Vibes for my Tigger !!

Amy, they would sedate him for the ultrasound/biopsy. If at all possible without harming him emotionally, I'd go for a diagnosis, and then take it from there. I am so sorry that this is happening, he sounds like a wonderful, fierce, independent kitty soul.

I'm going to have a better talk with the vet in the morning. What I've found tonight in medical literature about platelet deficiencies is rather scary. The vet mentioned autoimmune diseases or DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation). He tested for all of the autoimmune diseases that are readily available. If DIC is there, it could explain the lameness (blood clots form from DIC and can cause thrombosis, which can cause lameness) and other literature was a big aha to me about the spots around his eyes (bruises). The trouble with platelet based problems is that you have to find the underlying cause, which could be anything from cancer, to viruses, to bacterial infections, to heart problems, to trauma - the list goes on and on. If you don't fix the underlying problem, his blood will thin and he can bleed to death.

I'm going to get the name of a specialist and talk to them about the procedures they would run on him and make a call on his emotional state to go thru with them. I'm going to get him home, get him back on a routine and calm him down in the meanwhile.

He is a totally independent soul. That is what I love about the guy!

The best that can happen: he had a bad bacterial infection that was cleared up by the antibiotics and his system will clear up in a few weeks. There are a too many worsts to discuss and I can't go there right now. I'm going to try to stay positive on this.

praying for Tigger... silly me but in the blood work did the vet check his kidneys???

Amy, he's already got a big check mark in the positive column, and I mean this...he has an owner who is intuitive, really knows him, educates herself, and will not quit with the options that she feels exist. That puts him far ahead of many other kitties, imho.

He did a complete urinalysis and did find blood in his urine - explained from the low platelet levels, which causes internal and break thru bleeding. We haven't had time to talk about all of his test results but will cover that with him tomorrow morning. When he had him sedated for the xrays today, he did a complete palpatation of his entire body and didn't notice anything inflamed.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Amy, he's already got a big check mark in the positive column, and I mean this...he has an owner who is intuitive, really knows him, educates herself, and will not quit with the options that she feels exist. That puts him far ahead of many other kitties, imho.

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Thank you - I needed that !!!!

Amy...you are such a good Mommy to so many animals who need your care & love.
You and Tigger will remain in my thoughts & prayers.
Lei

Had a longer talk with the vet this morning. His platelet count is not low enough to be dangerous - he doubts that his lameness is caused by a thrombosis. If this was bacterial based, it could explain why it dropped to the level that it was. His suggestion is to just monitor him very closely for the time being. Rerun a platelet count within a week and see if it has improved. If not, we go from there.

He's home and hiding under a bed. It's funny - he was quiet all week at the vets and the minute he saw me, he started that forelorn cry the entire ride home. Yes, he knows how to wrap me around his little paw.

My poor little Tiggy-Wigs!

I'm glad to hear that Tigger is showing some signs of improvement. I'll send him many more get well vibes! {{{{ }}}}

Gosh Mom I just read this and I will be sending all the get well Tiggy vibes I can spare!!!!!!!

We went out last night for a few hours and Tigger was out in the living room on the recliner when we got home. I sat in the room with him for a while and talked to him and he gave me the blinky eyes in return. When my husband came in, he jumped off the chair (poorly), ran away and hid under a bed where he still is this morning. Poor guy - the feral cat bonded only to me and only on his terms. You'd think after 9 years he would trust someone other than myself that he's lived with all his life (NOT). I wonder if I can get my husband to move out for a while until this is settled!?!?! (NOT)

I got the name of a few outstanding specialists thru a geriatric cat rescue group (I love these women - they only admit to having 6 cats over 20 years old and they do nothing but take in the senior cats that are discarded by others and let them live out their lives in dignity). I'm going to rerun the blood work in a few days and if there is no improvement, we go that route.

Keep the waves coming please!