update on Gem - I'm worried

jkbank

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Hi there

Took Gem to the vet for a recheck. This visit was mainly to see how the meds were working on her heart and liver but also check the diabetes.

Her heart looks the same, which is good I guess in that it hasn't gotten worse. I asked for some clarification on the kidneys - they said it was more that they saw some changes in the architecture of the kidneys (their words) on the ultrasound, her blood levels were normal. They are running a full blood workup so I have to wait for those full results. While there, her BG was mid 100s so that's good, but she's still all over the place.

Here's what worries me - since this all started last summer, Gem lost all her fur on both sides, so she's left with just a wide strip of fur down her back. This was not coming from over-grooming as she barely grooms herself at all. In my internet research I came across Cushing's, though I realize it's rare in cats (I think I mentioned this in one of my earlier posts). However, outwardly she fit all the criteria. I mentioned this to the vet, they looked at her adrenal glands and said they looked fine, as did whatever hormonal levels they look at for that. The thing is, Gem's skin is so thin, when she spent the week at the vet, her skin tore and they had to "glue" it up. Then again today, while examining her, it tore in another spot, and she has some sores under her fur that may tear. Has anyone dealt with this? Her skin and coat just look in such poor condition and they are not sure why, but are rethinking the Cushing's. They want me to go to a specialist to have her more fully checked out. I am in NYC, they recommend Fifth Ave and one other, the name escapes me at the moment. I am so confused, and I feel so bad for poor Gem - her case just seems so complicated.

Any thoughts, ideas?
 

simka

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I can imagine how you must feel with Gem having so many health issues at once, you are on constant red alert, but you are on the right track to helping her.  I can't address Cushings, that's up to the specialist.  I can only tell you that I've had cats that have lived for years with kidneys that have shrunk to less than half their normal size, or knobbly shaped, or only small kidney working. If the vet isn't worried about her kidneys, perhaps you should put that on the back burner in your mind.

Regarding the thin skin and fur loss. Yes, I've seen this in cats that have serious health issues. My Zazesh has such thin skin that I ask they don't shave too close when they give him a sani-shave (he wears diapers) because his skin is nicked and torn so very easily. When he got a small sore from dragging himself around, it took weeks of special care and antibiotics for it to heal. He has multiple health issues. I've also had cats with chronic serious illnesses who have lost fur over parts of their body. I wonder if this has something to do with the body pulling blood supply away from the skin so it can focus on the major organs when the body is in distress - perhaps someone here can address that posibility
 
 
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jkbank

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Thanks Simka

The vet and I both feel that addressing the diabetes is first priority right now. Clearly if we can get that better regulated, that will help the kidneys.

However, the skin business has them stumped, and it is certainly distressing for us to see. My poor daughter is in tears over it. So I guess a visit to the specialist is in order to see if they can figure out what else may be going on.
 

carolina

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Hi there



Took Gem to the vet for a recheck. This visit was mainly to see how the meds were working on her heart and liver but also check the diabetes.



Her heart looks the same, which is good I guess in that it hasn't gotten worse. I asked for some clarification on the kidneys - they said it was more that they saw some changes in the architecture of the kidneys (their words) on the ultrasound, her blood levels were normal. They are running a full blood workup so I have to wait for those full results. While there, her BG was mid 100s so that's good, but she's still all over the place.



Here's what worries me - since this all started last summer, Gem lost all her fur on both sides, so she's left with just a wide strip of fur down her back. This was not coming from over-grooming as she barely grooms herself at all. In my internet research I came across Cushing's, though I realize it's rare in cats (I think I mentioned this in one of my earlier posts). However, outwardly she fit all the criteria. I mentioned this to the vet, they looked at her adrenal glands and said they looked fine, as did whatever hormonal levels they look at for that. The thing is, Gem's skin is so thin, when she spent the week at the vet, her skin tore and they had to "glue" it up. Then again today, while examining her, it tore in another spot, and she has some sores under her fur that may tear. Has anyone dealt with this? Her skin and coat just look in such poor condition and they are not sure why, but are rethinking the Cushing's. They want me to go to a specialist to have her more fully checked out. I am in NYC, they recommend Fifth Ave and one other, the name escapes me at the moment. I am so confused, and I feel so bad for poor Gem - her case just seems so complicated.



Any thoughts, ideas?
Hi, I don't know her history, and don't have much time to search right now..... But make sure to check her thyroid - this fur loss could definitely be a sign of elevated thyroid. Also, I am not sure what is going on with the heart ( again, have not gone back to your older posts) - be aware that untreated thyroid disease can result in heart failure and kidney disease.
If I were you, I would be checking this ASAP. I would take a closer look at the heart with an EKG or at the very least some x-rays (in different angles).
Anyways, the very first thing I would be doing is checking her thyroid - although, since I don't know her history, you might have done that already..... In ithat case, my apologies..... I did have a hyper-T kitty and she had these symptoms......
:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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jkbank

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Hi, I don't know her history, and don't have much time to search right now..... But make sure to check her thyroid - this fur loss could definitely be a sign of elevated thyroid. Also, I am not sure what is going on with the heart ( again, have not gone back to your older posts) - be aware that untreated thyroid disease can result in heart failure and kidney disease.
If I were you, I would be checking this ASAP. I would take a closer look at the heart with an EKG or at the very least some x-rays (in different angles).
Anyways, the very first thing I would be doing is checking her thyroid - although, since I don't know her history, you might have done that already..... In ithat case, my apologies..... I did have a hyper-T kitty and she had these symptoms......
Thanks Carolina

We have checked thyroid levels, in fact at one point they thought it was low (which is unusual in cats) but seems to be ok.

They have done x-rays and ultrasound on the heart and kidneys, that was how they discovered the issues.

I appreciate your suggestions though :)
 
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