Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    	I think I would get another vet's opinion if this hasn't
    	shown improvement in another day or two. Sounds more like
    	an inner ear infection than just an irritation in the canal...
    	I would think he would've put her on antibiotics as well as
    	the ear drops...Let us know what happens.
    
    	Sherry Rosie Missy & Squeek
    

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Note 471.0             New Disease causing potassium loss?             3 replies
VAXWRK::SKALTSIS "Deb"                               53 lines   8-FEB-1987 15:47
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    The following appeared in the March 1987 issue of Cat Fancy in the
    LITTER BOX. It appears that dispite a balenced diet a number of
    cats have been quickly getting ill due to no potassium in their
    bodies. Has anyone heard anything about this?
    
    Deb
    
    The letter, retyped with out permission, follows the form feed.
    
    New Disease?
    ------------
    
    We own a 7-year old, orange and white domestic shorthair named Seymour.
    He has always been very healthy and is a large cat. One evening
    when he jumped up on the couch next to me, I noticed that he was
    holding his head with his  chin tucked in down toward his chest.
    It gave him the appearance of a show horse. Twentry-four hours later,
    Seymour was at Colorado State University Vetanary Hospital in critical
    condition.
    
    Although Seymour had the most severe case of what now appears to
    be a new disease, doctors at the hospital told us that they have
    recently treated several other cats with the same symptoms. The
    first noticable change is in the head position. This is followed
    by a staggering walk where the front legs appear week and stiff.
    These cats do not have a fever and give no other warning. Seymour
    was still trying to eat and drink when he could not even hold himself
    up. When we got him to the hospital, he could hardly breathe and
    his whole body seemed to be shutting down. 
    
    The treatment that saved Seymour was oxygen and an intravenous dose
    of potassium. For whatever reason, Seymour and the other cats treated
    at the hospital for the same problem seemed to have no potassium
    in their systems, although they were all on a balenced diet. My
    understanding is that potassium is converted into electrolytes within
    the system and that is what the muscles need to operate. without
    it their systems quickly shutdown and they could die.
    
    If you have had a similar experience with one of your cats, please
    write to
    		Dr. Richard LaCourtier
    		c/o Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
    		300 West Drake Rd.
    		Fort Collins, CO 80526
    
    Dr. LaCourtier is doing research to identify what is causing the
    potassium loss in these cats. We are fortunate to have CSU so close
    to us. Had it not been for their exceptional staff, we may have
    lost Seymour.
    
    Susan Vincent
    Colorado
    

    On the other hand, I had an ear infection as a child, and it was
    extremely painful.  I have the impression that ear infections can
    be quite dangerous, due to the proximity to the brain, but I don't
    actually know.
    

    Thanks to all for the quick replies.  I'm glad there are so
    many cat lovers around...
    
    reply to .2
     I would like to try the potassium effort first.
    Is anyone familiar with any cat foods that are high in potassium?
    I don't usually read the ingredients on the boxes or cans.
    Mitzie loves fish and chicken mostly.  She's not crazy about beef.
    Any suggestions would be most welcome.  I don't want to loose my
    kitty!
    
    Thanks so much,
    Sandy
    

    Dietary deficiencies take a long time to correct simply thru
    changing eating patterns.  If the problem actually is a potassium 
    deficiency, your cat would be much better off with a potassium
    suppliment from the vet to help her along.  I would ask the
    vet's advice before doing anything like simply adding potassium
    tablets to her food -- what is safe for humans is not always safe
    for cats.
    

    If the cats symptoms seem to match the article in .2, you might want to
    consider printing out the article (please edit out the notes headers),
    show it to your vet and get your vet's opinion on how to proceed. 
    
    Deb  

    
    Thank you all.... will do as you suggest.
    Visit to the vet is tomorrow.  Will let you know how 
    we make out!
    
    Sandy

    
    	I had a cat that came home one afternoon walking stiffly with
    	her head tilted to the left...  My husband called me outside	
    	to look at her and I qickly called our Vet.  By the time we
    	brought her (10 min.) she was fine at the Vet's...  He looked
    	her all over and said she was fine.  That was October.  Well,
    	in January the same thing happened - this time she seemed very
    	depressed also.  The doc checked her all over, did a blood 
    	check and checked her lungs.  She stayed that night - in 2 hours
    	her lungs had fluid and by 9:00 she passed away.  He went in
    	to check on her that night and found her all curled up - like
    	she was alseep.
    
    	In the end - he had no idea of what happened to her and I felt
    	very badly about that and I changed Vets.  I felt that he didn't
    	do enough.  But that is one of the first things when you lose
    	someone you love - you need someone to blame.
    
    	Now, I see this note and am VERY interested on more news of
    	this...  I don't want to possibly lose Spot my new cat
    	of 3 years - I love him DEARLY.
    
    	Susan 

    I once had a dog that had epileptic-type seizures (the vet said
    it was due to her age), and each seizure left her head tilted. 
    
    I don't know if this will help, but thought I would mention it.
    
    How did the vet visit go?  Any new developments?
    
    Sharon and Smokey Jo

   
    Originally the vet did think Mitzie may be epileptic.
    We did get the blood test results back.
    Mitzie is dehydrated, anemic, and has extremely low blood count
    of her white and red blood cells.  
    The leukemia test came back negative.
    Her potassium level is fine.
    She has been doing much better the past 3 days.  She has not had 
    anymore seizures.  Last night was the first time in over 10 days
    where she stayed out all night.  At 7:30 this morning, she was
    sitting on the porch with a bright-eyed happy look on her face.
    She wasn't even limping.
    
    The vet has prepared us for the worst.  He has given Mitzie some 
    medication to help her blood level and anemia.  In 2 weeks, she
    must go back for another leukemia test.  With the white and red
    blood cell counts so low, the vet figures this may be the beginning
    of leukemia.  If the second test comes back negative again, the 
    vet will give her leukemia shots and do further blood work and
    more extensive tests.  This may become very expensive and I don't
    know if I want to put her through all that, especially if she keeps
    improving and doesn't have leukemia. 
    
    I will update this note with any new findings.
    Wish us luck!!  Keeps your paws crossed over the next few weeks!
    Thanks for all the support, comments and suggestions!  
    
    One more thing...is leukemia contageous?  Should my other cat be
    tested as well??
    
    Sandy, Mitzie and Casey

    A low white blood count means that she has a lowered resistence
    to disease and infection.  The low red blood count means that
    her system doesn't have all the blood cells it needs to carry
    oxygen to the cells and waste away from them.  This also means
    a lowered resistence.
      Give this situation, I don't know as it is a good idea to let
    her out where she is more likely to get hurt or come in contact
    with some disease that she would normally be able to fight off
    easily.  I would keep her in or supervise her when you do let
    her out.
      Yes FLV is quite contagious.  If you let your cats out you should
    definitely have them immunized against this disease.
    
    Good luck.  I'll tell all my crew to cross their paws for Mitzie.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    Update on Mitzie.
    We're so excited!  Mitzie doesn't have feline leukemia!!!
    The vet just figured the infection in her ear made her sick,
    weak and dehydrated.  The spasms were just her muscles reaction 
    to depletion.  Whatever it was, I'm glad it's over.  Mitzie is
    healthy and playful as ever.  She's back to wacking Casey around
    when he gets too close.  It's great to see her back to normal.
    The medicine she was taking was called Pet Tinic to build her
    blood back up.
    Mitzie and Casey will be going for their first set of shots.
    
    Thanks so much to ALL for your help and concern.
    We are 3 happy campers!
    Sandy

    Hey, can I have the name of your vet?  I have had a sore ear for a few
    weeks, and my doctor can't figure out why.  I'm holding my head funny,
    too.  I always figured I was part cat!!! ha  ha 
    
    Glad your Mitzie is ok.  I was worried!!
    
    Sharon and Smokey