork revealed all organs were ok, no thyroid, no diabetes, and he was given anti biotics. He drank and ate normally. Took a few days for appetite to increase but it did. Changed him to more high protein food. He seemed to do well. He was about 13.5 lbs. at this appointment. Vet and I figured the mix of vomiting and eating less lately contributed to the weight loss. They couldn’t detect what it was.
He went a few weeks later for a follow up and was given antibiotics and steroids due to sneezing. This helped. But he still had litter box issues. He pees in the box but crawls up on the bed and tries to “bury” in the comforter like he is going to use the litter box. When I carry him to his box he has diarrhea. It’s like he isn’t sure he is going to make it to the box so he tries to go there. He sought out my comforter near the laundry to poop another time. But he uses his box more than not.
Vet recommended abdominal ultrasound to see about other issues. He went from over 13 lbs to just over 12 in three weeks.
He has the ultrasound scheduled for May 30. Today he jumped on the bed and tried to “bury” like in the litter box so I carried him to the box and he had diarrhea again. He’s eating well no appetite issues, seems less thirsty, but drinks water and eats regularly.
His poop smells like death, very pungent compared to in the past. But he does have “solid” normal days too.
He has a hard time cleaning himself, lost muscle mass and fat very rapidly, is more clingy and lethargic, but has stopped hiding under the bed and behind things. Now he is in the open so that is good but he still seems off. BUN level was low at blood work in March. PHOS, CA, and ALB levels were also low. Doctor couldn’t pinpoint the issue. No allergies but seems gastrointestinal. Has anybody experienced these things? Any ideas what could be happening to my baby boy? Any insights would be amazing, I’m a mental health counselor and don’t have lots of money to spend on what if’s, but hoping the abdominal ultrasound reveals something that is workable. Thank you In advance for your insights.
