Very raw throat

My cat Scampi has a very bad throat along with some other symptoms. I'll do a run through of what's happened so far.

About 4 weeks ago I noticed when purring Scampi would be breathing through his mouth and making an awful lot of noise. At the vet I found out his throat was very red a sore. He was given anti biotic tablets for five days.

This did nothing so he went back to the vet, they thought it was gingivitis and gave him 7 day steroid shot. He was also starting to sound wheezy at this point and they said it's coming from his nose but there is no snot, no sneezing and no runny eyes.

This did nothing except make him hungrier short term. Next vet trip and they have him a 4 week steroid shot.

By now Scampi had started eating less, would only eat if I fed him a paste cat food, also a couple of times whilst purring he threw up.

Back to the vet and they gave him a two week antibiotic shot. A week later he is eating only a bite at a time and sleeping all day.

Back to the vet who was very rough with him. Pushed down hard along his windpipe and made him choke. He decides that it is just a virus and I have to wait. It's already coming up to 5 weeks, he is barely eating and sleeping all the time. His throat is still bright red.

Cat gagging when purring: this is a video of what happens to my cat as soon as he starts purring, this developed the same day he saw the really rough vet.

Scampi is 16,the vet can't decide if he has a thyroid problem as it's nearly always borderline and has otherwise been very healthy.

He's seen 4 different vets and not one will run any tests, not even bloods. My poor boy is so sick and the last time he went in his cat carrier he had a panic attack.

Anyone have any ideas?

Poor Scampi!

Four vets and no blood test? Most vets prefer to run blood tests on a sick cat, especially one who is 16.

I watched the video and what your cat is doing is not normal at all. It's hard to say what it could be, but clearly something is wrong and even making it difficult or painful for him to eat.

I suggest you feed your cat Gerber stage one turkey or chicken for now, and that you call around and locate an older, more experienced vet who will agree to blood tests up front, and will listen to you recount what has already been done for him. Hopefully you will begin to get some answers.

I do want to warn you that 16-year-old cats can begin to develop health problems that can be difficult to diagnose, including cancer. I am baffled over the sore throat that did not go away with antibiotics.

It sounds like your cat has something stuck inside. Perhaps an x-ray or scan is in order in addition to the blood work. I 'd ask!

I hope you can get to the bottom of this soon and your cat begins feeling better and eating better. Let us know how it goes.

They took full bloods a few months ago because of his thyroid so they'd even have something to compare it too. I asked about bloods or an ultrasound but the vet said he didn't think they'd find anything so he didn't bother. I'm in the UK so we don't have that brand of food here as far as I'm aware.

I'm all too aware older cats can get Ill very fast. I lost my 14 year old boy to lung cancer in May and I'm still in shock as he was a happy healthy boy shortly before then.

I am not sure if he possibly a bone or something possibly stuck in his throat. Can they do an x-ray of his throat and neck? Another thing, as I read your post, I am not sure if cats can get strep throat, could you ask them about it?

Can you find a vet who WILL do new blood work and an x-ray? There's no other way to know what might be occurring.

I don't think it's a bone as he doesn't eat out the rubbish and has mostly been locked up, this gagging/choking thing only started a couple of days ago but am worried it might be a lump think he needs an xray and ultrasound. I will ring on Monday and speak to them. If they still refuse to do anything I will start calling other vets. Just wish I could comfort my poor boy.

I don't believe it, they wouldn't let me speak to a vet, they have to see him again. The receptionist said if I asked for tests to be done they would do them but couldn't answer why the last vet refused when I told him straight that I wanted tests done. Now I have to drag my poor boy in again for them to decide if they would do any tests. This is not doing his health or mine any good.

The poor boy had a rough night, couldn't get settled and he wouldn't eat this morning.

Yes, I would request the scans right away, along with a blood test. Let's hope your kitty is not too stressed over it. Maybe the vet can give him a vitamin shot or some fluids as well - sounds like he could use it!

I'd like to add that depending on what meds he is on, some cannot be abruptly stopped, some need to gradually be tapered off. I think you might try finding another clinic as this one seems to be very disorganized and unprofessional.

Well they have finally agreed to run some tests in the morning. He will have to be put under so they can have a look. But I was expecting that. I also told them to keep doing tests until the find what's wrong with him.

I've never seen this vet before and he was older and said straight away that it's not a virus and he isn't congested and the noise is clearly coming from his throat. I'm going to write a complaint letter about the last vet, there are some really good vets there but as I've discovered done also really terrible ones and I never want one of my cats to see them again.

Will update you tomorrow as soon as I know anything. Let's just hope it is something they can fix.

The vet called my mum again and told her my cat has a tumour on his larynx. I'm waiting for them to call me back to see if I can at least try and treat him. I just lost one of my babies to cancer last month.

I'm so sorry. I really hope it's treatable. Cancer is such a cruel disease.

I'm taking Scampi to see a specialist in the morning assuming his breathing is alright when he has woken up completely. The way this thing progressed so quickly I can't help but wonder if the vets had done these tests a couple of weeks ago like I asked whether my kitty would be in a better position then he is now.

It sounds like a very aggressive cancer. I think it's unlikely that 2 weeks would have made a great deal of difference if it's progressing so fast. Don't torture yourself with 'what if' or 'if only'. All you can do is deal with the current situation as best you can, and stay as calm and keep things as normal as possible for your boy.

Well the diagnostic tests alone will cost £1400 and then if they can treat him that will be thousands more. The vet gave me all the options and said at 16 it wouldn't be unfair to have him put to sleep. Now I just wish I knew when to have it done. He's not in much distress and still wants cuddles but he really hasn't eaten since Sunday night and although he wants to eat it's just too much for him. I never want to say goodbye to my boy so having to decide which day is torture.

I'm so sorry hon. It's a decision only you can make. Look into his eyes - he'll tell you when he's ready. It's not good for him to be unable to eat though. Quite apart from feeling hungry all the time, his health will quickly deteriorate with lack of food. It sounds like it might be time. The final gift we can give our animals is a peaceful, dignified death. If you wait too long you'll regret it later. Of all the animals I've lost, it's the ones where I fought too long that I regret the most. Only you can make the call though. Huge

I agree with Columbine. Please don't wait too long. Animals truly do suffer. Cats especially hide it well. Not eating - or not being able to eat - will cause your beloved cat to go downhill quickly. Can you try to syringe some clear pedialyte into his mouth for energy? He needs to stay hydrated at least. Once you see the specialist you'll be more able to make your decision. Sending you hugs.

He is still drinking water fine. He wants to eat but when he tries it just causes him too much pain.

When I had my Simba put down for ill health due to old age, I had one final evening with him, where I held him, cried, sang to him, said goodbye... and took lots of photos

I am so sorry for all that you and Scampi have gone through. Do you think he could eat a "soup" of watered down wet food? Maybe you could put it through a blender and then strain out any lumps so it's very smooth.