Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: VeraBoe on October 24, 2007, 21:55:51 PM
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Introduction to our kittens Onyx and Jade (they’re black as onyx with eyes like jade!!):
They came to live with us when they were appr 12 weeks old. They were born to a stray cat colony in the south of Holland, near the Belgian border and were taken in by the stray cat organization in that area http://www.zwerfkat.com/ (all in Dutch !!).
They take in all stray kittens and sometimes their mom/dads, nurse them back to health if ill /socialize them in volunteer family homes and then they can be adopted (from their website and then persona visits).
So Onyx and Jade came to us on June 18th of this year (they were born around the 1st of April).
On August 14th, Onyx suddenly started displaying lameness of both hind legs, moving around almost like a bunny rabbit on his back haunches. We took him to the VET, thinking he had injured something as they are always playing and running around like crazy!! There was no fever, no other symptoms whatsoever and he continued to eat well and play with his sister, be it hampered. Only his ears seemed to be ‘droopy’ – they don’t point straight up but slightly outwards now and that has stayed.
Then the front legs went sort of lame. We immediately took him to an animal neurologist. Various reflex tests and X-rays revealed all was normal with the backbone, legs and neck. The organs too, all seemed complete and in place (for as much as you can see on X-rays)
To make a long story short: Onyx has bouts of lameness/paralysis, varying every time from the front legs to the back, alternating with the stiff neck, alternated with a couple good days in between (where he is really walking normal). There is NO PAIN and he can move/play/be stretched etc in any kind of way when he lies on his side/back.
He was sad for a little while but since changing the diet from dry/tinned food to fresh meats and administering homeopathics he has improved greatly. He still loves to play, cuddle, run after Jade in his own way and he climbs/claws his up on the cat tree, window sills and the bed!! His coat is really thick and shiny and still no...no other symptoms. (I've kept a journal of all events and visits to various surgeries etc)
DOES ANYBODY RECOGNISE THESE SYMPTOMS ??
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:welcome: to Purrs ;D
Can I ask you what the medical people have said about little Onyx and what they have suggested may be the cause.
We are not medical experts on here and can only offer our thoughts, although we do have a couple of vet nurses and a mascot with some serious problems which you might like to read about. To do this click on the Mascot cat in top right hand corner.
Teresa her owner knows all about what Minimopsical has which I think is a malfuntion in the brain.
Onyx sounds like he has brain problem and I know in this country cats can have MRI scans although they are very expensive, which would show up a brain problem.
I am so pleased that you are still looking after Onyx who sounds a sweet little cat and maybe others may have some suggestions for you here.
Do you have a picture of Onyx and Jade cos we would love to see them. ;D
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Yes i too would like to hear what has been suggested as possible diagnosis ?
The only thing i'd say is that xrays and reflex tests alone would not necessarily identify specific lesions on the spinal cord itself (infact xrays can easily miss odditys that could or should be seen on them)
Further fancy tests where dyes etc maybe were introduced into the spine may show this but would probably need specialist referal vet to carry out procedure.
It could be stemming from the brain.
What about something completely unrelated to the spine etc like congenital heart defect http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/ccardio.html
Congenital Portosystemic Shunt http://www.cat-world.com.au/PortosystemicShunts.htm
Some type of parasitic caused lesion (not sure but i'd have thought unlikely in a youngster)
Has all the normals like fiv/felv been ruled out ?
If you have any other information at all could you please forward it on, i shall then pass it onto my friend who is a vet nurse and worked for a few years in a very busy orthapaedic referral centre to see if anything rings any bells with her.
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Although I know very little, the parasitic question came into my mind too before I read Lynn's message for some strange reason. Except for the ears which makes me think that its neurological.
Lynn is the most knowledgeable medically so my comments are just my impressions.
I guess you are close to roosendaal? - I know it well from travelling between belgium & holland many times (happy memories ;D )
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Tks Gill, Lynn, Mark - had just typed a whole reply and lost it all when trying to upload photo/blood test scan!! So here's a copy of part of things (you'll see double text as I had already inserted part in 1st msg). Mark, Roosendaal is 2 hrs drive south of Leiden but it's great here too!! Any suggestions on how to reduce photo/scan size (tried reduced emailling to myself already)
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So Onyx and Jade came to us on June 18th of this year and are now about 7months old (they were born around the 1st of April).
On August 14th, Onyx suddenly started displaying lameness of both hind legs, moving around almost like a bunny rabbit on his back haunches. We took him to the vet, thinking he had injured something as they are always playing and running around like crazy!! There was no fever, no other symptoms whatsoever and he continued to eat well and play with his sister, be it hampered. Only his ears seemed to be ‘droopy’ – they don’t point straight up but slightly outwards now and that has stayed.
He was given a painkiller injection (called Rimadil here) and some Metacam, anti-inflammatory drug. There was no significant improvement, on the contrary, after a couple of days he seemed worse.
Back at the vet they did some basic reflex testing and there were quite slow reactions with the back legs, we then had to give him half a tablet of 5 mg Prednisolon (Pred). Within 2 days Onyx cleared up and walked normally.
After three more days, however, he showed a stiff neck, he walked like a little horse with his head bent down, arching his neck.
He was given a half tablet (5 mg) of Pred for a week and he didn’t react.
Then the front legs went sort of lame. We immediately took him to an animal neurologist. Various reflex tests and X-rays revealed all was normal with the backbone, legs and neck. The organs too, all seemed complete and in place (for as much as you can see on X-rays)
We stopped administering the Pred, changed his diet from canned to fresh foods only. He now gets Cholodin (choline, phosphatidylcholine, inositol, zinc), a homeopathic remedy with Vitamine B complex and it works to improve the nervous system/neuro transmitters.
We took out house plants/pot pourri and looked for signs of toxins in our household (the kittens don’t go outside).
We thought of Limping Disease but ruled it out, symptoms started only after 2 months after the vaccinations (they’ve had 2 sets now – no reactions with Jade) and ear mite/flea medication called Stronghold.
Onyx has since had general blood tests, clear on all counts except a very slight increase in alfa 2, tests for Lyme disease were negative.
No MRI/contrast scan (600 euro here) yet as I feel that may be very intrusive to him as yet – we carted him back and forth to various surgeries over a period of 4 weeks. No FELV/FIV as tests were negative (this 1st time - will test again later in a couple of months).
No indication of toxomplasmosis (my vet says cat hardly ever have this) or thyroid defects.
No weird walking like CH-cats – Onyx seems more cramped up, but no spasms/spasmic movements.
Vet has been wonderful - neurologist too busy to really take things in. I've been making regular little videos of Onyx to show his movements. No heart murmurs, lungs fine all regularly checked up by vet, thinking of virus infection when still in womb to cause brain damage. Tumor/blood clot ruled out because symptoms come and go ad hoc and always with total recovery - no change since start last Aug.
Lynn will read ...shunt tonight - tks for that!!
:thanks:
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Thanks for email, have returned mail showing what i've forwarded onto my friend :)
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:welcome: to Purrs, Vera and I hope that you can get some insight into Onyx's condition from the folks on here.
For those who are not members of Cat Chat, Vera joined there yesterday and posted up her question about Onyx. I recognised her name as being the same as an old friend of my OH - and, incredibly, she is the same person :wow: We have had a long chat on the phone and Vera has now emailed me a picture of Onyx and Jade that I will send to Tan to insert in this thread, if I may. They really are beautiful cats.
I do so hope the little fella can be helped with some sort of treatment.
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Onyx sound such a brave little cat and it would be wonderful if Lynns friend could come up with a posssible cause.
It sounds though he is not in pain and I hope this is the case cos they hide it so well. I wonder if he did have a reaction to the jabs although I would have thought if one did , the other would too.
Its such a mystery and you have done every thing you can think of to help him.
600 euros for MRI is cheep compared to here cos it seems to be around £1000. MRI is not intrusive at all but would be done under sedation.
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Several years ago we had a girl called Merry who for most of the time acted normally and then I would find her acting like a clockwork toy waking very weirdly and going off her legs. No one believed what I was describing until it happened in front of the vet,they tested Merry for allsorts and finally diagnosed a brain storage problem caused before she was born. Sadly each attack damaged Merrys brain and she died aged 11 months.
A further piece of useless information but you never know, Merry was Iris`s kitten, Iris suffered from an auto immune condition and needed constant treatment for rodent ulcers and granulomas.
Sorry Its not much help
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Here they are such adorable babes :wow:
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Just noticed the pic of Onyx with stiff neck, keep an eye on those eyes when each episode is happening;Is he wide eyed through fear,pain or is it a vacant look.
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Vera I hope you dont mind but i have copied these pics and away to forward them onto to that vet aswell ;)
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Tks Christine and Tan for uploading those piccies!! Aren't they just...adorable!!!
Tks, Lynn for forwarding piccies and the email - any help I can get, hope your friend is indeed not too busy!!
Gill and everybody - I know cats hide their pain very well (have had 3 cats over 30 years - last one died beginning May at 23 (!!!) years old) but for sure with Onyx he is NOT in pain. Vet AND neurologist tested it and I keep tabs too. He strecthes and bends with every movement and thinks it's play time!!
Yes, sedation with MRI but because we are thinking of possible brain damage we do NOT want any kind of aenesthetic just now to avoid more damage if any. We also have to wait with neutering and have gotten a mini pill for Jade if she becomes 'a lady' !!
Teresa, sorry to hear of Merry's loss - it must have been tragic to lose her so young!! And yes, we realise anything can happen but my husband and I AND the vet have decided we are going stay positive in this. Give Onyx as much attention and stimulation as we can and above all, constant loving care! Then IF we should lose him we know he's had the best of all we could give him, including the love he gets form Jade!! We've considered the auto immune 'cause symptoms also sound like MS (multiple sclerosis) with hmans - except up to now there is NO traceable damage to any of the funcitons. When I say he recovers after every bout: I mean he's really back to normal. Except for the ears - they're lower during a spell but higher when he's in his good days. We interpret it as him 'signing' to us when it's pretty bad.
His eyes in the 'stiff neck' piccie may seem out of the ordinary, it's just the click of that moment. He is particularly perky and alert when you see him normally.
Question: Any way to load up a 30 sec video on these forums too - I'v madesoem with my digital camera just to keep track of all symptoms??
Tks everyone - I'm just overwhelmed by all your concerns!! smooches and purrs from Onyx and Jade and a Dutch hugs and kisses from me xx
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The way to get a video on is through a site called Photobucket.....think thats its name.
You load it on there and then put the link on here and we can all see it. ;D
There are some experts that use it all the time but not me, I a bit dim with that site :rofl:
I love the pictures, they are stunning cats ;D
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yup Photo bucket is Good, very easy 2 use. go to http://photobucket.com/
register your account, and hey presto your away :wow:
I'm now curious what's wrong with onyx 2 :(
but I have been sitting on the fence cause "I know Nothing, I from Barcelona" ;D
No seriously though........ I Do hope someone on here can Help You and Onyx out :Luv:
what a Brave You and a Brave Little Onyx , Good Luck !!! :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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VeraBoe your cats are stunning, so sorry that Onyx is suffering with paralysis, I can't help with what is wrong with him but I just want to say that I will be thinking of you all and hope he gets better, I will be wishing you all the luck in the world.
The members on here are brilliant and have helped me with lots of tips and advice in the past few weeks over Simba,who is now on the mend. Lots of :Luv: and :hug:. Caroline xx
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Tks for the Photobucket advice, Gill and Stuart - I've signed up and have uploaded 3 piccies and 3 half-a-minute video's. Trying to get the hang of the forum and the Photobucket all at once!!! (See next posting for link)
Tks for your thoughts Felix/Caroline and Stuart!! :Luv: smooches from the kitties & me !!
I'll keep you all posted if anything comes up.
BTW, keep the quesitons coming 'cause it also prompts us to think in other ways and you never know what that may bring.
BTW # 2, it's Onyx's 4th GOOD day today - he and Jade have been chasing each other, playing and running around like old times. We're touching wood but it is REALLY an improvement !!!! Most of the time since Aug 14th , it's only been 2-3 GOOD days in between the lapses. It must for sure be all your good thoughts being chanelled to Onyx!!!!!
:thanks: already
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Aha !!!! Just discovered this a the bottom of the 'share this album space - is this what I need to post ????
http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee162/VeraBoe/
(sorry, it must be my blond hair!!!!) :rofl: vera
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Just watched the video's bless him :Luv:
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Both lovely cats - I hope you can get to the bottom of it :(
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Onyx and Jade are Gorgeous :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
To post pic on forum using photobucket probably a few ways of doing it, but this is how I do it ;)
when you make a post, you have all the cute cat smiley's above ^. in the far LEFT above smiley's
you Have B I U etc under the I click the landscape button (insert image) click on that
and you'll get [ img ]http[ /img ] , you then need to go to your photobucket
account and copy the direct link and paste it "where I have typed http"
Hope this is of some help to you ;) (http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/culnara/x-hikashi2-1.gif)
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/culnara/x-hikashi1.gif) :evillaugh: :evillaugh: :evillaugh:
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both are gorgeous but onyx especially is so lovely and sleek :)
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Tks everyone, for the compliments! Tks Stuart, particularly for that bit of tech info - I'm working on it.
As a reaction to Lynn's thoughts about the possible brain damage:
It's funny you say your gut feeling is not with the brain damage - it was never with me either. Our middle cat Binki had partial paralysis when he got small strokes, mostly due to his old age. He was 19 when he got one final stroke which paralysed his whole body and we had to put him to sleep (english terminology???). So I was looking for similar signs and because Onyx just isn't like that - I have been hoping and praying it's not. Although I want to keep all options open so we can react to anything we need to.
And the homeopath was the one to focus on his eyes, or rather his reaction to light. It was extremely slow at one point (has been fine for a couple of weeks now). Also the spiritual healer (like a horse whisperer but she works with pets too) 'saw' something like a network-type of energy affecting Onyx's nervous system. So we went with the toxic assumption too (and the vet stays with the brain damage bit) and that's why we checked the whole house/plants, wooden floor polish, soaps and suds, etc etc. And we changed their diet to fresh foods (which neither like half as much as tinned!!!).
I finally found a whole list of houseplants on the internet, which are particularly toxic for cats and it also included pot pourri as a sort of afterthought!! Now that I had sitting in the bathroom and you know how kitties love to chew things. SO I had 2 draceana plants sitting around and I removed them, along with this pot pourri!! This was appr. 3 wks ago now.
Today when we went to work, Onyx was still fine - this will be day nr. 6 of GOOD days. I'm already happy if it's 5 because he hasn't been this good for a long time.
We caught him jumping on the kitchen sink with Jade this morning - something he hasn't done for all that time!!
Dare we hope????
It must be all this concern all you lovely people are showing us on the forum!! Dankjewel (Dutch for thank you!!)
:)
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I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that there is not just day 6 good but also day 365 and counting :hug:
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I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that there is not just day 6 good but also day 365 and counting :hug:
Thinking about Oynx Too :Luv: :Luv:
veel geluk :Luv: :Luv:
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:hug: what beautiful babes you have , thinking of you and Onyx, fingers crossed he continues to improve :hug:
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Sunday, day 8 today - positive ;D news is that it was really 7 good days. But this morning when I got up I could see he is limping a bit again with the front 2 legs, this being the negative :( bit.
However,I'm just hoping that becasue he had so many good days for the 1st time, that the lapse will not be as bad/long as it has been up to now. Wait and see :scared: has been the motto up to now and we'll just have to continue this. Again, there is no pain - I've been massaging and stretching him already and there is no resistance etc etc.
BTW, does enybody know about these acupressure points for massaging? I know there is a book specifically for animal acu massage but I haven't been able to find it on the NL book sites, only the internationl Amazon one, (I think).
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veel geluk :Luv: :Luv:
[/quote]
Hey, that's Dutch Stuart!! :wow:
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:evillaugh: I am in a motorcycle club, and our club is very good friends with another club over in Belgium
have been over a few times, most of them come from Zoersal and a couple from antwerpen, but the last
time, when it was time to go Home one of our friend's said in Dutch " Good Luck, have a safe journey home !!"
and I'd asked what did that mean?? " we were always having a laugh getting on at them for speaking Flemish
cause we dont understand & them getting on at us for speaking Scottish :evillaugh: " can't remember the rest
of the sentace in dutch, but the "Good Luck" part I remember :wow:
Oh yes and there were lot's of (vleermuis) in Zoersal :evillaugh:
How is Onyx doing now ?? :Luv:
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Sounds great!! Love the intercultural bit!
But of course Flemish is very much like Dutch, just the pronunciation bit (bit like english/scottish!!!!????)
Anyway, Onyx is resting more today but the linping hasn't gotten really bad yet, it's different walking than what he's been doing these past days but not really deteriorating too much (yet??) - will have to wait and see!
Groetjes!!
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BTW, does enybody know about these acupressure points for massaging? I know there is a book specifically for animal acu massage but I haven't been able to find it on the NL book sites, only the internationl Amazon one, (I think).
By another spooky coincidence, one of my business contacts is a close friend of a famous practitioner (I have only just met this lady and it came up in conversation so I will need to check this out tomorrow for you).
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just the pronunciation bit (bit like english/scottish!!!!????)
Groetjes!!
Excactly :wow:!!! that's how one of our Friend's ( Carl ) described Dutch/Flemish when we asked Him what was the difference :evillaugh:
In the very north-east of scotland, the local dialect is called Doric.
English " How are You Today ?? " in Doric " Fit Like i Day'an ?? " or " Foo Ye Deein ?? " :rofl:
And I haven't a Clue what Groetjes!! means ?? :rofl: :rofl:
Glad to Hear That Onyx hasen't gotten any worse :Luv: :Luv:
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Monday - bad news: Onyx is limping quite badly today although the process (of it getting worse) seems slower than it has been up to now. He seems sort of hunched up in the front shoulders and cannot walk properly now. He sort of 'pads' with his front 2 feet and when he walks his back is not straight, but low in the front and high in the back. And as always, no problem with stretching and playing or lying on top of me (at 3 am in the morning!!!) to be cuddled!! Massaging is fine too - no problem with the legs, shoulders or back.
Christine - spooky indeed, but meant to be I'm sure of it!! Will wait to hear - would love to be able to order it from somewhere or, if all else fails (just by chance) I'll just have to come over to UK and get it myself!!!
We dug out the piccies from '87/'88 and had a laugh, remembering those 'young' days!
'Groetjes' means greetings/regards!! My, but that scottish sounds difficult!
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Sorry that Onnyx is getting worse again, I was hoping this was a serious improvement :hug:
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I am sorry to hear that Onyx is having another episode. :(
I think the book you are after is called 'Getting in Touch with Your Cat' by Linda Tellington-Jones; see http://www.tilleyfarm.co.uk/Merchandise.html
My contact has asked one of the folks at Tilley Farm to call me, so I will update when she has.
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I'm So Disheartened to be reading this :( :(
I don't know, I was Thinking/wishing that the plant's and Pot pourie, were the cause of Onyx's trouble's
and as you had moved them, I was hoping for a miracle and that would be the end of his problem's. :( :(
Sending positive Healing thought's to Onyx & you :Luv:
Misty & Stuart...
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http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee162/VeraBoe/Onyx29okt014.jpg
There's a new photo there - it's not very good because Onyx is not willing to sit for a piccie this time! It just shows him walking away from breakfast this morning. But it shows how he's sort of cramped up - he's a bit worse tonight. But it's definitely not as progressive as it has been up to now.
Christine, tks for the book tip - one of the volunteers of the organisation I got Onyx and Jade from recognises Linda Tellington as doing a lot of good work with their organisation (http://www.zwerfkat.com/). Don't quite know how they are linked up but I'll find out!! What communication thru this internet!!
But I've seen another book - Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure (Paperback)
by Nancy A Zidonis (Author) but up to now I haven't been able to find out about it over here. Has anybody on Purrs heard about it/tried it ????
I just feel if I can at least assist Onyx in getting thru the bad spells, ie keep him moving so that improvement sets in quickly.
:thanks: everyone for your positive thoughts - I'm a strong believer in such powerful energies!!!
paws and purrs from my two lovelies
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Tuesday - Onyx is not really getting any worse. Contrary to prevous episodes the progressiveness is rather slower. He's playing still and loves his food.
Jade seems like a rubberball - bouncing off all walls!! I think her hormones might be playing up by now (Nov 1st they''re 7 mts old) so we are going to have to start her on her mini-pill. We'de like to have them spayed together but not until we know what up with Onyx (or at least till he's stable).
Anyway, had this wonderful extensive reply from FAB - including a piccie of a Burmese cat with the exact same stiff neck symptoms as Onyx has. Seems this has to do with potassium levels, So I've forwarded the whole advice to my vet and will talk to her about possibilities for Onyx and/or if the blood tests we had done already includes this particular thing.
Have also found the book you suggested Christine and ordered it already - looks really interesting!!! Hope it comes soon in the mail !! :thanks:
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This sounds positive ;D
If Jade is 7 months I would be thinking of getting her neutered now. Is their really a reason for her to have to wait?
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No particular reason to wait other than we wanted them to go into surgery together - my vet suggested it as they are so close already. She prefers not to do it too early.
And, most importantly, they will experience it togheter rather than 1 'smelling' so strange to other. But of course, what with Onyx's condition that will always have precedence so if we have to wait, Jade will need to be done sometime soon on her own.
Sometimes it's difficult to know what's right and/or wrong but we very much try to go by our gut feeling and mostly, how these two seem to be developing. And we feel very comfortable with our vet's advice - she is really concerned for the both of them
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please dont delay JAde's spaying, the last thing you need is an accidental pregnancy, and 7 months is actually quite late for a female, not too early. While it is nice for them to go together, if one is poorly, you can't make her wait, and out of the two, she is the most important for neutering due to the fact he could get her pregnant.
Am glad you have had some news from FAB and hope it works out.
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Tks for the advice - will get on to it!!
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Your welcome
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Hi Vera! Any update or news about Onyx?
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Hi Christine - wow, yuo spotted me quick!!
I was wondering how I could get a general bit in but have finally also taken the time to read some of the other bits, it's just overwhelming to see it all.
Yes there's news - Onyx is just now experiencing a bad couple of days but he's in jolly good spirits about it. It was 8 really good days, then 3 not so good and then it was fine again until last Tuesday. The whole process is much slower and it's really uncanny how he's learned to cope with it all and now seems totally unphased by it!
Have had a lenghty phone conversation with my vet last Thursday and she's still checking out FAB reply. We have decided to go ahead with sterilisation and neutering and both Onyx and Jade will go in on this Tuesday at 10 am (my time). They will get special private treatment so that if anything should happen with Onyx, all is on standby for any emergencies :scared:. Am a bit apprehensive but am convinced Onyx is strong enough to take on the aenesthics - there really is no doubt about his clean bill of health concerning his heart, lungs, general state etc etc. But he will be double checked before going under.
Have rec'd the TTouch book you'd mentioned and have been reading and massaging a lot!! It's an absolute must-have for anyone with pets!!!! Both Onyx and Jade love their sessions :Luv:, Onyx now even more game as he was already a fan for the (early!!!) morning massaging. Now I know what I'm doing!! :wow:
Hope you are all well!?
Purrs from cheese-land - currently in stormy weather!!!
xVera for Onyx and Jade
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I had been wondering how Onyx was getting on so when I saw you online I thought I would ask in public :Luv:
Glad to hear that he sounds to be coping well and that the episodes are growing further apart. I am also delighted that you find the massage book useful. It gets spookier, because she decided that the job with my client was not for her and left after a few weeks: not before she had been able to help Onyx, though.
Let us know how the ops go.
Best wishes
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Wow - you know, since Onyx and Jade have come into our lives, it has just been one 'wonder'ful thing after another! So out of a really strange situation - even the FAB consultant doesn't recognise it as a standard thing - it's really uncanny all these contacts!!
Just for info - here's the FAB reply:
Dear Jos and Vera,
Thank-you for the query that you submitted to FAB. Jade and Onyx are both very beautiful cats. Unfortunately, because I have not examined
Onyx it is impossible to give you any information relating specifically to his case. However, I can give you some advise regarding the similar cases. The first thing I would do is to make sure that the potassium levels have been checked. This isn't always included on blood tests. This is a problem that affects predominantly Burmese cats (but can affect others) when they are 6 months to 1 year of age and is brought about by an inability to move the potassium from the cells to the blood properly. I've attached a picture of a cat with this problem. The signs come and go (in fact the cat in the picture had been fine only an hour before). If it is this problem it is treated easily by supplementing the potassium orally, however, untreated it can lead to severe muscle weakness (affecting the neck and legs-especially back legs), which will often lead to this dropping of the neck and a bunny hopping motion on the limbs (or sometimes walking on the flats of their hocks).
If the potassium is normal, the next rule outs are either a neuropathy or a myopathy. There are some seconday causes such as Toxoplasmosis,
but once these are ruled out then other causes can be investigated. It would be interesting to see what his Creatine Kinase is, as an
elevation would make one more suspicious of a muscle problem. In which case, the next stage of investigations would normally involve
EMGs (to look at the electrical activity in the muscle and find out which ones are working abnormally) and then muscle biopsies. I know
this sounds very invasive, but unfortunatly it is the only way we have of finding out what is going on in his muscles. If your vet decides
do go down this route, then I would recommend that he/she tests for Dystrophin as muscular dystrophy will affect only male cats (however,
the signs don't usually come and go). Alternatively, if there are abnormalities on a neurological examination, then the next step would
be an MRI (again needing an anaesthetic) and possibly CSF tap to look for signs of inflammation/abnormalities in the fluid around the spinal
cord.I hope this helps. If your vet would like any specific advise about Onyx, they are welcome to e-mail me. Kind regards
Kerry Simpson FAB
Yes, will post ops results asap - am staying home to keep a close eye on my honey's :Luv2:
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this does sound like good news and it seems there is a Light at the end of the tunnel :wow:
still hoping Oynx ailment is simple to treat, and the end of this puzzle is now closer in sight :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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Fingers crossed with any tests your vets decide to do, and I am glad you are getting them neutered.
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Tks Stuart, for your thoughts, and Desley for giving me that little push towards keeping a good handle on the situation!
Also had some good thoughts from contacts that Lynn Coutts set up - :thanks: again:
quote
1. From Heidi:
That's a hard one, Lynn!
...Not least because the symptoms appear to be far from constant and consistent. The fact that the ears are affected could be a red herring or a clue. It's important to establish the level of the problem. Is it neurological at all, I wonder? It might be muscular. It might be secondary to a metabolic problem, such as Addison's, which can manifest in many ways, although one would expect muscle cramps to be painful. Is he smaller than his litter mate? (Vera's answer: NO...Onyx is much bigger than Jade)
This appears to be a contradiction: "stiff neck" vs. "can move/play/be stretched in any way". Does the latter only apply when he is in a normal phase, as this isn't clear from the history? If so, then it might be fair to say that he would be in pain if one tried to stretch the (apparently) cramped muscles. I think it is very important to establish whether it's a question of increased or decreased muscle tone.
2. From Eric:
Hi there,
My that is a taxing case, and I think you've come up with enough ideas for me!! I do think though that if things persist a spinal tap might be the best way to go and a CSF sample taken. Myelography would be the next thing, and any tumours or blockages in the spinal cord would show up on this, although I have to say it's not a proceedure I have seen done in cats much, and especially not in such a young cat! As you know it does carry risks but done by a competant vet and given good aftercare it should be okay. I hope the cats insured, if so I think it's one for referral!!
Cardiac problems is also something I would have considered! Hope this has helped and kep me posted.
unquote
So Potassium turned up twice and that's what my vet and I are going to investigate further while he's at surgery anyway.
:Luv:
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Great to hear all this news and hope that the info will lead you to a cause and cure, I thought FABS respnse to be very good ;D
I hope every thing goes well with the neutering and that Onnyx gets gradually more better :hug:
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Good to see that people are coming up with some ideas. Like you said, its encouraging that Potassium has come up twice. Lets hope it is as simple as having to give a supplement. Fingers crossed for you and Onyx :catluv:
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Got mine crossed too! :Luv:
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the emails from eric and heidi are actually the the other way round but very interesting fab are thinking along lines eric discussed with me.
Good luck with the neutering and further tests.
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Oops, sorry Lynn, my apologies for the cut and paste mixup!!
It's GOOD news - they are both fine!! Jade has a shaved belly but it's just a tiny incision and only 1 stitch (to be removed in about 10 days!). She got the regular dose of aenesthetic so it took her a while to recover, although she was awake quite soon. Onyx was administered a minimal dose and I was permitted to stay with them as soon as they we out of the OR. He came 'round and I could see he was really trying hard to get a grip on things. Well, today I can tell you they are both fit as a fiddle, running around like crazies ;D and because Onyx is in a good phase they are playing like before all of the symptoms started.
My vet did take some blood for the potassium test, we expect to get results this Thu or Fri - will post the outcome.
I must be truthful and say I was quite apprehensive about the ops, although my gut feeling said it was OK to go ahead there's always that gnawing voice in the back of my mind with the what if...scenarios. It would have meant real devastation to us, I know that for sure now :Luv2:
You do what you must and I know we did a hell of a job with our 3 other cats (Poets - Dutch for puss - we had till he was 15, Binkie till 19 and Habibi was 23 !!) but hey, we were young and it was just a natural thing. Now with these little ones we are so much more aware of their vulnerability and their total dependancy on us for a good life. Something to say for that wisdom we do acquire as we get older!! :shocked:
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I am SO pleased to hear that Onyx and Jade are both well and have quickly recovered from their operations :hug: Of course you made the right decision to go ahead, Vera.
Do let us know about the potassium tests.
You are right that we are more aware and more fearful as we grow older: I sometimes wonder if we should not try to combine the wisdom of experience with the bravery of youth :hug:
xC
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Tks to Desley's nudge for the go-ahead there too - that's what I like so much about Purrs!
You're right Christine, luv the way you worded that!!
xVera
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Your welcome Vera, it is something that is very close to my heart after losing a cat to mammary cancer, purely because she was unspayed - her organs were perfectly fine for a 14yo. I am so glad that they are both fine, and good luck with the test results, I really do hope you get to the bottom of it soon, and can make him better.
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Great news that the ops went well and hope the new tests may get to the bottom of the mystery ;D