Really worried and need a second opinion

[ConcernedCat]

This is sticky as we live abroad and have limited access to specialist vets.

about 1 month ago, cat was off his feed, wobbly on feet, quiet. Vet did blood tests, nothing very out of the ordinary, but raised wbc. Prescribed short course of antibiotics. Also ideal ear infection so prescribed drops.

3 days in, antibiotics seemed so be helping a lot but not completely. After 10 days at end of treatment, cat similar to the start. More ear drops (still infected) and antibiotics for toxoplasmosis given.

Since then, he has gone downhill. Sever diarreah. Probiotics with stool hardener given. Lack of appetite - appetite enhancer given. A few hours after this, he lost all control of his front legs. Appetite now fine.

further blood tests show no fiv, no felv. Blood test for toxoplasmosis not back yet. X-ray shows no concern. Injected NSAID given and oral prescribed. Waiting for spinal tap but no vet able to do in the country, one flies in in a couple of weeks.

Next day and now (couple of days later), he has better control of his legs, but is listing to one side. Very quiet. Hungry. Not cleaning self. Still has diarreah. Mostly lying still.

Bets are thinking toxoplasmosis or something else neurological.

Is there any chance it could still be his ears and he needs different antibiotics? Vet thinks, as he is not going round in circles, it’s not his ears. I just want to know that the right treatment is being tried and we’re not missing something as we wait for the spinal tap. Any vet advice hugely welcome, thank you.

[caringcarer]

How old is your cat? If it was an old cat I'd probably PTS. If younger I'd try boiled chicken chopped up. Ask for more stool hardner. If the cat stops eating try warming smelly food like tuna. Don't let the cat suffer and carry on indefinitely. I'd see how the cat was each day and if it was not improving I'd PTS. I'd not let it carry on distressed.

[ConcernedCat]

Hes 8. Not so worried about the diarrhoea as that’s the antibiotic. More the balance and lethargy.

[ConcernedCat]

And he’s got appetite now

[ConcernedCat]

And now I’ve noticed a bald patch behind his ear ☹️

[ConcernedCat]

Bump in case anyone is awake now :)

[fieldsofbutterflies]

I would want a scan to check for any neurological issues.

But to be honest I wouldn't leave my cat like that for two weeks. If he can't be seen any sooner it may be kinder to have him PTS.

[ConcernedCat]

Apparently there’s nothing anyone can do apart from current treatment until this neurologist gets here.

[fieldsofbutterflies]

Personally I couldn't leave my cat to suffer like that for two weeks, especially as there's no guarantee the neurologist will be able to fix things.

[ConcernedCat]

It’s so hard to know if he’s in pain or if it will get better or anything at all. I just wish the vet could give me some idea.

[fieldsofbutterflies]

A cat who isn't grooming, has diarrhoea and is listless is not a happy cat I'm sorry to say 😭

[concernedchild]

I cannot believe how EASILY you'd put your cat to sleep!!!

If he has a bald patch behind his ear he's probably got an ear ache and has been grooming himself there because of the pain. Have you discussed alternative antibiotics and painkillers for him?

[ConcernedCat]

He’s on his second batch of antibiotics and has painkillers. There is an ear infection but they don’t think that is causing the balance issues and lethargy, although I really, really hope they are wrong. I also don’t think PTS is the answer right now. But I don’t know what the answer is and I don’t want to just wait two weeks if there’s anything else we can do. I’ve asked for the vet to consider if the antibiotics are right as they don’t seem to be helping but they still think it may be toxoplasmosis and these are the best antibiotics for that apparently. Also vets not open until Monday and animal hospital have said they can’t do any more than the usual vet until the neurologist returns.

[fieldsofbutterflies]

@concernedchild

I cannot believe how EASILY you'd put your cat to sleep!!!

If he has a bald patch behind his ear he's probably got an ear ache and has been grooming himself there because of the pain. Have you discussed alternative antibiotics and painkillers for him?

It's not about putting a cat to sleep easily - it's about not letting them suffer for another two weeks when you don't know that the appointment will actually make them better.

[concernedchild]

You need to push them for different antibiotics. They're treating him for something he may not have, and they're not making a difference.

@fieldsofbutterflies - my cat woke up one day and was off his food, very swollen and lethargic. We rushed him to the vets and they told us we could put him on a certain set of meds, or we could have him put to sleep. They said there was no guarantee the meds would work. We tried the meds and he lived for another two and a half years. Cats aren't disposable, you can't just put them to sleep on a whim.

[fieldsofbutterflies]

@concernedchild she's tried several loads of medication the vet has said there's nothing more they can do until the cat sees a specialist in two weeks time.

You're being quite offensive, to be honest.

[concernedchild]

@fieldsofbutterflies

@concernedchild she's tried several loads of medication the vet has said there's nothing more they can do until the cat sees a specialist in two weeks time.

You're being quite offensive, to be honest.

Because I'm against people just putting their cats to sleep?

[fieldsofbutterflies]

@concernedchild no, it's your way of speaking and the language you choose to use.

Opting to put a cat to sleep because it's suffering and has to wait two weeks for an appointment that may or may not make any difference to its quality of life isn't cruel.

Cats aren't people and they have no concept of their own mortality. All they know is that they're suffering and in pain now.

If the appointment was for surgery that was guaranteed to make the cat better then that would be a different story altogether but personally couldn't sit and watch my cat suffer for two weeks knowing that I could just be prolonging the inevitable.

The vet has already said there is nothing more they can do until the specialist is in town - I guess it's up to OP whether she feels she can keep her cat going that long while it's clearly so unhappy.

I couldn't, but other people would make a different choice. There's no need to be rude or call people cruel for doing things differently to you.

[concernedchild]

@fieldsofbutterflies

@concernedchild no, it's your way of speaking and the language you choose to use.

Opting to put a cat to sleep because it's suffering and has to wait two weeks for an appointment that may or may not make any difference to its quality of life isn't cruel.

Cats aren't people and they have no concept of their own mortality. All they know is that they're suffering and in pain now.

If the appointment was for surgery that was guaranteed to make the cat better then that would be a different story altogether but personally couldn't sit and watch my cat suffer for two weeks knowing that I could just be prolonging the inevitable.

The vet has already said there is nothing more they can do until the specialist is in town - I guess it's up to OP whether she feels she can keep her cat going that long while it's clearly so unhappy.

I couldn't, but other people would make a different choice. There's no need to be rude or call people cruel for doing things differently to you.

Putting a cat to sleep because you don't want to wait for an appointment is cruel.

[ConcernedCat]

Please, people. I’m asking for support or ideas, not an argument, please. This is quite upsetting.

[ConcernedCat]

Amy I really appreciate both your thoughts on this, just would prefer if if it doesn’t get heated if possible please

[fieldsofbutterflies]

Putting a cat to sleep because you don't want to wait for an appointment is cruel.

I would argue the opposite, but at least I don't feel the need to make nasty personal attacks.

[ConcernedCat]

Is there anyone with veterinary knowledge who could tell me if the current antibiotics might also help if it is just a very bad ear infection?

[ConcernedCat]

Current antibiotic is Clindamycin. Amoxicillin seemed to work for a few days then didn’t. The clindamycin is in case it’s toxoplasmosis. Blood results for toxoplasmosis antibody will come back in a few days.

[PumpkinPatch23]

Please Google FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) it has many forms but my cat had the neurological version. There is treatment but very expensive. We did the treatment and he was declared cured. There are lots of Facebook help groups to assist you (look for Global Cats FIP). It might not be FIP but they're experts on there and they'll be able to advise.

[ConcernedCat]

Thanks so much Pumpkin, I’ve started reading on that and will look at the groups. It’s so hard without definitive tests for things.