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Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / January 2007What's wrong with little Mike the Cat?
My cat has been lethargic and anorexic; he vomits about every other day. His feces often times (not always) smell like feces and vomit, they have a very heavy, dull, pungent smell (this is recent) - sometimes they are formed and sometimes they aren't. His coat seems scruffier than usual. He doesn't want to eat or drink much, but will do both sometimes, especially after having a Prednisone (which was a last resport to get him to eat and drink). He is losing weight and has been on 5mg of Prednisone for about 2 weeks. The vet has done lab work; the lab work comes back normal and within range execpt for the ALT (liver enzyme maybe) was very slightly elevated, but the Dr. said that wasn't diagnostic. Our cat Mike is a 10 year old DSH and we love him so much. He is mostly indoor but does go outside for short outings daily. He cries inconsolably a lot and seems to not want to jump like he used to. He will still purr at times, he sleeps more than usual for him. We don't know what to do and are so worried; can anybody suggest anything? We're thinking the next steps may be an MRI or Ultrasound but they are so expensive and we have already spent a lot of money trying to get diagnosed and the vet (who has been a good vet) doesn't seem to be able to figure it out yet. We love him so much; he is our best friend - if you have any suggestion, please, please, please post here or email us - it would be so greatly appreciated. > My cat has been lethargic and anorexic; he vomits about every other > day. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > suggestion, please, please, please post here or email us - it would be > so greatly appreciated. Sorry to hear Mike's not feeling well. I agree with your veterinarian that Mike needs further testing. I understand you don't want to spend more money, but sometimes (oftentimes) that's the only way to arrive at a diagnosis if the routine, less expensive tests and thorough physical exams can't find the problem. Certainly an ultrasound is the first step, along with radiographs of his chest (to rule out cancer, enlarged lymph nodes, heart abnormalities, etc.). The MRI is a huge expense and I believe other diagnostics are more important. Exploratory surgery is another option, although I'd generally recommend it after the ultrasound and chest rads. Based on your description, I'd put cancer (intestinal, most likely) and inflammatory bowel disease highest on the list, but there are many other possibilities. If you have "x" amount of money and your decision comes down to surgery OR (not "and") ultrasound and rads, then I'd recommend surgery (masses can be removed, masses can be biopsied, intestinal tract can be biopsied, liver/spleen/nodes/pancreas/etc. can be visualized and biopsied if needed). If possible, though, I'd have the ultrasound and rads first. It ain't gonna be cheap no matter which way you go and unfortunately, budgets often dictate whether our pets get the treatments they need. Best of luck, Sandy, DVM Thanks Sandy, We had already done the ultrasound and radiographs which found no mastasis (sp?). We went back to the vet and he came tot he same conclusions. Everything looks normal everywhere now, except for his not eating, etc. The vet game him a steriod shot that will last for 8 weeks or so and subcutaneous hydration and potassium. He is doing much better now, but this is how it's been. We're hoping he bounces back completely.. Thanks for your time and info. > > My cat has been lethargic and anorexic; he vomits about every other > > day. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Sandy, DVM I'm no Vet but considering the duration of long -term use of prednisone which has been known to cause digestive irritaion, I would look into medicating with Carafate 1/2 hour BEFORE giving the prednisone. > My cat has been lethargic and anorexic; he vomits about every other > day. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > suggestion, please, please, please post here or email us - it would be > so greatly appreciated. I'm no Vet but considering the duration of long -term use of prednisone which has been known to cause digestive irritaion, I would look into medicating with Carafate 1/2 hour BEFORE giving the prednisone. > My cat has been lethargic and anorexic; he vomits about every other > day. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > suggestion, please, please, please post here or email us - it would be > so greatly appreciated. |
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