Cortisone shot has ruined my cat

catconcern said:

I think it can as initially it seemed to, but the loss of voice and very tense, hunched behavior has me thinking otherwise Mowgli. Lack of appetite I have to admit is a big concern, see how he does in the coming days. It could be because his throat/stomach or anything else is hurting afraid Im not in the position to give advice Mowgli. Maybe another vet visit is needed again?

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zoneout said:

Yes, there is a difference between lack of appetite - and  - having an appetite but being unable to eat.    

Why a cat is hungry but refuses to eat is the million dollar question.    That was some of my most frustrating moments when my cat got sick.   At those times, the one thing I could definitely always get her to eat were her treats.   She would get excited at the sound of opening the bag.    But unfortunately a cat cannot survive on treats.   At the  point when she finally even refused her treats it was very near the end for her.

What I learned might help you for some clues.   Yes, if they have mouth/teeth problems could definitely be a factor.   Does he growl in pain as he eats ?   That could be from a sharp tooth/mouth pain.  

The other thing that would stop a cat from eating is nausea.   And also excess stomach acid.   And also a respiratory problem - cats will only eat if they can smell their food.  

There are probably many more that I dont know about.

Does your cat vomit? 

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No, thankfully he isn't vomiting this time. He seems interested in the cat food but only takes a few bites each time.

This site has helped. Thanks for the replies guys. Its taken some of the edge off. My boy is fast asleep peacefully I'm glad he's got some respite. I wish you all well, I'll be back on here later.I havnt left the house for 3 days I need to get out and take my mind off this and freshen up.

MowgliTheCat said:

Thank you so much for your response! I totally agree with what you are saying. My cat Mowgli had got very sick last November and it was an unrelated issue. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and at that time it was totally different scenario. He had totally stopped eating, wouldn't even react to treats or come to his food bowl. He was throwing up then.

This time it is a different issue - right after he got the cortizone shot (for mouth ulcers which cleared by magically after the shot), he came back home and ate his last wet meal properly. This was exactly one week ago. Since then he has been going to the cat bowl every now and then but only taking a few bites. Even the wet food that he usually gobbles down, he is only licking. He eats the treats but again doesn't eat them all

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Has he been drinking?

Yeah, like I said its really frustrating... the cats cant tell us what is hurting them.   The lack of eating could be many things.....  even depression I think I read somewhere.

Really your only choice is to have them run a blood and urine scan to see if something is off.   Hopefully something shows up on that otherwise xrays and ultrasound is next which gets expensive.

I have heard good things about B12 - I would probably give it a try as it cant hurt.  Also if stomach acid is the culprit then 1/4 tab of Pepcid 10mg (not the 20mg max tab) once a day can be a big help.

They ran blood tests and everything looked normal on Saturday (5 days after the cortizone shot). He had a high fever of 106 degrees though. They gave him fluids, vitamin B12, B complex and anti biotic shots.

Ultrasound would be the next option. He had ultrasound last time in November when they diagnosed him with the pancreatitis.

I am thinking may be something to do with his mouth. Cause the steroids really healed his mouth ulcers quickly. May be his teeth are sensitive or something now. But like you said, who knows. It is hard to tell since he is just a cat who can't express in words. I ll probably get an appointment for him again tomorrow. Hopefully his doctor would be working as she works only twice a week - she is a senior doc with some 30+ years of experience.

Wait 106???   Thats really high.    Have you taken the temp since then?   You can do it yourself.   Digital rectal is the best way I guess unless you can afford a fancy vet one that goes in the ears.

A cat running 106 is not going to be scarfing down food,  hes probably weak and nauseas.    What were the antbiotic shots for?  do they suspect an infection?   I could be wrong but I think antibiotics need to be given for several days - I am not sure one dose is sufficient.

Look, whatever else happens until his temp gets down under 103 he is not going to feel like eating.    Thats what I would be focusing on.   You gotta find out why his temp is up so high.   

good luck

zoneout said:

Wait 106???   Thats really high.    Have you taken the temp since then?   You can do it yourself.   Digital rectal is the best way I guess unless you can afford a fancy vet one that goes in the ears.

A cat running 106 is not going to be scarfing down food,  hes probably weak and nauseas.    What were the antbiotic shots for?  do they suspect an infection?   I could be wrong but I think antibiotics need to be given for several days - I am not sure one dose is sufficient.

Look, whatever else happens until his temp gets down under 103 he is not going to feel like eating.    Thats what I would be focusing on.   You gotta find out why his temp is up so high.   

good luck

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Dear Zoneout,

I really appreciate your advice and inputs. They said he had a high fever of 106 but honestly, I was doubting it and asking my husband if they made an error. Cause Mowgli did look lethargic and I also felt like he had a fever but nothing like the way he had acted last November due to the pancreatitis attack when he had 105.some degrees fever! He looked like a dead cat.. Barely opening his eyes and laying out most of the time. But this time he was more attentive and I thought he would probably have a fever of about 103-104. He just didn't look or act like 106! This was 5 days after the steroid shot that his temperature plummeted. So I think may be it was steroid that could have caused it by suppressing his immune system?

I did try to monitor his temperature today - Monday (last vet visit was Saturday) with a human thermometer and tried to put it under his armpit (I found this was a method online) but it didn't really work. Mowgli doesn't really like being touched (except when his daddy gives him massages) and also the thermometer isn't reliable I guess. I just ordered an infrared thermometer for cats on Amazon as I don't wanna stress him with the rectal thing (I doubt that I would even be able to do it) and he would never let me insert anything into his even if it is for a second. I think he has trust issues unfortunately. He has been eating every 3 hours some 6-7 bites of dry food and licks the wet food.

And regarding the antibiotic shot, it was Convenia - no sure if you are familiar with it but it stays in the system for 14 days and therefore, just one shot is enough. It had proved to be very effective for Mowgli one time when he has sneezing and asthma last year. It has worked like magic immediately healing the week long infection that he might have had then.

MowgliTheCat said:

And regarding the antibiotic shot, it was Convenia - no sure if you are familiar with it but it stays in the system for 14 days and therefore, just one shot is enough. It had proved to be very effective for Mowgli one time when he has sneezing and asthma last year. It has worked like magic immediately healing the week long infection that he might have had then.

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Thanks, never heard of that one.  Will have to keep it in mind.

@catconcern This doesn't sound like a side effect from cortisone.  This sounds like an airway obstruction.  Can they see down his throat at all?

@MowgliTheCat Convenia has been known to cause some serious problems in some cats.  Hopefully your kitty will be just fine, but you may want to do a search for signs/symptoms to look for in case if something starts to not look right with your kitty.

peaches08 said:

 
@catconcern This doesn't sound like a side effect from cortisone.  This sounds like an airway obstruction.  Can they see down his throat at all?

@MowgliTheCat Convenia has been known to cause some serious problems in some cats.  Hopefully your kitty will be just fine, but you may want to do a search for signs/symptoms to look for in case if something starts to not look right with your kitty.

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Hi peaches, no because he's too aggressive and he will bite or scratch them. He's got a lump on his throat for sure thats where this all started and why he got the cortisone. He can't  get sedated because he may not wake up as he is an older cat of 15.5 years. Many ppl on here have stated that their cat has been lathargic and zombie like after the cortisone injection so I beg to differ. Certainly all his symptoms aren't as a result of it but he wasnt like this before it. 

Thanks though peaches.

Not good news. But before I get to that I'll tell you about how he laid with me on my bed last night. I had come home and he was in front of the heater. It was like he was scared of me he left the room as soon as I got in the door. I had a shower then picked him up much to his discomfort but I thought I had better spend time together because he needed comfort and it wasnt looking good. He laid with me relaxed and it made me happy. I had to eat dinner and left my bed and after a while he came and ate some of the chicken I was eating. He went in his room for a few hours then when dad gave him biscuits as he always does he went in the laundry where he sleeps and jumped up on the ironing board. I thought that was a good sign the fact he can still jump and do his usual routine which I guess they'd always do if able to. I checked on him and patted him and he started purring. I checked on him a while later and he was still purring. I loved hearing him purr as I always do and was so happy that he was happy. In the morning when I got up I opened the laundry door and he was happy and wanting to go outside. He was wagging his tail and rubbed his face on mine. He didnt go outside as mum wasnt sure if i was going to go back to sleep and be able to help him if other cats were around. I did go to sleep and when i woke up and he was laying happily and relaxed in the window. Checked on him again still the same. Checked on him later he was resting on the floor and cleaning himself more good signs I thought but i noticed a little blood from an old wound and although minor didnt like that as i was thinking his immune system is obviously down.  Rang the vet they said theyd call back I checked on him in the mean time again and noticed blood/fluid coming from his lump after i saw more blood/fluid on the floor. This isn't uncommon. Checked on him again and I couldnt believe what I saw. It looked as though not the lump, but his actual side of his body had just opened up and it was a deep, severe gaping wound that was bleeding a fair bit. I took him straight to the vet and he has no option than to get surgery. I dont think he will make it. Even if he did pull through the surgery, he hasn't got long left. I couldnt nor would I put him down without trying everything possible and apart from all of this he still doesnt look like he is in life threatening pain although he definitely is in pain. Its hard to describe. No doubt he is suffering, but he doesnt look like he's on his death bed. I don't want him in pain I only want him to be alive if he wants to be alive I dont want him living if he is suffering all the time. I love him dearly. I cried like a baby. My cat is so loving, strong, caring, smart, beautiful cute boy he could possibly be. 

I'm doing everything I can for him and love him so much and want him to be ok but I can't have him suffer. I dont think he will pull through the op because he has multiple problems as well as being 15.5 years of age and even if he did I know he hasn't got much left and I hate saying this but euthanasia looks like it will come into it. I'd rather if he was going to die it's in his own home. If my beautiful baby does die at least he will not suffer though.

God bless my cat, my boy, soul mate, best friend, family and companion. Love you eternally my baby.

edit

'' noticed a little blood from an old wound and although minor didnt like that as i was thinking his immune system is obviously down.  Rang the vet they said theyd call back I checked on him in the mean time again and noticed blood/fluid coming from his lump after i saw more blood/fluid on the floor. This isn't uncommon ''

the first wound was on his arm. The blood/fluid was another wound from his side. 

bad news. vet had a look at him, and it was cancer spreading through his body. Decided not to through with the op as even if he would pull through he'd be in too much pain and delaying the inevitable. I saw my grandma's cat and he suffered way too much and longer than he should. My cats cancer went through or outside his rib cage, developing on legs, throat, sides, back. They told me it was just cysts a while back. Pathetic. Anyway im messed up and cried uncontrollably my body was shaking but ill b ok and at least no more suffering. What a tough boy he is that he could go through all that pain and just took it.

I wish I could buy you a drink my friend.   Lord knows I need one.   15 almost 16 is a good run.   Look at the bright side and all the great time you had together.    

Appreciate the time you had together.   My cousins dog was only 3 years old and got hit by a car and killed.  It was a tragedy.   To make matters worse it was his friend driving the car.   The dog just got loose from the leash and ran under the car.  

Its going to take time to heal the hurt you feel.   But thats because of the bond we have with them.    A friend of mine said the hurt we feel is only for ourselves.   But those departed are fine, in a better place, with no pain or suffering.   So in a way, we should be happy for them.

May you find the peace and strength you need.

zoneout said:

 
I wish I could buy you a drink my friend.   Lord knows I need one.   15 almost 16 is a good run.   Look at the bright side and all the great time you had together.    

Appreciate the time you had together.   My cousins dog was only 3 years old and got hit by a car and killed.  It was a tragedy.   To make matters worse it was his friend driving the car.   The dog just got loose from the leash and ran under the car.  

Its going to take time to heal the hurt you feel.   But thats because of the bond we have with them.    A friend of mine said the hurt we feel is only for ourselves.   But those departed are fine, in a better place, with no pain or suffering.   So in a way, we should be happy for them.

May you find the peace and strength you need.

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Thanks zoneout. The reality hit me last night. I woke up and I felt clear headed and I thought, what did I do? I know he was very sick and it was only a matter of time but I was supposed to take him for an operation only. He didnt want to go yet. I promised him I wouldnt put him down and what did I do? I did exactly what I said I wasnt. He was scared. All these years I told him I'd never leave him yet I did. I said goodbye before the operation, but It was a tense, sad goodbye not a good one and he let out a grizzly growl like he knew he was going to die and We'd never see each other again. Luckily my mum went and saw him before he got the anesthetic { before the op not to get put down }. His ears popped up and he turned around and faced my mum. I was going to go back and see him but I didnt want to give him negative energy as my mum was postive with him. So he was due to get surgery and when the vet gave him the anesthetic and took a look at him he said there was cancer spreading all through his body. He said if it were his cat and he was that age he'd put him down and not go through the surgery as with my cats history medicating him would be hard and he'd be in pain and only delay the inevitable if the pain killers didnt work . So we did as we didnt want him to suffer even if he made it through the op, but I should have tried the op and if he came out of it gave him pain killers even if he lasted one day, two or a week what ever. At least he would have got a chance to come home and I wouldnt have broken my promise. If I saw that he was suffering I would have got euthanasia anyway.

It hurts me. Because when my dad went to the vet to get the cage I started crying uncontrollably and my cat jumped from the window to the floor looking scared and knowing he was in danger. It hurts knowing to get him out of the cage they had to shake it hard as he wouldnt come out as he was backed back and would have scratched them. It hurts that I didnt even think to stay with him with they put him to sleep for good as the vet told us to leave. I didnt even think to stay. My head was messed up. We all saw him before they put him to sleep while he was alive but asleep through the medication before he got put down. We got his body from the vet this morning and buried him. Im devastated but feel better knowing he's at home with us.

I felt so bad last night and in the morning when i woke up at 2am and again this morning that I wanted to die. I'd rather be with my cat. Don't get me wrong I wouldnt resort to suicide but I felt that bad that I didnt want to be alive and I wanted to be with my boy. He actually was my soul mate and guardian angel if only you guys knew the half of it. My body was shaking and contracting when I was crying it was heartache. There was more I wanted to say but can't remember at this stage. Thanks for all the support here really appreciate the messages from you and everyone. I honestly believe the cortisone set him off and just killed his immune system and everything. Im really annoyed I didnt hold off on that he didn't need it at least then he didnt. He went downhill in a matter of days after the 2nd shot and was completely lethargic, quiet and spaced out.

edit  - he was due to have an operation, but when the vet gave hims anesthetic and put him to sleep and checked him out, he said it was in his best interests to not go through with the op and put him down while he was asleep and peaceful.  He had cancer everywhere.

I guess looking back even though I feared the worst I thought I'd see him again. But when the vet told me about the cancer going through his rib cage and spreading allover, I guess I couldnt have him suffering anymore.

Broken hearted.

Please don't beat yourself with what if i had done this or that.  If he had gone home after surgery I am sure you wouldn't have wanted his last days being in pain from both surgery and cancer.   Being he was already asleep for the surgery you know he felt no pain at all.   I know you are heart broken.   I have been in your situation before and it is very hard.    I am so sorry for your loss.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

sunset97 said:

 
Please don't beat yourself with what if i had done this or that.  If he had gone home after surgery I am sure you wouldn't have wanted his last days being in pain from both surgery and cancer.   Being he was already asleep for the surgery you know he felt no pain at all.   I know you are heart broken.   I have been in your situation before and it is very hard.    I am so sorry for your loss.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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Thank you. It means a lot. I'm starting to move on from the what if's already because I broke down inside uncontrollably many times already in the short space of time that it happened and have been talking to close friends and relatives ever since. But what is really plaguing me atm is why on earth didn't i stay there while he was going to get his needle to cross over? I was so upset at the time crying, shaking, and was so weak I didnt even have the guts to say no I dont want to go, I'm staying here while he's getting the needle. My mind was broken. The vet just wanted us out of there he didt even really want us coming to see him while he was asleep. I felt rushed and as if it would be a disturbance to stay any longer or ask to stay. I should have been there for my boy holding him while he crossed over I always thought I would I said to him I'd never leave him all these years and thats what I did. It hurts me knowing he died next to some stranger. I love him dearly I should have been there. So lucky mum got to see him before he got put to sleep too I dont know what I was thinking obviously I wasn't. How bad would it have been if she didnt get to see him before he closed his eyes forever. I'm thankful for that.

catconcern - your cat KNOWS how much you loved him.   There is nothing more you needed to prove how much you cared about him.   It was obvious.

I had a feeling it was tumors the way you  explained it in the first post about the lumps growing wildly - it seemed obvious to me - but its not something you can say to someone and scare them in case you are wrong.

Honestly and truthfully -  I would not have been with your cat on the op table at the end either.  I would have been way to scared.    Maybe it is better that it is not your last memory together. 

I know what you are going through - it sucks - it really does.   When my cat died in the vets office from a heart attack I wasn`t in the room with her either.   I keep thinking maybe if I was there it would have comforted her.    For the last 3 weeks I keep replaying it my mind...... maybe I should have done this or that.... but it doesn`t change anything does it?   We can`t unscramble eggs.   What is done is done and we need to mourn for a time then move on.

My cat was about the same age 14.   She had a bad heart and other problems and I hated to see her suffer at the end.   Even a week before then she looked perfect and strong.   But at the end she couldn`t even walk she was so weak.   So I felt the loss badly - still do - but it was a relief that the suffering was over.