Cat With IVDD Question

squidpeg

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Last week my cat was diagnosed with IVDD. He wasn't moving around very much, had trouble getting up, and had obvious trouble walking. After x-rays, the vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory and painkiller and we have another visit this Friday. Unfortunately, I'm not able to find much on IVDD in cats (lots on dogs, though.) I'd like to know if anyone has any knowledge/experience in conservative therapy for this, and how long it should take to begin seeing any improvement.

I know it can take weeks or even months to make an actual recovery, and he may not ever be back to 100%, but it seems that in the last five days, his condition has barely changed at all. He seems to have even more trouble getting up than before but, once he's up, he walks a tiny bit better. He eats and drinks, though not as much as he did before this issue. He also pees and had an enema this morning (at the vet's office) to help with poo. Should I be worried about the (lack of) progress at this point?
 

white shadow

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...Unfortunately, I'm not able to find much on IVDD in cats (lots on dogs, though.)......
I found LOTS of feline-specific references, all from reputable websites.
There are two sections in that last reference that I want to highlight.....

One:
 

Diagnosis


Diagnosis of IVDD is based on presenting clinical signs, radiographic and myelographic (and MRI, if available) evidence of disc disease.

CSF analysis is usually nonspecific and includes albuminocytologic dissociation, mild suppurative pleocytosis and iatrogenic blood contamination[8].

Differential diagnosis would include traumatic injury (fracture or subluxation), aortic thromboembolism, FIP, FeLV, FIV, cryptococcus, toxoplasmosis, arthritic changes associated with discospondylitis, osteosarcoma or spinal cord neoplasia (e.g. lymphoma, meningioma)
Obviously, this is not an 'easy' diagnosis. You'll need to decide if it was made with or without use of the diagnostic tools outlined there....and, be aware that a huge percentage of older cats do have some degree of degenerative skeletal disease/condition ('arthritis')....therefore, degenerative disease needs to be ruled out.

Two:
 

Treatment


Treatment of IVDD is based on numerous factors, notwithstanding the cost restraints of the primary caregiver. Conservative medical therapy is equally valid in static cases that are not worsening clinically, and where neurological deficits are minor (ambulatory and with normal bladder function). However, it appears that surgical intervention appears to have a better prognosis at full recovery[9][10]. Conservative therapy involves judicious use of corticosteroids or NSAIDs and strict physical confinement for about 4 weeks.
Now, you asked "Should I be worried about the (lack of) progress at this point?".......Considering that it can take weeks of full confinement for (some degree of) recovery......and considering that you have said "once he's up, he walks a tiny bit better".....then I would say you're seeing improvement and that you need to be patient. I'd say you're lucky to be seeing that much improvement after only 5 days.

The constipation issue needs to be managed in and of itself, plus to relieve one extra source of pain/discomfort....grain-free wet foods are  a must, some cats need some extra help, for example: http://felineconstipation.org/prevention.html#OsmoticLaxativesPrevent    (lactulose is 'yucky' to most cats, Miralax/generic is well-accepted)  That entire site is worth its weight in gold....worth going through, for sure!

(If your cat has had a lifetime of a dry food diet, a quick Feline Nutrition 101 is a worthwhile investment of reading time: http://catinfo.org/.)

I'd advise a busload of caution with "anti-inflammatory" drugs.....NSAIDs are not well-tolerated by cats' systems....some are quite dangerous. Steroids can be used to reduce inflammation, but need to be low dose and short-term to avoid adverse effects. Modern pain relief is NOT reliant on any one drug (or therapy)...."combating" pain from different 'angles' has been found to be safer and more effective: http://todaysveterinarypractice.navc.com/focus-on-pharmacology-management-of-chronic-pain-in-cats/

If you want to post the name of the anti-inflammatory drug, the strength and the dosage, that may help with further opinion/suggestion.
 
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squidpeg

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Thanks for the info. I had found and read three of the links you sent already, but didn't have the Mercola one. When I say I'm not able to find much, I mean more than just "this is what IVDD is and how it can be treated" I was looking for stories or input on the recovery process and time, etc. It's the day-to-day process that I am concerned about at this time, but there is some helpful info in the 4 weeks cage rest bit, so thank you.

For his pain meds, he is given Torbugesic (.5 mL) twice a day, and Prednisone (7.5 mg) once per day. I give him the Torbugesic in the morning and at night, and the Prednisone in he afternoon to keep them relatively separate in his system.
 

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Our cat has also been diagnosed as having a herniated disc. She now has a pain patch, also gabapentene 2x per day and a steroid once a day. She can walk, but clearly does not like to move. She has had laser therapy twice this week, and will again tomorrow.

I too would be interested in hearing of other cat owners who have had this problem. 

How long do we keep her like this before we decide that maybe euthanasia is the kinder option? Or are there other treatments we should consider?

Her injury happened 9 days ago.

I do not want to give up on her, but I worry that she is suffering.
 
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squidpeg

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Melaniewa, I think your vet would be the best person to ask that question. From what I understand, both cats and dogs have a fair chance of recovering from IVDD, it just takes a while. Some may require surgery, but those who do not can get better with lots of restricted rest and proper medication. Sounds like you and your et are covering those bases. From my perspective, pain is not a reason to euthanize unless it is completely untreatable/unmanageable. We wouldn't kill a human with a herniated disc. But again, that is a conversation you'd definitely want to have with your vet.

There's also lots of other treatment options. I've been reading that acupuncture and chiropractic therapy help a lot in many cases. Like White Shadow pointed out, it can take several weeks to see some improvement so patience is important - even though it's really hard because we just want our babies to feel better!
 

melaniewa

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Thanks so much for your reply.

Yes, I am having a hard time being patient. I hate to see her just lying there like she is totally miserable, and not being able to convey how much pain she may be in. Then I imagine that she is suffering, and that keeping her alive is not kind.

Having said that, if I thought there were a chance she would improve I would not want to give up.

I am so conflicted, I wake up early in the morning with a knot in my stomach and cannot go back to sleep. My husband will not even talk about euthanasia at this point as an option, which I find stressful. Who knew having pets could be so hard! 

I think her age comes into my mind also. She is 15 1/2, so she is not a young cat. 

Anyway, we have another vet appointment this afternoon so I will talk this through with my vet again.
 
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squidpeg

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I know what you mean. I haven't had a good night's sleep in about a week, and am always waking up in the middle of the night just to look at him to be sure everything's alright(ish). Age is definitely a factor. My boy is only 11 1/2. Let us know what the vet thinks and I'll send some good vibes your way!
 

melaniewa

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The vet replaced our cat Muffin's pain patch today, and gave her fluids and laser therapy. She said only an MRI would diagnose the herniated disc 100%, but she suspects that is what Muffin has from her x-rays.

The plan is if there is no improvement this weekend, to admit her to the vet school on Monday. Apparently they can put her on IV pain meds to try and get her over this hump. So whether they would do an MRI also I do not know.

Anyway, I will keep you updated. How is your cat doing - any better? I hope so, and sending good vibes your way also. It is so hard to see our pets in pain.
 
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squidpeg

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Hope things went/are going well with Muffin. Julian was very, very bad off on Friday morning so i took him to the vet ahead of his scheduled appointment. On this visit, he had a pretty high fever though he didn't have one the week before and they ran blood work. Turns out he had a very bad infection that apparently hadn't shown many signs the week before EXCEPT making it hard/painful for him to move. They gave him sub-q fluids and an antibiotics shot, and prescribed him some antibiotics and sub-q fluids for me to give him at home. That wasn't fun for either of us, but he is doing SO much better! He's still not 100%, but it's clear that the original diagnosis (made via X-Ray) was wrong. I hope Muffin can get an MRI to be completely sure her diagnosis is correct. The drugs they gave my kitty initially probably made his infection worse, since Prednisone is an immunosuppressant. :/
 

lesliel76

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Hi my 15 year old cat was diagnosed with this yesterday. I am researching now and like you have found it hard to find more information. She is still getting around pretty good but had days of lots of pain. It comes and goes.

Right now the vet has only suggested natural remedies like giving omega 3, cosamign (which she already was taking), and losing weight. She said we could talk to a neorologist as the next step ,but since she has good days this could wait. She did give me some pain medication 8 doses for the really bad days but that's it.

I'm wondering if I should do more. I of course want to be rational and not spend a ton. The xrays already were pricy. But in don't want to ignore her health.

Your stories have helped would love to hear more too.
 
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