I wish I understand cat talk...PLEASE HELP.

My adult cat is in pain and I have a thread in Cat Health about it, but now I am just lost as to how to help him.

He's growling, moaning and crying and it looks like he's "shivering" while breathing. He is trying to tell me something but I just don't know what the issue is.

To recap, Miballs went to the vet twice and had X-rays taken on his torso and tail. All bones seem intact but the base of his tail is the root of the problem and his tail is now lifeless. We're not sure what happened, we think it happened outside. He can't jump and is now a floor dweller and is just in a lot of pain. The steroid injection is starting to wear off because he's more vocal now, but I just don't know what to do anymore because the doctors don't know what's wrong.

Please help, I am worried about losing my baby.

What is your thread in health?

"Is My Cat Okay?"

I found it.

Honestly, it's disturbing.

Are you aware of what being positive for felv means? How contagious it is, how cats get it, etc?

Is he not neutered?

He is clearly suffering. There are alot of sensitive nerves that connect and run down the tail. A limp, hanging like a rope tail is not good.

It means nerve damage likely. Many cats need the tail amputated, and become incontinent, unable to control their urine and pooping.

It is a sad state for them to suffer with.

I can't understand for the life of me why your vet isn't taking his condition and tail problems alot more seriously. Is it lack of money? It's okay to say yes, nothing to be ashamed of, most of us know exactly what that is like okay?

But is this why the lack of tests/meds? He is in awful pain. I hate to say this but it will NOT heal on it's own.

Understanding cat talk takes close observations.  A cat holding his tail high is in a good mood.  A cat switching his tail back and forth means he's irritated.  When their ears are pointed back or flattened - watch out!  He's really mad.  When a cat winks at you it means he loves you.  Headbutting and ankle-surfing are good signs.  It's just a matter of close observation.

Purrs,

K.Malachi

catwoman707,

He is neutered, and I understand it's highly contagious which is why he usually only goes out to pee and comes right back in (with no interaction with other cats)... though someone in my family accidentally let him out at night and he didn't come back for 2 hours (this was a few nights back).

Your guess is as good as mine on why my vet isn't taking it seriously. It's not exactly a lack of money because they all kind of just said "I don't know what's going on with your cat..." They also didn't suggest any sort of tests and or medication other than the steroid injection.

I understand you're not a vet (well, idk...you could be), but if this was your cat what would you try and get done as far as tests/meds go? I sort of want to take my boy to another doctor but forcing him in the carrier is just so mean (I feel, on my part). :/ I'm lost as to what to do.

Please, if you have any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

I would think being in pain is worse than the discomfort of being in a carrier for an hour or two.

I understand. I might just get a third opinion ASAP.

risk having kitty in a carrier for a bit and take him to another vet if you feel the current one is NOT helping. it helps to call another vets office and talk to a dr first before your take your animal there, to get an understanding that you're not crazy, and they'll do everything possible to help you.

vets can be just like dr's for humans. if you go a vet or a doctor that's always finding zebras, that's all he's gonna look for. and he's gonna miss the horse in the herd, the diamond in the rough, so to speak..you know? 

maybe look into a vet that specializes in cat care, as opposed to one that is a general animal care vet, and they focus on ALL animals..

He has obviously suffered from some trauma that has caused his tail to go limp.

What a vet will do is, bloodwork and x-rays to look for damage.

He will be tested to find out if it is paralyzed, and if so, recommend amputation.

If he still can  feel it, he needs to be contained in an area so he will relax and hopefully recover, while on pain meds, because this is quite a painful injury.

I agree, a cat only vet would be a good idea for sure.

What does your vet say about what to do next?

Does your cat have complete control over his urination and defecation?

If so, this is a good sign, if not, it is a bad sign because treatment is very limited for him.

tisjaeso said:

My adult cat is in pain and I have a thread in Cat Health about it, but now I am just lost as to how to help him.

He's growling, moaning and crying and it looks like he's "shivering" while breathing. He is trying to tell me something but I just don't know what the issue is.

To recap, Miballs went to the vet twice and had X-rays taken on his torso and tail. All bones seem intact but the base of his tail is the root of the problem and his tail is now lifeless. We're not sure what happened, we think it happened outside. He can't jump and is now a floor dweller and is just in a lot of pain. The steroid injection is starting to wear off because he's more vocal now, but I just don't know what to do anymore because the doctors don't know what's wrong.

Please help, I am worried about losing my baby.

Click to expand...

It sounds like he COULD have a spinal cord injury near the base of his tail.  That won't necessarily show up in an x-ray.  Continued steroid shots will not fix this problem!  If your current vet can't find a cause for his condition, find another vet!  Pronto!

catwoman707,

She really didn't say anything, which is why I want to switch to another vet although I've looked around and can't find any in my area (they tend to be both dog and cat vets). He's got X-rays and bloodwork done and now I don't know the next step except take him to another vet.

As far as urinating and defecating...I am not quite sure although I did find stool in the litter box today so I'm guessing that's a good thing.

AllMomsKitties,

That might be it. Have you had experience with situations like these?

Thank you to all the help.

tisjaeso said:

 
catwoman707,

She really didn't say anything, which is why I want to switch to another vet although I've looked around and can't find any in my area (they tend to be both dog and cat vets). He's got X-rays and bloodwork done and now I don't know the next step except take him to another vet.

As far as urinating and defecating...I am not quite sure although I did find stool in the litter box today so I'm guessing that's a good thing.

AllMomsKitties,

That might be it. Have you had experience with situations like these?

Thank you to all the help.

Click to expand...

Yes, more than 20 years ago.  I had an outdoor kitty that came in with her tail just limp behind her.  It turned out to be a spinal cord injury at the very base of her tail.  We will never know how it happened, but the tail was amputated and she did better.  She was always a floor dweller after that though.  She never seemed to be able to jump up on things.  I don't know why. 

I don't have any experience with this situation, but I agree about finding another vet. Maybe calling around & asking if there is one who has more experience/expertese w/ cats.

I am so so sorry your baby is in pain, but yes, all the more reason to find someone better asap, so he doesn't have to be in pain any longer than he has to.  

I will pray for your baby, & that you will be guided to the right vet that will be able to find what's going on & help him!!    

That's what I'm leaning towards, but I'm just wondering how that would help.

Angels mommy-

Thank you for the prayers. I hope I find another vet as well.

Your so welcome! 

Rather than going to another vet at random, I think it might be helpful to call around, tell them you are looking for another opinion and what the situation is so far, and if their vet has experience in this area or not.

You will quickly get a feel whether or not this might be a good vet to try.

Vets vary greatly, it always amazes me how much so.

Take newborn kittens for example, I've had one vet tell me to just hope for the best and they probably won't survive, and another swoop the babies up and get them tube fed and on meds right away.

I've had 2 popular vets both tell me that I need to euthanize a rescue cat named Hope, rather than try to make her well. That she will most likely not recover.

Wrong! I couldn't do it and took her home, in 2 months she was completely well and adopted.

Just a couple of examples. Not all vets have the same experience, and it is well worth getting another opinion, at least some type of plan on what can be done, what the next step is.

Your vet hasn't even called to ask about how he is doing? He has no pain meds either. What is up with that, you know??!

As far as the pooping, poop in the box is a good sign. Often times with a tail trauma, there is nerve damage that can not be repaired. Either at the time of trauma, or later if left like it is. This can be seen if the cat loses control of urination and/or poops.

If he is not showing signs of incontinence, this is def. a good thing.

He needs to be on pain meds, and allowed time to possibly heal his tail. Not sure just how long, I don't imagine more than a couple weeks...(?)  If he is still in control over his pottying, then the vet will likely recommend amputation of his tail, which is not a bad thing. It needs amputating for cleanliness, otherwise because he is unable to lift his tail while peeing or pooping, will cause bacteria and creates repeated bladder infections due to bacterial growth from an unclean tail.

It also will stop further damage to the nerve because in time, left alone and not dealt with, he can very well become incontinent. Which is all bad.

That sounds like a great idea.

No, they did call after the first visit, but not this time around. I want to get steroids in liquid form because that seemed to help him.

Also, I just observed him trying to lick his private area clean, but can't seem to reach...I'm thinking because of pain. His leg lifts, but his head can't reach. :/

He's growling in pain and just can't get comfortable. Should I just get steroids in the meantime while I call around?

That is a cause for concern, possibly...it may be his spinal cord, or it may be due to pain in his butt/tailbone area.

Yes, I would definitely call the vet for pain med. Ask what he/she is thinking for next treatment option too, just to see if there even IS one.

Certainly needs help with pain at this point, poor thing!