PLZ help, Tigger may die tonight

I am sorry for the dramatic headline but its true.
I desperately need advice about what to do, how to administer medication and how to keep both of my cats calm while one is having violent seizure attacks and may not live through the week
A copy of my latest blog entry:
Yesterday we had a very bad day. Our beloved Tigger (aka Tiggs), see top picture, has all of a sudden developed what seems to be an inflamation of the brain, lungs and kindneys.

In the morning i realized what seemed to be some sort of hiccups, nothing really dramatic. I decided to take him to the vet anyways, just to be sure. The vet was a very capable doctor and found out that Tigger had a Neurological Problem. He performed a series of tests and managed to provoke a seizure attack. We were shocked seing Tigger violently flipping over, rolling on his back and biting his belly. During the course of the day, the disease worsened and while we spent most of the day at the vet, Tigger had multiple unprovoked attacks.

The Vet ran a whole series of blood and urine tests (see documents below), took X-Rays and Ultrasonic Pictures and tissue samples from the Kidney. Further Bloodwork has been sent off to an external lab.

It turns out that we are looking at multiple possiblities. The vet almost ruled out Cancer, since we could not find any evidence in the tissue samples. The bloodwork and the X-rays showed immanent kidney failure and the x-rays also showed that the lungs were not quite filled with air. During the day Tigger started to weaken more and more and had spastic attacks.

There are multiple possible causes, but evidence is still inconclusive.

Here is a pdf of the Blookwork: tiggs_lab.pdf

Treatment we got:

We have two potent Antibiotics, Steroids and Potassium.

The Antibiotics are meant to cure whatever might have caused the inflammation. Since we don't know whats wrong, this is more or less a shot in the dark with the hope that it may get better. The Steroids are meant to get his Brain activity to normalize somewhat and help his internal organs out. The Potassium should give him some strength, since his potassium levels were low and he developed a problem walking.

All of this happened during the course of one afternoon. In the morning Tigger was seemingly fine, in the afternoon the vet told us that there is a strong possibility for Tigger to die.

When we got home another problem developed. Tina (see lower picture) sensed that something was wrong. After a day of torture at the vet where tigger got poked so many times for tissue samples, restrained and injected multiple times, he came into the room with a bushy tail and his belly on the floor, carefully appoaching Tina. Tina started hissing, became very upset and frightened and ran away. We then locked her up and kept both separated for the night and this morning.

We have not yet dared to put them together again, as Tigger was getting extremely upset as we had to grab him, hold him and inject multiple medications into his mouth. He was growling, hissing and biting.

If you have seen a similar situation or if you are an experienced cat owner, I would like to ask you to conatact me as I am looking for some options and opinions.

Thanks for reading. I am desperate to get help. Tigger was at the vet for 4-5hrs yesterday. The vet stayed longer just for us. He has been through a lot but his condition seems to worsen.
He has become apathic and non responsive.

Andre

Did the vet give him fluids? It sounds very curious that a kitty who was hiccupping went to the vet, and developed such severe symptoms while there, and was sent home. Can't the vet give something for the seizures? Wouldn't fluids help the kidney function? How old is Tigger, and how has his general health been?

I mean, things sometimes come on suddenly, but this is very odd.

I'm so sorry for your situation.
Tina is undoubtedly acting this way because of the smell of the vet on the cat (basically, he smells weird). If you rub a tiny bit of vanilla extract under both their chins, it will help with that. Also, if Tiggs is really dying, you can expect Tina to go crazy attacking it because that is what cats do. It may be a good idea to keep them separate anyway, as a healthy cat will kill a dying cat, no matter how well they know each other.
There are numerous recent threads in Health / Nutrition on how to pill a cat. Here's one of them: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82162
Are you certain he hasn't gotten into anything poisonous?

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Did the vet give him fluids? It sounds very curious that a kitty who was hiccupping went to the vet, and developed such severe symptoms while there, and was sent home. Can't the vet give something for the seizures? Wouldn't fluids help the kidney function? How old is Tigger, and how has his general health been?

I mean, things sometimes come on suddenly, but this is very odd.

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He injected a big bubble of water under his skin to help his kidney to filter out toxins. He said the seizures were not bad enough, he did not want to give meds to avoid seizures just yet.
He is 5 years and his health has always been good.
Recently I noticed some slight changes in behavior, but didn't pay much attention. He did get somewhat slower waking up. He used to sleep on the bed and when we put him outside for the night he seemed to have trouble standing up, almost as if he was still sleeping. This was a slow change though.

The hiccups were actually contractions of his (i forgot the term) to help the lung out because he cant suck enough air anymore.
The vet aggrevated the condition somewhat to see whats going on. He said the stress may have lifted him above the threshold for seizures.
But now, even at home he gets them. I fear the worst, as it seems to get worse.
He became very violent when I tried giving him the meds, but he did not have much strenght beyond biting me and growling and hissing. Not much fighting.
Since the sickness was progressing so fast yesterday, the vet gave him Steroids so he could make it through the weekend. It seems it hasn't kicked in yet.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Are you certain he hasn't gotten into anything poisonous?

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He is the one that chews on everything. I wouldn't know where to look. Basically everything is locked away. A bottle of shoe oil had leaked about 4 weeks ago. Until I noticed it may have been a time, but i cleaned it up right away. I would expect that oil would cause him to throw up (which he always used to do) but not to affect his brain.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

It may be a good idea to keep them separate anyway, as a healthy cat will kill a dying cat, no matter how well they know each other.

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Oh my god. I didn't know that. So far Tina seemed to be scared and ran away after hissing. She is always the happy one, while Tigger always was a little on the depressive side.

Tigger and Tina during happier times

I'm glad he got the fluids. I just don't know what this could be. Unfortunately, cats hide their pain very well, so sometimes we don't realize how ill they have become.

For the medications, just be sure he knows you are getting ready to give meds, then use the techniques in the link. Afterwards, tell him he is a good boy, and offer a treat, and petting. Even if he fights you, this will help reassure him that you still love him.

I'm sorry Tigger is so ill. That was Garfield's Mom's name! I hope he recovers as the antibiotics kick in.

My cat is absolutely made of sugar, but I had an elderly dying stray in a cage in here for about three hours yesterday (long story, post elsewhere) and she was trying to kill it. I've never heard her hiss or growl and she was doing both when she just smelled it and hadn't even seen it. She was on a mission, too, I kept her in the bathroom and she'd try to get out to kill it. Another cat I know thats as sweet as can be did the same thing to a relative's cat, and he usually doesn't attack anything. Their disposition has nothing to do with it, they're not doing anything wrong, its just how the species takes care of itself. Try not to be mad at Tina if she does start acting like this because it is as instinctive as drinking water and chasing squirrels.
Have you any flowers or houseplants? Antifreeze is a huge one, too.
Best luck to Tigger. Hopefully he can get better, as nobody knows whats wrong at all.

How adorable they are!!! I love tabbies.

Also, while I hate to say this, if it is Tigger's time, you just being nearby may help ease his mind. Although this is new to you, he may have known for a while that things were not good.

Take time to breathe deeply, and just be with him. As horrible as it sounds, the last days of my kitten Mattie's life were in some ways a beautiful time. I learned so much from her, about acceptance and love. She died of FIP, a horrible fatal illness, which is nothing like what your kitty has. But once I knew I would lose her, partly it was just a matter of allowing her the time alone when she wanted that, and the time with her when she let me be near.

I hope this is not the case with Tigger, but whether he is dying or just sick, if you can try to seek peace in the situation, it may help you make better decisions for him.

Prayers that God will have mercy on Tigger, and heal him. And that God will give you wisdom to make the best choices for your furry friend, and that God will grant you peace of mind about this situation. Hugs to Tigger, Tina, and Andre!

Had he been having seizures before this?? What did the vet do to "provoke" a seizure? If he hadn't had them before they were provoked,it would make me wonder about the procedure!

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Prayers that God will have mercy on Tigger, and heal him. And that God will give you wisdom to make the best choices for your furry friend, and that God will grant you peace of mind about this situation.

Hugs to Tigger, Tina, and Andre!

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Thank you Becki. He is very week now and hiding under the bed. He is occasionally shaken by vomiting attacks. Both are probably due to the heavy medications. He hasn't eaten all day but he chose to stay in solitude. I don't want to intrude on him, except tonight when he is due for more meds.
I brought his food upstairs in the hope he might find it more easily when he doesn't have to limp downstairs.
I am not sure if he gave up or if he is just weakened from fighting the disease.
I have just eaten the first thing for two days without hunger.
Until the day before yesterday he was a happy cat and now I see him like this. Breaks my heart.

EDIT: He is nibbling on the food now. I am so glad.

Originally Posted by taterbug

Had he been having seizures before this?? What did the vet do to "provoke" a seizure? If he hadn't had them before they were provoked,it would make me wonder about the procedure!

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Once I saw it, I realized there was one the day before. His condition is rapidly getting worse, I guess thats why its happening more often now. The Vet was one of the best and capable I have seen. He was also compassionate.
He took him, let one of his forelegs hang down and dragged him along testing his reflexes (the leg jumping along). His left leg did not do anything and then it struck him.
I hadn't noticed the earlier seizure. We were sitting at our computers, Tigger was up on the Heater when. There was a sudden thumb and when we turned he was on his back obsessively licking his belly. We hadn't know what had just happened by then but now it is apparent that this was one of his seizures.

Hi
Seizures are always a scary thing and I am very sorry to hear about Tiggers situation. I am a veterinary technician of 6 yrs. and if experience has taught me anything it is to keep the other cat way from Tigger and make Tigger's room as quiet and comfortable as possible. From the bloodwork I saw it looks like Tigger's kidneys are in bad shape, I am sorry to hear. I think I read that the vet gave him sq fluids which may help but IV fluids are always best to help flush out the kidneys. I know as I have a kitty with only 1 kidney, so I am extra careful to keep it healthy. I am hoping that for both your sake as well as Tigger's that everything will be okay but should he slip away tonight I offer you all my thoughts and prayers as this is a very difficult time for both of you. Always treasure the memories you and Tigger share and may his pawprints always hold a special place in your heart! If there is anything else I can do to help please let me know

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

I'm glad he got the fluids. I just don't know what this could be. Unfortunately, cats hide their pain very well, so sometimes we don't realize how ill they have become.

For the medications, just be sure he knows you are getting ready to give meds, then use the techniques in the link. Afterwards, tell him he is a good boy, and offer a treat, and petting. Even if he fights you, this will help reassure him that you still love him.

I'm sorry Tigger is so ill. That was Garfield's Mom's name! I hope he recovers as the antibiotics kick in.

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Thanks Becki. I will follow the advice. Hopefully the steroids will make him strong enough to win the battle for his life. I am afraid that when I show him its med time, he might hide. I hate to intrude on their hiding spots. I want them to feel save there.

Originally Posted by kittycorner

Hi
Seizures are always a scary thing and I am very sorry to hear about Tiggers situation. I am a veterinary technician of 6 yrs. and if experience has taught me anything it is to keep the other cat way from Tigger and make Tigger's room as quiet and comfortable as possible. From the bloodwork I saw it looks like Tigger's kidneys are in bad shape, I am sorry to hear. I think I read that the vet gave him sq fluids which may help but IV fluids are always best to help flush out the kidneys. I know as I have a kitty with only 1 kidney, so I am extra careful to keep it healthy. I am hoping that for both your sake as well as Tigger's that everything will be okay but should he slip away tonight I offer you all my thoughts and prayers as this is a very difficult time for both of you. Always treasure the memories you and Tigger share and may his pawprints always hold a special place in your heart! If there is anything else I can do to help please let me know

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Thanks Kitty. The most pressing question for now was if I should keep them apart or not. I think I got my answer. So far I have Tina locked in a Room and Tigger has the House for himself. He just ate something after I brought his food upstairs.
The seizures really scare me. It happens out of nothing he jumps up violently and falls on his back. It's not just shaking but violent attacks. He is meowing as if he is in pain.

He is acting strange to touch now. He meows painfully and shakes spastically. Now he is purring after touching him. I really don't know how to deal with this.

I know that Tigger has to eat but please keep an eye on him, especially if he is vomiting, Tigger could have a seizure and vomit all at the same time and aspirate vomit into his lungs, yet another horrible problem. I am not saying this to scare you but just to inform you! Alot of animals are very vocal when having seizures, they are not in pain just frightned. Please let me know what else I can do to help. Sarah

Originally Posted by kittycorner

I know that Tigger has to eat but please keep an eye on him, especially if he is vomiting, Tigger could have a seizure and vomit all at the same time and aspirate vomit into his lungs, yet another horrible problem. I am not saying this to scare you but just to inform you! Alot of animals are very vocal when having seizures, they are not in pain just frightned. Please let me know what else I can do to help. Sarah

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Now that I know what I know I have realized that he has become more outspoken during the last weeks. But since I didn't see problems I dismissed this as him trying to get attention.
He has mood swings now and his twitching (body contracts rapidly) seems to beome worse too (about once a second).
One second he purrs another one he gets a spasm and meows terribly. Purring is rare though.
Do you know what steroids are really for?
I was thinking about hospitalizing him, since I can not take this much longer but I know that he has better chances here with us.

I'll move this to the health forum for you

Hi Andre, I am so sorry to read what you & Tigger are going through. Its wonderful that you have such a great and thorough vet.

I personally can not offer any advise for this situation but I will move this to the health forum where are more knowledgeable members regarding health often lurk.
I wish you peace and comfort during this time - our thoughts are with you all