Toxoplasmosis And Seizures

[MonkeyGingy2]

My 5 month old boy kitten was diagnosed with Toxoplasmosis. Three days after his neuter, chipping and rabies shot he got a "fever of unknown origin" , became lethargic, refusing food/ water. Took him in and was given sub fluids and a Convenia shot. No changes, went back and fever was up to 104. Was admitted for intervenous fluids and blood work. Sent blood work out for FIP, came back with the diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis. Have given ClinDrops for one week, not much improvement but some. Still lethargic, having a little trouble walking, enter with eating but he now seemed to have some kind of mini seizure. Not long, spazzy movements and then lays down exhausted. Anyone have any experience with Toxoplasmosis and seizures. Would love to hear what people know. His Vet is a great guy but doesn't have time for my constant worry and I gain a lot from hearing other people's experience with this type thing. Thanks.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Meant " better with eating". He is sleeping a lot today after having two episodes, one morning, one late afternoon. His Dr. called and said to just document episodes, keep track of temperature and perhaps medicine would be warranted at some point. Wants him and his sister on the ClinDrops for 4 more weeks. We are going to love him through this but would like personal experience stories or information.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Honestly, I don't recall ever reading here on TCS about any cats with this. I did find these two articles though, which you might find helpful:

Toxoplasmosis In Your Cat And You

Toxoplasmosis in Cats | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Hoping your little guy starts feeling better soon

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Thank you! I haven't been able to find much on it either. May have seen one post on here that sounded similar but it was a couple years ago and they have not responded about their prognosis. Most articles seem to be concerned with people getting it which is not my concern. If your pregnant, yes maybe be concerned about transmission but that ship sailed with me and I am only concerned with my kitten. I still hope that it is a misdiagnosis as these things are only diagnosed from symptoms and some blood work. It has a hold on him that we don't seem to be able to break. His Vet is even at a loss. I can't help but relate some of this to the rabie shot or Convenia shot he was given before they diagnosed Toxo. They had thought maybe an infection from neuter since it came out of nowhere three days later. We are all at a loss about this. Vet says to continue with Clindamycin therapy but the onset of seems mild seizures makes me think it's not working. I am on the search for a specialist but that requires long carrier travel and more stress for him but I may need to just make him do it. We are devastated. My little powerhouse and force of nature has been reduced to a depleted rag in less than a week. Wish I had not had him neutered, chipped and the rabie shot. Thanks for your reply.

 

[kat hamlin]

Our Bebop had what we suspect was Toxo at about 8 weeks. She had terrible nystagmus (pupils darting back and forth), seemed dizzy and disoriented, and I suspected seizure activity. Not much of a temp as I recall, the first dr. didn't even suspect toxo. We treated for deep ear infections first with no improvement. Then second dr suggested switching antibiotics in case it was toxo. We did 14 days Clindamycin--which kills off the toxo bug but does not necessarily reduce the swelling in the brain that causes the neuro symptoms. After finishing the Clindamycin we did I think about 5 days of prednisolone then tapered off. It was only then that we really saw improvement in her. Up until that point we were strongly considering euthanasia because she was so wobbly and disoriented that it seemed impossible she'd ever have a decent quality of life. She'd get anxious and circle and circle and cry out unless she was held and sung to.
My take is that depending on where the toxo is in the brain, you're going to see a different collage of neurological symptoms. I would recommend trying a prednisolone run after the clindamycin is done to see if you can't reduce the swelling where those cysts were. At 6 or 7 months now Bebop is a different cat. She is a bit weird and still has anxious episodes but nothing near what we were dealing with as a young kitten. She is happy most of the time and plays and gets around well.
It was really tough to see her go through this but I'm glad we stuck with her. However, YMMV and our experience is not necessarily the same one you have.
It does, I have to say, seem unrelated to neuter. Chip, unless vastly misplaced, is not the cause either. Rabies shot reaction is possible but usually you would see an anaphylactic reaction prior to a neuro reaction. Check with vet who neutered and gave rabies shot that there was no sign of facial swelling after rabies vacc, as it does rarely cause an allergic reaction, which is usually mild.
HOWEVER if this is toxo, and if Bebop was toxo, our experiences were similar. She showed little apparent improvement on the abx and had potential seizure activity. But think if you had cysts in your brain and they were dying, you might have seizures too!

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Bebop ( cute name). I totally ageee with everything you have said. Since I have not had much feedback from Dr. or anyone as they tell me that it isn't seen much with the symptoms Munk has shown. Does in some ways seem very simililar as to what you have gone through. He also falls right into the list of symptoms seen on most Toxo websites. In some ways I should be relieved as they originally thought FIP but changed it as bloodwork was coming in. I will see about the prednisolone that you mentioned. The Vet does have him on the ClinDrops for four weeks and also his sister though she has no symptoms and has not been tested. I really did not think that the snip (neuter) , chip and rabies was the cause of his issues though the Vet thought the fever may have been an infection from neuter at first. I would have waited and done them separately as he got older so it would not have been such a hit to his immune system. He has a litter mate that they were inseparable and she was showing signs of heat. Vet said to do them together as sometimes they don't get along after one comes home smelling like the office. Ended up doing that anyway as he has had to make numerous office visits without her for diagnosis and fluids. He was also inpatient for three days as he had stopped eating and drinking. We were force feeding him at first. I must sound spazy but it has been a long time since we have had toddlers and my cats were all very healthy and lived between 17 and 19 years. These babies were dumped at a house we used to live at and still own. We have the culprit on security camera and know who she is. We are still trying to decide what to do about that. There was also another sister who did not make it. They were less than three weeks old and mom disappeared. It was not the kittens fault so we took them in.Bottle feed them and held them to my heart. Thought we would adopt them out but I could not when the time came. Again, thank you for sharing and I am glad to hear Bebop is now thriving. We will love Monkey through all of this no matter what. If you think of any other things from your experience please let me know.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Monk is on the right. This was two days before this all happened when he seemed healthy. He is about half the little guy he was. Extremely lethargic, does not play, doesn't want to do anything but sleep. We wake him for feedings, to massage his muscles and attention. If his Sister Gingy starts any of this We will be sick.

 

[kat hamlin]

They are adorable kids. I am so sick that you're going through this and I hope that Monkey improves soon. How many days left on the clindamycin?
Are you giving any fluids? Probiotics? (Give them opposite of the antibiotics; otherwise they cancel each other out, essentially).

 

[kat hamlin]

This is Bebop at about 4 months, I think. She is petite for her age but pretty well fully recovered. In that picture she was still having some issues focusing with her eyes. She still is a bit 'off' but eminently loveable.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

That face though......extremely lovable.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Thank you for asking. Monk is on his 11th day of Clindrops. Have seen minimal improvement. We do have him on probiotics and slippery elm. Yes, we only give those several hours before or after. Using the Bene Bac plus on the probiotics as it is easier to get it down him. Vet had recommended the FortiFlora but he isn't eating much anyway and really refuses if that is mixed in or on it. Taking him in for fluids a couple times a week and they say he is staying hydrated pretty well. When he is awake I have seen him using his water fountain so that is good. My other cats internist mentioned that she is thinking toward the rabie vaccine though she has not seen him but she said Toxo can show up positive if they had previous exposure. Had not been told that so am looking into that.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Just in case it is Toxoplasmosis we got him this and we are all taking turns punching it.

 

[kat hamlin]

Good that he is staying hydrated. Where are you located? If there is a vet school nearby, they may be interested and able to help. I thought about taking Bebop down to Purdue but it never came to that.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

We are in Ohio and about an hour from Ohio State Veterinary school. My Scottish Fold did go there for radiation iodine and we also have a 24/7 Med Vets about 40 minutes from us. Have had them do X-rays that their regular Vet could not do on another cat that passed two months ago. Glad Bebob got better and you did not have to do that. It's not about the costs, it's about his stress and comfort level. We will Perdue that if this antibiotic does not clear anything out or he completely refuses food. He is starting in on the I will only eat baby food, yogurt and maybe some AD on a spoon.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Pops, meant persue......not Perdue. Love spellcheck, it wants to help me so badly.

 

[kat hamlin]

Good deal. We are like 4 hours from Purdue and about the same from Michigan State, so it was a longer drive. But glad you are closer to OSU. I had chosen Purdue because they have someone there studying movement disorders in relation to seizures and Bebop was circling so badly. But yeah. Glad to hear that you are willing and able if necessary. Bebop never stopped eating to my recollection...but she had a hard time getting herself to the food and to the litter box because balance and perception were so poor.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Wow, that would be beyond scary. Bebob is a tough guy. Monk has not had another seizure incident that we are aware of since the first of the week and his walking seems a tad more steady though if his sister goes toward him he lays down rather than be knocked over. Neurologically he seems okay right now. Vet felt he should have been improving more so it's two more weeks of Clindamycin. He goes back and forth on diarrhea. Don't know how you did it.....I am getting exhausted but he is worth my small bit of discomfort.

 

[MonkeyGingy2]

Sorry, I keep saying he. My husband said I kept calling Monk a she. His sister Gingy is beyond sad and I worry for her too. They are just too young for all this.