Very sick cat - Emergency

sark11

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Hi everyone. My cat is a 4 year old siamese/american shorthair mix. A few weeks ago, he stopped eating and started losing weight. We took him to the vet where they tested him for feline leukemia and it came back negative. They did a complete blood count and it all came back normal. They did an x-ray and found some gas in his intestines, indicating a blockage but the gas subsided after a few days. They tested him for FIP and foreign infection and it came back negative.

My vet sent his test results to a vet at U of M and she's not sure what's wrong with him. They did an ultrasound on his abdomen and now they think it's pancreatitis, which they are treating with antibiotics, IV fluids, and IV antibiotics but it's not having any effect. His abdomen is full of what they think is pancreatic fluid. He's very uncomfortable and he won't eat or drink.

They're going to continue treatment for a few more days but if he doesn't get better, they recommend putting him to sleep. We're out of ideas. Does anyone know of any similar cases?
 

stephanietx

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Oh no! I'm so sorry to read this. I don't have any experience but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you.
 

otto

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I'm so sorry to read what you are going through. I don't have any advice, but only want to mention that there is no test for FIP. Your kitty is older than most cats who have it, but the only way to test for FIP is post mortem

How about a second opinion? Take him to an internal medicine specialist. if UM has a vet school, take him there.
 

orangeishcat

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I'm so sorry to hear this!!

Have they tried using a scope on him to go down into his stomach? Peanut had an ultrasound that found nothing- two, actually- and they didn't find the ribbon he'd somehow hoovered down until using a scope. I don't know if your kitty swallowed anything, but if you think he may have, that might help.

Good luck and lots of
 

nerdrock

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A lady I know almost lost her dog recently because she had eaten an acorn that cause a blockage. Initial xrays showed nothing causing a blockage and she was treated for pancreatitis. She brought her dog to another vet, who is a friend, they did three more xrays and finally found the blockage. She had surgery and is fine now. I know a man that has gone through the same situation with a dog that had swallowed something. Both times, tests pointed towards pancreatitis when it was actually a blockage. Is this possible in cats as well?
 

orangeishcat

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Originally Posted by nerdrock

A lady I know almost lost her dog recently because she had eaten an acorn that cause a blockage. Initial xrays showed nothing causing a blockage and she was treated for pancreatitis. She brought her dog to another vet, who is a friend, they did three more xrays and finally found the blockage. She had surgery and is fine now. I know a man that has gone through the same situation with a dog that had swallowed something. Both times, tests pointed towards pancreatitis when it was actually a blockage. Is this possible in cats as well?
It is- it happened to me. That's what they said was wrong with Peanut. X-Rays and ultrasounds showed nothing, but when they scoped him they were able to grab on to the ribbon and haul it out of him. I had actually taken him in that last time to have him PTS, as I couldn't stand to watch him suffer anymore.

I'm so glad the vet tech suggested the scope as a last resort- just in case, it's a good idea to try if everything else is failing!
 
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sark11

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Thanks everyone for your help, and thank you hissy for your message, but the vet retested him for FIP and it came back positive. Unfortunately he passed away Thursday night in his sleep.
 

jennyr

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FIP is a horrible disease and I am so sorry you lost your cat to it.I lost two cats that way some time ago, and fluid in the abdomen is such a classic sign. At least he passed peacefully.
 

darlili

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I'm so sorry - but your baby was loved very much as long as you had him and you did everything possible for him.
 

otto

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I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved kitty. I still feel the need to reiterate for anyone else reading though that there is no test for FIP on a live cat. FIP is a terrible disease, but vets can't test for it, that's one of the heartbreaking things about it.
 

orangeishcat

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I'm so sorry to hear he didn't make it... prayers and good thoughts for you and yours.
 
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