Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

My mom has a cat, Bandit, that is about 9 years old that really hasn't eaten anything for about 1 week now. We initially her to Banfield since she is on the Wellness program, but they weren't very forth coming with info and what info they provide was very terse. I finally conviced my mom to take Bandit to the vet I have been going to for about a year now.

Banfield had performed a serious test, but we were a little worried when the vet saw a dark spot in the X-Ray around the digestive region, but didn't know what it was. The vet I have take my cat to said this was normal. Not sure what it means that it is normal.

The Riverside Cat Hospital (RCH) took samples for blood and Urinalysis test. The blood test came back and everything was normal. Her thyroid levels were a little high (Bandit has been on thyroid meds for about 3 years), but we didn't give Bandit the meds since she hasn't eaten. We are awaiting the result from the Urinalysis which should be back in a few days.

While as the RCH they gave Bandit Subcutaneous fuilds, Syring Feed and Cyproheptadine and other items. Bandit had stayed overnight at the RCH, but when she was brought back home this afternoon they threw up the food they gave her. We have another cat and he is a diabetic. A few weeks ago we had notice there was some blood in one of the cat's urine. Since our other cat was the one that has been sick recently we thought it was his, but after we had test proved otherwise. Banfield told us that they detected blood in Bandit's urine, but none of these test were ever sent to RCH after repeated attempts.

The vet at RCH said if the Urinalysis doesn't show anything she isn't exactly sure what the problem is. She did through out the C word (cancer) which she indicated doesn't show up on X-Rays (I am not sure why this is so, does anyone know?). She has mentioned that she might have us to Bandit to a specialist or bring a mobile MRI unit and perform some test.

Bandit is taking Amoxi-Drops (amoxicillin) and attempting to give her Nutri-Cal as a supplement. She is also taking Cyproheptadine (to stimulate appetite), Methimazole (Thyroid) and Allergy (Antihistamine since she wheezes a lot). Poor Bandit has to take a lot of meds at the moment.

The vet has indicate she might start steroids to attempt stimulate an appetite, but the vet said that is not a path she really wants to go down unless necessary. I read that if cats don't eat after a while they could develop hepatic lipidosis (liver problems)

So my question after as many facts as I can provide is what else might be causing these symptoms? If the test of the Urinalysis don't show anything what might be the root cause? Right now Bandit weights only about 8lbs. She is very thin as she was around 13 to 14 lbs at one time. Please, any help of insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Mark

I am sorry your mom's cat is sick. While you and the vet are trying to figure out what is wrong, ask the vet about an appetite stimulant. With out eating anything the cat's health is only going to go down hill. If all else fails the cat may need to stay at the vet’s office with an IV.
I hope you find out soon what is wrong and that it's fixable.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

I am sorry the cat is so very sick. It sounds like she is getting very good vet care, however. Unfortunately I cannot answer your question about what might be wrong with her.

I hope she gets well soon!

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Hi Mark,

I am sorry that Bandit has been so ill. He needs further diagnostics done immediately to try to determine what is going on.

If this were one of my kitties, I would request that an abdominal ultrasound be performed. A specialist can be called in to do the procedure if necessary. It is a non-invasive way for a vet to take a look inside a cat without actually doing surgery. During the procedure, the organs can be examined much more thoroughly than on x-rays, and if a mass is found, a needle biopsy may be performed. Not to scare you, but anything is possible with all the weight that Bandit has lost. Another possibility with Bandit is inflammatory bowel disease. His intestines would be examined during the procedure also, although it would take a biopsy to arrive at a definite diagnosis.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to repeat the blood panel. Unless Bandit has started eating and drinking normally, I can almost guarantee that there would be some abnormalities at this point. He must be terribly dehydrated by now and fatty liver disease is a very real possibility also. Cats can start to develop this after they stop eating for only 2 - 3 days and it is fatal without treatment.

My impression at this point (though I am only a tech, and not a vet) is that even if Bandit has some urinary problems they have not caused him to lose at least 6 pounds. This would almost have to be a gastrointestinal problem of some kind, or, God forbid, cancer.

I think Bandit needs to be hospitalized on IV fluids, and possibly tube feeding. Again, I am assuming that he is sill not eating. He is not going to get better on his own and needs the supportive care. If he vomits while hospitalized, he could be given meds that will help him to keep his food down. If he has had a lot of vomiting, an upper GI barium series may help your vet arrive at a diagnosis.

If your vet is just wanting to wait, and do no further testing, please take Bandit to another vet immediately.

Please keep us updated.

AshleyElla