My 10yr old indoor Cat Has Anemia & abdominal bleeding

Status
Not open for further replies.
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #21

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
Ok Everyone, so now I am starting to worry. The Doctor prescribed 100mg doxycycline to be given twice a day, morning and night 0.8 each time to him, before food (why, who knows!) and today he threw it ALL UP. I find it odd that he would tell me to give it on an empty stomach when even us human beings take it with food. Also.. Apparently this so called "Doctor" doesn't know how to count! He told me to count 3 lines after the #1 on the syringe and that would be the dose! how is that 0.80?! That would be 1.3!!! its after the 1/2 that you count!! I am certain he said this, he even marked the Syringe with a sharpie! I I keep giving my hard earned money to them for them to make my baby sicker! They are advising me wrong and don't know what they are doing! I'm so upset. Meanwhile, he isn't eating much today, he hasn't had water, and he is sleeping. Alot. I don't get it. This liquid keeps draining from him, and I'm concerned with that as well. Does anyone know about the effects of Vitamin K from preventing blood loss in cats?! Is it any good? Safe? Recommended in this case? I need to try something. Don't know which way to turn. I will definitely not give my kitty more meds today, I personally don't want to give them to him at all after this episode, but I will try one more time tomorrow after he eats (if he does) in the morning, and a smaller dose. If he throws up again, I can't continue on giving it to him, it's a good indication that something is wrong. I will then have to go see a specialist, and I really don't have the funds nor trust in them to do so! The trust is more of the issue than anything, cause if I knew for sure I was going to be in good hands, I would get them one way or another. I just don't trust any of these Doctors after all they have put us through. :'(
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
This is Doc Martin.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.med.veterinary/bZGZ08kPCB4

It's in regards to the doxy dosage and effects, not alot but still researching more.

The dose does seem high but I am not his vet either so not sure, I will let you know what I can find on this further.

Meanwhile, I WOULD dose him again but with food, and maybe try a lower dose to see how he does.

Found this too.

What is Doxycycline: Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to fight bacterial infections in dogs and cats. 
Doxycycline is available by prescription as 100mg tablets and 100mg capsules. The usual dose of doxycycline in 
dogs is 2-5mg/pound every 12 to 24 hours. The usual dose of doxycycline in cats is 2mg/pound every 12 hours. 
When giving the medication to a cat, follow the dose with a moist treat. Doxycycline is used to treat many 
different bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease, chlamydia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and others. 
Doxycycline may be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide. 

So normal/standard dose is 2 mg per pound. That's 0.4 mls twice a day.

If vet said 100 mg twice a day, that is 1.0 ml, one full syringe (the skinny 1.0 ml ones)

I would think he may feel your cat should be at a higher than standard dose, so that's okay I'd think, what was the amt you gave him when he vomited?

Try dosing him again but with food. It might have been the empty stomach that caused the vomiting. It can be given with or without food.

Why not call the vet and tell him he vomited it up?
 
Last edited:

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,391
Purraise
7,130
Location
Arizona
nausea and vomiting (and diarrhea) are a common side effect of doxy, so this may be why he's not eating or drinking.  You definitely need to call your Vet and talk to him, and since he's not in today, talk to another Vet in the office.  Tell them he won't eat or drink and throws up even the water you syringe into him, and also get a clarification on the dosage, and discuss any other issues you have about what's happening with him right now.   It's possible is can't tolerate the doxy, but it's also possible that the empty stomach is the cause of the vomiting issues.

BTW, twice a day antibiotic seems perfectly normal to me. 

When you said his tummy is running twice as fast today, do you mean it's draining more?  That's a good thing, if it's draining out the "poison" from the shot. 

Does he seem dehydrated?  He may need fluids....more than just what you can give him by mouth.  Especially if he draining lots.  He may need sub-q fluids.  Do you know how to check by pulling up  some skin  and seeing if it falls quickly back into place.  If it doesn't, that's a sign of dehydration.  PLUS, since he appears to be a little overweight (maybe it's just because his tummy is so swollen), he's a prime candidate for Hepatic Lipidosis if he goes too long without food.  It is imperative that you get food into him.  You may have to force feed him if necessary, but it's absolutely critical that he not go more than, say 24 hours at the most without eating, and when I say eating, I don't mean just a few licks at his food.  HL is definitely not a good thing.  Many people have lost cats to it, myself included. 

As catwoman said, try to remain calm so you don't panic your little guy.   I know it's tough at this point, but you need to try.  
  I, too have a sick one here, and it's so frustrating trying to deal with them sometimes.  In MY case, she absolutely refuses her medication 
.  My girl only weighs 5 lbs, but even between my husband and I, we cannot even forcibly get one little pill down her throat.  Last night we went threw 3 pills trying, and every time we thought we finally had one in her, we'd turn around and find it on the floor. 
  If only we could reason with her


Continued vibes for you and your little one
 
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #24

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
I appreciate the info., however I have researched all of that info. Already, with the acception of the dose.. I'm definitely not giving him any more meds for today. I am going to try a small dose tomorrow, but he is definitely over medicated. He has been sleeping all day, waking up only for a minute or two, snacking on little snacks I give but refusing to eat or drink. I'm so worried about him not drinking any fluids. I tried giving him chicken broth, and nothing. I put some water in his wet food, he are some of it, and then stopped. This poor boy has been through the GRINDER, I just want to make him comfortable, and make sure he is hydrated and fed at this point. I believe I will take him to a specialist soon, if not tomorrow, by Monday. I work all weekend, but my mother will supervise him for me. And yes, I did call the vet to report this incident and he was off today, which I can't believe, because he told me he wanted to hear from me by Thursday. So I called another vet that has seen him a few days ago, and also recommended doxy to him, and she said to give him rest for today, and start tomorrow with a smaller dose after food. I'm so hesitant to do so.. I am praying I don't see any drastic changes in him. He definitely needs something to stop the liquid / blood from seeping through the pouch on his lower abdomin. Any suggestions on that? I read that vitamin K is good for that. I already have Felovite 11 which has .80 mg of Vitamin K infused into it. It's a multivitamin paste. He loves it, and hasn't had any issues consuming it, with the exception of today. He doesn't want anything.. Just a few treats that have greens and other vitamins infused.
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,836
Purraise
13,144
Location
Columbus OH
I know vitamin K is good when there is some kind of clotting disorder.  Large doses of vitamin K is used to counter the effects of rat poison until it works out of the system.  The more I look at the pictures I am wondering if this isn't just a very large abscess.  If that is what is going on it looks much worse than it actually is.  Not that it is minor in nature but it isn't as bad as it looks.  Hopefully that is what is going on.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
@denise  my thoughts exactly, it sounds and looks like an abcess.

This is why you WANT it to drain, you do not want to stop it from draining, which causes that fluid to back up and accumulate in his body. 

His system is releasing this fluid for a reason, just allow it to happen.

The antibiotic is to work from the inside out, and is critical for him to get well.

He likely vomited due to an empty tummy, and may tolerate it fine after feeding.

If not then an alternative med can be given, or even antibiotic shots to bypass his digestive system if he is unable to tolerate meds orally.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
@denice @catwoman707 thank you both for your input and advice, I truly appreciate it. I am out of ideas at this point, and all those closest to me are walking the fire with me, but not as informed as all of you have been, so thanks bunches. I am concerned with his behavior today.. He is becoming very anti-social. This is out of character, he is usually very cuddly and affectionate, and I notice him to be with drawn. He wants to stay on the floor in my room, away from me. I had to grab him and place him on my bed. He is there now, but won't respond to my petting, and won't come snuggle next to me as he always enjoys. He is even purring little to none, and that's also odd, but I read when cats are in pain, they stop purring, or it's another rythem of purring.. This I have noticed. I wonder what I can do to get him back to normal. Will this ever go away?! :'( On another note, I put a small liter box in my room, and noticed he used it over night, but it was just two small little pebbles, not his normal fecal for sure. He did eat for me last night, and he took his Felovite vitamin today with no prob. He loves that paste..it's a step up from yesterday, he didn't want anything. However, he is still sleeping. Why is he sleeping so much? Almost all day. He looks a little better in his abdomin, still bleeding, but a little less, and I do see the swelling going down some. Discoloration still there. Not sure if he has had any water over night, but I will say I brought the water fountain in my room with fresh filtered water, so he's good to go whenever he wants a slurp. Haven't given him anti-biotic at this point. It's 8:38am where I'm at, and I am hesitant. Definitely want him to eat first, worried about his behavior and the episode I had yesterday with him. Can't imagine going through that again. He is soooo weak right now. Sleeping alot, not gravitating to me at all. I don't understand any of this?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #28

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
Ok, so the gums look a little lighter to me (pale) he drank water that I put in a bowl of his Fancy feast food.. I was very proud, cause I refilled it twice, and it was a good amount so he is dehydrated. His gums feel a little tacky too compared to usual. The bleeding stopped, it's very subtle in his belly compared to yesterday, he was covered... But I don't know what to do next about what's going on with him now.. And I had a VERY bad dream last night with him passing away at a Vets office, so I didn't take him in this morning.. I slept through my appointment. I don't trust any of them anyway. I believe his next visit, if nessesary will be to a specialist.
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,836
Purraise
13,144
Location
Columbus OH
Please don't give up on vets in general.  I know how frustrated you are, I am a veteran of the vet hopping thing with a chronically ill kitty.  There are good vets out there, I just wish there were either an easier way to find them or there was more self policing within the profession so there were very few poor vets out there.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
Please give him the antibiotics, he NEEDS this to recover.

You don't want something to happen where you look back and regret anything.

Not that it would, but who knows right? You wouldn't want to live with that.

The doxy isn't going to hurt him, it will help him.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
@catwoman707 He seems dehydrated.. So I gave him 1 ml of pedialyte. And I thought he pooped last night, turns out he peed a little.. So still no poop :( I mixed a spoon of pure pumpkin (from the can) into his wet food to help with the constipation, he ate some of it, but not the whole thing. I am hesitant to give him the Anti-biotic.. I will try giving him half a dose later today once he's with food and nourishment all day. I am worried about how much he is sleeping though :(( and he isn't walking around... The pain from his tummy is spreading down into his groin. So sad to watch, he still has alot of life in him. :(
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
He def. needs more than 1 ml of pediolyte if he isn't drinking.

But at least it's something. I would keep working on hydration, as it can and will wreak havoc and make his recovery alot more complicated.

The thing is, you are afraid to give him the med, but the only way he is going to get better is by the antibiotic. 

Once it gets working after several doses, his appetite and water intake will improve. He will begin turning around.

Without it, there is no way for him to get well again, it's impossible when there is bacteria present, it simply continues to multiply, making him sicker and sicker. It can even become overwhelmed with bateria and become a blood infection. This is NOT what you want.

So please give him the med, if you won't due to the vomiting the other day, then at least call the vet, tell him what happened and ask for an alternative, even if it is injections, but you must not wait. Each day of waiting is a setback.
 

miss mew

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
13,668
Purraise
36
Location
Canada
Just checking in to see this update. 

I agree with the others.  It is so hard to see our sweethearts suffer but sometimes the meds can make things seem worse before they get better.  Please continue with the medication regime.

I'm continuing to send prayers and good vibes your way!
 

goholistic

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
3,306
Purraise
370
Location
Northeast USA
@MelsBabies, I saw your note over on my thread. This is just horrible. I'm so sorry you and your boy are going through this. 
  I wish I knew how to help, but I've never seen anything like this.

Have you considered doing a consult (phone or in-person) with a holistic vet or a vet that specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine? There's a woman certified in this near you. I did a quick search using your town (http://www.tcvm.com/Resources/FindaTCVMPractitioner.aspx).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #35

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
Thanks you ALL for your help! [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji][emoji]10024[/emoji] you are all a blessing for me. Any advice or comforting words is enough to give me "hope".. And that's alot more than I have had all week. Here's an update, he POOPED & Did pee pee!!! Yay! Lol I feel like a mom who is potty training her child. I had to pick him up from my bed, and place him in the litter box though.. He isn't feeling strong enough to walk to it on his own. That concerns me.. But I am praying this will change. He ate.. Alot. Isn't drinking water, but I did give him a total of 4ml of pedialyte, 4 separate 1ml doses.. One every 20-30 minutes, as my vet advised me to. I mixed pumpkin in his wet food. I assume that's what helped him move his bowels.. Now... He is doing something odd. He sat up just now on my bed.. And started moving backwards.. As if he was having some kind of contraction or something. Not sure what it was...
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
It's great that he peed AND pooped! Lack of pooping is simply not enough taken in to put anything out :)

I would not give him any dry food at all, only wet and pate, adding a bit of water each time.

Believe it or not, this is actually enough water for a cat, however with his leaking it's a good thing to add the pediolyte when you can.

I think it may not be so much weakness that he is not walking, as painful or uncomfortable with that inflammed area right there.

How is the drainage? Remember, we WANT it to drain, especially since you are not giving him antibiotics, if that baby seals up it will cause a massive internal infection if it is unable to leak out.

As for the new backwards motion, I can't really picture what that is.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
He did it again. Anyone have an idea what it could be?? He is spazzing out on & off... And literally walked backwards.. I don't get it. He seems alert.. Head is up, he seems like he can't sit on his belly though.. Like it's uncomfortable for him. Does he have to move his bowls again maybe??? He is just laying on the floor right now, his butt pressed against my closet door, be seems uneasy. That was sooo odd! What the heck is going on?! I was just going to give him anti-biotics, and now I am definitely going to hold off until tomorrow. He is acting weird.. It's been about 12 minutes.. He is laying there.. Now looking sleepy.. But I don't know what that was. Neurological or maybe a side effect of the pumpkin in the food moving within the bowels. I pray he doesn't do it again..... Oh goodness, my nerves are rattled! Any info on this would be appreciated.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.
@catwoman707 he stopped leaking, yesterday he leaked alot, and today it seems closed up and as if he is forming clot under the skin. It's changed in color too.. Went from red to a purple tone. I will post some pictures.

Now, keep in mind .. He was a fat pouch when he was healthy.. So this isn't "inflammation" alone.. This is primarily discoloration and blood clotting.. His pouch always hung.. But it was normal colored.. White furr, pink skin... This is unrecognizable. I will post other pics of him.. Healthy and another clear shot of his tummy as it is now. :(
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #39

melsbabies

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
80
Purraise
1
Location
Hollywood Fla.

This pic was taken with flash, and the other I just posted was taken without. However, the discoloration is more less what you are seeing in the last pic I posted, more on the dark/purple side.. I have been giving him Felovite 11, and it has .80mg of Vitamin K in it, so that may be the reason he is clotting, cause Vitamin K helps stop the bleeding.. His eyes look clear & alert.. And he hasn't spazed out again.. But I am leaving him where he is on the floor, he looks calm as of now. Lord, please help me get through this, and pass this experience & heal my boy!! :((
 

zoneout

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
992
Purraise
99
Location
Stamford, CT USA
The spazzing out..... Could be from low electrolytes if he is still dehydrated. Make sure to keep giving pedialyte. It's almost like a brief fainting episode when their electrolytes get too low usually from heavy vomiting and/or diahrea. If it's severe then only a subQ dose or IV will help.

Hopefully he has turned the corner and his body was able to rid itself of the poisons.

Hugs
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top