Sick Cat

[TipsyTraveler]

Also, I see you’re keeping a journal — that is an excellent idea. I’ve started keeping notes when my pets are dealing with medical problems and it’s been great for not having to question my memory, knowing exactly how much they’re eating from one meal to the next, and being able to give a coherent update to the vet without forgetting anything or having to say, “Oh wait, but before that…”

Keep that up.

 

[BrianL]

Okay, good. I’m glad to hear your vet is on top of it. I witnessed too many doctors, for both animals and people, shrug off concerns that they should be listening to.

You’d mentioned that she wasn’t eating great before she was first seen by the vet, which is what made me think this had been ongoing for some time. If you’ve seen a significant change in her appetite starting when the antibiotics were given then I agree that’s probably a contributing factor.

I would assume your vet checked her thyroid but that’s another thing that comes to mind. The test for that is separate from the main blood panels they run, so it’s sometimes overlooked. It would appear as T3, T4 on the results. If you aren’t sure if her thyroid was checked, it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Personally, after 3-ish days of not eating or drinking well I would take her in and request subQ fluids even if I had to frame it as “do it for my own peace of mind, please.”

Yeah, my initial post sounded that way, but actually she was eating much better before she went in the first time.

The full blood panel has a T4 value of 1.8 - should be normal. The vet mentioned, kidney, thyroid, liver all looked great.

 

[BrianL]

Yes to all of that. The fluids kept our 12 year old tabby going while we figured out the best route with her hyperthyroid. Even the vet thought we were going to lose her but she rebounded with the right dose of meds and is doing great.

Definitely check the thyroid. It has gotten so much more common of late.

The thyroid value was checked and looks good. I don't think we're there yet with getting a second opinion - I am keeping a close eye on her though.

Also, I see you’re keeping a journal — that is an excellent idea. I’ve started keeping notes when my pets are dealing with medical problems and it’s been great for not having to question my memory, knowing exactly how much they’re eating from one meal to the next, and being able to give a coherent update to the vet without forgetting anything or having to say, “Oh wait, but before that…”

Keep that up.

Yeah, she seems to be up and down a little. Like last night, she was a bit more energetic and was quite interested in my bowl of cereal because she smells the milk (she doesn't actually like to drink milk though - she just want's to stick her nose in it then walk away - she always does that). The fact that she was interested was a good sign, but I am not sure that has persisted to this morning. The journal will help me track that kind of stuff.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Crush some pepcid and mix it into a spoonful of baby food and see if you can get her to take it that way. I think you mentioned you already had some so I imagine your vet already gave you the dose.

 

[BrianL]

Crush some pepcid and mix it into a spoonful of baby food and see if you can get her to take it that way. I think you mentioned you already had some so I imagine your vet already gave you the dose.

I have a bottle of Metoclopramide - .5 mL is the does. I really only got one down her, and th enext one ended up all over her fur and my shirt! I may try to give her some if she isn't perking up a bit. I need to run and get some baby food. Is there a kind you recommend?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have a bottle of Metoclopramide - .5 mL is the does. I really only got one down her, and th enext one ended up all over her fur and my shirt! I may try to give her some if she isn't perking up a bit. I need to run and get some baby food. Is there a kind you recommend?

Just fyi that can make you sleepy. (So as not to mistake that for something else.) Personally I would hold off on it. She’s had a lot already and we don’t know what’s making her feel unwell. Jmo. I would concentrate efforts on fluids.

 

[kymom99]

Is she keeping up on grooming herself?

 

[BrianL]

Jus a quick note, she just came over here and absolutely scarfed this bit of tuna I had set out (it was cold earlier and she turned her nose up at it). I like seeing that!

 

[BrianL]

Is she keeping up on grooming herself?

Yes, as far as I have seen. I have been sleeping on the couch to be closer to her (she hasn't been jumping up on the bed - yes I totally dote on her!). I have heard her at night, slurp, slurp, slurp - you know! She seems all good on that.

Also, a note, she has been prone to bad hairball sin the past so I give her laxitone sometimes. She likes that as if it's a treat, but I don't give her too much.

 

[BrianL]

Also, just for those interested, this is my baby:

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I have a bottle of Metoclopramide - .5 mL is the does. I really only got one down her, and th enext one ended up all over her fur and my shirt! I may try to give her some if she isn't perking up a bit. I need to run and get some baby food. Is there a kind you recommend?

Yeah, liquid meds are harder to get into cats than pills, IMO, and they usually have a strong taste so you can’t really “hide” them in food. I would call the vet and ask if it’s okay to give her pepcid as long as she’s on the antibiotic to help alleviate nausea. That’s a pretty typical thing to do, some vets just start pepcid automatically alongside antibiotics, steroids, etc. as a precaution. You can pick it up OTC just about everywhere that sells that kind of stuff. The vet can tell you the dose or you can look it up online.

Gerber baby food is my go-to brand for being onion-free and having a smoother texture that seems to be better received by picky eaters, but it’s really a case of any will do.

ETA: Offer laxatone if she likes it. Eating something is better than nothing and if she has issues with hairballs it might even help.

 

[Kitty 34]

Good luck with you kitty kitty, Brian.

 

[kymom99]

Yes, as far as I have seen. I have been sleeping on the couch to be closer to her (she hasn't been jumping up on the bed - yes I totally dote on her!). I have heard her at night, slurp, slurp, slurp - you know! She seems all good on that.

Also, a note, she has been prone to bad hairball sin the past so I give her laxitone sometimes. She likes that as if it's a treat, but I don't give her too much.

That’s good. Lack of grooming is a sign they feel pretty bad.

 

[Micca]

Good luck with you kitty kitty, Brian.

Last week you posted a thread about what you like about the Dis. I was just thinking I really appreciate how folks rally around fellow Dis-ers when pets are in ill health.

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, liquid meds are harder to get into cats than pills, IMO, and they usually have a strong taste so you can’t really “hide” them in food. I would call the vet and ask if it’s okay to give her pepcid as long as she’s on the antibiotic to help alleviate nausea. That’s a pretty typical thing to do, some vets just start pepcid automatically alongside antibiotics, steroids, etc. as a precaution. You can pick it up OTC just about everywhere that sells that kind of stuff. The vet can tell you the dose or you can look it up online.

Gerber baby food is my go-to brand for being onion-free and having a smoother texture that seems to be better received by picky eaters, but it’s really a case of any will do.

ETA: Offer laxatone if she likes it. Eating something is better than nothing and if she has issues with hairballs it might even help.

Thanks. I may call and check on that.

She hasn't had a hairball issue in a while, but it had happened a couple of times that she got a pretty big hairball in her intestines and it blocked her up. The solution to that is..."The Dreaded Device." Interestingly, the vet even said that I could do that myself- but no. Just no. "How much does it cost for you to do it...you know what, it doesn't matter. I'll pay it!"

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Thanks. I may call and check on that.

She hasn't had a hairball issue in a while, but it had happened a couple of times that she got a pretty big hairball in her intestines and it blocked her up. The solution to that is..."The Dreaded Device." Interestingly, the vet even said that I could do that myself- but no. Just no. "How much does it cost for you to do it...you know what, it doesn't matter. I'll pay it!"

Hairballs can become bad enough to require surgery to remove them, so if she’s had significant issues in the past, which it sounds like she has, I would do what I could to stay ahead of it. There are chewable tablets that can be given daily to prevent hairballs from forming and you can give them in conjunction with the laxatone a couple times a week to keep things moving through. And, of course, lots of regular brushing to keep her from consuming the hair in the first place.

There are probiotics formulated for cats and it might be a good idea to give them while she’s on antibiotics, if not long term for digestive health.

https://www.amazon.com/Vets-Best-Ha...locphy=9010766&hvtargid=pla-354333832931&th=1

https://smile.amazon.com/FERA-Probi...0&sr=1-1-f0029781-b79b-4b60-9cb0-eeda4dea34d6

 

[BrianL]

Hairballs can become bad enough to require surgery to remove them, so if she’s had significant issues in the past, which it sounds like she has, I would do what I could to stay ahead of it. There are chewable tablets that can be given daily to prevent hairballs from forming and you can give them in conjunction with the laxatone a couple times a week to keep things moving through. And, of course, lots of regular brushing to keep her from consuming the hair in the first place.

There are probiotics formulated for cats and it might be a good idea to give them while she’s on antibiotics, if not long term for digestive health.

https://www.amazon.com/Vets-Best-Ha...locphy=9010766&hvtargid=pla-354333832931&th=1

https://smile.amazon.com/FERA-Probiotics-Dogs-Cat-Max-Strength/dp/B078955BY2/ref=sxts_rp_s_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.0ba0477a-40ed-4e81-ad3d-4795b0f9f147:amzn1.sym.0ba0477a-40ed-4e81-ad3d-4795b0f9f147&cv_ct_cx=Cat+probiotics&keywords=Cat+probiotics&pd_rd_i=B078955BY2&pd_rd_r=21d605f1-eeba-4f2e-8ba4-059e6092ec4e&pd_rd_w=civNC&pd_rd_wg=ERmCS&pf_rd_p=0ba0477a-40ed-4e81-ad3d-4795b0f9f147&pf_rd_r=7WR2PGWTGRHQR51GHDRH&psc=1&qid=1655231290&sr=1-1-f0029781-b79b-4b60-9cb0-eeda4dea34d6

Yeah, that's what the cat-lax has been for. Ever since I started using it she hasn't had issue. It's been years since she had any issues liek that, bu tit happened a couple times when I first got her.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Yeah, that's what the cat-lax has been for. Ever since I started using it she hasn't had issue. It's been years since she had any issues liek that, bu tit happened a couple times when I first got her.

Ah, gotcha. I thought she was continuing to get hairballs because sometimes laxatone alone isn’t enough and I was letting you know about the tablets because they work in a different way to prevent them from forming in the first place. But if it’s under control, don’t mind me!

 

[Polychrome]

Hi,

There are specially formulated foods from the vets office for nutritional support of ill animals. Usualy a pate and tempting tasting, and I believe a higher calorie amount since the pets are typically eating less. You need to get it from your vet or a prescription. There is an appetite stimulant specific for dogs and cats out there, that your vet could authorize for you to purchase from an online retailer.

If your cat continues to be unwell, It might be a good idea to make an appointment with a Board Certified Internal Medicine veterinarian. You can search for that term online and find a website that will allow you to search for one located near you. Yes, a specialist costs a bit more for the exam and consultation, but can make a world of difference, sometimes.

If the ACVIM suggests labs or repeat x-rays, you can get pricing from them and also ask them if they would review results with you if you have your regular vet run repeat labs or x-rays if less expensive there. If they suggest a medication, unless you have a money tree in your backyard, you should always ask for the name and strength to see if it is less expensive online OR thru a local big shopping club that carries some pet medications ( and in some states, you don't need to be a member to use their pharmacy, but in other states you do, I think) . Also can check price at a local drug store with a cost savings coupon website that is free to use and oftentimes, in the past, had coupons that can work for pets, not just people.

Good luck with your tortie, she is sweet looking ( hiding her feisty side for the camera !)

 

[mom2rtk]

Also, just for those interested, this is my baby:

View attachment 676247

She's adorable! I wanted a tortie when we started our kitten hunt this summer, but fate took us another direction. I hope she's feeling better soon. So glad she has you on the case!