Could Topaz just be shutting down?

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Maaryon, Dec 25, 2010.

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  1. Maaryon

    Maaryon Member

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    Mar 1, 2010
    Please read my last post in Vet appointment this a.m. I questioned if she was having a reaction to a shot and what a negative reaction to Adequan would look like but now I am just wondering if she is just shutting down. She won't eat, drink or move around.
     
  2. Becky and AJ (GA)

    Becky and AJ (GA) Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Hi Maayron,

    I'm not qualified to comment or give advice, but I am sending good vibes that Topaz comes around. I'm sure someone will chime in soon who will have ideas of what it could be.

    Happy Holidays.

    Becky and AJ
     
  3. Cheryl and Winnie

    Cheryl and Winnie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Here is the link to maaryon's prev. post :
    viewtopic.php?f=28&t=32764

    Here is a list of Side effects of Adequan. I have never heard of anyone having problems using it.

    http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/po ... page1.aspx
    Precautions and Side Effects

    While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans can cause side effects in some animals.
    Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
    PSGAG should be avoided if a joint infection is present.
    PSGAG should be avoided around the time of surgery, due to the potential to prolong bleeding (since the drug is related to the anticoagulant heparin).
    PSGAG should not be used in animals with known coagulation disorders.
    Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with polysulfated glycosaminoglycans. Such drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.
    Adverse effects associated with PSGAG include joint swelling and inflammation, joint infection and pain.
    In dogs, problems with blood clotting and bleeding problems have been reported.


    If there was no sign of arthritis why did your vet give the shot? ( just curious. but don't think the shot is the problem)

    do you have an emergency clinic nearby? preferably one with that has u/s facilities ?
    It sounds like something else is wrong w/ your kitty.
    not eating, as you know, is bad for any cat , but especially for FD kitties.
    And your kitty should not have to be in pain. there is treatment for that.

    I'm glad the vet is sending out the xrays and labs for review.

    You said she growls when you disturb her and she awakens. It sounds like your cat is in pain.

    did this come one sudden? have you asked your vet/did they talk to you, about the possibility of a clot ?
    Please read here for symptoms and information.
    http://pets.webmd.com/cats/aortic-thromboembolism-cats

    IF thrombosis and/or other cardiac issues have been ruled out.
    I know you already said other b/w was all fine.
    You might wish to consider talking to your vet about some prednisolone. ( yes I know it is usually contraindicated with diabetes, but you have to prioritize health issues and can shoot around it if need be)
    I suggest talking to your vet about this because
    IF there were some arthritis going on that your vet did not see the steroid would reduce inflammation and help with pain.
    or IF there was cancer of some sort, steroids are generally used for cancer treatment and palliative care both.

    Of course, It is best to find out what is going on before throwing a treatment at it.I wish to point out that there are certainly possibilities I have not mentioned. I am not a vet.
    But sometimes there are no facilities to do otherwise.

    I hope you can get your kitty to a clinic ASAP.
    Please ask for some pain care. There is no reason for your cat to have to be in pain. There are meds to help. Buprenorphine for one, is a very effective pain management tool in cats.

    I'm sorry Topaz is not feeling well. I hope you can get some help and that she feels better soon.

    ETA: have the kidney values been rechecked since the metacam was given ? That would not account for the leg / backend issue, but might account for the downturn.
    Once again I stress to get your cat to an emergency clinc .

    Please post back and let us know how she is doing.
     
  4. Maaryon

    Maaryon Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2010
    Cheryl, thanks for the input. Her stiffness was long time in coming and not sudden. The sudden part was that she totally stopped moving in a few hours. Now just sleeps. Her back legs looked stiff, are not cold, not swollen, nails normal coloring. Her whole body looks normal, but she is totally lethargic. She got the shot as the vet said it was also an anti inflamitory and it might help her. We are now in the fourth day of her just sleeping, drinking and eating very little and only when prodded. Maybe I have to force feed?
    She had total blood work done two days ago, urinalysis and all is fine. Total body X rays show no problem. The Metacam was given this summer but stopped after four doses due to vomiting. Don't think that is the problem.
     
  5. Dyana

    Dyana Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Sending vines and snowflakes to Topaz. I hope you can get her into the vet, and the vet can figure out the problem and help her. Please feel better soon, Topaz.
     
  6. Lisa dvm

    Lisa dvm Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Cheryl - Good rule out question and smart thinking on your part.

    That's why I hang out here....lots of very smart and well-researched people. :D
     
  7. Cheryl and Winnie

    Cheryl and Winnie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    any update ?

    From your response, it doesn't sound like a clot if it has been a gradual decline. But , since the lack of movement was a sudden turn... still worth asking the vet. It also might get them thinking in other directions. I would definitely request pain med until you have a dx. and talk to the vet about some pred, as I mentioned before.
    Is she getting up to use the litter box. How's the output?

    As for question on force feeding. I am guessing your getting is not eating well due to pain. ( and therefore if you can get some pain med, I'm that should help that issue. That has been my experience.) But until you can get that help or if your kitty is still not eating much, then yes you should consider it.
    Here are some tips for enticing your cat to eat that I wrote up in a previous post. I hope something here helps.
    Obviously, you will need to be extra careful with that backside when feeding.
    Good luck and please post and update us on Topez

    Remember -- getting to the bottom of why he is not eating is most important. That way you can treat the underlying cause ( or symptoms of underlying cause) . It is always very important to get cats to eat, as they can quickly develop hepatic lipidosis from lack of food.

    Here are some things you can do do entice your cat to eat:

    -sometimes in order to get a cat to eat you even have to resort to dry it is more important that they eat. there are a couple low carb / grain free brands -- EVO and wellness core.

    -making a buffet to give him choices
    - heating food

    sprinkle food with :
    - forta flora -- a probiotic you can get at vets or online. is very smelly and cats love the taste of it.
    - parm. cheese
    - smashed crumbles of dry food
    - bonito tuna flakes
    - halo chicken treats -- crumble into dust over food -- my Wolfie loves this stuff.
    - poor a little water from tuna in water over food ( I use low sodium/no sodium added as other kinds in water has veg. broth in it and I assume that means onions, which are toxic to cats-- check labels)
    -powdered oregano. yep sounds weird . but some cats like it and it will entice them to eat.

    other ideas of foods to offer your kitty to stim appy:
    - trader joe tuna for cats
    -baby food -- beechnut turkey and broth or chicken and broth. they have no onions or other additives. some babyfoods have onions . please read labels if you can't find beechnut.
    - kentucky fried chicken
    - deli turkey /chicken
    - plain cooked ( boiled or baked ) chicken breast
    -canned chicken for people (watch the label that their are no onions)
    - chicken broth -- low sodium

    If enticements don't work, you should consider:
    -assist feeding ( syringe or make little meatballs and place in mouth)
    -and/or talking to your vet about appetite stimulents ( mirtazapine or cyproheptidine)

    and if those fail talking to your vet about feeding tubes
    - Here is Dr. Lisa's link on feeding tubes :

    http://www.catinfo.org/?link=feedingtubes
     
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