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pahambelton · Oct 17, 2006, 12:12 PM

My 6 yr old neutered male cat is lethargic, not eating, gets dehydrated. Vet has tested everything, even did an X-Ray, everything negative. He is very quiet, sleeps a lot and has lost 5-1/2 lbs. since April. I take him to vet every week for fluids and cortisone shots which helps with his appetite for a few days. He is very weak and I am extremely worried about my precious little guy. He is also on antibiotics. Help.

tre_cani · Oct 17, 2006, 02:51 PM

Why is the vet treating the cat with fluids and cortisone shots if he/she is uncertain of the ailment?

Most housecats are around 10 pounds, so 5½ pounds is a lot of weight to lose. A 6 year old cat is hardly a senior citizen.

My advice is to get a second opinion. Find another vet... quick!

pahambelton · Oct 17, 2006, 02:55 PM

Because my cat is dehydrated and lacks appetite, plus shows weakness in the limbs.

tre_cani · Oct 17, 2006, 03:01 PM

Comments on this postpahambelton disagrees: He did not really read what I had written about what had been done to date and why.

(BTW, I'm a 'she'. :o )

What is your question?

If you are already seeing a vet for your cat's problem and you trust that everything being done for him is sufficient, how can we help you?

pahambelton · Oct 17, 2006, 03:12 PM

I am desperate to save my cat and my vet has ran all the tests, so we are stumped. I thought perhaps someone out there with cats may have had a similar problem and could offer some worthwhile information that could lead to a solution.

tre_cani · Oct 18, 2006, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by pahambelton

My 6 yr old neutered male cat is lethargic, not eating, gets dehydrated. Vet has tested everything, even did an X-Ray, everything negative. He is very quiet, sleeps a lot and has lost 5-1/2 lbs. since April. I take him to vet every week for fluids and cortisone shots which helps with his appetite for a few days. He is very weak and I am extremely worried about my precious little guy. He is also on antibiotics. Help.

Originally Posted by pahambelton

I am desperate to save my cat and my vet has ran all the tests, so we are stumped. I thought perhaps someone out there with cats may have had a similiar problem and could offer some worthwhile information that could lead to a solution.

Okay, let's review:

A.) Your cat is 6 years old (not a senior citizen), is lethargic, not eating, gets dehydrated and is very weak.

2.) Your cat sleeps a lot and has lost 5½ pounds in approximately 6 months (assuming he is a large cat of 15 pounds, then he has lost over one-third of his body weight, which is comparable to a 150 pound person dropping down to 100 pounds).

III.) Your vet has "run all the tests", including x-rays, is administering cortisone shots, antibiotics and fluids.

Fin.) Your veterinarian's findings (after 6 months of tests?) are inconclusive.

**If I am missing some information, please enlighten me.**

What are "all the tests"?
Why is the animal on antibiotics?
Why is the animal taking cortisone shots?

My answer stands that you should seek the advice of another veterinarian if your current vet cannot determine your cat's illness.

I'm sure your vet is just wonderful, but I would absolutely question my vet if he could not find a diagnosis for my kitty, either on his/her own or by consulting with colleagues.

It seems as though your kitty is in big trouble and if he were mine, I would ask every vet in town and beyond.

pahambelton · Oct 18, 2006, 10:41 AM

As a matter of fact, he is sending Jackson to a specialist, so we shall see if that vet has anything new to offer. I have also thought about taking Jackson to a cat-only vet (we have 2 in the San Diego area) as their focus is strictly on cats - not dogs and cats. Last night Jackson had perked up a bit and he has been eating a little on his own. I still reinforce that with Nutri-Cal and CatSure (like Ensure, but for cats). His eyes are brighter and more open. If I feed him something I have put a little salt on, he will drink more water. There for awhile, he would eat and simply assume the tummy on the floor because it hurts pose. I wondered then if he had a hair ball, or some other type of stomach obstruction, but the X-Ray did not show anything. Believe me, I will do anything for him and I have. This all started with the terrible heat spell we had a month or so ago. I had to wet towels and wrap him up in them. He would lay over the vent. I noticed he was dehydrated, so off to the vet for fluids. I keep having the nagging feeling that the heat (I watched carefully for a heat stroke-didn't happen) did have something to do with all of this.

phillysteakandcheese · Oct 18, 2006, 10:46 AM

This may sound a little wacko, but have you considered... Feline Depression? Perhaps your cat is not getting enough attention, or is feeling overwhelmed at too much activity, or the antibiotics are having side effects, or for whatever other reason, your cat has become "sad" and is just feeling "blah"..

Just a thought... :)... Perhaps your cat needs nothing more than some time getting gentle care from his family.

Now - On a more practical level, I do agree with tre_cani in that if your vet is stumped, it's probably not a bad idea to spend the money to have a different vet take a look at the case. Your vet's colleague may be able to give you a second opinion or at least spark an idea into what may be going on.

tre_cani · Oct 18, 2006, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by pahambelton

As a matter of fact, he is sending Jackson to a specialist, so we shall see if that vet has anything new to offer. I have also thought about taking Jackson to a cat-only vet (we have 2 in the San Diego area) as their focus is strictly on cats - not dogs and cats.

Yay! I am so glad Jackson is seeing a specialist and hope they can find the problem so he can start doing cat things again!

Good luck and please keep us updated on his progress.

MEOWrowr! (A kitty 'shout-out' from mine to yours.):D

pahambelton · Oct 18, 2006, 10:58 AM

Depression in animals is more common than what people may think. Jackson doesn't act depressed, and believe me, my little snuggle-bug gets plenty of attention. I carry him around the house with me (he loves it), I put him on my lap, pet and kiss him a lot. I groom him every day. I have been putting baby food in with his wet food to make it easier for him to digest everything. If you read my reply to Tre - can; you know that my vet has already set me up with a specialist, who I am sure is very good at his job. I may also take Jackson to a cat-only vet, whose focus is strictly cat care, to get another opinion. I am not cheap when it comes to my cats' well being. I keep telling Jackson when he gets well I expect him to get a job to help with his bills! My cats (4) are indoor only - get preminum food, catnip once a week, condos to climb into, not restricted from sofa,etc (just kitchen countertops for obvious reasons). They are all pampered to say the least. Thanks for your advice. I have read many of your answers and you seem to be a real animal lover, who is driven to help our furry companions (mine are children).

doggie_poopie · Oct 21, 2006, 12:33 PM

STOP GIVING YOUR CAT STEROIDS!!
I would find a 2nd opinion QUICK! WHat blood work has been done? What is your cat eatting? I would assume Felv/FIV test were done? Your cat is very ill and the steroid only lowers the immune system.
D

OOps, just one more thing, Hind limb weakness and the other symptoms scream CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) which is on the rise... and this is due to over vaccinating. What was the BUN/CREA on the bloodwork? I would try a holistic vet. Fluids are great but again get your cat off steroids!
D

pahambelton · Oct 24, 2006, 07:49 AM

Thanks for your advice. I agree about the steroids, but we only did them because they made him hungry and we needed him to eat on his own. I was more or less force-feeding and in the long run, not good. You will be happy to hear Jackson is getting better and he has even gained weight. He is getting his fiestyness back and that is a very good thing! I am still going to take him to a specialist and get to the bottom of this. My heart can't take much more.

MVCLead · Feb 28, 2007, 11:32 PM

Has your vet possibly considered Addison's Disease? I know it is highly rare in cats but some of your cat's symptoms sound similar to issues we are dealing with in our little beagle and she's in the process of being assessed for Addison's. Typing in "Addison's Disease Cats" in Google can provide a wealth of information.

I wish you all the best and hope for a positive outcome for Jackson. Sounds as you are much like we are - our animals are family! Our thoughts are with you and Jackson both.