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Out of tests and options

35 replies

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 05/07/2025 21:58

Anyone on here that can help? My DCat is very sick and we have nowhere left to go. Sorry this is long.

She's 9, was a stray and is the loveliest wee thing. Nothing of significance in her medical history until this point.

A month ago she went off her food. Totally uninterested, sitting hunched and looking mighty uncomfortable. Bloods, ultrasound and xray all utterly normal on first inspection. 2nd specialist opinion was sought, which noted a slight enlargement of one lymph node and a slight suspicion of a grumpy pancreas. She was treated as it it were her pancreas - pain killers. She rallied somewhat but was never totally back to normal - slight behaviour changes.

3 weeks later, her behaviour totally changed. Sleeping in her litter tray, trying to climb into weird and wonderful places. Whisked her back to vet, suspect urine infection, treated with antibiotics. Again, rallied but still not herself.

She was slightly improved for 3 days, before we took her back again as she was uncontrollably salivating and was mighty pissed off. Aggressive (not like her at all) and dribbling everywhere. Bloods and xrays repeated. All normal, no change from previous results. Given steroids. Rallied again, but still not her usual self. Lasted a week.

Found her in the morning a bit disoriented and vocal. Deteriorated over 4 hours to then be unable to place feet and walk - she was very wobbly, disoriented and shaky. Immediately took her to vet who performed neurological exam and observed her gait etc. Dulled reflex when presented to a table edge ie she didn't try and place a foot on the surface. She did correct a knuckled over foot however and blink reflex OK. Discovered she was immensely painful down her spine but previous xrays x2 were totally normal. Sent home on massive painkillers, steroids and gabapentin.

Overnight she is a bit more balanced but tail is uncontrolled and she's moving her head very jerky. Her ears are twitching and shes unable to control her head and general movement- momentum carries her on and she bumps things harder than she means to. Shes staring off into space and seems so dead behind the eyes. Shes pacing and restless- we feel like she has no idea where she is and what shes supposed to be doing.

We are utterly heartbroken as we dont think she will recover. Can anyone think of anything we have missed? Clinically all her tests and imaging show not one thing out of whack and yet she's so poorly.

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 06/07/2025 07:49

I think you're beyond the stage of putting her through any more tests - it's time to say goodbye to your lovely girl before she suffers even more.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 06/07/2025 08:50

I'm very sorry but I have to agree with @Allergictoironing's post. Your cat is clearly suffering and distressed and has been through a month of tests and treatments with no real improvement.
You have my sympathy 💐

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 06/07/2025 09:06

I agree that we are at that decision point - just wondering if there was anything last gasp before we call it.
She's slightly more alert today and wants her breakfast and tummy rubs but she's altered and floppy which we can't ignore. We have vet booked tomorrow for review/pts depending on how she has been over the weekend.
Thanks - we are heartbroken to lose her.

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BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 16:15

@EddieVeddersfoxymop I do wonder if she was poisoned in some way (ate something toxic, could be med or rat poison etc)

personally if that was my baby, I’d take her to vet and treat specifically for this …

did she ever threw up?

good luck x

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 06/07/2025 16:18

BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 16:15

@EddieVeddersfoxymop I do wonder if she was poisoned in some way (ate something toxic, could be med or rat poison etc)

personally if that was my baby, I’d take her to vet and treat specifically for this …

did she ever threw up?

good luck x

She's an indoor girl and there's nothing that would have poisoned her in our home - believe me we have double and triple checked. We are careful anyway but we have combed the house. She's never vomited, no. I think we will have to call time tomorrow, one last night at home to say goodbye.

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BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 16:24

Ok worth asking vet for sudden heart problems, I think that’s the only thing she wasn’t checked on

apparently it can cause clotting issues and if this started when we had the big heat it kind of makes sense

good luck, give lots of kisses to your little girl, let’s hope …

CookiesAreForSharing · 06/07/2025 16:27

Do you have lilies in the house? Some of the symptoms seem to match toxicity from lily pollen. Says can show as back pain as well as neurological symptoms.

BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 16:35

@CookiesAreForSharing good point

@EddieVeddersfoxymop I’d just bring up toxicity to the vet , you have nothing to lose …

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 06/07/2025 16:49

CookiesAreForSharing · 06/07/2025 16:27

Do you have lilies in the house? Some of the symptoms seem to match toxicity from lily pollen. Says can show as back pain as well as neurological symptoms.

Nope - never. Aware of the potential and never let them across the threshold.

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 06/07/2025 16:51

BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 16:24

Ok worth asking vet for sudden heart problems, I think that’s the only thing she wasn’t checked on

apparently it can cause clotting issues and if this started when we had the big heat it kind of makes sense

good luck, give lots of kisses to your little girl, let’s hope …

I will mention. Yes, this all started with the intense heat but assumed was just coincidence. She's been sounded, scanned and xrays plus bloods so assume heart will have been considered. Only real part that hasn't been checked is her head and given her odd behaviour we wonder about neurological issues...

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BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 17:20

@EddieVeddersfoxymop did they do a fecal test though?

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 06/07/2025 17:22

BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 17:20

@EddieVeddersfoxymop did they do a fecal test though?

Nope, that's the one thing that has never been done as no real need - she's had no toilet issues whatsoever. Vet did mention but felt it wasn't necessary as shes pooping totally normal. Strictly once a day kind of girl, always before breakfast, always well formed and "normal ".

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BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 17:33

Oh interesting …. Your baby has neurological issues, number of parasitic worms cause them, absolutely not related to going to the toilet

honestly my vet would look at this straight away, imagine if that’s the reason and we re discussing here PTS

i would 1000% go to another vet

Mia184 · 06/07/2025 19:33

Has her blood pressure been measured? It can cause retinal detachment and neurological problems.

crumpetswithcheeze · 06/07/2025 19:45

Has she been tested for toxoplasmosis? In most cats it has no symptoms, but on occasion as with my last cat, can cause neurological symptoms. Easily treated with antibiotics, although they don’t always get fully back to normal. Agree with others posters however, if no resolution soon I would also be preparing to let her go. I’m so very sorry x

tinyspiny · 06/07/2025 19:53

Have you had her blood pressure checked as the neurological presentation and knuckling was exactly how my dog presented with high BP , we nearly lost him .

StrongTea · 06/07/2025 19:57

Teeth been checked?

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 07/07/2025 21:01

BrentfordForever · 06/07/2025 17:33

Oh interesting …. Your baby has neurological issues, number of parasitic worms cause them, absolutely not related to going to the toilet

honestly my vet would look at this straight away, imagine if that’s the reason and we re discussing here PTS

i would 1000% go to another vet

She's up to date with wormer, this was just belt and braces. 100% trust our vet, they've been our vet of choice for 25 years. There is an update I'll post below. Thank you though.

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 07/07/2025 21:01

Mia184 · 06/07/2025 19:33

Has her blood pressure been measured? It can cause retinal detachment and neurological problems.

Yup, all checked ✔️

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EddieVeddersfoxymop · 07/07/2025 21:02

StrongTea · 06/07/2025 19:57

Teeth been checked?

Yes, teeth were sorted out about 10 months ago when she broke one 🤦🏻‍♀️. Been checked again while sedated for xrays. All grand.

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 07/07/2025 21:03

crumpetswithcheeze · 06/07/2025 19:45

Has she been tested for toxoplasmosis? In most cats it has no symptoms, but on occasion as with my last cat, can cause neurological symptoms. Easily treated with antibiotics, although they don’t always get fully back to normal. Agree with others posters however, if no resolution soon I would also be preparing to let her go. I’m so very sorry x

Edited

Hmm not sure about that. One to ask the vet

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 07/07/2025 21:10

Thanks for the comments folks.......a wee update is necessary I think.

So she was back at the vet for review today, to question quality of life and see how steroids and gabapentin has worked over the weekend. There's about a 60% reduction in pain and the missing/dull reflex is slow but has returned. She's brighter in the eyes, still eating and has gained a little weight - just a little but its better than another loss. With her presentation the vet is suggesting we are probably looking at a benign growth in her brain/neck area that steroids are reducing. She was too bright today to call it - she's not 100% and probably never will be but she's home and snoozing in her favourite spot. The odd sitting/staring has stopped and she's focussed and alert. We are under no illusion that she's a sick kit with a poor prognosis but the new regime has eased her pain and she's living her best life - for today anyway. Lovely vet is going to call me at 8am every morning this week for a sitrep so he has time to squeeze her in for review if need be.
Will update in due course, please cross fingers for us. Photo added for tax 🤣

Out of tests and options
OP posts:
crumpetswithcheeze · 07/07/2025 22:16

She’s beautiful. Fingers crossed for you all

BrentfordForever · 08/07/2025 10:21

Oh she’s stunning !!!!

I am so happy for you and your little girl!!!!!
Fantastic news xxxx

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 12/07/2025 20:03

For those who tried to help - thank you

She didn't make it

We are devastated 💔

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