Blann's doing poorly.

[alicatjoy]

I keep coming back to this thread because my heart just breaks for you, Blann, and his sisters. And, I keep reading and reading, but without being a vet myself, my responses are informed guesses at best.

Everything I've read points to this being a fungal infection -- especially since Blann's sisters are also starting to show similar symptoms. And, since your vet immediately thought histoplasmosis, I think that is the best, and most likely, place to start. I've done some reading on other fungal infections commonly (or, perhaps, uncommonly) seen in felines and they do not match the symptoms. Aspergillosis affects the nasal cavity most frequently, sporotrichosis affects the skin, toxoplasmosis doesn't fit the symptoms, and the list goes on. Histoplasmosis is the one thing I've found so far that really makes sense. But, with a negative test result, well, it had me researching...again.

Do you know what tests were done when looking for the histoplasmosis infection? From what I've read, it appears that there are a number of different ways to test for the fungal infection and that there is some probability of false negatives. There is a lot to share here about the types of tests done and their possible results, so here is the link I am working off of: http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com...date=&pageID=7. I've looked at numerous sites, but this one has been the most helpful by far. It provides the most throrough, in-depth information that I've been able to find to date and explains things well. Hopefully, it will be of help to you as well.

Has Blann gone through the tracheal wash as of yet? I'm curious to learn of the findings and also to hear that he has come through the procedure okay. I can't imagine how difficult this has been for you

. Please keep us updated on how Blann and his sisters are doing.

 

[strange_wings]

Well... They'll call me right away if he doesn't survive it, otherwise they said call back around 1:30pm, see how he's doing, then come pick him up if he's well enough to come home. Since it's nearly noon and they do take a lunch break soon I'm hoping that means I can assumed he survived the procedure.

He had and IDEXX serology test done - blood test. And yes, with anything like this there's a good chance of false negatives.

I still suspect that it's possible he could have histo.

My vet will not do a fine-needle biopsy, he still doesn't think he's skilled enough nor has the equipment to do it. That's what the specialist referral would be for.

The vet listed the possibility of it being blastomycosis, cryptococcosis, or coccidioidomycosis. Which is why he wanted to give the tracheal wash a try.

 

[farleyv]

I am keeping up with Blanns condition. I have him and you in my prayers today.

This must be so stressful for you...take comfort you are doing all you can for him.

Keep the faith.

 

[blueyedgirl5946]

I hope we soon get an update on Blann

 

[strange_wings]

Blann is currently in his carrier recovering from the anesthesia earlier.

The tracheal wash didn't find anything, though it didn't find anything bad either. They're sending some of that out to be checked by an independent lab in case they missed anything.

My vet did go ahead and order Itraconazole which should be in Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[darkmavis]

Oh my goodness, I just read all of this now.

I'm so sorry to hear your little guy isn't doing well and it's a mystery to the vet.. I hope they can figure it out and treat him soon so he can get better soon!

 

[farleyv]

I am glad your boy is home with you now.

I sure hope this can be solved soon. Continued vibes and prayers for you.

 

[otto]

Glad Blann is home. How are the others? Keep us posted.

 

[strange_wings]

His sisters aren't "sick" like he is, they only have the trademark cough - and only occasionally. I had them scheduled to go in tomorrow for x-rays to see if anything significant showed on their lungs, but between this visit (costs) and the vet sending samples out to an independent lab we've decided to wait a week and see what those tests say so we have a better idea what exactly we're even looking at. Hopefully the 5K will be in by then, too.

Blann hasn't coughed tonight and his breathing is better. I doubt the tracheal wash is responsible for the improvement, but they did give him an antibiotic shot. We're both suspecting he might have a secondary infection in there.

What the vet did see was increased white blood cells - he didn't say which. No lymphocytes or blastocytes.

My immediate concern is whether Blann will eat soon. His last actual meal was noon Sunday and 3 small spoons of baby food this morning. He sniffed his food tonight but wouldn't eat. He's also fairly traumatized from all of this and really isn't wanting us near him.

 

[blueyedgirl5946]

Try every way you can to get the cat to eat. I would give it anything at this point. Can you syringe feed him. You could mix a little liquid with some wet food and use a syringe to get some in the cat. Good luck.

 

[strange_wings]

I'm going to try his canned food again in a bit, and if that is rejected the baby food again. I'd cook him some chicken but he's never been that fond of it.

I'd rather not try to force feed him, yet, as anytime he gets worked up he goes into these terrible coughing episodes. (I can't even pet him too much for risk of setting it off) If I were trying to syringe feed him and he did that or suddenly breathed in hard it could suck some into his lungs..
It's kind of like a person with bad pneumonia, they breath hard, wheeze, and cough a lot because oxygen isn't getting through the lungs how should. Having had pneumonia before I've been drinking and eating when that sudden cough came on.. at least solid food can get coughed out.

If he's still holding out by this afternoon I'll give the vet a call. Maybe he'll suggest an appetite stimulant.

I'm not giving Blann the ketoconazole today. The itraconazole should be in tomorrow and maybe the slight break will improve his appetite since losing it is a side effect of antifungals.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

for Blann (and his sisters, just in case). It's got to be so frustrating not knowing what this is!

 

[katkisses]

Is he feeling better by now?

 

[otto]

I didn't realize so much time had passed, yes please update us!

 

[strange_wings]

Well, he's currently hacking behind me.

He just had his antibiotic a little while ago. Hopefully the lab tests from his tracheal wash can shed some light as to what this is... all it has done so far is make cancer look less likely.

For the most part his appetite is better. Sometimes he'll stay and clean his dish off when eating, other time he still walks away early. He (tries) to play some but usually coughs, though that at least shows he has some energy. He spends a lot of time napping or just looking out the windows. So for now, it's just waiting.

ETA: He was too nauseous for his lunch today.

I can see him heave when he gets like this - he'll sniff the food interested but just can't eat.
Hopefully he eats later.