help for a friend's cat please?

got this from a friend, I told her I think she needs a new vet but beyond that, anyone have any ideas?

"_________(cat's name) first showed signs that something was wrong Saturday. Wasn't eating, wasn't going outside, just laying there not wanting to be around us. She is a VERY SOCIAL, VERY ACTIVE cat.

My father had thought she was improving, but finally took her to the vet a few days ago, so kept her overnight, gave her subq fluids & sent her back home with antibiotics, saying he wasn't sure what was wrong but thought it might be a kidney infection. I told my father that I was surprised they sent her home without any testing (kidney infection, bloodwork), but he thought she looked better & I told him to keep a very, very close eye on her.

Fast forward one day, & he took her back to the vet. Not eating, sluggish, just sleeping & looking out of it. Again, different vet in the same office, said she was at 102temp (was 104 the first vet visit) & didn't see anything noticably wrong & said that she could stay or go, & he could take her back home & keep a close eye on her...

Again, I'm really upset that no testing was done. She has been sick for a week now, & it seems to me if they suspected kidney infection... wouldn't that be easy to prove with a test? My fear is that if this is something bigger, we are missing it because no bloodwork is being done. All they did was give her the antibiotic shot this time, so I guess if she doesn't look better, probably not a kidney infection.

I told my father if she isn't perking up by morning, I'm taking her back myself. But what is your opinion on this? Anything trigger in your head based on how she is acting? Anything besides bloodwork I should be pushing for?"


It seems incredible to me that the cat was sick enough to keep overnight and they didn't do any blood work, but any one have any ideas what this might be?
the cat is only 7 yrs old

I am sorry this cat is sick!! And I am sick about this vet!!!!! Very strange that bloodwork was not done... I take the cat to another vet asap. I honestly don't get that, if the vet thought it was the kidney's, why no bloodwork?!!!!! That is what I would do. Let us know how that goes, OK?

If the Vet thought it might be kidney infection, he should have taken a urine sample, x-rays and do bloodwork (to rule out other things like hyperthyroidism and such.

Vets usually offer those services when they suspect something, but sometimes the price seems "too much" for the one who would be paying.

I would definitely, definitely take her back yourself first to see if they had suggested the extra testing. (Urine sample which can take awhile for the cat to pee, so they might have to keep her for awhile (unless they and you decide to aspirate the pee (using a needle to suck it out of the bladder).

So if they gave her fluids, she was dehydrated. Anything over 102.5 is a fever; 104 is a high fever, and if it's still that high, I would take her in today. I'm guessing her leukocyte count is high if the fever continues (white blood count which raises to fight off infections).

Geez Luizzz, so sorry to hear your puddy is feeling so bad! Again, I'd HIGHLY recommend you take her in yourself and if the Vet really doesn't suggest these tests (they can get expensive, but you can also get CareCredit for no-interest pay-back if paid back within a certain time limit; I've used it), I'd get whatever needs to be done... done. Oh! If the vet doesn't suggest any further testing after all this time, definitely go to another vet.

You can TELL this vet you want tests and they really should be doing them because you said you want them done.

If I can think of anything else, I'll come back!

Warmly,

Julie O'


I have 6 special needs cats, and 4 "regular", and am red cross certified in dog and cat first aid and was a volunteer at a kill shelter for a long time dealing with very ill cats.

Catnapt...I'm so sorry for how this episode has unfolded for you, your Dad and especially the little fuzzy one.

Has your Dad used this vet for long? Unfortunately, I've experienced a vet that was more favorable to dogs and large animals...it seemed his knowledge, compassion and general interest was nil for felines.

My point being that unless you and your Dad feel "tied" to these vets...I'd see if there is a feline vet you could use. Sometimes the ads in the Yellow Pages will clearly indicate if the vet focuses on felines.

Lab work is just the most natural 1st step when dealing with sick animals...for that matter, when dealing with sick humans.

Best wishes, and please let us know what happens.

Until next time...Annie

Hi I'm sorry but there's some confusion here, this is NOT my cat, it is a friend's and her dad's cat ok?
I am directing her here to this forum so she can post ok

Originally Posted by Annie_Belle

Catnapt...I'm so sorry for how this episode has unfolded for you, your Dad and especially the little fuzzy one.

Has your Dad used this vet for long? Unfortunately, I've experienced a vet that was more favorable to dogs and large animals...it seemed his knowledge, compassion and general interest was nil for felines.

My point being that unless you and your Dad feel "tied" to these vets...I'd see if there is a feline vet you could use. Sometimes the ads in the Yellow Pages will clearly indicate if the vet focuses on felines.

Lab work is just the most natural 1st step when dealing with sick animals...for that matter, when dealing with sick humans.

Best wishes, and please let us know what happens.

Until next time...Annie

Click to expand...

Hi guys... I am the actual owner of the cat in question. Catnapt had just posted this here in an attempt to help get advice for me.

Onyx's situation:

We first noticed she was seeming off on Saturday. Sluggish/hadn't eaten much/sleeping/not wanting outside. She is a very active cat, so it was concerning. Unfortunately, I had a neuter scheduled out of town for my rats which went badly, & haven't been home until today. My father had thought she was looking a bit better, then thought she looked worse & brought her to the vet, who said she had the 104temp & kept her overnight on fluids. No ab's/no testing/no bloodwork. Sent her home the next day saying they weren't sure what it was but perhaps kidney issues (nothing to confirm that).

I was told there wasn't much improvement when she came home. My father brought her back this morning, saw a different vet in the same clinic, & again they said they didn't see anything wrong with teeth/gums/eyes/temp... & that it could be kidney (no confirmation of any kind). This time I had my father request the antibiotic shot, because I was not aware of it's limitations or complications. Still, no bloodwork/testing.

She got the antibiotic shot this morning, & just seems the same as she has all week. I haven't seen her eat anything other than two teeny bites of tuna, & a tiny bit of water intake. Still sleeping/sluggish. She might be a bit more active, but not enough to keep us from worrying.

We are going to bring her into my other vet tomorrow, who is very eager to do bloodwork & kidney testing if need be. They are much more interested in "why" she is sick rather than just fixing the symptoms, & I have much more faith in this office. I'll call the other vet before we go in so I can verify which AB shot was given & pass that info along to my vet as well, so we're all on the same page.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll update tomorrow when we see how see looks.

I'm so sorry Onyx sick. I hope you can find out what's causing her illness, and that it can be treated right away, when you take her to the vet tomorrow!

I am glad you will be taking the cat to a different vet - I think it is horrible that the clinic kitty has gone to thus far seems to not really care enough to try and figure out what is really going on!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi and welcome to TCS, hope we can offer you support and great advice with Onyx's health. Good luck today at the new vet and please update with the results of the bloodwork...