Ulcer/abscess?

[Corip8]

My poor cat has been super stressed the last couple weeks due to construction. Her eating has suffered because of it. Got miritaz started a couple days ago and noticed her really struggling with dry food but eating the wet.

I got curious and checked her mouth and saw this sore above her tooth. Could this be the culprit? Vet is closed until Tuesday so not sure what to do. Is there anything I can grab for now to help her? Tried to get the best pic I could but she was not happy

 

[di and bob]

That looks like a human 'canker sore' which can be caused by stress. I'd send that picture or take it in to the vet and see what they say.....

 

[silent meowlook]

How long has that broken canine been there? I would get her in to her regular vet, and feed canned food.

 

[IndyJones]

A broken tooth is extremly painful. Please get her to a vet to have it pulled. The pulp is probably extremly sore being exposed.

 

[Corip8]

How long has that broken canine been there? I would get her in to her regular vet, and feed canned food.

it was broken when I adopted her so for at least 9 years. She’s 10 now. Up until this point it wasn’t an issue.

 

[fionasmom]

If the Mirataz is helping, use it as directed and keep her on wet food until you can see the vet. Her mouth needs to be checked carefully, not just a quick glance. If, over time, the pulp of the tooth has become exposed, it may be painful in a way that it was not years ago.

 

[FeralHearts]

Corip8 Welcomed to the cat site :-)

I'm going to say, along with the others, that the tooth should be addressed. It could very well be the reason she's not eating.

Long story short: My one vet looked at my Ferals tooth when she was first brought inside and it was broken. Her words were "Don't worry it's not hit the pulp we will wait and watch." Flash to three years later her vet moved and we got a new Doctor from the practice. During her annual her new Doc saw BH had Tooth resorption so we had to deal with that, but at the same time she said "I know Dr C said the broke tooth hadn't hit the pulp but I'm telling you she was wrong."

So I drove BH to a dentist who is considered one of the best.

This is his response when he saw two animals back to back, BH included, who's Vets had told them about "not hitting the pulp" and a "wait and see approach". Take a moment to watch this video from a very well respect animal dentist.

In fact BH is famous now as at around 8:05, that is her tooth he is showing.



He managed a root canal for her and saved her tooth and of course save her bottom caine too as often they have to take the health tooth either on the top or bottom, depending on which tooth is damaged, to avoid lip entrapment after a K9 is removed.

After she healed up - wow - what a change in her demeaner. (for the better.) I can only image what her pain must have been like all the years outside with that damaged tooth, and several years inside.

Something to really think about.

XOXOX

 

[Corip8]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice.
It’s been such a stressful time for both her and me!
I will call the vet Tuesday and hopefully get her in for a mouth exam and find some relief soon. For now she’s relaxing in the sun

 

[fionasmom]

What a pretty little girl! Let us know what happens.

 

[Corip8]

Corip8 Welcomed to the cat site :-)

I'm going to say, along with the others, that the tooth should be addressed. It could very well be the reason she's not eating.

Long story short: My one vet looked at my Ferals tooth when she was first brought inside and it was broken. Her words were "Don't worry it's not hit the pulp we will wait and watch." Flash to three years later her vet moved and we got a new Doctor from the practice. During her annual her new Doc saw BH had Tooth resorption so we had to deal with that, but at the same time she said "I know Dr C said the broke tooth hadn't hit the pulp but I'm telling you she was wrong."

So I drove BH to a dentist who is considered one of the best.

This is his response when he saw two animals back to back, BH included, who's Vets had told them about "not hitting the pulp" and a "wait and see approach". Take a moment to watch this video from a very well respect animal dentist.

In fact BH is famous now as at around 8:05, that is her tooth he is showing.



He managed a root canal for her and saved her tooth and of course save her bottom caine too as often they have to take the health tooth either on the top or bottom, depending on which tooth is damaged, to avoid lip entrapment after a K9 is removed.

After she healed up - wow - what a change in her demeaner. (for the better.) I can only image what her pain must have been like all the years outside with that damaged tooth, and several years inside.

Something to really think about.

XOXOX

Thank you. I was told years ago it wasn’t an issue but could be in the future. Seems like that was true. I feel bad I never thought to have it looked into more. At least this may answer why she has been weird with her food lately and it’s not all stress.

 

[FeralHearts]

Yes, please let us know how she is doing - and you! Seeing a loved one not well is very hard on both them and you.

Hang in there. You are not alone.

Thank you. I was told years ago it wasn’t an issue but could be in the future. Seems like that was true. I feel bad I never thought to have it looked into more. At least this may answer why she has been weird with her food lately and it’s not all stress.

You're welcome.

Please don't feel bad, my original Doc did the exact same thing and I thought "she's the Doc, she knows" - sadly that is not always the case.

You did exactly what you were told was right and you didn't know. That's not on you. That's on her Doctor.

Stress could be a factor as well and stress often "tips" things over a balance. Just like with people.

You are doing the right thing talking to her Vet so feel good about it! Don't be scared to ask questions either. They aren't Gods. ;-)

Ps - She looks soooo happy in the sun. What a beautiful girl!

 

[Corip8]

Not the update I was hoping to make but she had 3 seizures in 24 hours. I rushed her to the vet and they said more than likely a brain tumor which would also explain her anxious behavior and lack of eating over the last month. I guess it wasn’t just stress for other reasons. Can’t officially confirm without a $2000 MRI which I can’t afford. Even if I could and it was treated she would still have a poor prognosis.
I was not expecting this and I am heartbroken. May start her on anti seizure meds for a while but I don’t know how long I can let her suffer. She’s not the same. It all makes sense now.
She’s resting and getting all the love. We put up the Christmas tree so she could sit under it again. She always loved doing that.

 

[AbbysMom]

What a gorgeous girl. I hope you still have plenty of quality time together.

 

[di and bob]

I'm so sorry......we are here if you need us, we all understand........

 

[FeralHearts]

Corip8 I'm betting right now that's more than a shock for you. *hugs* I'm so very very sorry.

Something to think about... and I don't know where you are from.... but there are a few places that 'might" be able to help with the cost.

Towards the bottom of this article there are a list of organizations that you could possibly reach out to to help in funding give you a definitive diagnosis and prognosis. IF that is something you want to try. It might not be. No guarantees but might be worth a couple of calls depending on how you feel about it.

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life - TheCatSite

XOXOXOXOX

 

[fionasmom]

Financial assistance for veterinary care costs
24 Organizations That Help Pay Vet Bills!
There may be a couple more organizations listed here. The second group did seem to list organizations that helped cats.

I have been in this position before with the options for expensive diagnostics. If it is truly for academic reasons and there is no path forward for treatment, regardless of the reason, I have begun to decline the option of MRI's or other expensive procedures.

A CT scan is sometimes done, which is less expensive, but less accurate. It will show the most common types of brain tumors in some cases. However, you don't know precisely what composes the tumor unless there is some biopsy, MRI or CT not withstanding.

It is so touching that you set up her Christmas tree and she looks so happy and beautiful sitting there.

 

[white shadow]

Hi Corip8 and a very warm welcome to the forum!

I was stunned to read your update today, and it's left me really wondering. There are a multitude of causes for seizures and, while tumors are included there, it seems to me (in the absence of hearing any of the Vet's reasoning ["differential diagnosis"]) very early to be suggesting that. You had laid out very plausible reasons for her stress and appetite loss, the "construction" and the (apparent/presumptive) painful mouth tissue in your opening post.

But first, and to go back to that first picture, what was that oral issue determined to be? Was the broken tooth thought to be involved with it? What treatment is being applied?

While the cost of MRI diagnostics are often prohibitively expensive, a referral to a veterinary neurologist is far more affordable (and frankly, I would suggest, far more frequently recommended as a first step in diagnosis). Were I to be facing this, I would be requesting insisting on that - and, at the earliest opportunity.

You sounded unsure about medication for seizure prevention/control, and that surprised me as well. Is there a reason for your hesitation?

There is a specialized online community of folks whose focus is the management of their kitties' seizure disorders. They've been active for (at least) the past 12 years and have over 4000 cats and owners as members. That's an enormous knowledge and experience base available to you. Groups like this often keep lists of Vet specialists and competent, consummate Veterinarians to offer members whose own Vets may not be 'cutting the mustard'. They're on Facebook: Epi-Felines (For Owners of Cats with Epilepsy or Seizures).

At the very least, try them out, take a 'test drive' there. What do you have to lose?

I'd just encourage you to treat what you see, what's in front of you and what's obvious, and not lose opportunities by becoming overwhelmed with what might be.

There's lots of support here for you both!

 

[Corip8]

Hi Corip8 and a very warm welcome to the forum!

I was stunned to read your update today, and it's left me really wondering. There are a multitude of causes for seizures and, while tumors are included there, it seems to me (in the absence of hearing any of the Vet's reasoning ["differential diagnosis"]) very early to be suggesting that. You had laid out very plausible reasons for her stress and appetite loss, the "construction" and the (apparent/presumptive) painful mouth tissue in your opening post.

But first, and to go back to that first picture, what was that oral issue determined to be? Was the broken tooth thought to be involved with it? What treatment is being applied?

While the cost of MRI diagnostics are often prohibitively expensive, a referral to a veterinary neurologist is far more affordable (and frankly, I would suggest, far more frequently recommended as a first step in diagnosis). Were I to be facing this, I would be requesting insisting on that - and, at the earliest opportunity.

You sounded unsure about medication for seizure prevention/control, and that surprised me as well. Is there a reason for your hesitation?

There is a specialized online community of folks whose focus is the management of their kitties' seizure disorders. They've been active for (at least) the past 12 years and have over 4000 cats and owners as members. That's an enormous knowledge and experience base available to you. Groups like this often keep lists of Vet specialists and competent, consummate Veterinarians to offer members whose own Vets may not be 'cutting the mustard'. They're on Facebook: Epi-Felines (For Owners of Cats with Epilepsy or Seizures).

At the very least, try them out, take a 'test drive' there. What do you have to lose?

I'd just encourage you to treat what you see, what's in front of you and what's obvious, and not lose opportunities by becoming overwhelmed with what might be.

There's lots of support here for you both!

The vet looked at the tooth and really didn’t say much about it. She had another small seizure while we were there so the entire focus of the visit shifted to that issue.
The dr said since her blood work and heart tests were perfect there was nothing she could pinpoint that could cause the seizures. She told me it’s extremely rare for a 10 year old cat to suddenly become epileptic without there being cancer/tumor.
Also, we did X-rays 2-3 weeks ago and her lungs looked bad. She has always had issues with her airways/nasal congestion since she has herpes and constant flares from a bad infection as a kitten. I guess they think it’s possible that a couple spots are cancerous. But again, not really sure as they were super small and unclear on the images so they are just making guesses at this point. They told me at that time to consider it bad bronchitis for now and sent me on my way to just watch and wait. So here we are today.

I’m so overwhelmed.

 

[FeralHearts]

The vet looked at the tooth and really didn’t say much about it. She had another small seizure while we were there so the entire focus of the visit shifted to that issue.
The dr said since her blood work and heart tests were perfect there was nothing she could pinpoint that could cause the seizures. She told me it’s extremely rare for a 10 year old cat to suddenly become epileptic without there being cancer/tumor.
Also, we did X-rays 2-3 weeks ago and her lungs looked bad. She has always had issues with her airways/nasal congestion since she has herpes and constant flares from a bad infection as a kitten. I guess they think it’s possible that a couple spots are cancerous. But again, not really sure as they were super small and unclear on the images so they are just making guesses at this point. They told me at that time to consider it bad bronchitis for now and sent me on my way to just watch and wait. So here we are today.

I’m so overwhelmed.

I think overwhelmed is probably and understatement. *hugs* My heart goes out to you.

I hate to ask anything as I imagine your heads is just spinning and your emotions are too. XOXO Please make sure you are getting proper rest as well as between being overwhelmed and shock I imagine you aren't resting easy.

Nothing sent home for the lungs though?

 

[white shadow]

Corip8 - you said the Vet told you that her "heart tests were perfect".........do you know exactly what heart tests were done?

One more thing: when you answered about today's visit and her mouth issues.....you only mentioned the tooth - then, you talked about a seizure and said nothing else about the mouth. Did the Vet actually see the ulcer-like spot? What was said about it?

I'm being 'picky'......but, these are the two issues you brought in there today. Is there anything else at all that you can tell us about them from today's consult?