Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dear Forum Members,

Our 3 year old girl, Mochi, has been having a really rough past few days. Last Wednesday evening she was normal, happy, and eating fine. Then Thursday morning she didn't move from her cat bed (or really wake up much) for morning feeding--she's usually quite enthusiastic about it.

When I came back home Thursday after work, it looked like she hadn't moved. When I tried to get her to eat, she wouldn't do it. She just lowered herself onto her side on the floor and lay back down. At this point I took her to the vet.

The vet did blood work, x-rays, and general review. He couldn't find anything particularly wrong with her except a little dehydration and when he was palpating her, she got very tense around her stomach. So he gave her an injection of fluids and suggested that I keep an eye on her overnight and bring her to her normal vet if she's not better in the morning. After we got home, I managed to get her to eat one piece of dry food at a time (~20 pieces). Then she slept with the same lifelessness for the night.

In the morning (Friday) she wasn't any better, so I took her to her normal vet. The vet decided to keep her for the day and give her IV fluids and an enema. The enema seemed to help her, but did cause her to throw up. The vet also gave me A/D wet food to feed her at home and a reccommendation of some pepsid with the wet food. We took her back home and she ate about the same as before (~10 pieces of dry food and a little wet food).

Now it's Saturday morning, and she still hasn't improved at all. She did eat some dry and wet food again, but we're not talking about all that much here (1/8 of a can ~10 pieces of dry food).

We've talked to the vet again this morning--she thinks that as long as Mochi doesn't get worse, then we should just stay the course. I'm still very concerned though. This has happened so suddenly to a 3 year old cat, and I don't like this lack of diagnosis when she isn't really improving. Also I'm worried about this fatty liver disease--and that the amouns she's eating isn't enough (but I really don't know if that worry is justified). Another thing is that when I get her to walk, she moves as though she's very uncomfortable (back kind of arched, weak/somewhat shaky steps, but not with belly sunk to the ground).

Are there additional diagnostics that I can ask for from the vet? Another round of blood work or urinalysis? Any other screenings? Should I get a second opinion? I'm really worried for her especially since it's New Year's weekend and vet care is going to be tougher to get without going to the emergency clinic.

-Mike and Ansley

Hi There,

You are right to be so concerned about your baby. Something is seriously wrong with her and she hasn't had any improvement in several days.

I highly recommend getting another opinion ASAP,and having a full blood panel, CBC, urinalysis, and x-rays done, even though some of these things may be repeats. Bloodwork can vary even from one day to the next, especially when a cat is so ill. A barium series would be a good idea, and possibly even an ultrasound, if there is still no diagnosis. I also think your baby should be hospitalized, where she can be observed, given IV fluids, and force-fed if necessary.

If you do get another opinion, please get copies of all the records of tests already done, and ask to borrow the x-rays. You have a legal right to do this as long as they are returned.

I'm so sorry your girl is so sick. The fact that she hasn't gotten better tells me that she needs further diagnostics and treatment. Try to get her seen by someone, even if it has to be an ER.

Your baby will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how she is doing.

Regards,
PHKitkat