My cat is sick, help please!

Hello everyone.

About two weeks ago I noticed my little buddy was losing weight. His fur was matting and he would puke on occasion, he was severlly dehydrated.
I took I'm to he vet and the vet told me his abdomen was blocked. After an x-ray it was confirmed he had a block and he was kept over night with IV fluids.
The next day he came home after showing signs of improvement and a bowl movement. His complete blood makeup showed both red and white blood cells were low.

A week after the initial vet visit my cat showed signs of worsening. He had a fever and was groggy, lethargic and losing even more weight. I took him back to the vet for fluids, an elisa test and another complete blood makeup.

His blood makeup showed some signs of improvement, albiet slight.

The vet told me his diagnosis was panleukopenia. My concern is that his is 2 years old and is up to date on vaccines and if it were panleukopenia his white load cells would not increase, would they?
He has been sick for two weeks now and my wife administers subcutaneous fluids, he is on 2 antibiotics and an appetite excelerator. He is wobbly, weak and I'm scared.

I don't know what it could be, can it be panleukopenia after all??

I'm so sorry to hear you guys are going through this. Although, if it's any consolation it sounds like you are doing everything right and everything you can to make sure he is comfortable. Don't underestimate how important those two things are!

I agree with you that it doesn't quite sound like panluk. FPV would lead to a drop in white blood cells and it sounds like his have increased. And, since you said he is UTD on vaccinations I'm assuming he has been vaccinated against it. That doesn't mean he couldn't contract it, it just significantly lowers the odds. Also, FPV usually causes constant, bloody diarrhea which he clearly doesn't have. Maybe your vet is right but my gut is screaming for a second opinion and the need for more tests.

Have they ruled out things like FIV, FeLV, and thyroid issues? How about a possible stomach/intestinal blockage (with something other than just stool)? It could also just be something as "simple" as a super bad virus. The point being, I still think you need to do a lot more testing before settling on a potentially inaccurate diagnosis. 

If I were you I would see another vet just to make sure you are covering all your bases. I would have them review the blood work (and possibly even recheck it) to rule out some of the things listed above. Also, have them look at the earlier x-rays to see if they see anything else on there. I would keep doing the SubQ's and the antibiotics but talk to the new vet about what dietary changes you can make that may help his stomach out and increase his appetite. Something as simple as plain canned pumpkin can help tremendously. Finally, I would do a urine and stool sample just to be sure there are no signs of urine crystals or parasites. It doesn't sound like it but you never know, and when dealing with something like this knowing what it's not can help determine what it is. 

Please, keep us posted as to what the vet (new or otherwise) says and if his symptoms change. Once you have a more accurate idea of what it is hopefully others can chime in with tips on how to "fix" it. Until then just keep doing what you are doing to keep him comfortable and content. Hang in there!

All my vibes for you, your wife, and your little Buddy! 

Thank you. I was thinking a second opinion was needed. Seeing as the first x-ray showed a blockage in the intestines I was curious as to why a second X-ray wasn't taken.
I will make another appointment tomorrow. Fingers crossed my buddy will recover fully soon.

heteloto said:

Thank you. I was thinking a second opinion was needed. Seeing as the first x-ray showed a blockage in the intestines I was curious as to why a second X-ray wasn't taken.

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Yeah that seems odd to me too. I would think they would want to be certain that whatever was blocking him had passed. Considering he hasn't improved much I really wonder if there is still something there, as so many of his symptoms sound gastrointestinal in nature. If he's got something going on in his stomach/intestine it would for sure put him off his food and make him stop eating and drinking. It would also obviously effect his nutritional absorption leading to the matted and dulled coat, rapid weight loss, ect.

I have given a lot of SubQ's over the years and as a general rule, if the cat isn't trying to rip your face off when you do it then something is still very wrong with them. No healthy two year old cat is going to tolerate being jammed in the neck with a needle, let along sit still long enough for all the fluid to go in! The fact that you didn't mention needing a small army to hold him down and haven't taken your Wife to the hospital for the treatment of severe bite wounds and scratches tells me he is definitely not feeling well. Poor little guy. 

 I think you are smart to make a second appointment, especially if you can do so with another vet (even just a different person at the same practice). Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is what is needed in a situation like this. Hopefully they can offer some new insight and get to the bottom of it! 

I know how helpless and frustrated you both feel. Just remember you are doing everything you can and that's all you can do. Buddy is very lucky to have parents who care so much about his well being and are willing to do whatever it takes to make him better. Just try to keep that in mind as you navigate these difficult waters over the next few days. Also, remember as you go into the appointment that you are his only voice and are the only person advocating for him. So, if you think more needs to be done then don't hesitate to say something. You are with him everyday and you know that he isn't acting normally. If your vet doesn't take that seriously then find someone who will. Don't be afraid to ask for a copy of his records and tell them you are going to seek a second opinion. This is common and if they are offended then that's proof you are with the wrong vet. A good vet wants what is best for their patient, not what is best for their ego. 

Hopefully they will have some answers tomorrow but if they don't start keeping a log of his behaviors and track as much as you can- when he goes to the bathroom, how much he eats (if any), if he is lethargic, if he has a temp, ect. Keeping track of the details will not only help back up what you are saying but may help them diagnose what's wrong. And, if you do switch vets, it will give them a great overview of the situation.

More vibes because you can never have enough- Good luck tomorrow Buddy that they can figure out why you feel so yucky! I'm praying for definitive answers and applicable solutions! 

Just checking in to see how the appointment went. How is Buddy doing? More importantly, how are you guys holding up? 

Sadly when we took him in for a second opinion they took fluid from his abdomen. It was FIP and we made the very hard decision to put him to sleep. The vet said he would not have made it through the night. It was awful. He was my best friend. Thanks for the support and thoughts.

Oh no I am so sorry to hear this.   That is never an easy decision to make but it sounds like you guys gave him the best gift you could in the end which was to be free from suffering. 

If you think it may benefit you we have a section on TCS called the Rainbow Bridge where you can write a tribute for him. Take all the time you need before you do so, and if it's not something you want to do you by no means have to. Regardless of what you decide out of respect for Buddy and your family, I will ask a Mod to close this thread. 

Again, I am so sorry for your loss and hope that you and your Wife can find peace in this loss by knowing he is no longer in pain, and that you both did absolutely everything you could to try and help him. I know that the Buddy shaped hole in your heart will never be filled, but hopefully time will at least start to heal it. 

RIP Buddy

I'm so sorry for your loss,  so i'll now close this thread

When you feel up to it why don't you start a thread in the Bridge for your little boy where we can all say goodbye to him