Trouble with Mufasa?

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
I've been a little worried about Mufasa over the last few days and am hoping for some advice.
He has been known to throw up occasionally (maybe once a month) so I usually think nothing of it. For the last month though, he has been throwing up 2-3 times a week, and has even pooed on the floor three times (which he has NEVER done before).
I took him to the vet last Saturday because something just seemed off with him. The vet thought it might be related to his ECG (that his intestines were inflammed) so gave him a steroid injection (which usually helps). Yesterday though he threw up three times in just 12 hrs. I called the vet back, and he gave me some antibiotics to try, saying that his gallbladder might be inflammed??
The vet also said Mufasa should lose 2 lbs. I started portion feeding him a few days ago. He should be getting about 1 1/2 cups a day, but has only been eating between 1/2 and 3/4 of a cup (usually closer to 1/2). I'm not sure if this has only been going on for a few days, or if he has always only ate that much. And if he has always only been eating that much, why is he overweight??

I am so confused and worried. He is still active, but seems sookier that usual, meows a little more, has been pulling out the hair along his back, has a rash on his stomach and back towards the tail, soars on his mouth (which are most likely from the ECG), has been pooing on the floor, and throwing up alot (most of the time the throw-up is undigested food with bile, sometimes it is completely bile).
Could this all be from the ECG?? or could something else be wrong?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
ECG is Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex. It is usually allergy based, but most times it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing it. Flareups are usually common in spring and fall, and less common in the winter. He is allergic to turkey, beef, pork, chicken, and plastic food dishes. If he has any of the foods he's allergic to, his gets mouth ulcers. This is the first time he has had any issues with his digestive tract though, which is why I'm little nervous. It is usually just the mouth and lips.
The vet said that if it was from the ECG, it should be almost cleared up already, which is why he prescribed the antibiotics.
I do find that the steroids make him psychotic though. Does anyone else have this issue? Its a handful when a 26lb cat is lunging for your throat and grapping onto your legs when your trying to walk.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Does Mufasa take cyclosporine?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
No, he just gets steroid/ anti-inflammatory injections and sometimes antibiotics whenever he has a flare-up. He usually only has a flare-up every 4 months or so.
I asked the vet if there was any type of daily medication to put him on but he said no.
 

farleyv

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
4,796
Purraise
36
Location
New York State
My cat Arthur has a gall stone and a gall bladdar duct stone. That made him throw up quite a bit. He is not on meds to disolve it.

Your cat weighs 26 lbs and the vet wants him to loose 2 lbs? Or did I read that wrong?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
Thats correct. The vet said his ideal weight is 24lbs. He's not crazily overweight, just has a little pudge.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Originally Posted by gothicangel69

No, he just gets steroid/ anti-inflammatory injections and sometimes antibiotics whenever he has a flare-up. He usually only has a flare-up every 4 months or so.
I asked the vet if there was any type of daily medication to put him on but he said no.
Cyclosporine (generic Atopica) has been very effective in treating EGC and other autoimmune disorders. I recommend you do some research and talk to your vet, you could be saving Mufasa from unnecessary injections and too much steroid.

(Incidentally some vets are now trying cyclosporine for stomatitis, another autoimmune disorder. It's good medicine).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
Thank out otto. I will certainly look into it an speak with his vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
I'm still very worried about Mufasa. He hasn't vomited in a few days, which is good, but his appetite is still poor. Does anyone know if steroids can decrease appetite?
He is also meowing alot and following me around wherever I go, which is not like him. He seems to be comstantly purring as well, which I have heard can mean they are in pain or sick.
I know the vet thinks its from his ECG, but he has never acted like this before when he had a flare-up. I'm so worried that its something more serious. I know he is starting to get older.
I'm thinking about getting a blood panel done on friday if he is still not feeling better. Does anyone know what could be wrong, or am i just over-reacting??
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Steriods usually cause an appetite increase. Has the vet not done blood work? By all means, get it done. At his weight, I'd be concerned about his liver with his appetite going off.

Yes cats do purr when in pain. My advice is don't wait until Friday. Call your vet first thing tomorrow morning, get Mufasa in for some blood work.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
I would love to take him in today, but unfortunately have spent a ton of money on him in the last week and need to wait until I get paid on thursday to take him in.
If he gets worse he will be going in straight away and I will find the money.
Why should I be concerned about his liver??
 

violet

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,220
Purraise
30
Location
MA
Originally posted by gothicangel69

Does anyone know if steroids can decrease appetite?
One of my cats stops eating when she's on steroid medication. It's an ongoing issue with her that started a long time ago. At first the medication seems to be helping but then at one point everything changes.
We have tried stopping the medication and then starting it again. Our vet has also tried all the different forms of the medication (tablet, liquid, injectable). The same result every time.

I haven't been able to find this reaction on any list that lists adverse effects of steroids, no matter how detailed it is, so I'm guessing it must be a strange individual reaction.

This is the best list I have:
http://www.crvetcenter.com/corticoids.htm

Along with loss of appetite I also have notes on three other adverse effects I always notice at the same time. They are listed under 42) secondary disorders...... For my cat they are depression, lethargy, weakness.

Yes, when they are sick, constant purring means they are in pain.

Did Mufasa have X-rays and an abdominal ultrasound?

Edit:

Actually, depression, lethargy, weakness also show up here on this list

6) changes in mood and behavior: depression, lethargy, weakness
 

violet

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,220
Purraise
30
Location
MA
As a PS I'd just like to add that something might very well show up in the blood work, but it's also possible that if anything is wrong with the intestines, lymph nodes in the area, or any of the organs, the problem will only show up on an ultrasound. Some problems cause changes in the blood values other don't, and the ones that don't can be just as important if not more important.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Originally Posted by gothicangel69

I would love to take him in today, but unfortunately have spent a ton of money on him in the last week and need to wait until I get paid on thursday to take him in.
If he gets worse he will be going in straight away and I will find the money.
Why should I be concerned about his liver??
When over weight cats lose weight too quickly the liver fails, it's called fatty liver disease. (feline hepatic lipidosis) Very dangerous, fatal if not caught soon enough, and needs immediate veterinary attention.

Is he eating at all?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
He is not very overweight, just has a little belly pudge that the vet said would be beneficial to get rid of. He hasn't completely stopped eating, but is only eating about half what he normally does. he also only nibbled on the wet food I gave him last night when he usually scarfs it down. The food change seems to be helping a bit as he thinks their treats, lol.
Ill get the blood work done first as that is cheaper, but if nothing shows up and he doesn't improve then I guess ill have to look at the ultrasound options.
I really hope these symptoms are from the steroids, but then again, he's been on the before and has never reacted like this.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

gothicangel69

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
810
Purraise
1
Location
Canada
Some good news, Mufasa is eating again and hasn't lost any more weight. He also hasn't thrown up in almost a week, so I think the antibiotics may have worked.
He is still acting really weird though, which I hope is from the steroids. How long do they affect the cats temperment for? He had one injection of depometrol. He follows me around the house wherever I go and is constantly meowing. He also just bit me a few minutes ago, which he never does.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Thanks for the happy update on Mufasa!

Can't answer your question about the depometrol, though I a interested in what the answer is.
 

violet

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,220
Purraise
30
Location
MA
Originally posted by gothicangel69
He is still acting really weird though, which I hope is from the steroids. How long do they affect the cats temperament for? He had one injection of depometrol. He follows me around the house wherever I go and is constantly meowing. He also just bit me a few minutes ago, which he never does.
How long ago did he have the injection?

According to this information Depo-Medrol stays in the system for 2 to 3 weeks.
http://www.vetinfo.com/vets/answers/...ate-everywhere

And steroids do cause personality changes, especially in cats that are very sensitive to this medication.

Can you be sure nothing else is going on? (Change in your schedule, for example, etc.)
 

violet

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
1,220
Purraise
30
Location
MA
PS

I couldn't stay on the computer earlier so I'd like to add something now. Following you and meowing are definitely signs of anxiety and a need for attention. With my cats I haven't seen this kind of behavior from steroids. (I've seen lethargy and depression but not anxiety.) So I'd like to ask you, do you remember when this behavior started? Was it only after the injection? If so, how soon?


The biting.....do you remember what was going on right before he bit you?
 
Top