Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have written here before and have got such great advice, but I really need some advice about my 13 yr. kitty (and prayers). I'm just devastated...

We took her for blood tests last year because she was not using the litterbox and just not acting right...everything came back fine. So we just chalked it up to behavioral issues with new outside cats we had and maybe just a little spoiled.

Over the past month she has had chronic diarrhea and vomiting. The vomiting has been off and on and my vet pretty much said it was hairballs. (not) We noticed that she was even having diarrhea in spots in the house where it was soo unlike her. Her balance started getting wobbly...sometimes falling when she jumped on something or when she would shake her head, she'll get off balance. So just this last week, the vet did a geriatric screening on her. Amazingly enough, most everything came back okay (so he said). I have the results in front of me and I'm not pretending to be a vet, but I have been doing some research on the net. First of all, her thyroid level was 4.18, with normal being 1.0-4.0. The vet said he thinks the reason for the vomiting and diarrhea is because of that.

Now the worst part...I feel like SUCH a bad mommy....this brought me tears. She is down to 4.4 pounds. I about died when he said that, although he didn't seem too concerned. A year ago she was 7 pounds. I know this diarrhea and vomiting that has been going on is the culprit for this. She is simply getting no nutrition. She is very finicky...meows/howls all the time...typical symptoms of a cat with thyroid conditions. The vet gave us some Tapazole to put our cat on--didn't even mention the radioactive treatment to us. Unfortunately, we cannot do it anyway due to a pending adoption we have going on due to the $$$$. Just gave us the pills and said...you'll notice a difference soon.

Well it's been 3 days on the medication and she is still having the diarrhea, although not vomiting. That is mostly because he gave her some anti-vomit medicine to help her. He thinks the reason she is falling is because she is simply weak from having no food in her body.

I have seen NO change in her so far and in fact is acting worse. She is very distant with us...not doing her usual things like sleeping with us and laying on us...she acts dazed and very "sad". Walking around the house meowing and moping. BEGS for food. Eats and eat and eats. We are just beside ourselves with worry because we know she isn't good.

My question is ... even if the blood tests didn't show anything too abnormal, could there be something wrong they aren't seeing or do you think the reason she is acting this way is due to the medication?

We can't get the weight back on her if she has having this diarrhea. The vet said her weight would begin to come back after getting thyroid issues under control, but I just cannot find any resources on the net that would tell me how long it will be before she starts to feel better? That T4 number doesn't even sound particularly bad?? Does she even have problems??

Also, the only other thing is that "Neutrophils"/Neutrophilia was high. The vet didn't seem concerned. WBC and RBC...feline leukemia, came back fine.

Should I take her to another vet for a second opinion? She is clearly not herself. We live in a small town and this is the "town vet" and he doesn't like elderly cats very well and always reminding me that his cat charts don't even go past 12 years of age. *sigh* I really just think she is extremely weak from throwing up and diarrhea, but what is the cause of that?

I just need some advice...

Thank you for reading this far!

Kristi.

I'm sorry to hear your cat is sick. If it was me I would try and find a cat only vet. I'm not a vet and don't know much about older cats. I am sure others will be more helpful. Also, you may want to post on the ask the holistic vet forum.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

I think a second opinion from a feline-only vet is defintely in order.

Good luck! I hope that she can be helped!

>>I have written here before and have got such great advice, but I really need some advice about my 13 yr. kitty (and prayers). I'm just devastated...
>>
>>We took her for blood tests last year because she was not using the litterbox and just not acting right...everything came back fine. So we just chalked it up to behavioral issues with new outside cats we had and maybe just a little spoiled.
>>
>>Over the past month she has had chronic diarrhea and vomiting. The vomiting has been off and on and my vet pretty much said it was hairballs. (not) We noticed that she was even having diarrhea in spots in the house where it was soo unlike her. Her balance started getting wobbly...sometimes falling when she jumped on something or when she would shake her head, she'll get off balance. So just this last week, the vet did a geriatric screening on her. Amazingly enough, most everything came back okay (so he said). I have the results in front of me and I'm not pretending to be a vet, but I have been doing some research on the net. First of all, her thyroid level was 4.18, with normal being 1.0-4.0. The vet said he thinks the reason for the vomiting and diarrhea is because of that.
>>
>>Now the worst part...I feel like SUCH a bad mommy....this brought me tears. She is down to 4.4 pounds. I about died when he said that, although he didn't seem too concerned. A year ago she was 7 pounds. I know this diarrhea and vomiting that has been going on is the culprit for this. She is simply getting no nutrition. She is very finicky...meows/howls all the time...typical symptoms of a cat with thyroid conditions. The vet gave us some Tapazole to put our cat on--didn't even mention the radioactive treatment to us. Unfortunately, we cannot do it anyway due to a pending adoption we have going on due to the $$$$. Just gave us the pills and said...you'll notice a difference soon.
>>
>>Well it's been 3 days on the medication and she is still having the diarrhea, although not vomiting. That is mostly because he gave her some anti-vomit medicine to help her. He thinks the reason she is falling is because she is simply weak from having no food in her body.
>>
>>I have seen NO change in her so far and in fact is acting worse. She is very distant with us...not doing her usual things like sleeping with us and laying on us...she acts dazed and very "sad". Walking around the house meowing and moping. BEGS for food. Eats and eat and eats. We are just beside ourselves with worry because we know she isn't good.
>>
>>My question is ... even if the blood tests didn't show anything too abnormal, could there be something wrong they aren't seeing or do you think the reason she is acting this way is due to the medication?
>>
>>We can't get the weight back on her if she has having this diarrhea. The vet said her weight would begin to come back after getting thyroid issues under control, but I just cannot find any resources on the net that would tell me how long it will be before she starts to feel better? That T4 number doesn't even sound particularly bad?? Does she even have problems??
>>
>>Also, the only other thing is that "Neutrophils"/Neutrophilia was high. The vet didn't seem concerned. WBC and RBC...feline leukemia, came back fine.
>>
>>Should I take her to another vet for a second opinion? She is clearly not herself. We live in a small town and this is the "town vet" and he doesn't like elderly cats very well and always reminding me that his cat charts don't even go past 12 years of age. *sigh* I really just think she is extremely weak from throwing up and diarrhea, but what is the cause of that?
>>
>>I just need some advice...
>>
>>Thank you for reading this far!
>>
>>
>>Kristi.
>>
>>
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thank you both! She has perked up a little today. This is day 4 on the meds. Actually jumped up on me and slept on me today like she used to. Which is really encouraging! Hubby thinks she has gained a little weight too. Maybe I just need to give it the 2 weeks like my vet said. Also, NO vomiting since a teeny bit on Friday morning! Yay! It was like 2 times a day!!

I will keep you updated! And will take her to another vet if she doesn't get better.

Thanks again,
Kristi

Hi Kristi,
I'm not sure I would wait two weeks. Are there any cat only vets in your area? I have found they have a lot more knowledge then my regular vet.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Unfortunately no! We live in a very small town...two vets. I'm not sure about the big city. I will look into it. If I see she is suffering, I will make sure I get her somewhere.

She is sleeping now though...so cute....and so comforting!

Thank you all...

Hi There,

Just about all the symptoms you have described can be caused by hyperthyroidism. It's important to remember that even a slightly elevated thyroid function test can indicate the disease, as the thyroid level fluctuates throughout the day. With your cat's symptoms, I wouldn't be surprised if your cat's T-4 is considerably higher at times.
Tapazole can initially cause a cat to feel depressed. This is because suddenly the thyroid function is being suppressed by the drug. Most cats show some improvement, and start gaining weight, within the first couple of weeks of being on Tapazole.
I had a hyperthyroid cat that gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks!
It's a good idea to monitor kidney function in hyperthyroid cats, as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism often go hand in hand. If your vet has the equipment, blood pressure should also be monitored. Hyper-T cats are prone to high blood pressure which can cause additional problems, such as sudden blindness.
Please keep us updated on how your baby does.

Regards,
AshleyElla

Thank you sOOO much. That gave me SUCH comfort...that's what I would describe those first initial days as "depressed!" She has perked up today. Still has just HORRIBLE diarrhea ... pure liquid.

I wonder if there is anything I can do to bulk up her poopy. I talked to the vet today and told him she was still having it badly. He said to "hang in there" while this stuff starts to work. She is acting more like herself. She threw up a TEENY bit today, but I ran out of her Science prescription diet and had to feed her Iams. She doesn't do well switching from different foods, so I bet that was it.

I appreciate so much everyone helping me. We will watch everything and just hope and pray that our baby begins to feel better soon! It's no fun to throw up, be hungry and have diarrhea all the time!

Thanks again,

Kristi

Hi There,

You are very welcome! Since I have been there, I understand totally what you are going through.

Has there been any improvement in the diarrhea?

Regards,
AshleyElla