Very Sick Cat

rebeccalf

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A couple of weeks ago, I noticed my cat (a five year old male) was acting very lethargiv and wasnt eating much. I took him to the vet -- she gave me some antibiotics and special high calorie food to try. The antibiotics were to treat what she suspected was a dental infection, possibly toxoplasmosis based on the fact that he started having trouble walking the day I took him in. As i researched though, I learned that the latter develops in outdoor cats or those who eat raw meat, and my cat falls into neither category.

For a couple of days, he seemed to be doing much better, even eating on his own. Unfortunately he seems to have taken a dive again, hes worse than he ever was. He can barely stand, and I've been finger feeding him every hour that I'm home. I think he also has a fever.

I dont know if this is relevant, but he doesnt poop very often. Seems to be urinating fine though. Any advice is appreciated!
 

misterwhiskers

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He sounds dehydrated. You need to syringe in water; you vet can supply you with the syringes. Lots if people here use pedialyte as a water replacement. My cat was sick and out of it just last week and dehydration was a big part of it. It would explain the constipation.

You need to let your vet know what is going on! What antibiotic is he on?
 
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rebeccalf

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I've been giving him water through a syringe regularly as well.

He's on clindamycin, two doses a day. Hes also taking a probioyic supplement with his food.

Ive just contacted my vet, but their office is closed on Sundays.
 

di and bob

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He may not be pooping because he isn't eating much, but he could be very constipated and that would cause a lot of his problems too, he could even have a blockage causing both lethargy and fever from infection. He really needs an xray to figure out what is going on. I would try to get hold of your vets answering service, or even get his name and call him at home, he is most likely listed on the internet under vets in your area, or google his name. This is getting serious, more water wouldn't hurt, but definitely get hold of your vet ASAP, a relapse is serious.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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You may need to take him to an Emergency Vet if he's so weak he can barely stand.  Have you been able to contact your regular Vet yet?

He's taking that probiotic to help with the side effects of the antibiotic, which probably would be digestive issues, but those aren't happening, it doesn't sound like.  How much are you able to feed him?  When was the last time he pooped anything at all?  Definitely severe constipation causes loss of appetite and lethargy, but I've never heard of it causing a cat to be unable to stand.    Now, it's rare, but there can be a severe allergic reaction to clindamycin, which could be what's happening, I suppose. 

If you can't reach your regular Vet, I wouldn't wait and think I'd just spend the money and get him to the Emergency Vet.  (( just lost my little girl 2 weeks ago today, so perhaps I'm prone to over reacting...not sure)
 

catpack

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Yes, please get him to a vet today. It's obvious something is going on and if he is getting worse, the Clindamycin is not working for him.

I'd start with blood work and x-rays. It does sound like he needs fluids as well.
 
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rebeccalf

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Just got back from an emergency clinic. They couldnt tell me much except that its neurological at this point, and the types of tests he needs run upwards of $4000. Im confused... my vet told me that xrays would at least give us a direction to go in, but this vet didnt think so.
 
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rebeccalf

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Hes not got anything blocking his stool at least. Just not eating enough.
 

catpack

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Was any blood work done? At most, that should have *only* been about $200 at an emergency clinic.
 
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rebeccalf

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She didnt deem it necessary to do blood work because he just had some done. She said it wouldnt tell her anything new.
 

misterwhiskers

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I'm sorry to hear your cat is having these issues. How is he doing right now? What did the vet do besides say you needed to do more tests? Is he still at the vet?

I saw this online about dental disease in cats and why an x Ray might help.

http://www.felinecrf.org/dental_problems.htm
 
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rebeccalf

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Hes at home with me currently. Im getting up every 3 hours to check on him, feed him/give him water. He accepts it every time, but hes still not getting up to move.

He still can move all of his limbs, but they're very stiff. He's alert too for the most part. Every time I enter the room he tracks me.

All this vet told me was that there's something compromising his brain stem and that she didn't have the capabilities to find out what that was. That, and she offered to have him monitored overnight for $500. At that point I'd already decided to just take him back to his regular vet in the morning so I decided to take him home.

Thank you for the article. I will be sure to mention it to my vet tomorrow. I'm starting to get upset with the vet I saw tonight
Luckily the consultation itself didnt cost me anything.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Wow, an ER Vet who consulted for FREE?  I've never heard of such a thing, however, I think you got your money's worth


How do they know he doesn't have a blockage?  I;m gathering from your comments that they did NOT do an xray or scan or anything similar, so how do they know?  Also, did they even give him any fluids? 

Hopefully your regular Vet can help him this morning.

 
 
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rebeccalf

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No, no fluids. She felt his abdomen and said he didnt have hard stool. He actually pooped early this morning and it was soft (I mixed a little pumpkin with his food). She said based on the position hes lying in (front legs straigt and back legs curled) the problem is in his brain stem.

My vet isnt in until this afternoon.
 

stephanietx

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Anything new?  If you don't get answers today, I'd look for a second opinion.
 
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rebeccalf

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I had several long conversations with my vet today, especially after I came home today and found my cat very stiff and barely able to lift his head. His tongue was sticking out and he was breathing very slowly.

My vet and I agreed it was probably irreversable damage to his brain stem -- whether that be from an out of control infection, a tumor, or FIP, I may never know, but we made the choice to put him to sleep tonight. She didnt forsee him living much longer than a week, maybe even a couple of days.

Thank you for all the advice everyone.
 

bethanney

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Rebecca - I'm so sorry to hear this! Please know you did your best for him - what was his name? My heart goes out to you tonight!
 
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