Bad things happening to Allie.....help!

Thanks in advance for your help.

About a year ago Allie (now 11, she is a very tiny cat (only about 6 lbs...but like this her whole life), started have seizures (really scarey) so I took her to the vet and she is now on phenobarb for life. While there they discovered she also had thyroid issues (I have been reading alot about this tonight). Anyway, she is on meds for this too and all has been great for this past year......until this past month.

Allie has had a few very small seizures (hard to even tell really, but I know her so well) and I have also noticed changes in her behavior....lots of drinking, sometimes eats little sometimes wants more, weird walking (but not on honks), Looks thinner lately, but the strangest was last night....she was sleeping on my lap and when I got up to give her her meds, I was wet. She had peed on me and didn't even know it was happening. Then, about 5 minutes later I had her laying on the couch and she got up and looked at me (kind of out of it like) and then there was pee on the couch. Only a little, but enough. I took her to her box right away (downstairs) and she peed in it for awhile. One more thing, I have noticed a change in her eyes. They are now different colors. They both used to be green and now her left one is gold and when she looks at you in a light, it looks like it is glowing red.

I am calling the vet to bring her in this morning. Does any of this sound like anything any of you have experienced? I am having a hard time imagining here not here some day...especially when she looks like a young kitten but I can tell she is going down hill fast.

Thanks and sorry this is so long....tjb

Originally posted by tjb

One more thing, I have noticed a change in her eyes. They are now different colors. They both used to be green and now her left one is gold and when she looks at you in a light, it looks like it is glowing red.

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Changes in the appearance of your cat's eye could be the result of a number of different things, including possible infection and/or inflammation. Any change in a cat's eyes should be examined by a vet ASAP.

The seizures may or may not mean that your cat has neurological problems, and sometimes the cause of seizures can never be determined. What does your vet say about them?

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, please update us and let us know what you find out.

Involuntary peeing can be a result of a seizure. Or it can be a bladder or kidney infection. Your vet is the only one able to give you a proper diagnosis. I'm sending good vibes to you and Allie.

I took Allie in yesterday and it isn't the best news. They took her blood and are running many tests and then put a needle in her tummy to pull out some urine to run more tests and I will hear more either today or monday...hopefully not today otherwise that means major bad news. She has to go back in monday to check her phenobarb. level. Their main concern is in her eye. Remember that red glow I told you about? Well, they are puzzled and worried...they think it may be blood back there which has them wondering many things...cancer, epilepsy, I can't even remember what else he said, I was crying too much. I will let you know more when I find out. I think she has to go to a specialist ( does anyone have any ideal of what a CAT scan runs?) Also, since I brought her home she has barely moved. I am wondering if her tummy if just really sore from the needle. She hasn't eaten yet today, but I did see her make it to her box. She is just so little and looks sore and sad. I've been holding her alot and she is very sleepy. I think she thinks the world is against her. Bye for now.

A cat scan is used to look at internal organs. It's similiar to MRI but there's less detail. It's non-invasive and won't stress your kitty further. Perhaps they're focusing on the brain? I wouldn't be able to say for sure as there are many possible outcomes.

I hope Allie starts to feel better and a reason is found as to why she is ill.

Sending Allie **healing vibes**.

I'm really sorry to hear that Allie is having so many health problems. I can't say anything about her eye, but I do have experience with epilepsy and thyroid problems in dogs and people. We used to have a boxer with epilepsy, but we don't know whether he had it from birth, or from injuries sustained in the car accident that killed his first owners. My father became severely epileptic following a major stroke. Both were prescribed phenobarb, and in both cases seizures were not 100% suppressed, and phenobarb levels had to be closely monitored (in my father's case that was done about once a month, and in the dog's case every 3 - 6 months). The same dog developed hyperthyroidism when he was about 10, and got 300 mg. of L-Thyroxin daily. The levels were checked twice a year. I have hypothyroidism, and have been taking medication since 1986. I now have blood work, a thyroid scan and ultrasound done once a year. However, when I first started taking the medication, I had major side-effects (cold sweats, insomnia, trembling, loss of appetite), and it took over two years for my body to adjust to my present dosage (I started out on 25 mg., and that was gradually increased to the 100 mg. I now take; I'm supposed to be taking 125 - 150 mg. daily, but somehow I can't cross the 100 mg. threshold. In those early days, I constantly had to have my blood tested, roughly every 2 - 3 months. So it's possible that some of Allie's problems are related to her meds.

Certainly things do not sound good with Allie . You definitely need to get her to a vet.
Think over any changes you might have made, even different treats or anything that might be affecting her.
A red eye could be related to high blood pressure (maybe from her thyroid problem), glaucoma or retinal damage from diabetes.
The eating change & increased peeing could also be diabetes (though kidney problems & high thyroid can cause that too).
I would expect your vet will want to do some blood work & possibly an x-ray or ultrasound if they see any reason for those. they will probably try to get a urine sample as well.
We will be crossing fingers & paws for you!!
Deb E
PS Many of these problems are treatable, but not curable. And as always some cats respond better to treatment than others.

Well, when the phone rang I was so nervous to pick it up...they said bad news if I heard from them today. Anyway, Doc H said that he wanted to call because all of her blood work came out looking good. I think he was suprised. Thyroid good, blood normal for now. One test (some Value ??)did come back at 38 which should be around 30 but they don't worry unless it is at 70 or over...I think. His big concern I believe is her eye....he wants me to take her to the University here to see a specialist since they don't feel comfortable with the situation. I am thankful for his honesty. He won't really say much so I am not sure what he is thinking. Anyway, I will be going back in Monday morning to check her phenobarb. levels again. He said they don't really see many cats with seizures..mostly dogs) and then I will have them look into her eye one more time and go from there. I am wondering if he thinks the seizures have more to do with her eye thing..maybe related?? But the seizures started last year and the eye thing is new. Poor Allie is so sad looking and wouldn't eat so the vet had me come get some food that he says all dogs and cats love (a special, not to use all the time food).....and she did a little. I am hoping this lethargic sickly way she is acting today doesn't last too long becuase honestly, she wasn't like this at all until after we got home last night.....could she really be still traumatized by the visit last night? Thanks again for your (ears) and sorry I write so much!!! TJB

Well, good blood results is certainly one relief!
On the eating, try some of the great ideas you may have noticed on this list.
Add some juice from a can of tuna packed in water to her food. The strong odor may entice her to eat. Sometimes warming food up a little (check it yourself so it is not too hot!) will make food more enticing.
Her eye may be quite painful which could be putting her off her feed, as well as the trauma from her problem & her vet visit.
Seeing a specialist for the eye is an excellent idea!
Keep us uptodate!
Deb E

Originally posted by Deb Eldredge

Her eye may be quite painful which could be putting her off her feed,

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Very true, my RB cat, Midnight, developed glaucoma in both eyes when she was 13 1/2 and had periodic episodes of severe pain and inflammation. Whenever this happened, Midnight wouldn't want to eat at all, and would go into hiding and just lay quietly with her eyes shut. I would have to really encourage her to eat by getting her to lick small amounts of wet cat food off my finger.

Has Allie's level of activity been normal lately or has she been more lethargic?

tjb-

set allie up in a dark room that is very quiet. Dim the lights so when you do go check on her you won't interrupt her quiet time with harsh lighting (reduce the wattage in the room) Provide her with a comfortable choice of bedding and just leave her be to rest. Good luck with her please let us know what is found, as we are all quite concerned.

HI Lorie- Over the past year, Allie's activity level definitely has not be what is once was (I was thinking the the meds she was put on just knocked her down a few notches this past year) but she has never been like I have seen her today. That vet visit really has had an affect on her and now I am really getting nervous for her visit back on Monday to check her phenobarb. level.

Also, if anybody can give me an idea of what a CAT scan would cost I would really appreciate it....just an idea. The vet mentioned this would probably need to be done to find out more information. My husband and I are going rounds right now. He thinks she is getting old and we should let nature run it's course and I am fighting for her. I told him we didn't get her just to give up when things got rough. What if it is something not so major we could treat? I would never forgive myself it I didn't at least try to find out what it was...then go from there.

Thanks!!!

It's possible that whatever has caused the appearance of Allie's eye to change has been developing for awhile and didn't become noticable until recently. Only a vet who has examined Allie can give you definite answers. I hope she will be ok, please continue to update us.

What if it is something not so major we could treat? I would never forgive myself it I didn't at least try to find out what it was...then go from there.

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I think trying to find out what is wrong is the right thing to do.

Well, we took Allie to the emergency vet today and found out that her retina in her left eye is detached and that she can't see anymore out of it. There is alot of blood pooling behind her eye and they couldn't even see through it. Very unlikely that it will reattach and heal. They say most likely a result from her hyperthroidism and good thing I got her in as signs of it happening to her right eye. IF YOU EVER NOTICE ANY CHANGE TO YOUR CATS EYES....GO IN RIGHT AWAY!!! There is still a concern of renal failure but we will be keeping an eye on her levels. They put her on high blood pressure pills. Poor thing is now on three different kinds of meds a day. She is my expensive cat but I love her so. I know this is bad, but I am just glad she is still with us. I was up with her all last night with worry and decided it wasn't fair to wait until monday to see our vet again to see if there was any change so I called today. I am so glad I did....I cried all weekend with worry. Her spirits were actually better today but I just knew something was very wrong. Now besides making sure he meds are the accurate doses, I just need to work at getting her to eat her normal food...she likes the special food the vet sent home...can't blame her, it is like a bunch of fatty tuna. Thanks again for all your help!!!

One more thing, how do I change my sign from kitten to adult cat?

Thanks for the update. To be honest, I was afraid that she had a tumor that had affected the eye and was also causing the seizures. I know her condition isn't good, but at least it sounds as if it is controllable. Perhaps you could try mixing the special food with her regular food, and decreasing the quantity of the former every day.
Your status will change from kitten automatically when you have enough posts here - you can't change it yourself. You're the "kitten", not Allie.

Originally Posted by tjb

HI Lorie- Over the past year, Allie's activity level definitely has not be what is once was (I was thinking the the meds she was put on just knocked her down a few notches this past year) but she has never been like I have seen her today. That vet visit really has had an affect on her and now I am really getting nervous for her visit back on Monday to check her phenobarb. level.

Also, if anybody can give me an idea of what a CAT scan would cost I would really appreciate it....just an idea. The vet mentioned this would probably need to be done to find out more information. My husband and I are going rounds right now. He thinks she is getting old and we should let nature run it's course and I am fighting for her. I told him we didn't get her just to give up when things got rough. What if it is something not so major we could treat? I would never forgive myself it I didn't at least try to find out what it was...then go from there.

Thanks!!!

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Don't be afraid to tell your vet and other specialist that you or poor in funds but rich in kitty love. I worked with two different vets on getting a lower price for my cat's glaucoma surgery. The specialist wanted $798. which covers surgery, all the blood work, all the drugs, and her fee. Our own vet (who is much closer to home and just as good of a surgeon did it for $6oo.)Norman is recovering fine and hopefully will be up and playing soon. I know this doesn't tell you the cost of a CAT scan, but ask around and you will find help.

I am so glad you took Allie to the vet and were so thorough in your quest to solve her problems! I went through the same thing with my dog, Brynna, having seizures and multiple health problems before we finally determined the cause and got her on meds. Some people think we're crazy for spending so much time and money when it's "just" an animal. I say those people have never experienced the unconditional love of a pet in their lives! Best of luck to you and Allie. Hopefully, she continues to improve!