| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 3572.1 | Go To Another Vet!!!!!!!! | ELMAGO::RSTOLL | If it ain't one thing, it's another | Fri May 04 1990 17:22 | 9 |
| That doesn't sound good at all. How can a vet say there is nothing
wrong with a cat that loses her bladder control and has mucus coming
out of here mouth and nose - poor baby. And the fee for all the
work might be a little high. Our cat Smokey suddenly stopped eating
and she was getting awful skinney. Our vet did every kind of test
on her along with the blood work and it cost us $140. I would
definitely get a second opinion.
Robyn
|
| 3572.2 | could it be epilepsy???? | SQM::CINDI | | Fri May 04 1990 17:27 | 11 |
|
i would also get a second opinion. my sister's dog - a poodle - has
seizures - he looses control of his legs and shakes and it is
epilepsy. he has had only a few seizures in the last year, but the
vet said that if it does get bad, there is medication they can be
put on. perhaps cats can get this too. its not normal to have
no control and lots of mucus....
keep us posted on how you make out.
cindi magen&cinnamon
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| 3572.3 | Tests are a good idea | SOLANA::MAPPS_LI | Linda Mapps | Fri May 04 1990 18:12 | 10 |
| It sure can be epilipsy and they can give the cat medicine. My vet
would only do it when the seizures became frequent. I had the
entire process explained to me, but my vet did NOT do tests. He
should have. Ana died of a brain tumor about a week after the
diagnosis. I'd have the tests done, but I agree, 200 sounds high.
Ana did have tests done when it was too late (although there was
nothing that could have been done). I really like my vet and he
was very upset he didn't do them sooner. He didn't charge me.
Linda
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| 3572.4 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca. | Fri May 04 1990 18:15 | 13 |
| My guess is that the vet wants to do xrays (which are indeed expensive)
in order to distinguish between epilepsy and a brain tumor. I wuld
definitely have this done, so that you know what you are dealing with
and what the best treatment for this is.
As far as epilepsy goes, I am not familiar with it in cats, but my
brother's beagle had it. In beagles it often develops when the dog
is relatively mature. It is also usually quite controllable
with medication. (They may have to fiddle with the dosage until
they get the correct amount.)
Please let us know how things are going. Kisses to your puss.
|
| 3572.5 | Lead poisoning? | SMEGIT::BALLAM | | Mon May 07 1990 12:50 | 5 |
| I had a pet skunk...many years ago...who had fits which turned out
to be lead poisining. He used to reach under the baseboard heaters,
and apparently got old paint/plaster that way. Just a thought.
Karen
|
| 3572.7 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Mon May 07 1990 14:26 | 6 |
| IF the cat is having seizures then he obviously isn't 100% healthy.
I would either talk to another vet about doing something or go back
and have the tests done, but in either case I would do something, not
just wait it out.
Good luck.
Nancy DC
|
| 3572.8 | Waiting | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Mon May 07 1990 15:22 | 27 |
| Hi everyone,
Well, I was supposed to bring Selina in for testing today.
However since I posted this note last Friday, I wanted to
wait see your answers to my question. The vet never even
told me about the possibility of Selina having epilepsy.
He went on and on and on last Friday about all the possible
things she could have, but didn't mention epilepsy.
As far as I know, Selina has only had 2 seizures, one in
January and one last Friday. They last between 2 and 5 minutes.
Afterwards, she fine and dandy like nothing ever happened.
Now I'm starting to worry. I called the vet and rearranged to
take her in tomorrow morning for the bloodwork and an X-ray of
her chest. I feel so bad for Selina. I just hope it's something
that we can help manage for her. After all, she's only 4 years
old.
Now I'm wondering if since Selina starting have seizures now,
will her son, Mijo our other cat, develop this too? Is it common
that this will be passed? Thanks for your response everyone.
Armed with you information, tomorrow will be an interesting
day at the vets.
Thank you, Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.9 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca. | Mon May 07 1990 15:36 | 9 |
| Since the seizures have been so far apart, it sounds to me like
Selina is relatively okay. If it is epilepsy, it is
quite mild and the vet might not even want her on any medication.
In beagles, epilepsy is genetic; I don't know whether both
parents have to be carriers for the offspring to have it. I am
pretty sure it can occur "spontaneously" i.e., with no genetic basis,
as well.
|
| 3572.10 | Let Us Know What The Vet Says | ELMAGO::RSTOLL | If it ain't one thing, it's another | Mon May 07 1990 15:38 | 4 |
| Shelly, good luck at the vets tomorrow and please keep up posted.
I hope it's just some small thing.
Robyn, Rocky & Smokey
|
| 3572.11 | Good Luck | CGOO01::LMILLER | hasten slowly | Mon May 07 1990 16:14 | 8 |
| With a bit of luck - if anything like this is called luck - it is
metabolic or epilepsy and not a tumour - or an reaction to something
as the siezures are so far apart. Unfortunately, my cat probably has a
tumour, as epilepsy tends to to be a young cat's disease. If my
cat goes on the medication and there is no improvement, then it
is only a matter of time.
Linda
|
| 3572.12 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca. | Mon May 07 1990 16:44 | 8 |
| Re: "epilepsy tends to be a young cat's disease"
Is this true? In beagles it doesn't develop until the dog is a few
years old.
If there is no improvement with medication, an increase in the dose may
help. I guess the bottom line here is getting an accurate diagnosis.
|
| 3572.13 | Youthful problem | CGOO01::LMILLER | hasten slowly | Mon May 07 1990 17:27 | 6 |
| Yes, both vets (I got a second opinion) I have talked to says it tend
to develop in a cat under 3-4 years. It is not unhead of for older
cats but unusual - this eplipsey is termed idiopathic? i.e. one
resulting from other than trauma or as a result of a metabolic problem.
|
| 3572.14 | Hope that all comes out well for Selina | WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JO | set home/cat_max=infinity | Mon May 07 1990 20:15 | 22 |
| I had a four month old kitten that was seizuring. Unfortunately
we had to euthanize him since his seizures were lasting from 5-10
minutes, and were becoming more and more frequent. A necropsy was
performed after his death, and we discovered that he had a condition
called Hydracephaly, or water on the brain. This is a congenital
problem, meaning that it was acquired during development in the
uterus and not through heredity. When the pressure from the fluid
in his brain got to be too much, it caused him to seize up. There
is no cure for Hydracephaly. Had I not euthanized the kitten, he
would have continued to suffer until the illness finally killed him.
I have not had another case of Hydracephaly since that time, and
I have had many healthy litters since.
I think that you should do whatever tests your vet feels he needs
to do in order to diagnose the problem. If your cat should succumb
to this, you may want to consider having a necropsy done to determine
exactly what caused it. That might help set you mind at ease about
the future health of Mijo.
Jo
|
| 3572.15 | Update 5/8 | WFOV11::GONCALVES | | Tue May 08 1990 16:08 | 50 |
| Hello again everyone,
Well I dropped Selina off at the vet's office early this morning.
He was scheduled to do bloodwork and take X-rays of Selina.
I got a phone call from the vet's office around 11 asking me
to come in to talk to the vet at 11:30.
Off I trucked with baby in tow to find out what was wrong with
Selina. With the way the receptionist sounded by the phonecall
I was really worried.
When I arrived, the vet pulled me into an examining room and
started with, "I believe Selina might have a liver disorder."
Now I'm thinking to myself, why would it show up this late in
her life and not any earlier in her short 4 year life span.
He proceeded to show me the X-rays taken on Selina. He pointed
out where her liver should be and where it actually is. He
also showed me where she has a big "air pocket" inside. From
the X-rays, I couldn't tell a thing. Selina had moved around
and they couldn't get a "straight" line of her body.
Also, because she was moving around a bit, they had to shave
off her fur under her neck. They really didn't want to do it
as the vet explained, but they had to. They had to take the
blood out of her "jugular (sp?) gland. They had to take it
from both sides of her neck. The vet explained that her fur
might grow back into a different color. I hope this doesn't
happen. Remember, Selina is a siamese. She's got beautiful
fur coloring.
So now as it stands, I have to wait until the results come
back from Tufts tomorrow. The vet said that he would call
me immediately. Selina was sure glad to go home and curl up
under my bed linens. Mijo was crying all morning long wondering
where Selina was. What a morning!
Now, my question is this. With a liver disorder being considered,
has anyone had this experience? I'm telling you, until we get
a concrete diagnosis for my puss, I'm going to be on pins and
needles.
I want to thank you all again for responding. Your notes certainly
have helped me to be a more informed "ma" for Selina. The vet
is probably wondering where I'm getting all this knowledge.
Shelly, Selina & Mijo
P.S. As I was leaving the vet's office, he handed me a flyer
to read about epilepsy in dogs. He didn't have one for
cats.
|
| 3572.16 | | WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JO | set home/cat_max=infinity | Tue May 08 1990 16:52 | 9 |
| Selina's fur may grow back in darker for now, but by next season,
it should return to it's normal color. I have had cats shaved for
a jugular draw, and in most cases, the fur grows back the same color
it was (I have Birmans, another cat with the pointed gene).
Hope all goes well and he is able to find out what is causing Selina's
problems.
Jo
|
| 3572.17 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca. | Tue May 08 1990 20:22 | 3 |
| Please let us know what is happening. We all have our fingers and paws
crossed for Selina.
|
| 3572.18 | | CSCOA5::MCFARLAND_D | alferetter bound | Tue May 08 1990 23:34 | 8 |
|
all appropriate body parts are crossed. hope that they find a
treatment that will help. liver probs alwayz scare me...
all the best.
diane, stanley & stella
|
| 3572.19 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Wed May 09 1990 08:30 | 8 |
| That's jugular vein, not gland :-)
We had a dog who developed a liver condition in her older years.
It was controllable with medication. Of course, there are many
possible problems that could involve the liver and many diffrent
possible outcomes. I hope the news is good for Selina. What's
the next step?
Nancy DC
|
| 3572.20 | we're thinking of you too! | FRAGLE::PELUSO | PAINTS; color your corral | Wed May 09 1990 09:39 | 11 |
| SHelly,
Did you take Selina to Tufts or did your vet send the blood work there?
I was there Sunday nite for an emergency visit, and was very pleased
with the place.
Nippa has had me worried sick since then, but she is starting to come
around. I hope Selina gets well soon too!
Michele & Nippa
|
| 3572.21 | Update 5/10/90 | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Thu May 10 1990 16:27 | 48 |
| Hi everyone,
Well after a very l-o-n-g conversation with the vet yesterday
it seems Selina has a mixture of problems. The test results
showed a lot of problems with Selina. The tests showed that
she has and elevated blood pressure (probably due to the
stress of shaving her fur and taking 2 blood samples). She
has signs of diabetes (again probably due to stress of taking
the sample). She has signs of a kidney and liver disorder.
But since the vet was talking "medical terminalogy" I really
only wanted the "bottom line".
The vet said that he wants to talk to a couple of pathologist
regarding the test results. He said that he will call me back
early next week.
Bottom line so far is this, if all these conditions are true
1. do we medicate her for the seizures. She's only had 2 in
four months. Doesn't seem realistic to medicate for the
few seizures she might have every year.
2. alter her diet. She's on Iams now, but maybe have to change
to some other food.
3. have more testing done. Maybe there are more tests that
could precisely determine what avenue we should continue.
To look at Selina she looks perfectly fine. I can't believe that
this is happening. She's only 3 years old. What is going on
in my mind now are a couple of things: if we don't medicate
could these seizure cause paralysis or could these seizure
be hereditary. Will my other siamese, Mijo, down the line
start to seizure too? I hope not.
For now, all I can do is wait. You can be sure that if I don't
hear from the vet by Monday afternoon, I'll be driving to see
him face to face. All I want is a healthy cat. Is that too much
to ask for? Selina is, afterall, part of the family. We will
do everything possible to see that we can help her live a long
and happy life.
I'll keep you all posted. And thanks again for all the heartfelt
notes. They have kept my spirits high through the week. What
a week this has been.
Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.22 | | WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JO | set home/cat_max=infinity | Thu May 10 1990 18:07 | 16 |
| Shelly,
Hang in there. I just went through what I called "cat hell month"
in April and I know how it can be. Try and keep yourself occupied
over the weekend, so that you don't worry too much. I am sure that
your vet is doing all that he can to learn about Selina's illness.
Did he think that the liver and kidney problems were causing the
seizures, or does he think that the two are separate issues. Also,
did he talk to you about medicating her with insulin for the diabetes?
Taking a cat's blood pressure is a really new technology, I am
impressed that your vet has the necessary equipment. Sounds like
he is right on top of things.
Keep us informed about how things are going.
Jo
|
| 3572.23 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Fri May 11 1990 09:35 | 10 |
| I suspect that they'll control the diabetes with diet only at
this point. It doesn't sound too serious yet.
Hang in there. Hopefully the vet will be able to control the
problems with medication. I'm glad you found out about it before
she developed more problems.
I would guess that her condition is what's triggering the seizures.
Keep us posted.
Nancy DC
|
| 3572.24 | I consider switching... | IAMOK::GERRY | Home is where the Cat is | Fri May 11 1990 09:48 | 13 |
| With Selina showing possible signs of liver or kidney problems, I would
definitely consider changing her diet from IAMS to something that does
not contain Ethoxyquin. I personally believe that ethoxyquin can cause
both liver and kidney problems in some cats.
Some foods that do not contain Ethoxyquin are: Perform, Bil-Jac, Alpo,
Pro Pac 32, Blue Seal, Dad's, Lick Your Chops, and I think the Naura
foods.
Anyway, for more information on ethoxyquin, see note 2483.*
cin
|
| 3572.25 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca. | Fri May 11 1990 14:28 | 11 |
| I've never heard of seizures causing paralysis. In a couple of cat
magazines within the past year or two there were articles about
cats with diabetes who were maintained very well for years with
medication (actually a daily shot, I think). Unreal as it
sounds, with practice, daily medication can be swift and
relatively calm.
I am wondering if these problems are interrelated and teh diabetes
might be causing the other symptoms? I have the vague recollection that
untreated diabetes can cause kidney problems....
|
| 3572.26 | Update 5/12/90 | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Sat May 12 1990 18:02 | 17 |
| Hi again,
On Monday morning again I will bring Selina in for more testing.
The vet is going to take 3 more tests. The testing will cost $100
and will test her bile and 2 other things I can't quite remember.
I will keep everyone posted regarding Selina and her health. I
will certainly change her food as soon as possible. Thanks, Cin.
I will get a new brand.
Selina, thankfully, won't have to suffer the task of going into
the vet's office 3 times for these different test. I will add
the names of the testing when I bring in the paperwork.
Thanks again.
Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.27 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Mon May 14 1990 09:01 | 4 |
| I believe you can add Whiskas/Crave to the list of dry foods that
do not contain ethoxyquin - oh and Lick-your-chops, if it wasn't
listed already.
Nancy
|
| 3572.28 | | IAMOK::GERRY | Home is where the Cat is | Mon May 14 1990 09:34 | 8 |
| Whiskas, really??? This is interesting, I didn't think they changed
their formula when they changed their name.
I have noticed that all of the new brands of cat foods that have been
introduced within the last year or two do not contain ethoxyquin.
cin
|
| 3572.29 | Update 5/14/90 | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Mon May 14 1990 17:24 | 23 |
| Well my husband dropped Selina at the vet's this morning. She was
not happy to go; but then again she never is. She had bloodwork
done. These 3 tests are: Feline Screen ($50), Liver-bile acid
($36), and chem- Lipase test ($14) for a total of $100. The
test results will take 2 to 3 days. The testing will be done
again at Tufts.
When I picked up Selina early this afternoon she was in better
spirits than when she left the house. She generally is a quiet
non-meowing Siamese. But when she saw me, look out. I couldn't
believe it was really her. She knew that I was there to take
her away.
Now I'm nervous about the tests. I hope that we can finally
determine exactly what is causing her to have the seizures.
Since we've only seen her seizure twice, maybe we have caught
whatever-it-is in the early stages.
I'll update you all when I get the results back and have conferred
with the vet. Thanks again..
Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.30 | We're Keeping Our Paws Crossed | ELMAGO::RSTOLL | If it ain't one thing, it's another | Mon May 14 1990 17:30 | 3 |
| Looking forward to the results. Keep thinking positive.
Robyn, Rocky & Smokey
|
| 3572.31 | there ain't no such thing! | CSCOA5::MCFARLAND_D | alferetter bound | Mon May 14 1990 23:46 | 9 |
|
shelly..
i thought "quiet siamese" was a contradiction in terms! ;-)
still sending good vibes from atlanta.
diane, stella & stanley
|
| 3572.32 | Yes, Quiet Siamese Do Exist | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Tue May 15 1990 14:49 | 11 |
| Believe it or not, my 2 siamese cats hardly ever talk or meow at
all. Mijo will only talk when you talk to him. Selina never
meows. Yes, sad but true. And all those rumors about how bad
siamese are, for me, are not realistic. Maybe there are some
out there, but not mine.
I called the vet and the results are not back in yet. We are
hoping to have the answers either late today or tomorrow.
Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.33 | Praying for Selina! | NATASH::ANDERSON | | Wed May 16 1990 13:41 | 7 |
|
I am praying for Selina too!
Sending love and best wishes...
Marilyn, Otis and Tiffany
|
| 3572.34 | Update 5/17 | WFOV12::GONCALVES | | Thu May 17 1990 12:51 | 38 |
| Hi again,
Well my vet called me last night. We spoke for over an hour and
a half. My husband thought that I would never get off the phone.
The results were all negative. I couldn't believe it and neither
could the vet. He was sure we would have qualified complete
answers from the 3 tests. He went into EXTREME detail, none of
which I understood or care to know. All I wanted was the bottom
line. So where do we go from here? Well, again I was told to
watch Selina carefully for any change in her appetite or thirst
and more seizures.
It is also the time of year again to have her completely vaccinated.
We are going to wait a couple of weeks to get her over the stress
that she has been under.
What I'm feeling right now is depression. Why or why don't we have
any answers about Selina's condition. I mean, the first set of
tests showed the possibilities; the second set - nothing. I do
believe that Selina will continue to seizure. I will try to
comfort her through these happenings. The vet seems to believe
that animals can "sense" their surroundings when they are
seizuring. He told me to stroke and talk to her to reassure her
that she will come out of it. I'm going to try like the dickens
to get Selina to the vet with the seizure "in progress" so that
we can get immediate bloodwork done on her.
For now I'm left without clue to help Selina. I really appreciate
the support shown throughout this file. It has helped me greatly
throughout these past couple of weeks. Thank you, all of you.
So now I go back to the beginning and wait. I don't know of any
more testing that can be done. Selina and Mijo are both so
precious to my husband and me. Our 3 1/2 month son, Daniel, will
too grow to love them both.
Thanks again,
Shelly, Selina, & Mijo
|
| 3572.35 | | CRUISE::NDC | Putiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313 | Fri May 18 1990 08:41 | 20 |
| I learned a while ago that doctors and vets aren't know-alls. It
amazes me how many times I've been told that "This is what we think
is going on and this is how we're going to proceed". I suffered with
urinary track problems for 4 years, saw a specialist, had all kinds
of tests and they never had a clue as to what was causing this. The
best we did was learn how to control it and eventually it went away.
(Thank God!)
The tests WERE worth something. You know alot about what Selina
DOESN'T have and that's worth something. You know, that her liver
and kidney's are healthy, that she doesn't have obvious diabetes
and that she doesn't have alot of other things. So that should be
worth a little peace of mind.
This must be horribly difficult for you! Just keep your eyes open
because you never know what observation from you might be the clue
to what is going on with Selina. We'll be thinking of you and
saying our prayers. Please keep us posted.
Nancy DC and the House o' Cats
|