Vet says "put him down;" Need your advice

Originally Posted by jim2006

So here's the lesson, folks. When your animal becomes suddenly ill and you're forced with a decision to euthanize, WAIT!

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That's a good lesson and one that I've learned too. I was told that my cat had such a severe bladder infection, along with a torn urethra, crystals and bladder stones and he wasn't going to make it. They gave him a less than 1% chance of survival, and asked if I wanted him euthanized. I said no because I wanted to talk to my husband first. I wouldn't let him suffer unnecessarily for a long time, but I needed time to talk to my husband and process everything. By the time I did that 2 hours later, they had increased his chance of survival to 20% and now 4 months later he's healthier than ever . I'm so glad I said "no" when they wanted to do it immediately.

I'm glad things are working out for you and Charlie and I hope he continues to get better. You're a great person for taking him in .

Wow, what a turn around.

I am so happy they don't suspect rabies.

Oh gosh - that's wonderful. I hope everything goes well.

I am still a little disturbed by the diagnosis of rabies and the following treatment. If a rabid animal bites you, you can go through a terrible time. That's why most states have such strict laws about handling even suspected cases.

We had a stray who bit my husband and he had to be confined and observed for 10 days before they declared him clear. Even so, my husband had to get shots and the cat is still listed on our county health records. (He is a house cat now and a total mush).

Originally Posted by Ondine

Oh gosh - that's wonderful. I hope everything goes well.

I am still a little disturbed by the diagnosis of rabies and the following treatment. If a rabid animal bites you, you can go through a terrible time. That's why most states have such strict laws about handling even suspected cases.

We had a stray who bit my husband and he had to be confined and observed for 10 days before they declared him clear. Even so, my husband had to get shots and the cat is still listed on our county health records. (He is a house cat now and a total mush).

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Yes, that was weird to me too. Rabies is not a "maybe". If you are bit by a rabid animal, and don't go through the shots immediately, you die.

Animals suspected of rabies are not sent home, at least not in the USA.

I am glad Charlie is going to be okay, what is his diagnosis? Also, if you don't mind telling us, what is your (general) location? USA or other country? Asking, because the rabies issue seemed so....weird.

Please do keep us updated on Charlie!

Originally Posted by otto

Yes, that was weird to me too. Rabies is not a "maybe". If you are bit by a rabid animal, and don't go through the shots immediately, you die.

Animals suspected of rabies are not sent home, at least not in the USA.

I am glad Charlie is going to be okay, what is his diagnosis? Also, if you don't mind telling us, what is your (general) location? USA or other country? Asking, because the rabies issue seemed so....weird.

Please do keep us updated on Charlie!

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The location is on his profile
Location: Boston, MA USA

I am hoping your cat will continue to get better.

Thanks for all the kind replies, everyone. It looks like the rabies scare is behind us. I told the vet this morning, "if he has rabies, it's going to progress rapidly, right?" She didn't want to confirm that, but finally did. Then I said, "so, if he's better today, and better tomorrow, then he can't have rabies, right?" And finally, she said "Correct." I think this was all unnecessary. And I'm starting to think maybe his reaction was caused by the antibiotics. We'll see. I pick him up at 8 AM. Can't wait.

Glad he is doing better

I am glad he is doing better too

Just one little note of caution...don't let him get away. If, and its a big if, he would develop something, you will need to know.

I sure am happy he is doing good!

So glad Charlie is coming home!

Hope your kitty will be O.K. My neighbor has an eleven year old cat who has epilepsy. When she has seizures she loses all control. She reacts pretty much the same way as you have described. The vet has prescribed pills for her and with the pills she hasn't had any more seizures.

This is not a nice condition either, but it can be controlled.

As others have advised, it would be a precaution to have the rabies shots just in case. Also, it is true that testing for rabies cannot be done on a live animal. Have you checked to see if there have been any cases of rabies lately in your area? This might give a clue as to whether or not there is the possibility of rabies.

Best of luck and hoping that your kitty will pull through.

Christine

Originally Posted by jim2006

Thanks for all the kind replies, everyone. It looks like the rabies scare is behind us. I told the vet this morning, "if he has rabies, it's going to progress rapidly, right?" She didn't want to confirm that, but finally did. Then I said, "so, if he's better today, and better tomorrow, then he can't have rabies, right?" And finally, she said "Correct." I think this was all unnecessary. And I'm starting to think maybe his reaction was caused by the antibiotics. We'll see. I pick him up at 8 AM. Can't wait.

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x

IMO, you need a different vet. This woman sounds as if she doesn't have a clue.
Hope you and Charlie have a happy reunion. Please keep us updated on how things go with your little man.

Hello again!

-- Just read some of the more recent posts and am thrilled that your kitty is O.K.

Best of luck and bless you for taking him in!

Christine

I would get another vet too, there is no way my vet would let me pick up a cat she thought had rabies without testing for epilepsy and other seizure disorders etc

I agree - new vet pronto. Glad to see Charlie is doing better.

Maybe you can find a feline specialist there in Boston.

First of all, I want to thank everyone on this Health Forum at The Cat Site for their kind replies. But most importantly, I want to thank the so-called "lurker" - a term I'm not sure I like being used to denote someone who was extremely helpful to me - for contacting me about Feline Vestibular Syndrome. That's what Charlie had, and I believe it is due to an ear infection, which was my first observation. I agree with the many people who advise me to get a new vet. That is done. I'm angry that they made me consider euthanasia. I remember that one afternoon, standing out in the rain, thinking "maybe this is the best thing." Rabies was never even an appropriate concern. The wound I saw was due to Charlie scratching his ear, which was infected. The vet says the antibiotics she gave me would have healed that infection. I asked if they ever treated Charlie for an ear infection, and they said no. I will bring him to another vet tomorrow or Monday. Anyway, he's home now. He's looking and behaving very normally. He seems very happy, jumping up on my desk and putting his nose to my mustache, as if to kiss me, and meowing a lot like "Nice to be back" and "What just happened?" I'll post another update once we get a firm diagnosis. Thank you again for helping me through this. And special thanks to the so-called "lurker" who was the specific person that I hoped would come forward with the information I needed to help Charlie. Today, though you wish to remain anonymous, you are the reason The Cat Site Forum works! Congratulations! More later, everyone.

Oh, I AM glad you have found the help you needed here. It's funny how many vets don't seem to think of vestibular disease, when "unexplainable" problems show up in cats.

I will add my thanks to our anonymous lurker in this forum for contacting you.

I'm thrilled to hear Charlie is doing better, and that you will be getting him to a different vet clinic to get him started on the right foot now.

I hope you will stick around and share Charlie's progress with us. He's one of OURS now, you know.

Got any pictures of him?

Originally Posted by otto

Oh, I AM glad you have found the help you needed here. It's funny how many vets don't seem to think of vestibular disease, when "unexplainable" problems show up in cats.

I will add my thanks to our anonymous lurker in this forum for contacting you.

I'm thrilled to hear Charlie is doing better, and that you will be getting him to a different vet clinic to get him started on the right foot now.

I hope you will stick around and share Charlie's progress with us. He's one of OURS now, you know.

Got any pictures of him?

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Yes, a few pictures would be most appropriate. Coming soon! Thanks, everyone. I'm very grateful. And Charlie thanks you too.