Multiple symptoms and vet has no clue

Hi, this site was of valuable help to me when we first rescued Pansy Pickle from the streets seven years ago when she was close to death. She's a Doll Face Persian who has Feline Cerebral Palsy. No idea of her age but we're guessing about ten.

A few weeks ago, she woke me early in the morning and sat, her eyes glazed. Her head tilted and one eye looked different from the other - diagnosis a stroke. After a couple of days resting she was almost back to her old sweet self but then her nose started blocking and although antibiotics cleared that somewhat her breathing deteriorated. It's very fast and seems to be hard work.

The vet said she has a bad heart murmur and a detached retina. Diagnosis ??? Could be anything - tumour, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, stroke ....

We were sent home to think about all the tests. I was hoping one of you might be able to narrow down the diagnosis so that Pickle doesn't have to undergo loads of tests. She hates the vets and gets really stressed. However, her breathing, lack of energy and appetite are worsening. Her Cerebral Palsy means she's unsteady anyway but now she can hardly walk at all. If we could just submit her to a couple of tests rather than numerous procedures then it would help. BTW the vet has only just qualified and needs a second opinion on everything and that worries me as well.

In my heart of hearts I believe (and this is hard) she has come to the end of her road and needs to pass away with the minimal of discomfort to her. She's always been the sweetest, gentlest of girls - my perfect angel. All help and thoughts will be very welcome. Thank you.

This is the time we all dread... do we make that decision?

You can try every avenue.. a new vet, new tests etc, but I think you know what you want and need to do.  You know your girl really well.

Love and support to you...

I don't have much to offer other than is a different vet an option? Is there a more experienced vet that's consulting with your vet who can offer some insight?

My heart goes out to you and Pansy Pickle. I know how hard it is when our beloved pets get sick and it's so difficult to determine what's wrong.

Thank you for your kind words. You have confirmed my feelings and made some new points. I DO know my girl best and I got so caught up in the worry over tests that I overlooked the more obvious.

She's not in pain but if her breathing deteriorates much more and she shows any sign of panic then ...

Until then lots and lots of love, warmth and comfort.

Thank you again.
 

Well, some of those things you mentioned as options that might be wrong are so very simple to test...I'm surprised the original Vet didn't test for them when she went in, or did the Vet prescribe antibiotics for her stuffed nose over the phone. 

For instance, it's a blood test to test for kidney disease or diabetes, and to test for high blood pressure, it's kind of like with humans...I haven't seen it done, but my vet said they use a tiny cuff around their arm to test, only they have to do it several times and then take an average (although I don't see how high BP would cause shortness of breath, but, then again, I'm not a Vet)

These days there is also a blood test they can do to determine heart disease (to an extent).  As for tumors, if they suspect that, usually they can feel something during an exam, or the blood test might show something out of whack, which might be a clue that something is wrong. 

If she does have heart disease, there are medications that help that, believe it or not.  Have you ever had to give her meds?  Does she pill easily?  I'm just asking because in some cases,trying to pill them causes more stress than just letting them be, especially if you need to pill them twice a day and it's a fight to do it.  But some cats don't seem to mind, or will eat their pills hidden in food, etc. 

Just more food for thought. 

to you and for Pansy

Thank you. Your explanations make a lot more sense than the vet's. No, it wasn't over the 'phone but, as I say, the vet was only newly qualified and seemed unsure of anything.

My angel takes pills well but I think there are multiple problems here. The fast, laboured breathing and the detached retina and the stroke all seem separate. I suspect there would need to be a lot of different tests and that really would stress her.

If I could narrow it down to one set of vital tests that would make it feasible. For example, her heart. But then, the other problems would not be solved. Oh, it's so difficult to balance emotions and common sense. I want her here but would that mean a stressful, uncomfortable life for her? Perhaps some blood tests would be the answer, as you mention, if only to confirm her condition.

She is dozing now in front of the fire, her favourite place. I think I have to be as brave as she is being but if you have any ideas I would be very glad to learn them. Do you know if they can run multiple tests from one blood sample? Or would she have to keep going back? To be honest, I don't think she will last the week but we mummies like to believe in miracles!

Thanks again for taking the time to explain things.


PANSY PICKLE SEES A MOUSE!

That is an adorable cat. I'm glad she has someone loving to care for her.

If you do take her back to the vet, personally I would try a new vet. In my area in NJ, there's actually at least one vet who makes house calls which might be less stressful for the cat. I have no idea if there's anyone like that in your area but it might be worth looking into. Best of luck with your kitty.

They take the blood sample and run all the tests on the one sample. The blood pressure test is a little cuff (usually a cute little pink or blue thing with paw prints on it) that goes around the paw. It's difficult to gauge BP at the vet, because the cat is under such stress, but Ootay had her BP taken regularly.

The thing is, once a diagnosis is made, if there are treatments such as medications, blood work is needed on a regular basis to monitor the meds.

It sounds like you feel as I do, that quality of life is the most important thing. Some cats can handle multiple trips to the vet, medications, frequent tests, the lot, and once they are home again they are okay until the next time. Some cannot. You know your girl best.

Pansy Pickle :heart3:

Is there a story behind her name?

I'm just going to echo what some people are saying and that is find another vet, ASAP.  I have had to balance with my Cindy the battery of tests they've put her through vs. her stress level, and I have decided she's worth it to me to give her a shot at life.  It's not the same situation as your Pansy Pickle (what a cutie pie, by the way!) but I had one vet pretty much tell me to take CIndy home and make her comfortable and not "put her through" surgery, and another vet tell us she hadn't given up on her yet.  Well, Cindy came throught the surgery with flying colors, got a different diagnosis than what anyone originally thought (including the surgeon before getting the biopsy back!) and she has a real shot now at making it through this.  Every case is different, but I hope that you can find another vet for a second opinion before making any decisions.

Oh - and blood pressure on my Cindy was taken on her tail.  They shaved a little section of it.

It is with a broken heart that I have to tell you that Pansy Pickle had to be put to sleep today. Shortly after writing my last post, I went into the lounge and found she had managed to stagger to the door but then collapsed. I took her up to bed with me and cuddled her all night but her breathing was very fast and she wasn't eating or drinking. It was the most dreadful day but she is no longer suffering. I am aware that love can sometimes be selfish in that we want our babies with us all the time and even now I feel horrible at what I did and wish she was here.

My angel looked after me because as I drove out of the vet's I saw a very dear friend who immediately climbed in the car and came home for some 'tea and sympathy'.

For Otto - she got her name when we picked her up off the streets for Lincoln Cat Care. My mother said, "We shall keep you and call you Pansy because you have the prettiest face." I pointed out we didn't know if it was a boy or a girl and mum replied, "With a face like that? She's a girl." Pickle was added because she liked to think of herself as a bit of a cheeky monkey always getting into a pickle. Truth was, she was the best of girls. Must stop I'm going to cry ... again!

You have all been wonderful with kind, considerate advice and I send you big hugs
 

Oh I'm so sorry! But what a lovely life you had together. In time you'll be able to enjoy your memories of her, but now, oh I know how much it hurts. You've given her that final act of love, maybe the greatest must unselfish gift of all. Freedom from suffering. And there is another Angel at the Bridge, to watch over you.

Pansy Pickle

I'm so sorry that your beautiful girl had to leave you.. It is always heartbreaking.

What a wonderful life you gave her.

   

I'm so sorry to  be reading this.  When you feel up to it, you can write a tribute to your dear little Pansy Pickle in our "Crossing the Bridge" forum.

And as Otto said, you gave her the greatest gift of all, by letting her go, even though it broke your heart.       

As I said when I first consulted this site all those years ago - you really are the most wonderful caring people. Your messages made me cry - a million thanks. I don't know how I could have got through without you. I will write a tribute soon - she deserves it. Her rug by the fire still smells of her and her toys are as she left them. Oh sweet gentle girl I miss you so much, Mummy will always love you xxx