Topic: New here - beloved 12 year old cat poorly - what do symptoms mean?? (Read 7367 times)

Felix (Caroline) · « **Reply #37 on:** July 03, 2007, 13:30:57 PM »

So so sory about Middi

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #36 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:02:47 AM »

I Am so very sorry to hear this, RIP little one.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #35 on:** July 03, 2007, 00:23:33 AM »

RIP Middi, play hard on the Bridge little one.

So sorry for your loss.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #34 on:** July 02, 2007, 12:09:01 PM »

Rest well, little one.....

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #33 on:** July 02, 2007, 11:59:11 AM »

I am so sorry for your loss.

xC

clarenmax · « **Reply #32 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:57:46 AM »

I'm so sorry to hear that

RIP little one

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #31 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:55:09 AM »

I'm so sorry about Middi. x

Millys Mum · « **Reply #30 on:** July 02, 2007, 10:29:55 AM »

Sorry to hear about Middi

middib · « **Reply #29 on:** July 02, 2007, 09:23:21 AM »

Hello all.
Just logged on to update.
Middi was put to sleep on Saturday morning after recommendation from the vet. The test results received back on Friday night showed Middi had chronic liver and kidney disease in advance stage.
We went to visit her Saturday morning for a final cuddle and you could see her yellow skin was suddenly showing through the fur on her head so badly since 2 days ago. so it was clear everything was quickly packing up - so to speak!
It was lovely and quiet in the vets and she was warm and snuggly from being on a heated blanket - cuddled her for ages.
Very peacuful and dignified way to go so, a very loving and affectionate cat had the nice end she so rightly deserved.
Thanks for all your messages
Bye.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #28 on:** June 30, 2007, 16:10:06 PM »

how is she doing, home or in hospital this weekend?
One thing about livers - everything's metabolised through them so you will have to just annoy the vet by constantly asking him if every thing you give her is ok - pills and food. She may have to try to eat a special diet (and about 8 little meals pd) as a lot is too rich for their livers once they've been jaundiced. Plus a lot of 'ordinary' drugs are off limits. I imagine she'll be on a long course of antibios and cortisone? Remembered this am that my vet stressed vitamin K was NB and added some to the drip I think.
hoping for good news x

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #27 on:** June 30, 2007, 10:09:39 AM »

Fingers crossed for her - as the others have said, the liver can regenerate itself, so there is a chance for her, and I do hope you can pull through this.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #26 on:** June 30, 2007, 08:34:55 AM »

Just read about the liver diagnoses. I hope all goes well with this.

Good luck to you both.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2007, 08:24:43 AM »

Have read your initial post but not the whole thread (will do in a min) anxious to share my thoughts. I'm an oldie owner (18 and 21) so may be able to help.

I don't think there are any kidney problems as you don't mention drinking too much water.
Has your cat been wormed recently?
The coldness indicates poor circulation, probably due to the lack of movement. This may be related to some kind of joint or muscle problem such as arthritis or rheumatism.
The vomitting immediately after meals and the white frothy bile is indicative of a blockage. Treat for furball. This is often my first port of call as it can produce weird symptoms like the vomitting and reluctance to eat. The white frothy bile often happens when your cat has eaten grass and is trying to eliminate a furball but can't quite do it.

Personally I'd
1. treat for furball
2. worm with vetinerary pills
3. see vet about joint/muscle problems and any possible relief for this.
4. don't regard your cat as 'passed it'; your cat doesn't think like this.
5. give your cat occasional tuna IN OIL, maybe once a week.

Hope this helps.

Oldies are great!

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2007, 14:29:00 PM »

There is some good info here to start with:

http://www.fabcats.org/liverdisease.html

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:23:48 AM »

Thinking of Middi and of you - please keep us updated when you have time.

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:20:37 AM »

meant to say, my PC conked out so I lost my bookmarks, but if you spend time googling, there's quite a lot on cat liver disease on the web and a lot of it really helpful. Destolit's called Ursodial (sp?) in America. We didn't have a biopsy done (he was too ill) but the treatment's pretty much the same the vet said for any liver disease. I really feel for you x

clarenmax · « **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:03:07 AM »

Aw, sending big headrubs to Middi, and

to you.

She'll be getting the best care possible. Will they let you go and see her for a cuddle?

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #20 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:01:22 AM »

Sorry to hear Middi has had to stay at the vets but at least she is in the right place I suppose. I have no experience of liver problems in kitties but I'm sure there will be others than can offer advice.

Take care and big hugs to you and Middi

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:00:54 AM »

If she's jaundiced, she's got liver disease and the drip should help within a few days. I'm sure your vet knows about this, but you could ask him about Destolit tablets and when she's eating again, Zentonil supplements. We had such good results with those and my little one was on Destolit once a day for about 6 months (longer than they 'normally' use in the UK but on specialist and American vet advice). Also initially longish term steroids and antibiotics (a month - 6 weeks). He was desperately ill - end september.
Cats can recover from liver disease. Don't give up hope. Will he let you visit her to buck her up a bit? If she's used to you being around her, we found it did reassure. Some vets don't like it because it causes short term distress when you leave, but my vet noticed how it helped both our cat and us. Poor wee Middi must be feeling so nauseous, which makes them hunker down. My boy ate after 48 hours on the drip btw - they gave him a/d. The drip should have quite a lot of nutrients in it. Don't know what they put in but it wasn't just saline - it was yellow.
my thoughts and prayers, all the very best x

middib · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:56:34 AM »

Just spoke to the vet, Middi has ahd a comfortable night but not too perky. She still hasn't touched any food offered. Apparently when they spun the bloods down ready for sending off to test it was very yellow which the vet says is a concern regarding the liver!
The vet is keeping her in tonight as well so another strange night without my mate!!

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:48:37 AM »

Thoughts and prayers with you.....

middib · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:27:20 AM »

Hello everyone - latest update. Middi was kept in with the vet last night - put on a drip and given some antibiotics. She didn't have a temperature but apparently after the vet checked the whites of her eyes she concluded Middi was very jaundice.
They were going to do all blood tests and thyroid test last night so by the end of today we will know if they show anything.
Calling at 9.30am to see if she had a comfy night.
Fingers crossed!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:21:08 AM »

I hope things went well at the vets - and the fact the vet didnt' say anything about kidney failure is good, it would have been done as standard, so if nothing was said, her kidney function should have been fine, 12 isn't really that old for a cat. Liver problems can cause vomiting in cats though (although I have had 2 with liver probs and only one had vomiting and diarrhea, the other didn't).

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2007, 22:00:52 PM »

How did you get on? I wondered if she had a temp? I imagine they'll want to do bloods again as without them, vomiting and feeling off colour is pretty difficult to diagnose. She hasn't eaten anything poisonous I hope?
all the best. Hope there is some good news.

Mark · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2007, 19:20:35 PM »

I can't offer any advice but hopefully the vet will get to the bottom of it and advise the best for Middi. Hopefully by now you have some good news

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2007, 18:45:14 PM »

Hi and

to Purrs

Sorry can't offer any advice on Middi's symptoms but hope everything goes well at the vet and sending lots of positive vibes

Sam. Foxy, Zephyr and Rossi xxx

Felix (Caroline) · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2007, 13:25:28 PM »

Good luck at the vets, hope she will be ok, will be thinking of you.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2007, 13:21:01 PM »

Kidney function would be part of basic bloods, as would Liver be.

I confess to not being a fan of feeding nothing but dried food. I've known it to cause problems with kidneys. The drinking of rain water could be an indication that your tap water is starting to taste different to her.

I'd repeat the bloods. As Gillian said, it may show changes.

Do keep us posted. I think we'd all like an answer....

middib · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2007, 13:13:17 PM »

She has been drinking a little more water than usual - lapping it up off the decking in the garden as well which is very unusal for her, but she has always drank a lot as she's on dried food so there's a bowl in kitchenfor her and one in the garden etc etc so difficult to tell.
The vet didn't seem to mention kidney failure last time at christmas, which I am now starting to think is a bit unusual. Theu did take bloods and I lost count for what they tested so maybe they did. I will definitely mention it tonight.

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2007, 12:53:40 PM »

Presumably your vet tested for kidney function the last time? As Pinkbear mentioned, the majority of cats with kidney failure tend to drink a lot of water - have you noticed that at all? The vomiting can lead to dehydration, and then they don't want to eat because dehydration makes them feel so lousy. I know your'e not keen to do further blood tests, but there may have been some changes since the last set of tests which could show up now, so it may be worth checking again, to help decide on the course of treatment. Anyway, good luck at the vets this afternoon.

ccmacey · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2007, 12:19:56 PM »

Fingers crossed for Middi.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:48:20 AM »

Something people often overlook is the teeth. Symptoms of bed teeth can be very confusing - I knew a cat that started walking backward, litterally trying to back away from the pain. Some don't want to walk at all because with each footstep sends a jolt of pain through the jaw. A sign a cat is in pain is being terrified of things that it's used to and normally wouldn't react to.

With Kidney failure, they usually start drinking loads.

Is her tummy swollen? Any other lumps or growths? It sounds to me like the white frothy sickness is just her tummy acids having nowhere to go.

But one of the nurses here will have a better idea...

Fingers crossed for Middi

middib · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:47:54 AM »

Thanks for the speedy responses everyone. I'll keep in touch and let you know the outcome of the visit to the vets. Its almost like the occurence at christmas has prepared me to calmly handle it this time round but, she is my best mate and it will be sad to see her go - fingers crossed it can be sorted.
My main concern is for her happiness, she looks so down in the mouth and I don't want to see her suffer long term with tests as she is very scared at the vets. Will see how it goes tonight.
Middi had all her jabs up until she was about 8yrs but I must admit we have lapsed on them since I'm afraid. She has had brilliant health for all her 12 years up till last christmas.....
The picture of Max from Clare is spookily identical to my Middi - I will try and upload one.
Speak soon
Thanks again.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:32:45 AM »

Welcome to Purrs and I'm sorry to hear that Middi is poorly. There are several people on here who will be able to give you advice, including a couple of veterinary nurses, so I'll bring this to their attention if they don't see it soon.

For what it's worth, I'd have the tests done myself.

Please keep us posted.

xC

ccmacey · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:31:08 AM »

Viral infection, is that something to do with FIV? Did the vets say anything like this to you?

All I can say is get her to the vets and get them to give a good check over. Also 12 isn't that old for a cat.

I had a cat that was limping, had gone off her food, didn't want to be around anyone and sadly things went down hill very quickly and I lost her, the vet said some sort of viral infection, she had not had her jabs either. Has your cat had her jabs?

Not trying to scare you just telling my experience when 1 of my cats had these symptoms.

Let us know how it goes at the vets.

clarenmax · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:24:53 AM »

Sorry you're having problems

I can't really offer any constructive advice as I have no experience in these matters, but hopefully some of the other peeps on here may be able to help.

Good thing you're off to the vets today, keep us posted with how you get on.

middib · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:13:53 AM »

My beloved cat Middi is showing signs again last night and this morning of being ill.
She had a bout of illness over christmas where she was vmoniting, not moving easily, cold to touch and off all food. She visited the vets where she was kept in and observed, had various tests done, bloods etc and thyroid but nothing seemed amiss. She was put on a drip as she had a very high temp and dehydration but within 24hrs she picked up.
The vets ended her treatment with antibiotics and told me Middi had suffered a viral infecion - I was left a bit confused and £500 pounds worse off........
Since then Middi has been ok, never back to her normal self but she is 12 now so maybe old age is catching up.
She has since christmas had odd occasions of vomiting after eating. She has seemed to struggle with jumping on and off the couch and is visibly limping.Is this just old age or perhaps related to Kidney failure?
Since Tuesday night she hasn't eaten and last night she didn't want to be bothered, going off into corners and huddling up- having been a very social lap cat this is strange behaviour for her, she is also cold to touch again and vomited white frothy bile last night even though she hasn't eaten for nearly 2 days.
She slept all night until I went in to her at 7am this morning this is unusal as she normally wakes us to be let out at 2am if left in.
I have rung the vets today and got an appointment for 4pm but I just don't want to go down the road of lots of tests on her again without no real conclusion. Has anyone else experienced this with their moggy ??

Author Topic: New here - beloved 12 year old cat poorly - what do symptoms mean?? (Read 7367 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey