Cat Bad Reaction Metronidazole Beside Myself

[lesliel76]

I decided today I am going to take him to a different vet for another opinion. A vet that I think might have better care.

I think most of this symptoms are aligning with this Potassium deficiency but I need to understand why he has this as this is usually a secondary symptom of something else.

Also if these things he is experiencing are not from that then theres a good reason to be concerned. His back legs seem so weak and he barley wants to use them. Along with the poor eating. We are better from the critical spot of where we begin with this post but I'm not seeing improvement on bigger scale now. Plus these days he's slumps are really scary with no eating.

I need more clarity on what we are dealing with and I think I need a different Dr and opinion to work with.

 

[Furballsmom]

need more clarity on what we are dealing with and I think I need a different Dr and opinion to work with.

im sending both of you all my very best thoughts and prayers that you're able to pin this down

 

[lesliel76]

Took him to the ER today was there all day just getting home. Horrible news. He has a big mass on his kidney. They didn't do a full ultrasound just the ones they do quick. I have photos if there are any Dr's who want to take a look. But my understanding is it's big and bad and not in a good spot. That it's a high risk for bleed out.

All the reactions to meds was just another side bar bad timing but this is what has been underneath it all.

My options are not great. But I am sleeping on everything.

 

[Furballsmom]

Oh my

 

[fionasmom]

I am very sorry that you have found that mass on the kidney. You might want to consult a regular vet/non-ER so that you can have a complete discussion of where to go from here. All images and tests from the ER and other places are yours to take to whomever you want.

ER vets are not usually diagnosticians; they are there for the emergencies and serve a great purpose, but I would seek out a second opinion.

 

[lesliel76]

I am very sorry that you have found that mass on the kidney. You might want to consult a regular vet/non-ER so that you can have a complete discussion of where to go from here. All images and tests from the ER and other places are yours to take to whomever you want.

ER vets are not usually diagnosticians; they are there for the emergencies and serve a great purpose, but I would seek out a second opinion.

Yes I just called over to my regular vet. Unfortunately the guy I see is out till next week and the other Dr is not that great. But I am waiting for a call back from her....or her tech. Which I kind of don't appreciate in this situation I feel like the Dr should call me but her tech said it might be her after discussion with the Dr. That feels like blah to me bc I'm trying to get some more clarity. But let's see what they come back with.

 

[fionasmom]

I agree. See if you can get the vet to consult with you.

 

[lesliel76]

I agree. See if you can get the vet to consult with you.

Yeah they are being really difficult and this Dr won't review the results without the hospital releasing the Dr's notes which I guess are not complete and won't be done till the Dr returns Thursday.

The hospital told me they sent over a comprehensive report of what I was told along with the blood and ultrasound but this Dr won't do it. I kind of feel like do I want her opinion anyways if she is like that. It makes me want to cry and so angry but I'm going to put my energy into something else more productive then getting in an argument with them about it. Bc in the end I don't think she is really taking the time. I don't understand what the problem is honestly.

 

[fionasmom]

Sometimes a doctor's notes do take a few days, depending on what is going to be recorded. But I don't see why a vet would refuse to see a cat with a kidney mass. It is not like you want a consultation for something minor that a vet tech might be able to do.

 

[lesliel76]

Sometimes a doctor's notes do take a few days, depending on what is going to be recorded. But I don't see why a vet would refuse to see a cat with a kidney mass. It is not like you want a consultation for something minor that a vet tech might be able to do.

Yeah I totally get the Dr's notes might take a few days but she won't look at the results without them I guess.

I sent over the blood and the Ultrasound and the hospital sent over all the other stuff they had just not the Dr's notes. She had her tech call me twice to tell me they won't do it. So fine. I am going to research more today where I can bring him. Today I do want to let him rest. His right side is really swelling up. If it gets emergency I'll have to take him to the hospital.

I called the euthanasia Dr and they can come still today or tomorrow for me too. He is still trying to eat but his tummy is got fluid building up or something. I'm getting a bit scared but trying to just be calm and figure out the best way.

 

[lesliel76]

I spoke again to the hospital Dr last night. She told me the Mass they found was so big they couldn't see the stomach and that it's invading the space of the right kidney. With that it doesn't feel like it could be something else but she did say she would talk to her more experienced Dr's last night and today and call me back today.

Hes struggling just to use the litterbox bc he's so weak. He is trying to eat but I'm guessing this mass if pushing up on his tummy making him feel full.

I think today is the day to call to have someone come to say goodbye. He's only 8. Most of my cats lived so long till 19 so I feel so cheated.

But I love him and know I need to do right by him to not suffer. If he was still walking to get food and could use the litter box ok I wouldn't do it. But it's time. He's actually just flopping and laying in thr litter now for like 20 mins when he has to go. I can't see him do this anymore. Whatever it was that happened to him these medications Convenia the growth or fluid or inflammation I don't know. I feel like I messed up somewhere by not noticing a mass that huge. I never really take this cat to the vet bc he's so hard to handle and gets stressed so fast so I have some regrets there.

But in the end I don't know how it really changes much bc even if I found this early he isn't a cat that I think wants to have aggressive medical treatments or even pills shoved down his throat. Il I have cats that do ok with it but yesterday I tired to give him his anti- nausea and he bite me not aggressively just trying to spite the pill out. But I was bleeding pretty bad for a while. And if it was these medications like metronidazole or Convenia that took him I feel like shit bc I did that but hearing how big this mass is gives me some comfort it's not that.

Rambling bc I'm devastated but I know this can't go on and it's time. Thanks for the support as always.

 

[silent meowlook]

I am so sorry, just saw this thread now.

There has to be around 70% loss of kidney function before it will show on bloodwork in cases of chronic kidney disease.

To me, 150mgs of metronidazole is a big dose and while it may help with gut problems, it also causes GI upset if given on an empty stomach. It can cause neuro issues in some cats.
Mirtazipine is an appetite stimulant that can be purchased as a transdermal gel you put on the ear.

I don’t know if your cat is up to it, or if you could even get an appointment in time to see a board certified internal medicine vet to do an ultrasound. It might be to much for your cat now. Maybe they already have, but the ultrasound images can be sent to a specialist for review.

Cats can live with one kidney and I have seen them do well after a surgical removal of a kidney with a mass. Sadly I have also seen cancer pop up somewhere else a year or less later. From what you have described, to me, I wouldn’t think your cat could be a surgical candidate due to the rapid decline in health.

I am so sorry you have gone and are going through this.

Depending what state you are in ( if in the US) vets have legally 3 days to send over records. ER vets send the records completed the next morning.

You and your cat may not have much in the way of options here and that is horrible. It sounds like the mass was either there a while not causing problems and just decided to go on a rampage growth spurt, or was very slow growing until it took over and got to the size and involvement that it caused issues.

Sometimes, depending on if it is cancerous and if they can determine the type of cancer, chemotherapy can be given to shrink the tumor, and that can maybe buy some time. This is expensive but more importantly involves many vet visits and blood work each time. For a shy cat, might not be a good option.

This really sucks, and I am so sorry.
You know your cat best and will make your decisions out of love and for what is in the cats best interest. I am so sorry for all of this. For you and of course your cat.

Please know, that you did not cause this and no other action would have changed anything.

Please update as to what happens with your kitty. You are both in my thoughts.

 

[silent meowlook]

I just read that he bit you. If you make a hard decision to end suffering, there is a question on the form you sign asking if he has bit anyone in the last 10 days. I would never tell you to not be honest, but think hard about how you answer that as it can be taken very seriously and could affect things.

Casper, not “the cat” sorry, wasn’t trying to be rude.

This is one of those cases where a nice big dose of steroids might not be a bad thing. Sometimes it can really help in this type of situation, but of course, might not or might only be temporary.

The panting is not good. If I am working on a cat that starts panting, I stop what I am doing and let them rest. It might be stress.

I really wish things were better for you both right now.

 

[lesliel76]

I have the appointment this morning to say goodbye.

He has been on the appetite stimulate and had the ultrasound S silent meowlook . I posted pics of the ultrasound on another thread.

I don't know how to piece it all together what happened to him. It's hard for me to comprehend all I know today is that he is exhausted and ready to go. And I have to do right by him to not suffer anymore.

 

[silent meowlook]

You are 100% doing the right thing. It had to be your decision. So, nobody could tell you to do that. If it were my kitty I would do the same and I have endless veterinarians including specialists available to help me if needed. I would do exactly as you are.
There is no rhyme or reason to a bunch of cells going crazy. I am so sorry.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm so sorry

 

[fionasmom]

I am so sorry that you have reached this point with Casper. Please remember that we are here for both of you. I also think that the mass was present for a long time, but did not show symptoms. Without symptoms, no one goes looking for a kidney mass, so please don't think that you could or should have done something else. Even you had brought him to the vet on a regular basis, there is no guarantee that it might have been diagnosed at an early stage. I also do not believe that it was caused by any medications, regardless of potential side effects.

Please let us know how you are.

 

[herekittycat]

I just read the whole thread. I am so sorry. This made me cry. It sounds like he spent his last days being cared for and loved and it takes a lot of strength to do the right thing. You did everything you possibly could for him, and I read about his story and always always remember he knew in his heart you saved him. I don’t doubt for a second he had an amazing life.