So upset my little cat does have FOPs

[Ilovecrumpets]

I posted on here just before Christmas about my little Burmese who was clawing his face after neutering. I was worried he had FOPs but the vets said just teething and it stopped pretty quickly.

He has just had another episode tonight and ended up at the emergency vet. They have now diagnosed him as having FOPs ( feline orofacila pain). It’s really distressing to see him - despite the pain relief he is still clawing at himself and can’t settle. They’ve said go back tomorrow for referrral to specialist.

I’ve been reading and it seems that some cats have this during teething and then it goes until old age. But for a proportion the pain becomes permanent and they have to be PTS.

I’m so upset for the cat but also for my DS. I got the cats after my ex left to try and help my DS (6) who has had lots of emotional problems as a result. The cat is his best friend - he will be completely devastated if we have to have him PTS. Also worried as they mentioned referral to Fitzpatricks - I have insurance but after that wouldn’t have money.

Just feel so upset tonight - also finding it stressful as it’s just me here, and it’s very upsetting to see little cat like this.

I don't know much about the condition but I'm pretty sure a cat I know has this, I've just googled and watched a few Youtube videos 😞. It's really distressing to see. I'd want a definite diagnosis, before considering the next step. The cat I know seems to like being massaged around his ears and jaw when he.s showing signs of distress - maybe this might help your cat.

Is there any treatment available?

Thanks @userxx yes I think I will ask for a referral when I see the vet tomorrow - being an emergency vet it was all a bit chaotic tonight and they had life threatening emergencies in as well. He has had standard pain relief but I think they can try epilepsy drugs if the standard pain relief hasn’t worked. I’m also worrying about practical difficulties like getting the time off work and who could have the kids.

There isn’t any cure - just management. I guess I will have to hope he is one of the cats who gets it when teething and then not again until he is older - which can be the pattern. In kittens it doesn’t tend to dissapate until teething has finished.

It is really distressing to see. Particularly as it is just me here with him, so no other adult to talk to if that makes sense.

I’m so sorry. I remember your original thread.
Have you contacted the breeder? What about a breed group or society? Could they advise or put you in contact with others who have cats with the same diagnosis?
I am really really sorry. Hoped it wouldn’t be this. I grew up with Burmese and they’re like no other cats.

I commented on your thread at the time and just wanted to say how sorry I am about your little kitten. I hope that he just has it during teething and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks everyone.

@Wolfiefan I have contacted the breeder as she need to know not to breed from that Tom and Queen again. Good idea re the breed club - will do that tomorrow.

Am hoping it may all seem a bit more manageable in the morning.

Hoping it feels a bit better this morning. Wishing you and puss well.

Thank you @Wolfiefan . It’s been a truly rubbish last 12 months so I’m hoping I’m owed a break

So back from my regular vet and much more balanced diagnosis - she agrees with me that the cuts in his mouth look like they were caused by something not self inflicted as they are so neat - although his reaction was still quite extreme. She has also changed his meds and he seems much better. Fingers crossed as his mouth heals he should get back to normal.

Rather worryingly they had been calling me as the emergency vet had given me a too high dose of pain meds in error - luckily I hadn’t given it. I think the emergency vet was very overstretched ( she had two other emergencies come in, one of which sadly passed away) which I wonder led to the dosing error and also perhaps how concerned she seemed.

Really hoping the meds work for him...….. quite worrying that the emergency vet got the dosage wrong, but no harm done thankfully.

I think I will have to have a word with the owner of the cat that I know showing FOPS symptoms, he seems to think its just food caught in his teeth but he does it after drinking water too, I initially thought maybe an abscess but from watching YouTube I'm thinking not :-(

That sounds more positive. Hoping all goes well.