Atopica and toxoplasmosis caused the death of my cat

stellasf

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I recently posted a blog about my cat Tessa who had severe allergies. I've included the link here as it is quite long. But I want to serve this as a warning to anyone who is using Atopica. My Tessa died of an embolism after getting toxoplasmosis after she was put on Atopica. I was told it was very rare and that may be the case, but not for me. 





Please use Atopica with caution and a lot of due diligence. She did not have to die and I did not want to put her on it but it was the last resort. It did help her allergies. Absolutely. But anything that weakens the immune system needs to be used cautiously. Atopica and vets need to do due diligence and set up regular check ups. I trusted things were ok when they were not. I should have gone with my instincts not to give this to her but nothing else worked and it was a last hope.





It's been two months and it still hurts like yesterday. One day it was noticeable weight loss, two days later it was possibly lymphoma and 4 days later she was gone. Two days later I was told Toxoplasmosis. 









Please feel free to share with anyone who has a cat and even a dog on Atopica. I just don't want this to happen to anyone else.
 
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jennyr

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I am so sorry for your loss, but don't beat up on yourself. You did what you thought and were told was the right thing, and it probably would have been if she had not caught the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which often proves fatal by itself, and is often not diagnosed in time for treatment. I had a dog die of it once, because the vet thought she had gastritis and never tested for anything else. It is true that atopica weakens the immune system, but even without it your cat might well have died from the toxoplasmosis without diagnosis and the right antibiotic. For some reason it is not the first thing that comes to the mind of the vet. In my case, I researched the symptoms and actually suggested it, but was told it was not possible, it was too rare. When I finally went to another vet who did a blood test and diagnosed the problem within two hours, it was too late.

So do not blame the atopica. My heart goes out to you, it was a very unfortunate combination. When cats are on atopica, they should not be exposed to any possibility of parasites and stopped from hunting. They should not be given raw or undercooked meat or eggs. Vets should perhaps point these things out, but as I said, toxoplasmosis is not a first thought. Not that I am suggesting you did any of that, but just so that people know.

I hope you find the courage to go on, remembering the good times; it is always so hard.:rbheart:
 
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stellasf

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Thanks Jenny. It was for sure brought on by the Atopica. She was perfectly healthy sans allergies of course prior to this time and it was confirmed.

The hardest things is knowing I put it in her mouth and didn't see the weight loss earlier. I appreciate your kind words.
 
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