DU pet people: I need your help. My cat is very ill; my vet is clueless.

[iconoclastic cat]

Okay, everyone, I need your help. I need to figure out what is wrong with my cat.

Here's the story:

Around the end of
January, Zooey (our cat) started walking very stiffly.
Within a three days she was just pacing the condo
restlessly, still very stiff and uncoordinated. The
vet put her on antibiotics, but she just got worse
over the next two days. We brought her in for x-rays,
but nothing showed up. Blood work showed nothing,
either. The vet put her on steriods, and she was back
to normal within a day. She stayed on the steroids for
a week and a half, but when I eased the dose down to
half of what it was (as per the instruction from my
vet), she totally relapsed in two days. She paced for
a day, stumbled like a drunk for another day, and we
brought her in the next.

The vet is baffled. Zooey was pumped full of fluids
and steroids for three days in the vet's kennel, and
when I went to pick her up, it was like nothing had
happened to her. The vet said that we'd just keep her
on steroids for a couple months, but I keep reading
that that much steroid use can do a lot of harm, too.
I'm going to try to find an answer. I'm afraid that
this may not have a happy ending, either.

Thanks, and if you know anything about this, please
let me know.

By the way, if knowing exact dates, medication, etc. could help, let me know and I'll post it.

Also: If you know anyone who might know what's going on, DUmail me.

Yes, by the way, I have posted this elsewhere.

[Tab]

1. Maybe it's neurological...

worth checking out.

And maybe you might want to run it by a second vet...

[iconoclastic cat]

2. Two vets at the same clinic said it could be.

I wonder if anything can be done for a neurological problem.

Thanks, Tab.

[iconoclastic cat]

3. Hey, does this sound like toxoplasmosis?

The symptoms sound similar.

[Lorien]

4. Have they really examed her spine?

Here's one reference:
Chiropractic spinal problems can manifest in many ways. Puppy sitting is a common complaint that often responds to chiropractic. Subluxations may cause neck or back pain and sensitivity to touch. Pacing or other gait abnormalities might be signs of a back issue as well as weakness or stumbling. Finally, stiffness, lameness and a decreased range of motion can all indicate the need for an adjustment.

http://www.beaveranimalclinic.com/holistictreatment.html

[iconoclastic cat]

5. Lorien! I knew you'd have a good tip.

The vet x-rayed her spine, and a vet radiologist looked at it. Both found nothing. The symptoms listed above do sound like Zooey's. I'll call around to see if a cat chiropractor is in my area.

Thanks, Lorien! This whole thing is killing me as slowly as it's killing Zooey.

[Lorien]

6. Is she losing any weight, and does she have a swollen abdomen?

the only other thing I could think of, sadly, is FIP. One of my kittens who got it became uncoordinated, but that was followed by his belly swelling while the rest of him became very thin (it was pretty horrible). He had a good appetite and would still play, but he was weak. Unfortunately I had to have him put down. :cry:

hopefully it's just a spinal issue for your girl. My little Zephyr didn't pace, so that doesn't fit.

[iconoclastic cat]

7. No, she doesn't. It's not FIP.

The situation is grim. I'm taking her for a second opinion next weekend, but that may be her last chance. I can't drag her suffering out any longer.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. So sorry. I hope something can be done.

I had a cat, Woody, who had a mysterious neurological problem, mainly with his back legs, that gradually got worse over a period of about two years. They thought it was hip dysplasia at first, and there were abnormalities on his x-rays. But that didn't seem to be exactly it. Steroids helped for awhile, but they weren't able to diagnose the problem specifically. Even the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, which is like a Mayo Clinic for animals, couldn't quite figure it out. As time went on he had more and more trouble walking, couldn't get in and out of the litter box, and eventually it just got too bad to continue. He was only 7. It doesn't sound quite like what you're dealing with, and maybe another vet can do something for your cat, but having been through something similar I totally sympathize. It was a tough thing. :hug:

[iconoclastic cat]

9. That does sound similar.

The difference is that Zooey went from fine to unable to walk at all in about a week both times.

Thanks for the sympathy.

[japple]

10. Could Zooey have eaten anything poison? Plants? Household

chemicals? Those substances would probably have shown up in bloodwork, though. Sometimes poisons or toxins can cause neurological problems.
My cat, Myrtle, paced and staggered when she was in the end stages of kidney disease. We thought she must have been in pain for her to pace like that, so we called the vet and told her we would bring Myrtle in the next day. By the next morning, Myrtle was lurching and staggering around, so we took her to the vet to be sent to kitty heaven.

If I were you, I'd get another opinion, which, in many cases might be a hard thing to do, especially if you have a long history with your vet. I'm sending you and Zooey positive thoughts and healing energy. Keep us posted.

[iconoclastic cat]

11. Similar symptoms,

but the steroids bring Zooey back to her normal self (at least to the untrained eye). I don't know if she has kidney problems...

We are, in fact, getting another vet's opinion next Saturday.

[kestrel91316]

17. Cat vet here:

How did they rule out FIP?? There is no reliable antemortem test for FIP, so we get backed into the diagnosis when we can't find anything else wrong. It can take very sophisticated testing of brain tissue after death to find evidence of FIP.

This could be other things, too. Cats can have an oddball progressive meningoencephalitis (older cats) that IIRC is steroid-responsive. And younger cats can have acute vascular brain diseasse that tends to gradually get better on its own.

This is a mysterious case. Be sure your vet is giving thiamine as a precaution. Thiamine deficiency is a pretty sneaky, obscure problem that we don't think of and don't see often, but it responds rapidly to treatment.

If you can find a veterinary internal medicine specialist, i would consider getting a consult on this. Good luck.

[iconoclastic cat]

20. Actually, I have no idea how FIP was ruled out!

I asked her if that could be it, and she just said, "No, that's not it."

We don't communicate well, she and I. That's why I'm leaving her and going to The Cat Hospital of Chicago, starting Saturday.

I'm actually going to print out this thread and bring up the possibilities that you and others have brought up, kestrel. And I'm going to ask about the vascular disease, too--that's another thing my vet "ruled out." Pfffft! I don't buy it. She never gets anything right the first time, anyway. This is a pattern.

Thanks again, kes, and keep the ideas flowing.

BTW, the cat is acting completely normal, despite being on 7.25mg of steroids. Very weird.

[kestrel91316]

21. Hmmmm, either kitty is actually better (resolved), or the steroids

are making things LOOK better. There is a difference.

The Cat Hospital in Chicago is a great place to go. Somebody who does dogs AND cats is not usually very tuned into cats. All their time and energy is spent on keeping up with dog stuff.

[iconoclastic cat]

22. Wish me luck!

I'm going to bring Zooey to the vet in about five minutes.

[Tammie]

23. Good Luck!!!

Sending good thoughts your way. Keep us posted about Zooey!

:hi:

[haele]

12. My then 10 year old cat once had ataxia for six weeks.

Stumbling around like a drunken sailor with a weak right hind side after he fell when trying to jump on the bed about three months after returning home from a flight.
I took him to two vets, one a neurologist. They did quite a few tests, but couldn't find anything wrong - since he recovered fairly quickly, the neurologist finally suspected it could have been a mild viral infection that set itself in the spine.
They tested him for:
Diabetes, intestinal blockage (his poops have always been a bit on the large and compact side for a cat his size), abscessed teeth or gums, inner ear/sinus injuries, various blood disorders, diseases, and for hip and head injuries. They took x-rays of his spinal column (including tail) and head, checking for arthritis as well as any other possible damage. (Is Zooey a female? It could also be something with her reproductive system.)
Just about the time they were thinking of doing a spinal fluid test he started getting better, so the neuro-vet decided just to watch his recovery before doing any other testing. He's been perfectly fine now for almost six years.

Knowing exact dates, medication, anything new or unusual (changes of food, exposure to extreme environments, etc)could be helpful to the doctor. If carefully monitored, short term steriod use should not hurt Zooey too much.

Good luck.

Haele

[iconoclastic cat]

13. Yeah, I've documented this whole ordeal.

I'm giving a timeline with symptoms and everything to the "second opinion" vet on Saturday. Ataxia, eh? I'll ask them. Someone has also suggested something called Addison's Disease.

[Eurobabe]

14. Addison's is an adrenal disease

opposite of Cushings, which alot of dogs get. Addisons' is low adrenal function. Any possible thyroid issues? Sure hope you find out what's ailing your kitty. Poor thing...

[iconoclastic cat]

15. Well, I'm going to ask the new vet on Saturday.

From what I've read, Addison's can be tested. I'm going to ask for that test when I get there.

Strangest thing, though: She's on 7.5mg of steroids per day right now plus antibiotics, and she looks absolutely normal. This whole thing is so damn weird.

[kestrel91316]

18. Addison's should be easy to see on routine lab work.

There will be very abnormal sodium and potassium levels, IIRC. I have never seen Addison's in the cat. It's extraordinarily rare.

[Digit]

16. I noticed you were in Chicago....

From what I could gather in an online search, the University of Illinois has a Veterinary Program. Where I live in NC, they have a Vet School also, and I took my parrot there when she was VERY ill and they saved her life. It turned out that the original vet had given her medication for something she did not actually have (e-coli) and African Grey Parrots cannot take this particular medication. I am serious when I say the vets at the vet school saved her life.

Perhaps the Vet School up your way can do the same for your kitty.
Wishing you all the best!

[kestrel91316]

19. There's no vet school in Chicago that I know of.

There IS one in Purdue, IN, and one in Madison, WI. I don't remember IL having a vet school anywhere in the state, but then my brain is getting a bit fuzzy.

[iconoclastic cat]

24. Second vet is much more competent, but less hopeful.

She thinks that it most likely is a tumor or serious nuerological problem. She says that without an MRI, we won't know for sure...but new tests that she did yesterday have pretty much ruled everything else out.

And now, this evening, Zooey started showing the same symptoms again--despite being on 7.5mg of steroids and antibiotics. She threw up the contents of her stomach at about 3pm. She's back to not being able to walk.

If she's like this tomorrow when I get home from work, I need to end her misery.

My beautiful Zooey. I loved you most of all.

[iconoclastic cat]

25. Last portrait, maybe:

Zooey the cat, born 5-?-1997. This pic taken five minutes ago.


I love you, sweety. Nap a bit.

[Tammie]

26. Zooey's a beautiful girl

I sincerely hope she snaps out of it. She's so beautiful. The both of you are in my thoughts. I know how difficult this is for you. Take good care of yourself and Zooey. :hug:

[iconoclastic cat]

27. Thanks for the thoughts. She's getting worse.

If she doesn't get better by tomorrow evening, I'm going to have to put a stop to this. I can't let her suffer.

[iconoclastic cat]

28. Zooey has died.

Thank you all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

29. So sorry! RIP, Zooey.

:hug:

[iconoclastic cat]

31. Thanks.

She's not suffering any more.

[CC]

30. Hugs,

So sorry to hear this about your furbaby :hug:.

[iconoclastic cat]

32. Thanks.

[serryjw]

33. I have been following for 2 weeks

I had nothing to add. I am so sorry for your lose. May your furrbaby now RIP as she crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Namaste

[iconoclastic cat]

36. Thanks.

[Digit]

34. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

She was a beautiful kitty.....rest in peace, Zooey.

[iconoclastic cat]

35. Thank you.

She was indeed. Best cat ever.