Whats wrong with my cat?

barney74

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In March Barney went to the vet because he was urinating frequently. He was given metacam, covenia and two anaesthetics while there, not kidneys but possible urine infection and now heart murmur. Now 6 weeks later he is insecure, lost weight, has a poor appetite,wails as if in pain, had a seizure last week, attaxia and constipation. The vet says more metacam but I know that's not good for an old cat - he is 16 years old. I'm trying homeopathy and nutritional supplements but I fear I am losing him - any advice please as I am desperate
 

vball91

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Which tests were done, both in March and more frequently. Frankly I'm surprised your vet gave Metacam and Convenia and tw anaesthethics for a possible urinary infection. Which two anaesthethics? Was a urinalysis done? Was a culture and sensitivity done to identify the bacteria?

It sounds like there is more going on now, and some of it may be a reaction to the meds your vet gave. Is it possible for you to get a second opinion, maybe from a feline specialist? I would not give Metacam again. There are much safer pain meds for cats, such as buprenex/buprenorphine. I am sorry that Barney is so sick, but if you want to make him better, he needs a diagnosis, and I am not seeing that your vet is helping with that unless you're leaving out a bunch of info.
 

stephanietx

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Absolutely, positively NO Metacam!!!  He may actually be having a reaction to the Convenia.  I'd take him to another vet for a second opinion.
 
 
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barney74

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I have been unhappy with the original vets attitude; For sedation 1ml dorbene and 1ml dolorex the same next day plus propoflo plus with metacam and covenia. I was sent home with noroclav  but never used it and cystaid. As to tests blood showed kidneys OK except for slight rise in creatinine. No urine tests carried out as the vet said my cat would not cooperate. I had to take my own sample using supplied kit (why he couldn't do this I don't know) and rushed it to the vet as I know that crystals naturally form with cooling and time; despite my efforts it was not tested until 24 hours later when inevitably crystals were present. No ph level checked or tests for bacteria carried out. His teeth were cleaned although I questioned why when this had been done last September and claws snipped. We just got an incompetent but self opinionated young vet. Despite my initial request to be kept informed he never contacted me whilst Barney was in hospital; this annoyed me as I rang to find out how he was and no one seemed to know; at this point I refused to allow anything to take place until I had spoken to the vet even then he didn't tell me that he would be administering any drugs - this done purely off his own back.

I actually think that Barney is suffering from wrong diagnosis, wrong treatment and drug overdose but who will admit this. Definitely a reaction to covenia. I will do as suggested and try to find another vet (difficult in this remote area of Wales) with more sensitivity. I found a homeopathic vet in London who gives me various phials which I administer and now have some good nutritional supplements which help with appetite and weight. He did big poos yesterday and is more settled today but why did he get constipated  was the seizure linked to this? I also have nutricalm but give no other medication. His little body has had enough trauma and I wish to make things easier for him.

Your comments are much appreciated and I thank you In advance if you can add more advice for the future.

Jackie
 

vball91

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Can you have all of Barney's medical files/tests sent to the homeopathic vet in London for review if you can't find another vet near you? I am so sorry that this vet administered drugs without your approval.

I'm not sure why Barney got constipated. There's so many things going on, it's just impossible to know.

The only other thing I can suggest is to ensure that his diet is the best possible. An all wet meaty diet (high animal protein/low carbs) is best. Especially since he did have some kind of urinary issue, you want to stay away from dry food and fish flavored foods. If you make any diet changes though, please do it slowly so it doesn't upset his system too much. The goal is keep him eating so that he can recover.
 
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barney74

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You are so kind and caring - a true cat person. The files have been sent to London and it was this vet who pointed out some of the issues I mentioned unfortunately he has been ill this weekend and unable to help me.

Barney has always had a moist diet combining fresh foods usually raw minced beef or chicken plus cooked turkey (only from the most expensive butcher in the area!) and cooked white fish plus Sheba or Gourmet pouches. He loves sardines in tomato sauce. With the nutritional supplement I hope to build him up but my main worry is getting him through the next 20 days until the covenia has cleared his system and another worry is what are the long lasting affects of this and the other drugs administered in such a short time. I don't go out and make sure I'm around for him at all times.

I have contacted the manufacturers of covenia out of interest. When I questioned the young vet about the side affects he said he knew of no problems and that the internet was scare mongering!

Thanking you

Jackie
 

white shadow

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Hi Jackie & welcome to the forum.

I don't have a lot of time, so I'll just jive you some brief, to the point notes.

I, too, am very concerned for your cat....mostly because of the adverse effects of the two drugs you reported.
  • Each of these drugs, Convenia and Metacam, have contraindication warnings attached to them THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED CONCURRENTLY/SIMULTANEOUSLY.
From NOAH - National Office of Animal Health - on METACAM:
Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulant, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Metacam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Boe...Ds-mg_ml_Oral_Suspension_for_Cats/-40680.html
From NOAH - National Office of Animal Health - on CONVENIA:
Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Concurrent use of other substances that have a high degree of protein binding (e.g. furosemide, ketoconazole, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) may compete with cefovecin binding and thus may cause adverse effects

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Pfi...n_for_injection_for_dogs_and_cats/-43050.html
From The European Medicine Agency - on CONVENIA
12. SPECIAL WARNING(S)

Concurrent use of other substances that have a high degree of protein binding (e.g. furosemide,

ketoconazole, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) may compete with cefovecin binding

and thus may cause adverse effects.

http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB...Information/veterinary/000098/WC500062067.pdf    (p.26)
Here is an extract** from some information about Metacam, including recommendations for treatment if an adverse effect occurs (IV drip):  **extract is from http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments_antibiotics_painkillers.htm#meloxicam_adverse_reactions_protocol
A treatment programme which includes 4-5 days of IV fluid therapy (hospitalisation), followed by 4-6 weeks of sub-Q fluids at home, is often recommended by the manufacturers....

http://www.felinecrf.org/treatments_antibiotics_painkillers.htm#meloxicam - full coverage link
What I would do:
Now, should you encounter any more of the following:
When I questioned the young vet about the side affects he said he knew of no problems and that the internet was scare mongering!
you can ask whether or not The National Office of Animal Health and The European Medicine Agency are scare mongering - and provide the appropriate links.
 
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barney74

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Thank you - you may have had little time but the information provided is marvellous and I will be acting as soon as veterinary practices open (its 7.35 now)

Yesterday Zoetis spoke with the vet but, as I expected, they decided the fault was not their drug adding its only in the body for 40 days, my reading is generally up to 65 days which is what I am working towards. The vet is contacting me today as I think they are concerned for themsleves and I get the feeling ranks are beginning to close - hence your information is armour in abundance. Could this toxicity have caused his heart murmur, seizure and constipation?

Will keep you all informed

Jackie
 
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barney74

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Today Barney showed signs of vision problems and the vet says its old age and brain problems. Does anyone know if this could be the result of the seizure or have any advice for helping him (none from the vet)?

Thank you

Jackie
 

white shadow

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Today Barney showed signs of vision problems and the vet says its old age and brain problems.....
Well, that sounds about as informed an opinion as one might expect to have received in the last century....very early in that century......or, perhaps to be taken from a witch doctor's handbook.

Quite the diagnosis!
Does anyone...have any advice for helping him (none from the vet)?
Jackie, I don't know which notifications you are receiving from the forum, so - just a note to advise that I've sent you a message which might provide some Veterinary relief for you and Barney.
 
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