Topic: Neurological problems (Read 11032 times)

Millys Mum · « **Reply #34 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:52:13 AM »

Not long til results time, i hope its today and not tomorrow!
Im blocking the garden off today. Iv been escorting George on his outdoor trips but yesterday he managed to slip away

He was gone for several hours before i spotted him staring through the fence at the bottom of the neighbours garden. My mum went and rescued a rather confused and upset George

He had gone through a gap but couldnt work out the reverse journey home

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Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #33 on:** February 18, 2007, 01:12:06 AM »

Do hope that you can get George checked out quick................he sounds remarkable, chasing sticks LOL..............try not to think the worst cos there are many treatments out there if they can see him quick enough

Amanda (mad4moggies) · « **Reply #32 on:** February 17, 2007, 20:37:56 PM »

Milly`s Mum, i know it`s difficult sometimes not to think the worst but hopefully it`s something they can sot out. I would see about going for referral quite quickly if possilbe just in case there is something starting that may need to be treated by specialists quickly. I have my fingers crossed for you that it isn`t any sort of tumour although sometimes they can treat these depending on the sort.

My cat had the initial bloods in house at the vets which were all normal. then bile acid stim test which was also normal. She then went for a referral to a neurologist in Wimbledon. It was tricky because she was found as a stray and had only had one small seizure. i knew she was a bit special as she walks with a swagger and and some things she does are over exaggerated. Other than that she was coping well when i first got her so i didn`t want to have too many invasive tests done on her but at the same time i wanted to try and get a diagnosis in case there was something that might stop things from progressing. She had an MRI which was all normal so whilst she was under anaesthetic they did some further tests which showed some abnormalities with her muscles and the time it took them to respond. They did a muscle biopsy which was only a small procedure and sent it to America for testing. This didn`t show too much. At this stage they were looking to do nerve biopsies but i didn`t want this as it was much more invasive. They said they had one other idea which was to culture some of her skin (don`t ask me why, it`s all a bit hard to understand!!) and thats what showed she had the lysosomal storage disease. There is no treatment for it and there are different kinds so it all depends on these things to know the outcome. You can give supplements such as fatty acids which are meant to help a bit but i wouldn`t worry about all that at the moment!

Keep us posted on how things are going.

Also, i`ve just had a look and that is your neareast referral vets but you may already know this!

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #31 on:** February 17, 2007, 19:37:30 PM »

Hi Millys Mum and very soft headbutts to the very beautiful (excuse me) handsome George.

Just wanted to say I have been responsible for many of the adverse comments about Metacam on this site recently but wanted to say how magical the stuff can be as shown by George's reaction to it. Chasing sticks in the garden is pretty fantastic. Very best wishes to your lovely boy.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2007, 18:55:51 PM »

Fingers crossed it is something less serious.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2007, 18:44:33 PM »

Hi Amanda, thanks for getting back to me.
Im in Colchester, an hour and abit away from AHT.
My vet said 10 days to be referred but they will see you next day if its urgent.

He's doing well on metacam, is still missing that sparkle from his eyes but he's definatley less wobbly and isnt wandering/staring as much either. Has been chasing sticks in the garden today

He eats a complete wet food/ raw extras so i wouldnt think hes thiamine deficiant.
The vet checked his responses to light/knowledge of where his legs are.

With lysosomal storage disease would bloods show anything as raised? As his inhouse results were fine.

Iv prepared myself for him having a tumour especially with his response to the metacam, theres pain and/or swelling in him somewhere.

Beccles · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2007, 00:25:54 AM »

Millie's Mum - he is on Prednisolone (spelling?) - v common steroid also used in humans. And yes Ollie is by vet agreement 'not a candidate for pills' eg he nearly took the vet's hand off when he tried

but the jabs works great so I'm happy. 4 months now, and counting.

Amanda (mad4moggies) · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2007, 20:06:19 PM »

I`ve just been having a look in one of my feline nursing books to see if i can come up with anything that might help.

In the neurological section there are two main sections. The first one includes things like spinal cord damage and things like that which would sort of fit with the improvement with Metacam but other signs don`t really fit with this. It says that other signs will include problems urinating/defaecating and deficits with the limbs such as placement problems etc. From doing a thorough neurological examine the vet should be able to tell roughly where in the spinal cord the problem is.

The second section is about central neurological problems. The most common ones being infectious agents so it recommends that tests are done for FIV/FeLV/FIP & Toxoplasmosis. Other causes can be trauma, encephalitis (you would usually notice this due to the swelling starting on the forehead), thiamine deficiency (but if he is having a complete diet then this is unlikely) or liver related problems. The main liver problem mentioned is liver shunt which it says is mostly diagnosed in cats under one. The other thing that might be worth looking into is lysosomal storage disease which is what my cat ended up having. Where the body stores up chemicals that it should be getting rid of. Other possibilites could include epilepsy and things like tumours which it`s probably best that we don`t think about at this early stage.

Fingers crossed for his results on Monday.

Amanda (mad4moggies) · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2007, 19:41:11 PM »

Where in Essex are you Milly`s Mum?

If you feel he is getting worse then he can be referred as an emergency to a neurologist. I have a cat that went through similar tests to George to eliminate different things as she had a lot of neurological signs. As you probably already know the bile acid stim test will help them see if it is a liver shunt but as you have found from looking for information on it it is usually diagnosed in kittens/very young cats. You`d expect some of the liver enzymes to be slightly raised if it was to do with that but i guess you`ll find out on Monday. I think that an MRI sounds like a very good idea and if he seems to be deteriorating then you might need to go asap.

How is he at the moment?

Also, as far as i know ammonia is not one of the tests that is included in a general biochemistry blood test but your vet may do this, it just depends on what blood machine they use.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2007, 17:58:45 PM »

Better late than never Rebecca! Lol. All input is v.much appreciated.
Whats the name of the steroid? A jab every so often would be better than a daily dose i guess.
Im glad to have him insured so that every option is possible.

Hes doing ok on the metacam so it gives me time to think properly without the pressure of deciding quickly incase hes suffering. My head is now not so

Good to hear your Ollie is stable

Beccles · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2007, 03:08:05 AM »

Sorry, I'm arriving rather late to the party BUT...

Ollie, my (accidentally rather long-term) foster, has very severe neurological issues (circling, falling, that horrible neuro cat howl, the whole works) which disappear almost COMPLETELY with a large dose of steroids injected subcutaneously about every fortnight. I've now learnt to do these at home as Ollie objects really very strongly indeed to the cat carrier (!) - which is actually a complete doddle, even with dodgy hands. Vet showed me how and then I did the next couple under supervision, and now I've got a stash of syringes and needles (sterile) and a sharps bin at home and Ollie's quality of life is really pretty good at the moment.

It's thought that his neuro symptoms are secondary to a brain tumour (no MRI for Ollie von Ollifer due to nobody being able to afford it; it'd probably only tell us what is already obvious - that he's got something his brain causing inflammation - and you'd only treat that with steroids anyway) - but I've really not seen much progression in the time I've had him so hopefully he's going to enjoy a good few stable years yet.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2007, 17:59:34 PM »

I have vets permission to carry on with Metacam, so atleast i dont have to watch him meandering while his bloods are done, should get the result on Monday. Then get to decide on referring him or not. I would have to get him from Essex to Newmarket (Animal Health Trust).

Baggy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2007, 20:49:36 PM »

Good to hear that he's back on your lap. Hope George feels better soon and hope you do too.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2007, 19:17:15 PM »

This is good news then I guess, while it's awful to know he must have been in pain the fact that he's responded so well to the metacam is fantastic. Hope you can get to the bottom of what's causing this and get George back to normal ASAP.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 18:49:46 PM »

I agree he must have been in pain for that spectacular reaction...........do hope they can find the cause quickly

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 18:34:54 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on February 14, 2007, 17:52:46 PM

I gave some Metacam and theres a good response so hes got pain somewhere.
nhjgftrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr that was george jumping onto my lap, something he hasnt done in a week

Yes, looks like it, doesn't it? I hope the source and cause of the pain can be found quickly

Millys Mum · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 17:52:46 PM »

The vet dealing with George wasnt available, so had a chat with a different one.The guy is back in tomoro so im to phone first thing.
I gave some Metacam and theres a good response so hes got pain somewhere.
Iv had lap time with purring so im pleased with that

nhjgftrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr that was george jumping onto my lap, something he hasnt done in a week

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2007, 13:50:42 PM »

Have you spoken to the vet yet, Millys Mum or is that later on?

Millys Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2007, 13:24:04 PM »

Thanks for your input hippykitty, he has had bloods done that show his kidneys to be fine and theres no vomiting so poisoning has been written off.
I think the EEG would be done by the referal place, he hasnt had any fits, flicking eyes or muscle tremours but i will ask vet again about epilepsy.

Hes just been out and was sniffing where the toms leave their odour and he tried to spray, not alot came out and he immediately washed himself (hes a very lazy cat and normally cant be bothered, lets himself air dry lol) so im now thinking maybe he has pain from bladder stones. Being an over weight male neter. He wont use a tray, i havent seen any wet patches but if theres one thing iv learnt about ill cats is that they dont always follow the text book.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2007, 02:09:37 AM »

These are random ideas.
Could it be poisoning, from house plants, or cleaning products?
Or he could be having simple-partial seizures, in which case the diazepam would help.
Is the vet running an EEG? This is a test for epilepsy, which can present in the way you describe.
I hope he is treated and better soon.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2007, 22:23:18 PM »

Good luck with Georges tests, I hope they can do something to help him improve his quality of life.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2007, 21:59:18 PM »

Im speaking to vet tomorrow to see how long it takes to get referred, if its weeks i wont know what to do!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2007, 21:48:39 PM »

Aww, fingers crossed they can get to the bottom of it quickly, he is only young.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2007, 21:40:46 PM »

Nose kiss accepted

Iv been thinking hard about his behaviour and have realised its been a week since he purred or sat on my lap (he's normally glued to it) and hasnt been upstairs or on the sofa.

It really sucks. If he keeps gping downhill this quickly i wont have much choice left

Cant say hes got any quality of life at the moment

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2007, 21:29:43 PM »

Aww, he is lovely - good luck for the rest of the tests.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2007, 18:18:01 PM »

Poor George, I hope you can get to the bottom of what's causing his problems. He is a very handsome young man, Tiggy was going to send a healing head kiss but now she has seen his pic she'd like it to be a nose kiss

Might be worth emailing Lynn as I know last time she had computer problems she could still pick up some emails via her mobile.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2007, 17:58:00 PM »

Quote

I was told that she has computer problems!

No point in sending an email then! Lol

George says thanks for the kiss!

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Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2007, 17:17:55 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on February 13, 2007, 15:53:04 PM

PS. Does anybody know where Lyn is??

I was told that she has computer problems !

Fingers crossed for George, it is horrible when one of our babies isnt well.

give him big kiss from me X

Millys Mum · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2007, 15:53:04 PM »

Thanks for good wishes

Well hes had his blood samples taken, he must have behaved as only bald on one side with one hole. The inhouse profile was fine, which is good, i was kinda hoping for something to stick out tho,just to make it easy.
They have sent away a Bile Acid test, have to wait 5-7 days for that

Amanda, do you have any suggestions as to the liver problems? I know of shunts but all info i find on them are for kittens, nothing says an adult cat cant hide the signs tho.
Do you know if ammonia would be on the inhouse bloods? As i have read that can cause his symptoms.
Watching him for the next week while his results are pending is going to be horrible, i dont think hes in any pain but its quite distessing to see him so vacant. My mum has got quite upset at times.

PS. Does anybody know where Lyn is??

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:02:06 AM »

Fingers crossed for him.

Amanda (mad4moggies) · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2007, 22:59:32 PM »

Good luck for tomorrow, i hope it all goes well. It could be a variety things but i hope it`s something easily fixed.

An MRI is a good way to go if all the bloods come back normal. There are various liver problems that can show as neurological signs but usually these are present from birth so would have showed up earlier than 4 years but you never know.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2007, 20:08:58 PM »

A worrying time, Milly's Mum, but try not to think the worst (as always, I know this is easy for me to say

). Let us know how the little fella gets on tomorrow.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2007, 17:15:43 PM »

So sorry that George has problems and hope they can find out what is causing them, cuddles top George and I hope M&S are quick, please let us know

Millys Mum · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2007, 17:08:49 PM »

A couple of weeks back George started acting strangely, stopped going out, didnt jump on the work tops, wandering, starting fights with the other cats, staring at walls and was a bit wobbly on his feet.

We went to the vets who did a full check over. His teeth were pretty bad and thought that the oral pain may be causing his odd behaviour. 10 days of Antirobe (finished course yesterday) made an improvement until saturday when his old behaviour returned. The vet now thinks he has something "going on between his ears".

Tomorrow they are running full bloods for everything and doing a liver test. There are some viruses that it could be. After that referal to a neurologist for MRI scans etc basic package is £1600 so im hoping Marks & Sparks are prompt.

Anybody have any ideas i could research?

Hes only 4years old ish and to see him like this is killing me.

Author Topic: Neurological problems (Read 11032 times)