Topic: Jake's taken a turn for the worse - RIP (Read 19610 times)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #42 on:** January 09, 2008, 07:53:27 AM »

Fingers crossed for him Dawn.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #41 on:** January 09, 2008, 06:10:19 AM »

So sorry to read your post, I do hope the honey helped him recover.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #40 on:** January 09, 2008, 05:09:14 AM »

Jake has taken a turn for the worse

I'm really not sure whether he'll survive the night or what his outcome will be. He'd been lying on a bed in the kitchen earlier, I went to pick him up and he was really floppy and started crying. I phoned the vets and the only thing she said I could do is to rub some honey or syrup on his gums just in case this was down to his sugar levels or take him in to be pts

She said talking to Sean today they do think it's something serious, I feel a bit cheated by this because when I found out about his sugar levels, I thought the problem was solved

I've decided I don't want him putting to sleep just yet, if I do that, his chance has gone and then they'll be no turning back. I had to go to Tesco's to get some honey for him and I took him with him so I could treat him asap, he's had two lots on his gums and in his cheeks and now I will just have to wait and see if this makes any difference. Please keep your fingers crossed, I feel gutted for him as he's only a baby and I will be so peed off if after all this, it was something simple to sort and he loses his life over it

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #39 on:** January 08, 2008, 19:12:04 PM »

Fingers crossed that this has a happy ending Dawn. Give Jake a big

from me

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #38 on:** January 08, 2008, 18:47:01 PM »

Jake is now back home and it's a case of wait and see what his shunt test show. His glucose levels are low at 1.6 so now they are trying to determine why and what treatment he would need to stabilise it. Not sure about his sight as yet, when Sean put food in for him today, he literally dived out of the cage at him to get at it because he could smell it, this was after he'd put it in, Sean had to literally put his head next to the bowl before he knew where it was. I'm hoping his sight will return but may take at least a couple of weeks. I've got a cat in tomorrow for spaying and I'll be going in the evening to pick her up, I'll have a chat with Sean then to see what the next step is with Jake.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #37 on:** January 08, 2008, 10:46:09 AM »

Jake's in the vets and Sean will be doing his bloods shortly, he'll be then fed and bloods taken 2 hours later. I haven't managed to get a price on the test as it has to be sent off and it's not a common test that they do

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #36 on:** January 08, 2008, 08:14:17 AM »

Aww, fingers crossed - Ginger had his blood pressure taken once, it was about £12, and wasn't that hard - my vets shave a bit of fur off their paw, and put a little cuff round, like our blood pressure machine and they do a couple of readings a short time apart. He didn't appreciate it, but then I hate having mine taken too!! I do hope it isn't anything too serious.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #35 on:** January 07, 2008, 22:36:01 PM »

I'm not sure Carol, I was in the vets for about 2 and a half hours today and my brain was haddled when I came out. Jakes back in in the morning so I'll ask Sean about the blood pressure, it was one thing I meant to mention and it went out of my head. He's going to do some research to see whether he can up with anything and let me know. On Jakes blood tests, his kidneys are showing as fine and no damage which I was a little surprised about as his kidney is huge, I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow and keep you posted. The problem is, if it's not a shunt, Sean thinks it could be something more sinister, he really doesn't know at this moment and said he will only give a guarded prognosis

He did make me laugh today as he was googling for info and he tells me never to look on the internet for info

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #34 on:** January 07, 2008, 19:52:59 PM »

So sorry to hear this Dawn. Does Sean have facilities for measuring blood pressure and, if so, has he done it? I've no experience with kittens and obviously I could be way off beam, but in elderly cats CRF can cause high BP which in turn can lead to sudden blindness. If its treated rapidly (with Fortekor I think) then the blindness is reversible but the longer you wait the less likely the chance of success. Poor kidney function can cause siezures due to a build up of toxins so to my layman's eye this fits. Worth asking about I would have thought even if I'm totally wrong. Sending healing vibes to you both

gibraltarcat · « **Reply #33 on:** January 07, 2008, 19:19:14 PM »

Thinking of you and little Jake

Bazsmum · « **Reply #32 on:** January 07, 2008, 18:56:09 PM »

Sending positive healing vibes to little Jake~~~~~~~

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #31 on:** January 07, 2008, 18:52:50 PM »

I am pleased that Seam saw what happens to jake cos its better than hearing about it.

I do hope the little man will be Ok

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #30 on:** January 07, 2008, 18:48:27 PM »

Jake has been to the vets but Sean isn't sure what's going on with him. His Amylase is up, it should be between 300-1000 and his is 1120 and also his TBil, that should be between 2-10 and it's 50. He's been FeLV tested because Sean thought that was why his readings could possibly be as they are. He suggested a possibility of a shunt but he doesn't think it's this. At first he suggested to monitor him and take him back in on Friday but if he had a fit in the meantime to phone him and we'd book him in. The Shunt test is quite expensive so he didn't really want me forking out for nothing but whilst in there Jake had another fit so he's booked in tomorrow for the test. If it comes back he's got a shunt, Sean said he won't permit me to put him through the op because it's very expensive to do and he won't be able to do it anyway as he's never done one before. I will have to wait and see what the tests shows and take it from there.

Yvonne · « **Reply #29 on:** January 07, 2008, 18:24:01 PM »

How did you get on with Jake at the Vet's today??

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #28 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:14:20 PM »

Good luvk at the vets

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #27 on:** January 07, 2008, 11:56:39 AM »

Sean texted me earlier and he wants him at the surgery for 2 o'clock and he'll do all the bloods and whatever needs doing on him. I hope he'll be alright bless him but his kidney is still very enlarged so it could be kidney disease causing it, as this can cause sudden blindness but I'm not sure if that causes fits

I had a good cuddle with him at 5 this morning but couldn't stop crying, hopefully the blindness is temporary and he'll be okay

LesleyW · « **Reply #26 on:** January 07, 2008, 08:54:45 AM »

Just caught up with this thread Dawn, so sorry to hear about Jake. Hope Sean can suss out what is going on today. Will try to phone you later.

to you and Jake.

Dawn F · « **Reply #25 on:** January 07, 2008, 08:51:03 AM »

poor little jake, hope he is ok

Cheesecat · « **Reply #24 on:** January 07, 2008, 08:47:50 AM »

Oh no

poor baby.

I hope Sean can get to the bottom of this and sort out the poor lad

Mark · « **Reply #23 on:** January 07, 2008, 07:51:44 AM »

Fingers crossed for him today Dawn

- poor baby

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2008, 07:38:36 AM »

Aww, the poor baby. I wonder if it is worth getting his blood pressure checked, in case the fit has messed it up? That can cause blindness.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:46:19 AM »

Thanks CC

To be honest, when he's upstairs he's been fine, he knows every inch of the bedroom and I think he'll be more comfortable sleeping on my pillow like he normally does. He always snuggles up to me at night, and I think if he's on his own it will freak him out as he's not used to it.

ccmacey · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:42:28 AM »

Thats awful for the little fella, maybe better to put him in a pen for overnight.

Best of luck at the vets and I hope it's nothing too serious

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:37:55 AM »

I've already got a cat that has epileptic fits and the first couple times he went funny, it was nothing like a fit but when I was in work yesterday, hubby said he was fitting like Midge does when she has hers. He then lay there stretched out crying

I've tried waving a toy and he doesn't respond, watching him walking round he tends to turn at the last minute so he's obviously relying on his whiskers.

ccmacey · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:35:43 AM »

Could he be having an epileptic fit? Can cats have them? I suppose there would be drugs to control it as there is with humans.

Does he have a fave toy or something you could wave about and see if he goes for it?

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:27:13 AM »

Maybe this is why he wouldn't stop crying when he heard my voice yesterday

His eyes were checked by the other vet last Saturday and he was responding fine, I just can't believe this has happened to him

ccmacey · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:25:15 AM »

Oh God Dawn thats awful, if it is that I hope it's just a tempory thing, how awful for him and awful for you too see.

Get well soon Jake, your in the best of hands.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2008, 00:20:27 AM »

Since Jake had his funny turn yesterday, he appears to have gone blind

He has twice walked off the work top in the kitchen this evening and I've tried waving my hand in front of him and there is nothing

Hopefully Sean will get to the bottom of it and find out whats going on, it makes me wonder now if he's had a seizure of some kind

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2008, 21:57:27 PM »

Jake had a bad turn whilst I was in work today. Hubby said it was more like a violent epileptic fit, he then lay on the bed all stretched out just staring and meowing and his breathing very slow, after a few minutes, he was fine again

Sean wasn't on duty today but I rang him and he said if I take him on Monday, he'll do some bloods on him and check his glucose levels as well. He said he could possibly have a shunt but the fits tends to happen after he's been sleeping and not after food. In himself he is normal but when I came home from work to see him, he was meowing as soon as he heard my voice, I think the fit today really scared him as the others he's had he just seems to stagger

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2008, 15:56:12 PM »

I hope Jake stays well

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2007, 18:54:19 PM »

Jake has been to the vets and although his ears are fine, he has one kidney bigger than the other. Trevor said this would indicate an infection of some sort but antibiotics should sort him. I've got to keep an eye on him and try and get him on video if he has a turn again, he said usually the staggering and rapid eye movement signifies an infection in the brain of some sort but he's very alert and his eyes look okay so a case of wait and see.

Dawn F · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2007, 14:33:50 PM »

thanks Gill, he had his first attack about 3 years ago and has 4 attacks since (one in Spain) the most recent was October 2006 but he still has the odd dizzy day and has to take stematil the the sick feeling, it was an ear specialist he saw and he did say he would love to see him when he has an attack!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2007, 14:26:16 PM »

I also had to go private and had CT and MRI scans in NHS first so was under neuro but nobody would refer me to an ear specialist cos they thought I had a stroke! Because there was slight blood vessel damage they still thought that I had a minor one at some time but never repeated the scan when they should have to see if there was new damage!

I would ask your doctor to refer you to one or next time he has an attack shove him in the car and rush him to A&E.......it should be worth the wait cos that way I think you will end up seeing the right person, The consultant I saw of course was an NHS guy.

Ahter the treatment he also sent me for hearing and balance tests and thats how he knew my balnce was OK again although my brain didnt understand.

There is lots of info about balance problems on the web and thats how I was sure my doctor was wrong and I also had a previous virus and I collapsed in the street and taken to hospital.

Stick balance problems or dizzyness into a search and then gradually wade through it all, most of best info ius from the states and there are some check lists where you can compare symtoms.

What my doctor and nuero couldnt understand was that I was falling and being pulled to one side but that was cos it was one ear!

I am sure he has tried the basic tests but if not make sure you are with him to stop him falling and take care:

Walking a tightrope...............put arms out at sides right angle to body and walk heel to toe as if doing a drunk test................I can do this sometimes now but when you wobble and fall about you are definately unbalanced.

Stand with arms out infront of you and close eyes..............with balance problem you fall............I fell left cos it was left ear but you need to make sure you can catch him and have a chair behind so you can sit him down.

Sit in chair close eyes and try to touch nose with index finger of each hand alterantively.......................couldnt do this at all

Certainly the rapid eye movement is a sign of a balance problem, if it is true vertigo I dont think this can be cured but there are so many other things and an MRI scan would show if there was any damage in the brain that maybe causing this.

I dont know how long he has had this but I would insist if these attacks are frequent that the doctor refers him and if not get to A&E cos balance probs can be a sign of very serious stuff.

Does he have problems with change of position cos this is definatley a problem. Thats what I had the first time and had been like it on and off for about 3 weeks before I collapsed but it took about 4 months before the virus burnt itself out and I could work again. Its quite rare but they also had another person brought in a few days before me and they knew virus had come from Spain!

Dawn F · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2007, 14:00:44 PM »

well we did pay a consultant to put him in a chair and spin him around but because he didn't have a flare up at the time they couldn't really say so it was put down a virus, it isn't manieres (sp) but this is about all we found out, I didn't realise there was any kind of treatment, he is a bit run down at the mo and seems to be on the edge of an attack but I hope it comes to nothing

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2007, 13:54:21 PM »

I am very sorry for your OH Dawn cos I have one too......well had one, in theory its corrected now but was done too late and brain still cant balance me.

Has he had any treatment and do they know what the cause is?

Mine was due to a virus that killed something in my ear and bits got into the wrong part of the ear. An Elpley manoevtre which takes about 5 mins and is painless if done in the first two weeks of my balance going, would have made it better immediately.

I had one over a year later which has helped a lot although I am still not balanced properly and may never be again. They said it could take several years and I am only 3 yrs since the treatment.

Sorry back to DDs kitten...............I hope it can be sorted

Dawn F · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2007, 13:32:32 PM »

oh has an inner ear problem which flares up from time to time, he literally cannot stand up and his eyes dart from side to side reallly fast as his brain is trying to focus

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2007, 13:33:01 PM »

The rapid eye movement and lack of balance is definately an inner ear problem in a human................could be a virus or an infection. although infections are normally painful whereas a virus is not.

Dawn (DiddyDawn) · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2007, 01:13:36 AM »

I was thinking it may be an ear problem Gill but I'm not sure, I think if it was neurological, it would be all the time as I've had a few cases of this before. He's absolutely fine the rest of the time and is eating etc, I think Sean is in on Monday so he'll be going in then. I was talking to Lesley earlier and she said she'd had one similar only the cat was older when it was happening and did grow out of it. I think I'll try and get a video of him on my phone and then send it to Sean, but I'll have to wait for him to have another spell before I can do anything.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2007, 01:05:57 AM »

That sounds like a balance problem so could be ears or more likely neuro.

Do you have a video on your camera cos that would be best way of catching it.

Sounds like there is quite an urgent need to see a vet

chris91011 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2007, 23:39:28 PM »

sorry, can't help, just get him/her to the vet and explain to him/her what happened, good luck, hope he kitten is ok.
Chris

Author Topic: Jake's taken a turn for the worse - RIP (Read 19610 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey

ccmacey