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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Poorly cat, worried about him

54 replies

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 10:26

H is going to the vet this morning as he's not well. Last night he was coughing as though he had something stuck in his throat but he seemed alright so we didn't worry. This morning he disappeared for a while and since he has come home he's been coughing and is lethargic. DH is taking him to the vet and I am meeting them there. To say I'm worried is an understatement - H is never ill and has hardly been to the vet (other than jabs) since we've had him.

Fingers crossed it's nothing major...

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 10:42

Fingers crossed for him and let us know how he gets on.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 11:53

I'm back from the vet but they have kept him in. They checked his teeth and his gums are red and ulcerated and he has lost one of his lower fangs. He is going to have blood tests, a dental and possibly X rays today and hopefully we can pick him up tonight but we'll know later.

We have no idea how he lost his tooth, I'd swear it was there when he yawned yesterday. Apart from the coughing (which he does sometimes anyway after a good grooming session) he's been fine. He ate with no problems and this morning he was sitting on the cabinet in the bedroom waiting for us to wake up and he came in the bathroom with me as usual.

Poor little man, I hated leaving him

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 11:56

Poor boy. Remind me - is he a hunting/thieving/scrapping sort of cat? (If you know - some people have no idea what their cats are up to outside of the house.)

When is the practice to contact you?

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 14:15

He's a home bird (or should that be cat?) really. His hunting has always been limited to pond plants, earth worms and the odd frog that must have hopped into his open mouth. We were told he was a fighter but we've never seen any signs of it - he's been chased out of his own garden by other cats!

The vet has just phoned me to ask for permission to do a urine test as one of his kidney parameters is higher than recommended. They are also going to do x rays to make sure the missing tooth isn't lodged anywhere. She said he's fine though and was very calm and patient when they did the bloods - he doesn't take after me!

I have thought of one thing though - he only eats dried food. Obviously he's got a sore mouth and he won't be able to eat biscuits at the moment so I'm not sure what to feed him. I thought about softening his biscuits in warm water (it suggests that on the packaging) but I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas about what to feed him? Obviously I'll talk to the vet but I thought I'd ask here as well.

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 15:07

I think I'd wait and see if they can diagnose the problem first. The ulcers and the missing fang concerned me just a tad so I'd be wanting to see if they could get a handle on the problem, I reckon.

I'm guessing they'll be keeping him overnight?

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 15:31

What are you thinking about his gums and fang Cozie? I keep wondering if I should have done more about his teeth but the vet said at his last check up that he had some tartar but not enough to warrant doing anything about it. Should I have known something was wrong before this morning? He hasn't given any clues there was a problem - he's got an appetite like a horse, he runs around, plays with his toys.

They said that all being well he'll be home tonight but they will ring me and let me know later. DH said he can't believe how empty the house is without him - he said he's got no one to talk to! I keep checking my phone to make sure I haven't missed a call - I know it's turned up but I can't help it!

I do have another potential problem - DH and I are travelling on Thursday night to go to my friend's funeral and then staying the weekend. H is supposed to be coming with us (not to the funeral obviously!) but it's unlikely he'll be able to now. I'm hoping he'll be ok to be left with the cat sitter popping in on Friday but I don't like the idea of leaving him really. We'd obviously cut the weekend short and come home either Friday night or Saturday morning but I'll be worrying about him the whole time.

Sorry for this long, rambling post

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 16:48

Goodness, nothing to do with you - you had him in to the vet as soon as you noticed something wrong with him. Let's see what they find out.

I just thought that with a procedure or two outstanding at that time of day, they might keep him in for practical reasons - that's all.

Keep cool.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 20:34

Thanks Cozie.

I have a update and not a good one unfortunately. I had a call from the vet and it turns out he's got a broken jaw. They have no idea what caused it, although I'm wondering if he fell off the fence as it doesn't look as though he's been hit by a car. He's due to have an operation to wire his jaw tomorrow but the vet is worried as his jaw is crumbling. She thinks the crumbling may have been caused by an infection in his teeth. He'll lose all 4 canines and some further back, but the vet said he'll have enough left to eat his dry food!

I'm not looking forward to getting the bill for this as it's looking as though it won't be covered by insurance as they may say the broken jaw could have been prevented if if his teeth had been sorted sooner. We genuinely had no idea there was a problem and the vet was amazed as at his last check up there was no issue.

We visited H tonight and he was looking a bit bloodied and battered but he still managed to give the vet a death stare when she put his blanket over him! All the staff seem to have fallen in love with him so I know he's getting the best care possible.

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:03

Oh the poor lad.

I should imagine it's not that recent an injury? (Like not in the last 24/36 hours?)

Don't worry about eating with fewer teeth. Cats generally do well with few teeth - or none at all, even!

Cost?? Fight the good fight with your insurance company after the event.

Fingers crossed for him. This just goes to show how well cats cover up pain and/or discomfort. Imagine what you would be like with an untreated fractured jaw with complications?

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 21:16

We actually think it happened this morning. He'd been absolutely fine up until then but DH said when he went to use his cat flap he backed away from it and when DH tried to stroke him he cowered down, and that's the first time it's happened.

He made his usual fuss of me this morning and then took himself off outside as usual. I looked out and couldn't see him which was strange as he's usually pottering in the garden before breakfast. I couldn't see him in the front garden either, but when I opened the front door he came in, ignored me and sat under the table. He usually walks me to my car in the morning but he didn't do that either so I asked DH to keep an eye on him as I felt something wasn't right.

I will definitely be taking it up with the insurance company if they don't pay. He's had his teeth checked every year (although not a full 'dental') and we've been told everything was OK.

The vet told me he should be fine to carry on with his biscuits as he still has a lot of back teeth. He was having tuna if he fancied it tonight so he's being spoilt!

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:21

There you go - it was just the 'crumbling' and the 'infection' bits. They didn't sound to me as if they would happen in a few hours. I'd have to think car, I reckon.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 21:26

I got the impression (although I was struggling to take everything in) that the infection and crumbling had been present for a while and something happened this morning that left him with a broken jaw. I thought car but the vet doesn't agree as there's no other trauma. I think this will be one of life's mysteries!

Thank you so much for your support today Cozie.

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 21:42

How are you and DH doing? I'm guessing it's the cat sitter and the flying visit at the weekend? (If he's out of care by then of course. )

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 21:53

We're not bad thanks, it wouldn't take a lot for me to cry and I think DH is the same, although he's better at hiding it! I'm currently sitting here listening to David Bowie - probably not the best!

Yes, our cat sitter has said she's happy to come in (she loves him) and we'll do a flying visit to the funeral. I said to DH earlier that we're 11 days in to 2016 and so far my friend has died, my uncle has collapsed and needs a heart op, my aunt is waiting for a bone scan to seen if her cancer has spread and now H is poorly. I'll be glad to see the back of 2016!

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LiquorsOnDeck · 11/01/2016 22:01

Really hope your cat is comfortable now. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. He sounds lovely.

cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 22:03

It's a dark month for you right enough so you must both take care of yourselves.

Maybe have a quiet word with the vet and see what the possibilities are for H staying there for a couple of extra post-op days if he's a bit poorly and given circumstances? It might ease your mind to know you had the option if you could.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 11/01/2016 22:18

Thank you, we will.

That's a good idea, I'll see how it goes tomorrow and speak to the vet. One good thing about this practice, unlike the previous one, is that we don't mind which vet we see as they are all lovely.

Thanks Liquors. I know I'm biased but he is lovely - an excuse for a gratuitous picture or two!

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cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 22:26

Great pictures. Try to get some sleep and keep us up to date with progress?

Fingers crossed for him.

cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 22:27

Great pictures. Try to get some sleep and keep us up to date with progress?

Fingers crossed for him.

cozietoesie · 11/01/2016 22:28

Oops. Not the app's finest hour, I think.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/01/2016 09:28

I've spoken to the vet and Harry had a comfortable night. They tried to get him to eat something and he refused but I pointed out he's very fussy and will only eat James Wellbeloved biscuits or tuna in spring water. I'm going to take some in at lunchtime (and his own bowl as he's fussy with those as well!) and hopefully he'll eat something. Providing today goes OK and he starts eating he'll be allowed home.

Fingers crossed for good news later on. I'm still half expecting bad news but hopefully I'm wrong and he'll be home soon.

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cozietoesie · 12/01/2016 09:44

Poor lad - and a small show of temperament there? ('They can do X,Y or Z to me but I'm blowed if I'll give them the satisfaction of me noshing!' )

When is his wiring op to be undertaken?

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/01/2016 10:04

I think it could be - go Harry! When we were there last night I looked at the litter tray in his pen and thought 'good luck with getting him to use that'! It's tiny with a handful of pellets in it whereas Harry is used to a huge tray with ankle deep Catsan!

They are hoping to do his op later on today and will give me an update later. I had a doctor's appointment at lunchtime and I've now cancelled that so I can take his food over sooner rather than later.

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cozietoesie · 12/01/2016 10:16

It does make you wonder what sort of trays some owners offer, I must say.

Original poster

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 12/01/2016 21:38

I have a much better update today! Harry had his op this afternoon and the vet is pleased with how it went. We saw him tonight and he was getting back to his feisty self - he tried to beat his way out of the pen and he then tried to jump off the table! He wouldn't eat the food that I took in for him but he's developed a liking for Hills AD pate. We're going to get some but try to get him on more mainstream wet food, and hopefully keep him on his biscuits by softening them with water at first.

He's going to have the wire for a minimum of 6 weeks and the bad news is he's got to stay indoors for all that time! I have no problem with him being an indoor cat (I quite like the idea) but I don't think he's going to be too happy.

When the vet phoned to say it went well I nearly burst into tears as it was such a relief. We've still got to wait for the results of the biopsy but I should have my boy home tomorrow night and I can't wait.

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