Lethargic 7yo Birman. Not walking well

Been ages since I've been on and yet again I'm seeking some medical advice.  My 7yo Birman has been doing very poorly for about a week and I have few ideas why.  A little cronology if it helps.

Dec 6th (tuesday) - Standard Annual Vet Visit with Booster Shots.  All A-OK on health check.  Weight 7.8 lbs (normal for him)

Dec 13th (tuesday) - Caesar is "not himself".  No welcome home greeting.  Have to go upstairs to get him out of bed.  Comes down plays for a bit but goes back to bed.

Dec 14th - Dec 19th - Some better days, some worse days but never his old self.

Dec 20th - 3 hour vet visit.  Full suite of blood tests, xray, etc.  Fecal test is clear.  According to the vet, nothing terribly out of whack, no fever and xrays look clear.  Weight 6.9 lbs so almost 1lb of weight loss.

Dec 22nd - Been closely montoring for last 2 days.  Very little improvement but the vet visit took a lot out of him so I wanted to give it 2 days.

Today's symptoms.

Sleeping A LOT.  He did eat (had to wake him up and put him in front of the bowl) and drink water this morning.  Also used the litter box when I put him in front of it.  Hasn't walked much all day except for 1 trip up the stairs and one trip down the stairs.  Seems "uncomfortable" when he walks.  Really really slow and wobbly and quickly looks for a place to lay down that's comfy.  He'll take water from a syringe without issue, which I've offered him a couple of times today to make sure he is hydrated.  He loves drinking from the faucet so it doesn't surprise me that the syringe is also acceptable.  Just generally sleeping and lethargic with little interest in doing anything.  When I do wake him up, he seems completely "there", cleans himself a bit, enjoys being brushed but doesn't move much.

The vets next recommendation was to hospitalize him with an IV (tranquilizer as well I think) and observe.  The vet (and I'm sure a hospital) stresses him out a ton so I was trying to give him some time at home with TLC to mend.  But we don't seem to be getting any better and in fact, I think is getting a bit worse after a week. 

I have blood test results handy in case there are facts or figures that might be helpful.

All happened so suddenly, not sure what to do.  Any ideas ? 

Welcome back, Merfin70. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances.

What are you feeding him? Have you checked to see if there are recalls or related issues on the food? And when you say "booster shots", what shots do you mean?

AC

hno: I am very sorry to hear that your kitty is not well. I second what Auntie just asked. I am concerned about the vaccines also. Which vaccines did your cat get that day? How many at once? I really hope that you can get an answer to this soon. Glad you are working closely with your vet. :nod:

Thanks AC.  He's a picky eater and while I know it's not the best, he will only eat Fanct Feast Elegant Medely Selects (the blue cans) in terms of Wet Food.  I've tried all sorts of others and he just turns up his nose at them.  I do a little better on dry food which I think is healthier from what I read but you can be the judge.  He eats Halo Spot's Stew for dry.  They free feed on food as they have never had a weight problem.

For some additional info, we also own his sister Cleo who eats the same food and is completely normal.  So I don't think it's bad food as I suspect they would both have issues. 

On shots, the paperwork says
 

1)  Rabies, Feline (Purevax)

2)  FVR-CP Annual

Gosh, this is very distressing for you, I'm sure.  Even though visiting a Vet stresses him out, might it be worth it to get a 2nd opinion, since this Vet can't seem to find anything wrong.  Perhaps you could pick up copies of his xrays and blood work so they have a comparison (or so they don't need to do them again)

I have to agree with you about it not being the food, since both he and Cleo eat the same thing. 









that you can get to the bottom of this and get your boy back to feeling better.

I am so sorry your kitty is going through this
Make sure he eats well....
Can you post his bloodwork results for us to take a look?

Thanks so much.  Are there particular parts of the blood work ?  It's pretty long and full of abbreviations, some of which aren't clear to me.  He's no better but no worse today.  Just lethargic and sleeping all day.  He eats a little wet food in the morning and otherwise very little else.

merfin70 said:

Thanks so much.  Are there particular parts of the blood work ?  It's pretty long and full of abbreviations, some of which aren't clear to me.  He's no better but no worse today.  Just lethargic and sleeping all day.  He eats a little wet food in the morning and otherwise very little else.

Click to expand...

Anything that is either high or low would help......
I would really start assist feeding your little one... Don't leave it up to him to eat
Here is a thread I have with some good tips and links on the subject, hope it helps!
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/227858/syringe-feeding-lucky-video-if-your-cat-is-not-eating

Here you go

LY% (Low) - 15.3

MO% (High) - 3.9

PLT (Low) - 177

ALB (Low) - 2.1

AMY (High) - 1357

TP (High) - 8.5

GLOB (High) - 6.3

On feeding, I've started trying to supplement with Nutri-Cal and KMR.  I wasn't sure on the KMR but was willing to try any high calorie food to get something in him.  He's not a fan of the Nutri-Cal so that's a fight but the KMR goes down easy.  Hope it's OK to use kitten food given that he's lost 1lb already.

If the above highs and lows bring up other question please let me know.  We have another vet visit tomorrow at 10am though I'm not entirely sure what I hope to gain from it.  Just feels like I should be going back as he's no better than he was on Wednesday.

Any and all help is appreciated.

merfin70 said:

Thanks AC.  He's a picky eater and while I know it's not the best, he will only eat Fanct Feast Elegant Medely Selects (the blue cans) in terms of Wet Food.  I've tried all sorts of others and he just turns up his nose at them.  I do a little better on dry food which I think is healthier from what I read but you can be the judge.  He eats Halo Spot's Stew for dry.  They free feed on food as they have never had a weight problem.

For some additional info, we also own his sister Cleo who eats the same food and is completely normal.  So I don't think it's bad food as I suspect they would both have issues. 

On shots, the paperwork says
 

1)  Rabies, Feline (Purevax)

2)  FVR-CP Annual

Click to expand...

Well, cats do react differently, so I wouldn't rule out the food as a cause just yet.

Actually, you know what I would do? I'd switch both his wet and his dry ASAP. If he perks up, you know it was the food, if he doesn't you know it's something else and you have just conclusively ruled one unknown out. And maybe fresh flavors will help tempt his palate (as Carolina suggests, you don't want to let him go without eating).

The Purevax is supposed to have fewer reactions, so that's good, too. Concurrent with changing the food, I think I might do as Sally says and get a second opinion.

Many good thoughts and prayers headed your way!!! I hope your boy gets better right quick.

AC

P.S. Here's a list of things to tempt his appetite: Warm the food by mixing it with warm water (don't microwave it), or sprinkle catnip, Parmesan Cheese, Forti Flora flakes, fish food flakes (weird, but it works), or some crumbled up freeze-dried meat treats (Whole Life's chicken works wonderfully on my kitties!) over the food.

You can also drip a bit of tuna juice or sprinkle crushed up Temptation treats over it, but be careful to drip/sprinkle as minimally as possible and wean the kitty off as soon as possible - both are unhealthy in anything but small amounts and are very addictive.

merfin70 said:

Here you go

LY% (Low) - 15.3
MO% (High) - 3.9
PLT (Low) - 177
ALB (Low) - 2.1
AMY (High) - 1357
TP (High) - 8.5
GLOB (High) - 6.3

On feeding, I've started trying to supplement with Nutri-Cal and KMR.  I wasn't sure on the KMR but was willing to try any high calorie food to get something in him.  He's not a fan of the Nutri-Cal so that's a fight but the KMR goes down easy.  Hope it's OK to use kitten food given that he's lost 1lb already.

If the above highs and lows bring up other question please let me know.  We have another vet visit tomorrow at 10am though I'm not entirely sure what I hope to gain from it.  Just feels like I should be going back as he's no better than he was on Wednesday.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Click to expand...

Ok, I don't know what the normal levels are on your tests, so I don't know how high or low these numbers are.... (depends on the lab) But here it is in general:

LY% (Low) - 15.3 This can mean a sign of a viral infection, or simply that the kitty was stressed at the vet....
MO% (High) - 3.9 Signs that the kitty is fighting an infection....
PLT (Low) - 177 indicate bleeding or excessive destruction of platelets caused by parasites or immune diseases
ALB (Low) - 2.1 This is related to her liver... it ranges from going off food, to liver disease, to IBD....
AMY (High) - 1357 This is common in cats with Pancreatitis, and cats with CRF
TP (High) - 8.5 This can mean inflammation or infection - it is an indication of over-stimulated immune-system. It can just mean though, that the kitty was dehydrated..... Which is possible since it was not eating well
GLOB (High) - 6.3 may indicate a parasite or a viral or bacterial infection. Other possible issues include feline liver disease, arthritis, and kidney issues.

Again, I do not know how high or low these numbers are.... But I would not dismiss them either.... It is clear to me, that there is a pattern here - your kitty is fighting something. Honestly, if your vet can not help you, I would urge you to seek a second opinion.... But Several of them are showing infection, some are showing liver, and a couple, kidneys, which can be telling you something, due to her age. She is not old, but she is 7.
Tomorrow, I would demand an appetite stimulant, and I would discuss this blood test.

I don't know if I would change her dry food abruptly - that can cause tummy upsets.... Pick up some A/D from your vet tomorrow..... Kitties love that food..... I am very successful spoon-feeding my kitties.... I blend the food with a bit of hot water in a smoothie blender and give to them with a spoon.... They eat to the last spoon!

Here is a video.

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

If she doesn't start eating, you will need to resort to force-feeding her with a syringe while you work on a diagnosis.... But you have to feed her.... it is very very important..... I posted a link to a thread.... there is a video there too....

This site has a lot of good information on assist feeding: http://www.assistfeed.com/

Auntie Crazy gave you some good tips on enticing her to eat - Fortiflora works wonders.....
Good luck tomorrow, and don't give up.... on both fronts - finding what's wrong with her, and on feeding her too

Thanks all.  Calling the vet this morning to see if they want me to come back with him or see if he improves more at home.  He seems a little bit better but that might just be because he slept all night.  Definately going to get some of the Hills A/D for added nutrition as he still isn't eating his normal amount of food.

Thanks also for the breakdown on what the blookwork means.  The vet went throughs some but not all of those.  The other think I forgot to mention is that his Temp was normaly so the vet seemed to think it wasn't an infection.  More to follow shortly I hope.

Merfin, I'll be thinking about you and your boy all day today. I hope he continues to perk up and starts eating well ASAP.  



AC

Just checking in to see if there is anything new. 

Caesar was a little more himself today so after consultation with the Vet, we decided to skip the stress of a visit and monitor through tomorrow.  I did stop down at the Vet to get the Hills A/D and a feeding syringe if needed.  Mixed the Hills with a little water and spoon fed him.  Had to do a little coercing but he seemed to take it OK.  I'm just happy that he's now had three helpings of it today along with some KMR to chase it down.  He also made it up to the 3rd floor of the house today (previously his favorite spot to sit in the sun) whereas he hasn't gone past the 2nd the last couple of days as the stairs seemed really hard for him.  All good signs I hope so keep those good wishes coming. 

merfin70 said:

Caesar was a little more himself today so after consultation with the Vet, we decided to skip the stress of a visit and monitor through tomorrow.  I did stop down at the Vet to get the Hills A/D and a feeding syringe if needed.  Mixed the Hills with a little water and spoon fed him.  Had to do a little coercing but he seemed to take it OK.  I'm just happy that he's now had three helpings of it today along with some KMR to chase it down.  He also made it up to the 3rd floor of the house today (previously his favorite spot to sit in the sun) whereas he hasn't gone past the 2nd the last couple of days as the stairs seemed really hard for him.  All good signs I hope so keep those good wishes coming. 

Click to expand...

Yey!!!!
Yep, A/D and spoon feeding works magic sometimes!
At times I need to follow Bugsy around the house, and just sit there - put the spoon in front of him..... and sure enough he eats it. It is not always all on one sitting... at times I need to come back in 5 minutes.... But it works!

So glad he's seeming a little better, even if it's only a little.  tiny steps are better than none , and it's good that you are keeping in contact with the Vet. for continued progress!