Drooling, bad breath and lethargic - he just looks sick

d0nna · Oct 23, 2014

Hi

I recently inherited a 15 year old cat with a thyroid issue on a transdermal medication. At my last visit, the vet mentioned a bad tooth, but it could wait. A few months later, he now is drooling and very bad breath. He just looks sick, and is very lethargic. He has not lost weight and still eats and drinks, although his appetite has decreased but has very little energy.

When I called the vet, he said I had to do another blood panel before the extraction, due to the anesthesia and his levels were too high. Obviously, I am upset the medication was not adjusted when the vet was informed of the high levels. However, my question is will the vet be able to treat the infection or abscess immediately or will I have to wait until the medication is adjusted and another panel complete to see if the levels are appropripate before extraction? If so, what types of treatment can I expect or should expect? I am really worried that the infection will affect other organs by the time the levels are at an acceptable levels. My appointment is tomorrow at 5 pm, but I do not think I am going to be able to sleep because I am so concerned. He is the sweetest cat and it breaks my heart that he does not feel well.

Please respond as soon as you can.

Thanks

Donna

alismama · Oct 24, 2014

he needs to se the vet as soon as possible.

stephenq · Oct 24, 2014

D0NNA said:
Hi

I recently inherited a 15 year old cat with a thyroid issue on a transdermal medication. At my last visit, the vet mentioned a bad tooth, but it could wait. A few months later, he now is drooling and very bad breath. He just looks sick, and is very lethargic. He has not lost weight and still eats and drinks, although his appetite has decreased but has very little energy.

When I called the vet, he said I had to do another blood panel before the extraction, due to the anesthesia and his levels were too high. Obviously, I am upset the medication was not adjusted when the vet was informed of the high levels. However, my question is will the vet be able to treat the infection or abscess immediately or will I have to wait until the medication is adjusted and another panel complete to see if the levels are appropripate before extraction? If so, what types of treatment can I expect or should expect? I am really worried that the infection will affect other organs by the time the levels are at an acceptable levels. My appointment is tomorrow at 5 pm, but I do not think I am going to be able to sleep because I am so concerned. He is the sweetest cat and it breaks my heart that he does not feel well.

Please respond as soon as you can.

Thanks

Donna

It's unclear, but this is a serious situation and I would press very hard to get the best possible treatment so that he can have the extraction as soon as possible. What exactly did the vet say was wrong that was preventing the procedure? What levels were too high?

d0nna · Oct 24, 2014

His thyroid levels are too high. He has been on a transdermal medication. I have an appointment today, I hope if they cannot extract it today, they can relieve the pain and give him medication. Any thoughts?

di and bob · Oct 24, 2014

They might want to give him an antibiotic for the infection too, that might help. I know when a human needs an extraction, they have to rid them of the infection first. The levels should quickly drop once they stop the medication, or they might be able to give a medication to bring high levels down. My heart goes out to you, I hope they can take care of it quickly. I would also remind that vet that it was because of waiting those few months on his advise caused all this. Please keep us posted, I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

catwoman707 · Oct 24, 2014

If it is not extracted today, he needs to be given antibiotics as well as some pain med.

Be sure to feed him only soft food.

Vets vary of course, some will see it as needs to come out asap, others want to wait, get rid of the infection first, etc.

I would think the vet will err on the side of caution due to his age, they don't want any negative effects happening from the anesthesia.

d0nna · Oct 24, 2014

Di and Bob said:
They might want to give him an antibiotic for the infection too, that might help. I know when a human needs an extraction, they have to rid them of the infection first. The levels should quickly drop once they stop the medication, or they might be able to give a medication to bring high levels down. My heart goes out to you, I hope they can take care of it quickly. I would also remind that vet that it was because of waiting those few months on his advise caused all this. Please keep us posted, I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

The only thing my Aunt was concerned about before they put her on life support were her cats, she never had children and her cats are her babies. I promised her I would take care of them....

di and bob · Oct 26, 2014

D0NNA said:
The only thing my Aunt was concerned about before they put her on life support were her cats, she never had children and her cats are her babies. I promised her I would take care of them....

You are doing a wonderful job, I thank you for stepping up and taking care of and loving your Aunt's cats, it must have been a great comfort to her to know they would be cared for, you will be surely be blessed. You are doing all you can, going above and beyond what most would do. Take care, and keep us posted!

d0nna · Oct 27, 2014

Results of the blood work came back and he has high kidney levels:8.2. The vet wants to get those levels down by SubQ fluids every other day and we'll check again in a week. The vet also heard a heart murmur and is concerned with too much fluid and to watch for signs. He did receive an injection of antibiotic and pain meds and he is feeling better. I also read on this site of Pedialyte mixed with chicken stock to help with fluids. Any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks

alismama · Oct 27, 2014

Happy he is feeling better.

stephenq · Oct 28, 2014

D0NNA said:
Results of the blood work came back and he has high kidney levels:8.2. The vet wants to get those levels down by SubQ fluids every other day and we'll check again in a week. The vet also heard a heart murmur and is concerned with too much fluid and to watch for signs. He did receive an injection of antibiotic and pain meds and he is feeling better. I also read on this site of Pedialyte mixed with chicken stock to help with fluids. Any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks

I would be very careful giving any liquids that contain any salt (sodium) as this can lead to fluid retention which can make a heart condition worse. When giving sub q fluids to a cat who may have a heart condition, you will want to watch for an increased respiration rate when the cat is asleep or at complete rest. Over 30/min is worrisome, 40+/min requires medical intervention. The increased rate is due to fluid building up in the lungs which if it progresses becomes congestive heart failure. If you can afford it, and if the vet is concerned, you may want to consider an echocardiogram prior to starting fluid therapy.

betsygee · Oct 28, 2014

@StephenQ makes a good point about the sodium. I give my kidney cat Pedialyte mixed with chicken stock--but it's broth made at home from just chicken bones, no salt or other seasonings added--which our vet said would be okay to do. Given your cat's condition, I'd check with your vet to see what they think of doing something like that.

Poor little guy--I hope you can get him feeling better.

d0nna · Oct 29, 2014

StephenQ said:
I would be very careful giving any liquids that contain any salt (sodium) as this can lead to fluid retention which can make a heart condition worse. When giving sub q fluids to a cat who may have a heart condition, you will want to watch for an increased respiration rate when the cat is asleep or at complete rest. Over 30/min is worrisome, 40+/min requires medical intervention. The increased rate is due to fluid building up in the lungs which if it progresses becomes congestive heart failure. If you can afford it, and if the vet is concerned, you may want to consider an echocardiogram prior to starting fluid therapy.

What are signs of increased respiration rate? Also, will an echocardiogram help, or is it a test? If it is a test will it provide a better treatment? Thanks for your help.

stephenq · Oct 29, 2014

D0NNA said:
What are signs of increased respiration rate? Also, will an echocardiogram help, or is it a test? If it is a test will it provide a better treatment? Thanks for your help.

You sit there with a stop watch or the second hand of a watch and you time his breaths (while he is at complete rest or asleep). Each time his diaphragm expands that's one breath. Count for 10 seconds and then multiply by 6, or count for 15 and multiply by 4 to get breaths per minute.

d0nna · Oct 30, 2014

StephenQ said:
You sit there with a stop watch or the second hand of a watch and you time his breaths (while he is at complete rest or asleep). Each time his diaphragm expands that's one breath. Count for 10 seconds and then multiply by 6, or count for 15 and multiply by 4 to get breaths per minute.

Is there some medicine for high kidney levels, besides sub q since the concern is the heart? What about heart medicine ? His breathing has been, normal for the most part, however he drank a lot last night and seemed to be swallowing a lot afterwards for about 10 min and then rested peacefully.

He is not eating much, but comes to the bowl at feeding time and takes a few bites and is done. He also did not want to sleep with me but did come in this am and did his normal morning nudge to my face to get me up and is purring now.

The previous vet had him on 15 mg of methamzo 2x a day. This vet thought it was too high so now it's only once a day.

Thanks for all of your help

stephenq · Oct 31, 2014

D0NNA said:
Is there some medicine for high kidney levels, besides sub q since the concern is the heart? What about heart medicine ? His breathing has been, normal for the most part, however he drank a lot last night and seemed to be swallowing a lot afterwards for about 10 min and then rested peacefully.

He is not eating much, but comes to the bowl at feeding time and takes a few bites and is done. He also did not want to sleep with me but did come in this am and did his normal morning nudge to my face to get me up and is purring now.

The previous vet had him on 15 mg of methamzo 2x a day. This vet thought it was too high so now it's only once a day.

Thanks for all of your help

There are some medicines and supplements besides sub q hydration that can deal with specific kidney issues, it depends what the tests results show and his symptoms, but at a certain point hydration becomes an important therapy with every cat who is declining with kidney disease.

I'm not sure what methamzo is....

Their are heart medicines but they won't generally prevent fluid from entering the lungs, but if fluids do get inside you can use diuretics like Lasix to remove the fluid from the lungs. The problem with diuretics is they can cause kidney failure....it's a balancing act.

d0nna · Oct 31, 2014

StephenQ said:
There are some medicines and supplements besides sub q hydration that can deal with specific kidney issues, it depends what the tests results show and his symptoms, but at a certain point hydration becomes an important therapy with every cat who is declining with kidney disease.

I'm not sure what methamzo is....

Their are heart medicines but they won't generally prevent fluid from entering the lungs, but if fluids do get inside you can use diuretics like Lasix to remove the fluid from the lungs. The problem with diuretics is they can cause kidney failure....it's a balancing act.

Thank you, he has a check up this weekend. I'll keep you posted.

Drooling, bad breath and lethargic - he just looks sick

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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