6 year old cat with multiple issues after vet visits

Bear with me, this is long, but I'm a detail oriented person and very concerned about my boy. If you don't want to read it all, the 2 vet visits are marked ** to help.

Background - My Dood is around 6 years old (we rescued him around 9 months), an only child, he is an indoor ONLY cat and has been very healthy (albeit a couple pounds overweight), active and very very outgoing until a few weeks ago. During a cuddle session I noticed that his gums were very red and swollen on one side, he wasn't off his food, his personality didn't change a bit. Other than really bad breathe, the swelling and redness was the only sign of an issue. We took him to a vet the next day. Prior to this visit, he hadn't been to a vet since he was around 1 1-2 and I wanted a vet with better hours, location and rep.

** Vet - 6/26/13 - During the visit the vet took his temp which was 102.4, she said his canines needed to come out and likely a few other teeth. He was given an antibiotic injection and she also suggested he have his rabies vaccine and FDV-RCP booster. She gave him the three injections, gave me pain meds to take home and we were to schedule surgery. He was a few pounds overweight at 20.4lbs - he is a large mixed breed cat though! Oh! He also had a growth on his front paw by the nail, she said it was like a cat corn and removed it (he had it for years, last vet also likened it to a corn).

For the next week and a half he was just fine! Surly and a bit grumpy the day after the visit, licking his paw all of which is expected!

Sunday 7/7/13 things abruptly changed. I noticed a slight limp the night before, but my husband didn't agree. By Sunday it was very obvious in his back right leg, he was a little out of sorts, not lethargic and did eat his dinner.

Monday was getting worse, he didn't wake me up for breakfast at 5:30 as he's done every day for years. He loves his food, food and fetch are pretty much the best things in the world to him. He was also wobbly and favoring his back leg more. We played a LOT that weekend, lots of running, so I assumed it was either that or his teeth were hurting.

Tuesday we were worrying enough to give him his last dose of pain meds. Very lethargic, sleeping in his hidey-hole corner (unusual as he's usually at the door watching the birds or on me). He slept a lot on Tuesday, but the pain medication can do that... I became very aware that he hadn't poo'd since Sunday (though he did pee).

Wednesday - he couldn't stand without his legs quivering and he would go right back down, but now it was his back left and sometimes his front left, they also were shaking when he laid down, small quivers. I wanted him to go to the vet, my husband refused. I couldn't find ANYONE including neighbours to take me there (no cabs or busses)

** Thursday - 7/11/13 we went to the vet. Dood weighed 19.2lbs (1 pound down) had a fever of 104.6 (cries) She said he was badly constipated and kept him for the day. She did full blood work and everything was fine, I made sure to look at it and he really was perfectly in range on everything. X-rays showed multiple intestinal blockages. She did 1 enema and it did relieve him slightly, she had to do a second several hours later and a follow up X-ray to make sure the poo wasn't blocking something she could have missed the first time around. He had antibiotics again and a pain injection. She said to add pumpkin to his food, miralax if needed down the line (he's never been irregular before this) and to keep an eye on his potty and eating schedule, lethargy etc. we asked about the limping and she said it was likely because of the pain and pressure. She still wanted us to move ahead with dental surgery (7/24 despite trying to get it earlier).

Now at home and why I'm freaking out, he's shaking again. He doesn't want to walk or stand. When he does walk, he isn't limping but he's awkward. Family and friends keep telling me that it is because he's been so inactive and stressed for the past week, of course he'll be off. He DID poo 7/13. He isn't drinking (he's a picky drinker), he will nibble at food but only a couple of tablespoons. I DO over react, I am also a worrywart and researcher (not a good combo).

Could this simply be stress and from tooth pain? Or maybe haunch pain from injection site? I know this is information overload, but it helps me to type it out and I know a lot of you have the experience to appreciate the details. I would love some opinions (and happy thoughts or hugs!)

Thanks,
Katie and Dood the Cat

  Hey, I'm so sorry for your boy, I know how worried you must be.

   Is there any way you can take him to a different vet? This does sound pretty serious and maybe it would be best to get a second opinion. 

    It has always been my experience that boosters /vaccines are not given when there is a possible infection on top of antibiotics as well. You said he was given a antibiotic shot, do you know what it was? It was suggested to me years ago to give my kitty probiotics when she was on antibiotics, this helps replenish the natural intestinal bacteria that antibiotics kill. He was given another antibiotic shot 2 weeks later? was it because of an infection? Then the pain shot, was he in obvious pain?

    I absolutely would not go through with the surgery till he is better, and positively get a second opinion. Sounds like there is a lot more going on at this point, and he could be receiving unnecessary meds, causing some side effects, and very possibly misdiagnosed. 

  Keep a close eye, I would find another vet tomorrow. 

  Maia and I will be thinking of you and your boy, please let us know what happens......


  We r sending the good luck touch!

cheylink said:

  Hey, I'm so sorry for your boy, I know how worried you must be.
   Is there any way you can take him to a different vet? This does sound pretty serious and maybe it would be best to get a second opinion. 
    It has always been my experience that boosters /vaccines are not given when there is a possible infection on top of antibiotics as well. You said he was given a antibiotic shot, do you know what it was? It was suggested to me years ago to give my kitty probiotics when she was on antibiotics, this helps replenish the natural intestinal bacteria that antibiotics kill. He was given another antibiotic shot 2 weeks later? was it because of an infection? Then the pain shot, was he in obvious pain?
    I absolutely would not go through with the surgery till he is better, and positively get a second opinion. Sounds like there is a lot more going on at this point, and he could be receiving unnecessary meds, causing some side effects, and very possibly misdiagnosed. 
  Keep a close eye, I would find another vet tomorrow. 
  Maia and I will be thinking of you and your boy, please let us know what happens......
  We r sending the good luck touch!

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Thank you for the reply! I told my husband tonight that we have to consider a second opinion. He and I have very different pet frames of mind (I grew up in a house full of a lot, he had none until a teen). But, I hope that by calling a few offices tomorrow I can get Dood into someone on Tuesday . Fortunately we have a lot of options, but. Always worry about putting him through the stress of another trip out, Dood handles it horribly, like a lot of cats!

The booster/vaccine... That was a situation that I think a lot of us are familiar with, I was wary but didn't voice the concern fully enough and trusted that it was the right time. Right or wrong, we can't undo it, but it does reflect on the new vet, that's for sure. The first antibiotic name isn't listed in my notes. The second antibiotic was Convenia, she was still concerned about the dental related infection with his fever so high (though the bloodwork coming back normal concerns me, as his WBC should've been elevated) she did say that she hoped we could move the surgery up so that the Convenia would be in his system for the duration... But, I reminded her she was on vacation this week which was why we couldn't do it sooner.

His second pain injection was necessary, he was in a LOT of pain that morning, she couldn't even touch his stomach without him crying. In addition, the 2 enemas would have been awful without some relief. He isn't in obvious pain to the touch now, I forgot to add that. I can probe and prod and he's purring, but not... Well... Not himself!

Probiotics are a great idea! I'll run it by them just in case (or the next vet I call I know I tend to be critical of new doctors, for human or animal, but it is for reasons like this. As she (the vet) is on vacation, I am definitely going to try to get an opinion on one of the other vets in office via phone, especially since Doods X-rays are there and they might see something she missed. And though I hate admitting it, the thought of a misdiagnosis at $700 is tough to swallow.

I am most definitely leaning towards putting the surgery off a bit, I just wish I knew if his pain was tooth related, over medicating via antibiotics or if he did have an injury that slipped by all of us (or all of the above).

Thank you for the words and the good luck touch!

Pain relievers can be constipating as well.  Do you know what it was?

Also, for future reference, my cats have horrible reactions to vaccines, so my vet gives them a steroid shot at the same time (dogs get benedryl).  Works very well.  Also my vet says if they are strictly indoors, after their first full series of vacc., they don't really need them any more (except maybe rabies)

Could you get him to eat a bit of nutri-cal?  It would give him a bit more calories, and may help him poo, too.

Keep pushing liquids.  Water (warm or cold), broth (chicken or beef), even a bit of evaporated milk, watered down.  Canned cat food watered down, too.

I would really hold off on the dental surgery right now.  It's not life or death, and his fever really wasn't high at all.  You said he stresses from car rides?  That would be enough to elevate his temp.  My vet always asks how the ride was.  If his labs are all normal, and no infection, the teeth can wait!
 

I called the original vet and left a message to ask what the second pain injection was and what the first antibiotic was, unfortunately they havent called back. We were given Buprenex during the first visit, so i know that he had at least 2 doses of that. I spoke with 2 vet offices today for second opinions, both had the same suspicion that he is having a reaction to the Convenia. Particularly because of the ataxia and tremors, they also agreed that the constipation isn't an issue because he had a blockage rather than a chronic issue (he had clumps of MY hair, not his, there was little fur to be found).

I had his records faxed to one of those vets and he will be making a house call tomorrow morning (how lovely is that!?). He did intend to be here today, but our heat indexes are almost 100 today and 3 pet emergencies came up quickly.

Dood did eat about an ounce and a half of wet food this morning and he drank a little over an ounce of water, he also stretched in the sunbeam which was really great to see!

Nutri-cal is a great idea, I'll see if the husband can grab some during his lunch break.

Liquids are so tricky with him, he only likes running water but can't get onto the counter and in position, ditto with the cat fountain on the floor. I've tried broth and he won't touch it (and it was homemade good and pure stuff!), I didn't think evaporated milk was an option, even watered down! Gosh, I sound like a clueless new mom, I'm just on information overload and my brain is stressed blank!

I'm really glad to read similar opinions regarding the surgery, it just doesn't feel right! But, I'm also looking forward to the vet visit tomorrow. It is so tough finding a good vet, we couldn't get any friend recommendations that were closer than 30 minutes away, fingers crossed that tomorrow comes quickly!

Thanks for the reply Mamahen!

Ataxia is a side effect of Convenia, and he had at least one shot, if not two, of that, right?  And it actually stays in their system for up to two months, so BE SURE to let whoever sees him next know that he might have a reaction to it. 

Also, before seeing another Vet (especially if at a different Veterinary Clinic), you really need to know exactly what your furbaby has already been given both for pain (that pain shot) AND if everything else to prevent any overdosing,since certain pain shots should only ever be given once (Metacam, if I am recalling correctly...sorry, I'm in kind of a hurry and don't have time to look it up right now )

Any update on Dood? 

  How is Dood??? Maia and I have been thinking of him Don't know if some one suggested this but one way I get my to take in more liquids is to add a bit of water to her wet food.

Please let us know how he is

Sorry for the delay in responding, these up and down days have taken such a toll that yesterday seemed to be a sleep day for the whole house!

The house call vet came at around 10am and did a pretty thorough exam in the living room, he couldn't get a great gauge of things because Dood was tense and acting standoffish, can't blame him though, the last 2 times he had someone scruff him they pin cushioned and enema'd him. The vet was confused and concerned but not scared. Dood walked fine but wouldn't calm down to lay naturally to show the tremors. He checked his stomach and said there was no poo in there, so no constipation, but he also hasn't been eating much to poo. He's not anemic or dehydrated, HUGE relief! His blood flow is moving to his back legs, also good. But, he has a lot of pain in his back. He suggested it could be a herniated disc or possibly an embolism, the last vet also mentioned a disc but never touched on it again.

Most importantly, we did find out that the first antibiotic WAS indeed Convenia and he made it clear that vets are told to NEVER give 2 doses of Convenia that quickly and not for a reason like this and that other vet DID give it to him on the 26th and 11th, he was frustrated with that. He personally hasn't seen this type of side effect with it, and he does use it for certain situations (he thinks it is amazing for skin lesions and for feral shelter cats). But, he said that these symptoms ARE a rare side effect, he just can't say for sure because there are so many mixed signals being displayed.

And get this, his teeth are fine. He was livid that they still wanted to do surgery. He said he can't know what they looked like the before all of the medication, but his one canine is longer, a bit darker at top and will likely fall out on its own, the rest of his teeth are just fine. We are obviously canceling the surgery and will NOT go back to other vet other than to get his records.

He gave us two options, a cortisone shot or a specialist for his back and tremors. The shot will help the pain and hopefully make him more stable, but if we have to bring him to a specialist or hospital, it will make it more difficult to get a full sense of the issues. I chose the injection.

He also said we have to syringe feed nutri-cal if necessary. We also have some high vitamin treats. Other than that, he wants an update on Thursday or Friday.

On one hand, we weren't really given answers and actually have a new potential worry. On the other, knowing his teeth are fine, knowing that he isn't anemic or dehydrated and knowing that this vet wasn't like "hospital, X-ray, bloodwork, NOW," that helps. I think it is a waiting game now. He wants him to keep from exercise and jumping just in case it is a disc.

Dood did eat real food around 2pm yesterday, he doesn't like the nutri-cal at all (we have the real nutri-cal in fish and the gnc in chicken) and I swear Dood looked disgusted when I told him that was going to be his new twice daily meal. By 9pm he only moved a couple of times to switch positions, but he had a restful sleep. He ate a few more bites at 10pm. He poo'd and peed before bed as well! And, he slept in bed with us hogging my pillows and space *grin*

But, just a half hour ago he woke me up scratching on the mattress for breakfast, the first time he's done this in 2 weeks! I've never been so happy to have a cat scratch the furniture! (That is an old habit we can't break despite trying over a dozen remedies and right now I don't care because it was AWESOME to see and hear!) he licked every speck of his soft food gravy and a few chunks. I don't know if it is because he isn't hurting or if something changed, but right now I'm feeling good. I will also keep hovering

Thank you all for the concern, I'll keep updating, good and bad!

I wanted to share these pictures, I think it really shows how much he was going through. The first was about a month ago, second was the evening after first vet visit, third was 4-5 days ago and the last was this morning.

Edit: will try from the computer later, not sure why it won't embed correctly right now.

for waking you up to eat!  I take that as a good sign, definitely.  And great news that he doesn't need the tooth removed anymore.   But now there is this pain in his back issue.  That's new .   (isn't it?)  Was he able to run any blood tests since he was a Home Visit Vet?  Did he do a heart blood test, since you said he is a large breed, and they are more susceptible to heart issues.  (that possible embolism is what made me think blot clot, which I understand is very painful in the hindquarters...not exactly his "back", but close)   I don't mean to add more worries, but just want you to be informed

This vet chose not to do bloodwork that day because the previous bloodwork was only 5 days old and he truly didn't think it would be worth it with how stressed Dood was and the signs he was seeing. He would prefer doing another round after seeing how he reacted to the steroid.

He gave us all of the "could be's" as well as the "slim chance" and the "this is what I really think". He did do a blood flow test on his back paw to make sure the blood was moving, and no issues there.

The vet really seemed focused on the fact that his pain was directly timed with the 2 vaccines (one in each leg) and that it got so much worse after the second shot of Convenia. He even suggested in not so many words that giving the vaccines on top of a suspected infection and pain meds and antibiotics and stress from exam was... And then he stopped himself from finishing. To which I replied "I knew the vet broke my healthy Dood!" And he nodded and said we'd fix it. He also said that Dood seems really healthy, other than the pain and tremors.

But, I am a person that always needs to know all of the possibilities (it is that blasted medical training!), which is when he discussed the disc and embolism, slim but you just never know.

Dood has been so funny today, he is acting like a kid that was on bed rest for a week. He's relaxed but wants to check out every item in the house that moved in the last 10 days. He chattered at the baby bunny and groundhog that play on our porch, he came up for cuddles, he wanted combed and his big deep loud purr is rolling through the house.

I'll do a follow up next week with this vet or sooner if anything changes and I'll also get bloodwork done then (again unless anything changes).

Thank you for the concern, it is so appreciated!!
Katie

Sounds like he's definitely on the way to recovery.  But, since you are going back to this same Vet (the newest one), and he seems like he's a good one, and since you have medical training, THIS is the blood test I was speaking about. http://www.idexx.com/view/xhtml/en_...et-probnp.jsf?conversationId=89627&SSOTOKEN=0    You can talk to him about whether or not you think he needs to run this, just since you've got a large breed cat, and they ARE more prone to heart issues.  Better to catch something earlier than later, so it can be treated.  If he doesn't think it's at all related, then great. 

that all that "stuff" in Dood's system gets flushed out sooner than later (the Convenia), and that he makes a full recovery very soon

Seconding the many vibes for a quick full recovery. I'm so glad you found a good vet that you like.

  I am so happy you found another vet who would come to you and did exactly what one should which is look out for the best interest of Dood. It all sounded way to against everything I have ever experienced with any of my beloved fuzzy butts!

   My Maia has a problem with bacterial skin infections she often gets in the fall, sometimes to the point of needing antibiotics. Last visit for this my vet gave her the antibiotic shot which prior I had always done the liquid amoxicillin. I didn't know what it was till I got her home and looked it up, it was Convenia and I was concerned about possible side effects. One of the first things I read was it should not be regularly given.........

  Happy Dood is getting better!


Maia and I send you both kitty kisses!

I wanted to give an update on my Dood, I can't believe I haven't remembered to post in the past month considering how often I visit this forum for info... daily :lol3:

Dood had his dental surgery today and what a day it has been.

I don't want to confuse issues and likely should have started a new thread, but I really love having everything combined. Doodle did indeed have legitimate abscesses that the first vet spotted but the second did not (everything looked fine to the housecall vet because of the antibiotics already in his system and a couple of other reasons, after keeping a close eye on things and 1 more professional opinion we knew what was needed.)

Back to the dental issue, Dood is having some unexpected post-op issues and I'd love some feedback! He had his top right canine, a pre-molar and molar removed and all of the other goodies that go along with the cleaning. Other than those teeth, he is in great health! He is still losing weight at a healthy rate thanks to portion control and good food, currently 18.4lbs, and we only have a couple of pounds to go for his recommended weight. His appetite is back to normal, almost more than normal at that, he is STARVING tonight. We were told to give him a small meal tonight and not overdue it, unfortunately Dood takes offense to this plan. He doesn't miss meals often and the lack of breakfast and lunch is OMG HORRIBLE! :lol3:

I fed him a small amount several hours after arriving home and after licking the plate clean he and his wobbly drugged self was trying to open the cabinets, licking the floor and *pushing* his plate across the room to my feet, if there was food residue to be found, he hoovered it up *sigh*. Another small meal an hour later and the same thing, continue throughout the last few hours, still giving hour breaks between.

This also goes with the other concern. He will NOT sit still or sleep, and hasn't since arriving home at 4:30pm, he has consistently paced and wobbled, bobbing and weaving which IS understandable with the anesthesia, but I've never had a cat react quite like this. As we speak he is trying to play fetch, with what seems to be some depth perception issues. I was able to get some pain meds in as well as 1 dose on antibiotics, which is not a small thing. A very strong 18 pound hyper cat vs a short armed not so strong lady who hasnt slept in 39 hours is a tough battle, unfortunately my husband will not help (other than driving to the vet and offering criticism :doh3: which adds so much more stress to the situation.)

Dood IS confined to one room for his safety and comfort, but he is still not resting though much calmer than a couple of hours ago. He is the only cat that I've ever known that is awake more hours a day than asleep and he is taking this to a new level tonight. I wish there was a way to gauge his pain, tricky cats. I'd hate to find out that he was pacing because of the pain.

Have any of you had a kitty with a super ravenous appetite after surgery? Any suggestions for oral medicine other than the normal videos linked throughout this site and the blanket/scarf/burrito wrap method? Particularly a large active cat, not a mellow calm kitty which is most of the videos. July's oral meds didn't go well and this time he will be getting it 3 times a day between the 2 rx's. I had another question, but it has escaped my sleep deprived brain! I know I left out a lot of information that happened in the last month and a half, but I wanted to focus in the main issue at hand! Thanks in advance!

Since you didn't get any answers here, did you call your Vet this morning to ask if Dood might have had an adverse reaction to something they gave him?

As far as his meds, did you get pills, or liquid?  You could always try to get something that you could mix into his food, if he doesn't accept pills well, or in liquid if that's easier to administer. Or even get them compounded into a flavor, like tuna.  Otherwise, I just try to hide pills in something they really, really like.  You could use a tiny amount of cream cheese, hot dog, liverwurst, any kind of soft treat, pill pickets..