Hypertension? Overactive Thyroid? My beloved 38lb cat just went blind!

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xocats

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Originally Posted by Callista

Re. Weight loss: 4 pounds is a lot... a bit much in my opinion... Is he drinking enough water?
I agree...
cats can become very ill if they lose wt. to quickly.
Have your new vet advise you and follow the diet closely.

We would love an update.
 
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cooper38

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Sorry for the delay. So I took him to the ophthalmologist and the diagnosis was inconclusive. He has retinal scarring of some sort, and she thinks it's a very rare disease called Cryptococcus Gatti. It's a fungal infection that is only rampant in Australia and the Pacific Northwest. She doesn't know for sure yet, but it is more common in FIV positive cats because their immune system is weak. His blood pressure is great, so is his thyroid.

The next step is getting his blood tested for the disease. He's getting his blood drawn tomorrow at 9:00am and then I have to bring it in spun down form on ice to the testing lab that is located in Canada. They're pretty much the only place that can test for it reliably. If his test is positive he has to begin lots of treatment, but the good news is that it is somewhat treatable and there's a slight chance he could regain some or all of his vision and continue living a good life.

If the test is negative then he has to have an MRI which starts at $1,000. He'll also have to be referred to a neurologist. The good news is that the University of Washington is pretty close and I guess their feline neurological program is second to none. They have the best state of the art equipment, and tons of knowledge. While being incredibly expensive they still ffer the best care around, and that's all I want. Cost is a non-issue at this point.

It could even be a brain tumor, but the vet assured me brain tumors in cats are fairly operable and shuck out like a pea from a pod. Either way the costs are going to be significant. My guess is in the $5k-$10k range. At this point I don't really care if it's $100k as I'm fully committed to him! I just want him to have the best possible chance of recovering and continuing with his life. The only way I'll withhold the treatment is if it's going to involve him staying for a long time in a strange place, or if it's not guaranteed to help him but could hurt him. Then I'll be forced to let nature take its course and old Coo-Bear probably won't be around much longer. I will mourn him for a long long time.

Basically it's now a waiting game. I'll have the results from the Cryptococcus Gatti tests by Monday and will let everyone know what the deal is. The good thing is that he's perfectly comfortable and isn't showing any ill effects from his newfound blindness. I know eventually he will succumb to an FIV related illness, but until then my goal is to keep him as happy and healthy as possible. He is the best thing that ever happened to me and I owe it to him to wait on him hand and foot and stay by his side until he crosses. Thanks everyone for the concern and vibes; he needs them. I'll update as soon as I hear anything more.
 
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cooper38

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Also, the ophthalmologist was wonderful! She was extremely smart and knew exactly what she was talking about. She showed me the retinal scars that were little gray spots. The level of care was just so much higher than my normal vet, and I'm really glad he was able to go. The price really wasn't that bad either. I got out the door for under $500 which is way cheaper than I thought. Then again, all she did was look at his eyes for 5 minutes, tellme what she thought it was, and then order the blood test.

Thanks to everyone who recommended that I see a specialist. He may be about to see a bunch of different specialists depending on the results of this Crypto Gatti test. She said he could just have gone blind, and everything is cool, but those gray spots indicate some sort of infection. We'll get him dialed in eventually haha. Thanks again everybody.
 

taterbug

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Thanks for letting us know!! Many mega and prayers coming his way.
He's a lucky kitty to have you!
 

xocats

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The eye specialist sounds very knowledgeable.

Did you ask her about a referral to a vet who could help you with Cooper's weight reduction diet?

Thanks for the update..
Cooper
 

pat

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I am glad you had a great experience with the veterinary opthmologist - I've had to take my cats to one located down in Olympia, and she is superb.

I hope that this will be the easist of the options, a treatable fungal infection...please do keep us posted.

There are many like minded souls here who will go to the nth degree if it will return or maintain quality of life when one of our sweetlings becomes ill.
 

saya

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and best of luck to you two!

he is very lucky to have you indeed.
 

misskiwi67

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Hooray!! I'm glad you at least started on the road to getting some answers! I've been obsessively checking this post hoping for moderately good news, and I'd say thats about as good of news as you can get!

Best wishes with all the testing, and please do keep us up to date!
 
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cooper38

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Yeah I guess a treatable fungal infection would be good news as the alternatives aren't pretty. I just hope treatable means some pills and general TLC rather than long stays in the hospital sedated and unhappy he's not at his home with his brother, me, and his food. I'm still undecided about taking him in for a major surgery if he needs it as I'm sure it would affect him deeply. It may end up being too much for him because it's a couple hour drive and that's a lot of time to have his adrenaline pumping and be scared. Not to mention anesthesia and possibly a long stay in a very strange place where he's not happy. I guess kitty Valium would help, but still. If I'm with him he's fine, but if he's not then he gets really spooked and worried.

About his diet. I'm aware that a change has to be made, but it's going to be hard. All I've done so far is cut his food back. It's worked a little though. He's losing about 1lb a month and is down to 34.4. I just don't want to change it up right now because this is a hard time for him and he needs all the familiarity he can get. He went outside today supervised and liked it a lot. He does really well for a completely blind animal though. Thanks again everyone I'm sure the good vibes are helping him out a lot.
 

taterbug

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You'll know what to do when the time comes, whatever path you choose.
He WILL let you know what he wants.
And you do what YOU feel is the right thing.
 

starryeyedtiger

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I'm a little late to this thread- but just wanted to let you know i'm sending tons of vibes that way!
 

xocats

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I think that you, Cooper and Sampson make a fine team.

Sending Cooper lots of healing vibes.
 

rang_27

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Sending lots of vibes for the best possible outcome.

Any further decisions will be difficult, but you know him and will know the right thing to do when the time comes.
 
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cooper38

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So he tested positive. In fact, off the charts. The infection is huge. It's going to kill him. I've decided against treatment only because of how hard it would be for him to deal with. In order to get treatment I'll have to take him into Canada for spinal tap, MRI, and crazy cocktails of drugs that won't make him feel good. Not to mention the costs would be insane; like $25k insane. Now if it would guarantee his recovery I'd go for it, but it's actually about the opposite. He probably won't recover as the infection is so massive, and his immune system is shot from FIV. All it could possibly do in best case scenerio is prolong his life a little while. I feel the negative aspects will outweigh the positives considerably.

Cooper is going to die. Unfortunately so is everything haha. I've been semi-preparing myself for this since I heard he had FIV, but it's not much easier. I can't stop crying lol. It's not even a terrible feeling. It's like a more understanding sad. I wish it wasn't like this, but this is how it's going to end. Now I don't have to guess anymore. At least this disease is relatively gentle compared to some others that he could have got. Basically his brain goes 1st. When it becomes down to him not being himself anymore or suffering; it'll be time to put him down. I'll have him put down here, so the stress of being somewhere unfamiliar isn't the last thing he remembers.

Thanks to everyone who helped on this and sent well wishes. This ended unfavorably, but at least you all have an answer and can hopefully learn from this somehow. Now it's time for me to grieve with my Cooper and get ready for him to pass away with dignity and ease. It could be any day now. Take care everyone.
 

rang_27

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I am so sorry. Now I guess the best we can all do is send vibes for a gentle passing for your sweet man. No matter how far in advance we know their time is comming, it is never easy. Feel free to PM me if you need a shoulder to cry on.
 

callista

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Oh, poor Cooper... My condolences. He has probably had the best possible life he could have, living with somebody who loved him. That might not make it easier for you, but it's true, and will probably make it easier for him.
 

darlili

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I'm so sorry the prognosis wasn't better - but your Cooper couldn't possibly be more loved. My prayers are with you both.
 
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