Elma the putty tat to the vet again

LegacyUser

Elma (pic attached) is a little minxy! She is 15 months old and she is always into everything. She has a little toy she drags around the house in her mouth .. she meows for you to play with her. She is gas to watch. Cuddles up beside you on the sofa when watching the telly (but likes her own space).
Shes a real dote.

But every 4-5 months she looses a bit of weight and gets generally run down. First time it happened, brought her to the vet, she had ringworm and they gave some anti-biotics. Second time, ringworm and anti-biotics. Third tiime (different vet) they thought cyctitis (antibiotics).

This is the fourth time. Shes not so bad this time, hasn't lost weight, but I can tell by her at the moment that she is off - not so much pottering around, sleep on the sofa. Moaning a lot (meow winges) to herself more than usual.

Off down to the vet again this time and they took blood tests. Expensive enough at 115 euros. Hopefully it is nothting. Better dafe than sorry to find out if there is some underlying reason why her immune system does not fight off these things. I know ringworm is pretty common - but I suspect the ringworm is not the reason she gets run down.

OfflerCrocGod

Cute Hope she gets better. And doesn't get sick again

LegacyUser

Just got the results. No problems with her kidneys, no feline luekemia and no cat aids!! Thank God!

More antibiotics for little Elma and if she is not improved .. another blood text and swab. Its all expensive stuff, but I'd like to make sure she is okay.

LegacyUser

Just been to the vet with this pair again and have finally got to the route of it.
News is not good. Both cats have herpes and also colitis I don't have pet insurance for this. I have to get a test done on both and sent to Scotland for analysis on Tuesday Morning.

Symptoms were - gingivitis, bad breath, mildly runny eyes.

One of the cats only has 1 eye (cat fight), and I asked the vet if this could affect the sight in her eye - vet said she cannot give me an answer to it. It could .. maybe.

Pretty upset about it. I am mad that it was not detected earlier. Mad that I did not get out pet insurance as soon as I thought something was wrong. I was beginning to think I was over protective.

The last set of tests I got done on the younger cat cost 118 euros. I shudder to think what is ahead now. These particular viri are not transferable to humans but they will be recurring for life.

Snookered now.

Capall86

I don't mean to be harsh but maybe its best to have them put to sleep, and you can start afrsh with two new healthy cats, and this time get insurance straight away......

LegacyUser

No, I can't do that.

Capall86

but their quality of life will be severely reduced, and your income will take a whack aswell, you have to ask yourself is it fair on them to kepp them alive?

LegacyUser

I asked the vet, and she said they are not in any pain, their quality of life is not reduced at all. How can you put down an animal just becuase your bank balance is suffering.

LovelyHurling

bubby wrote:

How can you put down an animal just becuase your bank balance is suffering.

Because when bills start to overcome what you can afford you need to take a step back and assess the situation. I don't think you could ever fall into this category, especially since your cats problems are quite easy to solve.

Often when faced with the prospect of a long and difficult treatment, people in a bad financial situation will be better off putting an animal down, for their sake and for the animal.

LegacyUser

Hi LoveHurling, thanks for the reply.

LovelyHurling wrote:

Because when bills start to overcome what you can afford you need to take a step back and assess the situation.

Yep, I understand this. But surely there has to be another way out than to get the animal put down.

LovelyHurling wrote:

I don't think you could ever fall into this category, especially since your cats problems are quite easy to solve.

I am wondering why you say my cats problems are quite easy to solve? Do you have experience with cats and colitis??Would love to know if you do.

B

LovelyHurling

bubby wrote:

I am wondering why you say my cats problems are quite easy to solve? Do you have experience with cats and colitis??Would love to know if you do.

B

Not really just saying that it isn't a serious health risk unless the colon has become ulcerated, and it's treated relatively easy with antibiotics and steroids (azulfidine and prednisone?)

LegacyUser

LovelyHurling wrote:

Not really just saying that it isn't a serious health risk unless the colon has become ulcerated, and it's treated relatively easy with antibiotics and steroids (azulfidine and prednisone?)

I don't think they can use steroids for colitis when hepes is active - as herpes affects the eye (the outer coating of the cornea) and steroids would dry out the eye. This is what I was told.

Herpes and Colitis are viri, so antibiotics would have no affect on them.:(

LovelyHurling

bubby wrote:

I don't think they can use steroids for colitis when hepes is active - as herpes affects the eye (the outer coating of the cornea) and steroids would dry out the eye. This is what I was told.

Herpes and Colitis are viri, so antibiotics would have no affect on them.:(

No, colitis can be bacterial as well, otherwise it's parasitic in nature. I don't know of a virus that is implicated in IBD (colitis)... none that I was ever taught anyways:) Colitis isn't a virus in itself it's just a symptom. I wasn't talking about Herpes at all in the above post, just the colitis which is what you asked me, but...

Some vets like to use Non Steroidal anti inflammatories in Herpes, others use corticosteroids.

LegacyUser

LovelyHurling wrote:

No, colitis can be bacterial as well, otherwise it's parasitic in nature. I don't know of a virus that is implicated in IBD (colitis)... none that I was ever taught anyways:) Colitis isn't a virus in itself it's just a symptom. I wasn't talking about Herpes at all in the above post, just the colitis which is what you asked me, but...

Some vets like to use Non Steroidal anti inflammatories in Herpes, others use corticosteroids.

You are making sense "Colitis isn't a virus in itself it's just a symptom.". I think that the vet used those words alright. So, they only have a symptom of it. So then colitis is cureable and its only the herpes that isn't.
I feel a bit better about it now - thanks. They only have the colitis symptoms in the mouth at the moment - gingivitis and some spots (vet had a special name for them). She also said that they would have sore throats.

Arcadian

Capall86 wrote:

I don't mean to be harsh but maybe its best to have them put to sleep, and you can start afrsh with two new healthy cats, and this time get insurance straight away......

Nice to know that your pets are so disposable:mad:

LegacyUser

Yeah, I thought so too. It is a really sticky situation. Apparently the mediacation for herpes is VERY expensive, like hundreds of euro a month per cat. I definitely cannot afford that. If it comes to this I am going to have to contact charities for help, becuase I won't have the money to help them.

Arcadian

My herpes cats are not on full time medication, they are treated during flare ups only which has been twice in 2 years.

LegacyUser

Hey .. your cats have it too!!! It is manageable then?? They aren't in any pain?? Thanks for posting . I have been really worried about it.
Did you get the tests done and sent off to Scotland? If so, were they expensive?
It is great to talk to someone in the same situation and not a Vet.

Arcadian

The only clinical signs mine show are the mouth blisters, so we check them every couple of weeks and watch them when they're eating to make sure they're not showing discomfort. Herpes is something that they'll always carry but it's not always active and it doesn't reduce their quality of life in the slightest, in fact it probably increases it because we go to great lengths to make sure they don't feel stressed! Apparently something like 80% of Dublins cats have Herpes Virus.


The best thing you can do is place a phone call to your vet, tell them your concerns and find out exactly what sort of treatment plan they'd advise and also to find out the cost.

Arcadian

I think the blood testing to Scotland cost £38 sterling.

LegacyUser

Thankyou!!!
I had spoken with my Vet about possible costs but she wasn't able to give any figures. If 38 sterling, then then thats not too bad.
My two had runny eyes, they have bad breath, gingivitis and the blisters you mention. Apart from that they seem fine. I was just worried that it was something that was going to get worse .. and that they would be in pain. The vet had said that they would have a constant sore throat.

Thanks for the info. I feel better about it now.
B

Capall86

Arcadian wrote:

Nice to know that your pets are so disposable:mad:

nice to know there are twats out there who get angry at a perfectly plausible answer to a problem.

LegacyUser

Capall86, If you think that is a plausible solution then you are very wrong!!
Have you ever had a pet??? If you did, then you would exhaust every other route before even considering that.

hadook

Keep us updated on how they get on Bubby.
I had a scare with one of mine the week before Christmas - on Sat I found he had a lump on a lymph gland & was booked in for surgery the following Monday. The vet prepared me for the worst - lymphatic cancer in cats does not have a high survival rate.

By Sunday 3 of my cats had swollen glands & on Monday morning it was diagnosed as a viral infection in all of them - I've never been so thankful to see a virus doing the rounds!

I don't have any of my cats insured. With 7 of them I prefer to put away an amount of money each month & use the lump sum to pay for vet bills etc. As long as you don't start eyeing up the lump sum for other things it works quite well

Capall86

bubby wrote:

Capall86, If you think that is a plausible solution then you are very wrong!!
Have you ever had a pet??? If you did, then you would exhaust every other route before even considering that.

I have had pets thank you very much my first dog lived for fourteen years before dieing of natural cuases, and live in a family with a number of vets, now i see peopple coming in with animals with all sorts of different ailments, and some of them having to be put to sleep, all i meant by i comments on putting them to sleep is you have to weigh everything up and make a decision, and somethimes in the long run putting them to sleep is the better option. but i suppose i have been desensitised to some extent.

LovelyHurling

No you're right, its very odd to see people get so worked up about a perfectly reasonable suggestion. Personally I think that if an animal is going to undergo a course of very expensive treatments, especially if the standard of life is going to be altered, owners should always be made aware of the possibility of putting the animal down instead. Some people are not hugely attatched to their animals, mostly guards dogs farmdogs, and are glad of the option.

Irish-Lass

Capall86 wrote:

I don't mean to be harsh but maybe its best to have them put to sleep, and you can start afrsh with two new healthy cats, and this time get insurance straight away......

You wouldn't like to know that last January we spent €1,500.00 on our pup after only having her 4 days we didn't have the money so soon after Christmas but we paid it in installments and I never regret one cent of that money and would have paid double that just to have what we have now with her.

I would try them on the L-lysine its a natural product you can get in the health shops I think the girl on the other board told you what to give them it is a teaspoon mixed into their food its suppose to be odourless and tasteless so there shouldn't be a problem with them eating it. Its a dietary supplement.

I would also thinking about switching them to a food that is especially for cats with their problems Royal Canin do Sensible 33 or Exigent and I am sure Hills and other brands do their own varierty as well.

LegacyUser

Irish-Lass wrote:

You wouldn't like to know that last January we spent €1,500.00 on our pup after only having her 4 days we didn't have the money so soon after Christmas but we paid it in installments and I never regret one cent of that money and would have paid double that just to have what we have now with her.

I would try them on the L-lysine its a natural product you can get in the health shops I think the girl on the other board told you what to give them it is a teaspoon mixed into their food its suppose to be odourless and tasteless so there shouldn't be a problem with them eating it. Its a dietary supplement.

I would also thinking about switching them to a food that is especially for cats with their problems Royal Canin do Sensible 33 or Exigent and I am sure Hills and other brands do their own varierty as well.

Yep, I am going to go with the Lysine. I will be in petshop superstore tomorrow and will get some "Canin do Sensible 33 or Exigent".
They have their tests first thing in the morning. I have got some really avlueable information here. I think the main problem is that every question I asked the vet rendered a negative answer. I have since gathered enough information via here and irishanimals to realise that this is a very common issue and there is a workaround

Capall86

If your going to switch to a specialised hills are the best option by far. And irish lass all i can say its nice to know people actually do care bout their animals, i could tell some real horror stories, but this ain't the place.

Arcadian

Yes 'some' do

LegacyUser

Classic! I'm just beginning to realise how spoilt these fellas are. Dropped them into the vets this morning - and on the way home I felt so bad. I am collecting them at lunchtime. I went into Petshop supertstore and bought a 2KG bag of Royal Canin sensible 33 - to phase into their diet. Hopefully get rid of the wet food and have them on this gradually.

Then .. in to Argos to buy them a new cat scratcher toy.

Check out the new pet bets they have in Petshop superstore - they are in the shape of a motorcar!! I was very tempted to get one.

I'll wait for the vets bill first

Arcadian

If your cats are anything like mine they'd only turn their noses up at those beds anyway:D

Irish-Lass

Capall86 wrote:

If your going to switch to a specialised hills are the best option by far. And irish lass all i can say its nice to know people actually do care bout their animals, i could tell some real horror stories, but this ain't the place.

I would spend that amount of money on any of our animals..........No fear Capal to tell me horror stories I do rescues on a small scale and believe me you I have seen it all.....one of our cats was an abuse case....the dog we spent the money on was dumped along with her 2 sisters outside the petshop in blanch, our other dog was wandering in traffic at 3 months old.

Nothing surprise me with the abuse people can do to animals but at the same time you do come across people who adore their animals and all they want is the best.

Bubby I hope all the tests go well and that the 2 moggies are on the road to recovery. There is a guy irishanimls steom and he has a cat with much the same problems as yours does so maybe PM steom and have a chat, all his cats are in great health and it may have a flare up now and again but with a good quality food its managable and also get a vet that is more willing to listen to you and the wants of your pet....I have met too many vets who either don't like cats or don't like dogs, strange but true.

I got Sensible 33 for our cat who had FIV and all the others in the house loved it and he stopped eating it and started eating kitten food but its a good quality food, I recommend Royal Canin cause that is what I have dealings with I have no doubt Hills is just as good.

Let us know how you get on please

LegacyUser

The two mowas are back at home. The little one has been toasting herself .. in front of a roaring fire. The other little one is cuddled up in bed too, with the bad weather.

Anyways - they both tested positive for Herpes Viris at the vets today.
The test for Calci Virus is gone off to Champion in Glasgow somewhere.

I'm hoping they are going to be okay. At the moment they are fine - no pain - I hope that continues. I started them on the Royal Canin Sensible 33 today. I'm obviously not just changing the food over immediately - I'm going to phase it in gradually. So far they don't notice that 25% of today's grub was healthy

I'll keep you all posted on what happens. You've all been a great help here.
I may contact that guy on irishanimals Irish-Lass to see if he has any insider tips.

B

luckat

I acquired a cat a few years ago, and when I brought him to the vet I was told that he was 13 years old (not 8, as I'd been told) and seriously ill - chronic bowel problems, hardened and almost useless kidneys - "Bring him back in a week and we'll have a look, but you're just taking on a lot of trouble with this cat..." Anyway, the vet gave him steroids and antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and sent me home with a few pills and some advice.

Brought him home and let him rest in a dark room for the week, just went in and sat near him at night for an hour or so. Fed him whatever the vet had advised.

Brought him back to the vet and got a pleased "Oh! He's like a different cat!"

Long story short, he lived - pretty healthily, and pretty happily, though he was an ill-tempered old love - to 22. So don't despair. A sick cat doesn't always mean a miserable cat.

And he only needed treatment every now and then, too. Mostly it was just a question of leaving him somewhere quiet and dark when he got sick - in a room with the curtains drawn, say.

Irish-Lass

oh delighted to hear all went well. What they have is treatable but I would get L-Lysine into them it's not going to do them any harm and will boost their system.

If you can't get any in the health shops near you let me know I have loads of it at home and I can post you some to get you over the next week or two.

But delighted to hear that they are back home and yes having a sick cat doesn't mean its going to cost a fortune just means you will just have to watch what they eat and once they are kept health they should be fine.

LegacyUser

I'm collecting Lysine tablets today from the local chemist. They have 1 box of 60 tablets (500mgs). They can order me more.

My plan is 250mgs per cat, depending on the size of the tablets I will probably just cuddle and put in their mouths. They have other antibiotics and tablets to take, so I might just put in food. I'll see what is the easiest for them.

My cats are druggies!! The pair of them.

Irish-Lass

you can crush the tablets and put them into their food, they are suppose to be odourless and tasteless to the cats and might be less stressful then trying to get them them to take them orally (if they are anything my lot)......just crush them with the back of a desert spoon and mix in with their food and they will be none the wiser

If that fails a friend told me of a Salmon Paste that tesco do its their own brand in a little jar costs 39c and my cats love it and will munch anything once its overed in that, very unhand but does the trick

LegacyUser

Irish-Lass wrote:

you can crush the tablets and put them into their food, they are suppose to be odourless and tasteless to the cats and might be less stressful then trying to get them them to take them orally (if they are anything my lot)......just crush them with the back of a desert spoon and mix in with their food and they will be none the wiser

If that fails a friend told me of a Salmon Paste that tesco do its their own brand in a little jar costs 39c and my cats love it and will munch anything once its overed in that, very unhand but does the trick

I know that salmon paste! Its gorgeous. I'd better not try it - cause I might end up taking the meds myself

morgana

Glad to see your two are getting on fine, and that the condition is manageable - it must be such a relief.
I would do and pay anything for my two cats too. Can't understand people how see cats and other pets as disposable and interchangeable.

LegacyUser

It is a relief alright. I had a feeling there was something wrong with the little one for a whie. So, I am glad there is finally a reason for it. At least now they can start to get treated for it. I found the help and here absolutely brilliant. They started on their Lysine lastnight - mixed it in with food. I tried squashing the tablets with the back of a spoon Irish lass - but it was taking ages, so I boiled water and melted it in a little water. then I did up two specks of wet food. One each. They loved it No bribery involved.