Hypothermia in cats?

djo

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Help please1 We have rescued the most adorable orange/white long hair male stray. He came to our back door during an 8" snow storm. He was encased in ice balls and was having difficulty walking. After a 10-day quaranteen we have him back home with us. Disease free and in all respects healthy though mobility, especially back legs is a little "off". Can jump (believe me!) when he wants to. A loving cat, purrs all the time in my arms. Here's our problem..
He appears to have limited control over bodily functions, peeing and poo. After 48 hrs @ home no poo. He doesn't seem to recognize a litter box at all. This morning he sat in his pee while eating. He has slept in pee. This is very abnormal for any cat we've ever had. He does groom. We are concerned he has lost control of bodily functions as a result of his nearly freezing to death. Does anybody have any experience with hypothermia in cats? Could this be related to central nervous system damage which is a possibility in this case? Should we just assume he will pee and poo in time?
 

opilot

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Please see a vet. Both CNS nerve damage AND diabetes might result in the pee issue. (Not sure about poop). Is possible he has had damage from
hypothermia to extreme nerve endings also. Get him assessed.
 
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djo

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Well, that's the problem. The vet is an ass. spent 11 days there. No one seems to have any knowledge of hypothermic cats. They thought it was rabies (wrong). this is a sweet loving animal that deserves some rehab anc care. We aren't looking to pass the cat on...just looking for some info.
 

taterbug

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Poor baby!! Thank you for taking him in!
Did the vet have any idea of his age? Incontinence could be from him "possibly" being elderly....but it also could be from some sort of back injury, which would be my first thoughts. Did they do any x-rays?
 
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djo

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Total health check. E-rays, etc. Nothing noted abnormal. In all appearances this cat is healthy;but he still lays in his pee, doesn't use a litter box at all and hasn't had a bm for 48+ hrs (could be longer but we've only had him back for 48+). Appetite is very healthy. We are at a loss.
 

bszaronos

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How old is the cat ? If it is young you can try and make him go to the bathroom. The mom will lick the kittens to make them go. You can take a warm paper towel and rub the back area to make them go.

It's possible that he could have lower urinary tract disease. This is most often in the forms of urinary obstruction, which is an acute obstruction of the urinary tract that tends to affect male cats, and feline idiopathic cystitis. Urinary obstructions can be caused by stones or a plug of inflammatory debris and crystals, which is part of feline idiopathic cystitis (inflammation affecting the lower urinary tract).
 

andrewrichard5

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Was it tested for feline leukemia? It often attacks the bladder and can lead to neurological abnormalities. I had a cat who died from it and he had similar symptoms just before passing.

Below is a link that have some symptoms
http://www.essortment.com/all/felineleukemia_retz.htm

If he had feline leukemia before getting hypothermia the trauma and the struggle of hypothermia may have triggered a rapid spread of the virus through the weakened immune system.
 

skimble

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I understand how you must feel after he spent over a week with the vet and they do not seem familiar with hypothermia. Guess they really must not see many cases like that.

Can you google veterinary universities in your area. They would at least have the resources for information and maybe help you.

What you have described is not something that can not be solved without a competent vet's help. I am so sorry that he is having trouble.

If you are not close enough to drive to a vet university, call them anyway and ask to speak to one of the vets. They will recommend what other resources you might have.

Time may be an important factor because the quicker some issues (especially neurological) are dealt with, the better your chances.
 

girlsetsfiyah

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Grrr, I understand how frustrating it is to have a vet who won't listen like that!

Is there another vet you could get to?

He may need to get bloodwork done just to check if everything is normal.

I'm not too educated about hypothermia, but could it possibly be from frostbbite? How does he react when you touch his back area? (around tail, back legs, etc)

Again, sorry I have no other advice, but thank you for saving this little guy from the cold!!!
 
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