Well wishes please.

In a thread farther down this forum there are pictures of my cats. Well, for the past week and a half Leeloo (now renamed 'Marz') has been having issues.
It started with him sleeping almost all the time and not wanting to play with the other kittens or me, this is not his style.
A few days after this started he seemed to have a dizzy spell while waking up, not being able to turn himself upright for a moment. During this time his appearance had been going downhill, he'd not been bathing himself and though he's always been a slight built cat he was skinnier then ever before.
I got him into the vet and they sent him home later that day with some Doxypotion and Science Diet A/D though no answer for me.
That was on Wednesday and since then he's not sleeping as much but the rest of him seems to be going downhill. He's still not bathing himself. He does eat, drink and 'go' but that's about it. Just a few moments ago I called my husband out to the kitchen because it was as if Marz couldn't keep his balance, he was almost not using his rear legs and his head was cocked to the left, he's done this once before during this ordeal HOWEVER both times were when he was stressed.

Tomorrow is Sunday and trying to find a vet will be difficult but I'll give it a go, if not then he's going in first thing Monday.
Sometimes it seems like a neurelogical problem and sometimes it doesn't. He does have a congested sound and his eyes are watery, his urine looks normal as does his feces though I'm taking in a sample with me, any internal parasites that could cause these?

So, while I try to find a vet for tomorrow does anyone have any suggestions?

Love him. Give him lots of cuddles and wait for the vet's assistance. (((hugs)))

Yes, that's what we're doing. The other two kittens are fine and have been fine which leads me to believe that whatever is wrong with Marz is Marz himself.
I have googled and googled and googled symptoms but haven't found anything that matches.

The beginning of last month both he and Cooper were treated for RIs and both recovered just fine and acted normal, that is the only health issues I've had with him.

Awwww, poooor boy!!


LOTS of hugs and smooochies to help him (and YOU) feel better! :hug: :hug: :grouphug:

Sounds like he may have had a stroke. :(

Good luck in finding an answer. Prayers and warm snuggle thoughts being sent your way!!!

RuLyn

Well, called and left messeges and no dice so I'll be knocking on my vets door before they open tomorrow.
To give a bit more information on him he's going to be four months old on December 9th, he's a ragdoll male, currently not neutered (was/is going to be the first week of December if he's well enough and still with us).

He sleeps in the bedroom with Ryan and I at night because the other two kittens are too spastic for him right now. Last night for the first time he came over to my side of the bed and meowed to be let out to use the litter box and to eat. Previously he'd just lay in his chair until we got up and took him out with us. He did this 'meow out' twice this morning and then came back into the bedroom with me. It's as normal as he's acted in days but I doubt it's any reason to rejoice.
Thanks for the kind thoughts and words, just thought I'd update ya'll

Best wishes to you........ :( Keep us posted?

I am sorry about that; poor little guy. Is there any chance he got into a toxic substance or something? I think that that would explain the disorientation.. when you have a pet though and you know how they are, you can definately tell when something is "off." Hopefully the vet appointment goes OK tmrw.

Oh the poor little thing. I know it's even more frustrating not knowing what's wrong with him. I sure hope you are able to pull him through. I've got my fingers crossed for ya. :hug:

Nope, nothing he could have gotten into unless he ate litter from the litter box... Besides he's not a 'mouthy' kitten. He's always been... picky on what goes in his mouth.

Here are some pictures from today. If you compair to the ones in the thread down below you can see how bad he looks though it's much different in person.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF0477.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF0478.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/DSCF0480.jpg

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Originally Posted by Entropy

In a thread farther down this forum there are pictures of my cats. Well, for the past week and a half Leeloo (now renamed 'Marz') has been having issues.
It started with him sleeping almost all the time and not wanting to play with the other kittens or me, this is not his style.
A few days after this started he seemed to have a dizzy spell while waking up, not being able to turn himself upright for a moment. During this time his appearance had been going downhill, he'd not been bathing himself and though he's always been a slight built cat he was skinnier then ever before.
I got him into the vet and they sent him home later that day with some Doxypotion and Science Diet A/D though no answer for me.
That was on Wednesday and since then he's not sleeping as much but the rest of him seems to be going downhill. He's still not bathing himself. He does eat, drink and 'go' but that's about it. Just a few moments ago I called my husband out to the kitchen because it was as if Marz couldn't keep his balance, he was almost not using his rear legs and his head was cocked to the left, he's done this once before during this ordeal HOWEVER both times were when he was stressed.

Tomorrow is Sunday and trying to find a vet will be difficult but I'll give it a go, if not then he's going in first thing Monday.
Sometimes it seems like a neurelogical problem and sometimes it doesn't. He does have a congested sound and his eyes are watery, his urine looks normal as does his feces though I'm taking in a sample with me, any internal parasites that could cause these?

So, while I try to find a vet for tomorrow does anyone have any suggestions?

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So sorry to hear this.Is there a chance he hit his head or had something hit his head? Please keep us posted,and here are some positive thoughts coming your way and his.

Well see, there are no high places the kittens can reach at all. They can't climb the snake racks, they can't climb the bookcases or the entertainment center. Not to mention that Marz has never been a super adventurous cat. He's always the laid back 'brains' of the operations so if he did hit his head it'd have to have been a strange accident.
But that still doesn't explain the congestion and the weepy eye.

I'm just hoping that my vet can have an answer for me tomorrow because my hiney is sitting in that office until they do.

Edited to add: He's also never been stepped on or sat on or had a door closed on him.
However, something I am going to bring up to the vet is the other two do get rougher in play then Marz does. Being a ragdoll he's not bred to be so rough and tumble and agressive.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

Well see, there are no high places the kittens can reach at all. They can't climb the snake racks, they can't climb the bookcases or the entertainment center. Not to mention that Marz has never been a super adventurous cat. He's always the laid back 'brains' of the operations so if he did hit his head it'd have to have been a strange accident.
But that still doesn't explain the congestion and the weepy eye.

I'm just hoping that my vet can have an answer for me tomorrow because my hiney is sitting in that office until they do.

Edited to add: He's also never been stepped on or sat on or had a door closed on him.
However, something I am going to bring up to the vet is the other two do get rougher in play then Marz does. Being a ragdoll he's not bred to be so rough and tumble and agressive.

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I missed the congestion part.I would think the vet would consider it a emergancy need.

Well, part of the problem is with this being a new vet to me and me new to them (only been here in WA two months) they haven't quite discovered that I'm not one of the 'ZOMG THEY SNEEZED CALL THE VET' type owners. I rarely involve vets unless it's serious, this comes from growing up in the middle of nowhere and having to doctor our own critters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Entropy

Well, part of the problem is with this being a new vet to me and me new to them (only been here in WA two months) they haven't quite discovered that I'm not one of the 'ZOMG THEY SNEEZED CALL THE VET' type owners. I rarely involve vets unless it's serious, this comes from growing up in the middle of nowhere and having to doctor our own critters.

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I totaly forgot you moved :eek: .If the vets a animal lover then he/she should be able to tell you are not that type of person.

Well keep your fingers crossed. I take Ryan to the ship at 6:30 A.M and Marz is coming with me.

Poor kitty! Definitely looks and sounds like he needs a full-scale check-up. I hope you get this puzzle solved and I hope its something he can fully recover from! :hug:

So sorry to read about your poor kitty. I tried to do some research on the symptoms myself and came up with this interesting link. The lady is talking about almost the exact same things with her kittens....congestion, runny eyes, diorientation, lack of co-ordination. Maybe something mentioned in here can be of help to you. Best of luck with that sweet fur baby.

http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=108523

Thanks for the link Franky, however Marz has never turned his nose up at food.
This morning they took the fecal sample I gave them and told me that they are still working on finding out what's wrong with him, they didn't want to keep him since there was nothing they needed to physically have him for and it would just stress him out.

As for Marz himself. I don't want to jinx myself or him but he seems to be showing a bit of improvement. He's a tad more active though still hasn't given himself a bath. His left eye is a bit less weepy and he seems a tad less congested...

So, that's my update for now.

Has he been tested for FeLV/FIV?
General blood panel?
How many rounds of vax has he had?

I'd be running chems, electrolytes, and a CBC on that baby ASAP. If your vet is not recommending major diagnostics at this point, then you should find a new vet NOW. Some vets are content to do minimal therapy and ride it out, but they're not ones I'd choose to treat my pets. A fecal sample is just one tiny part of a work-up.

If your vet has already run these diagnostics (or has them in progress anyway) then freel free to disregard this. :-)

Defnitely make sure he keeps eating, and keep us posted. Do you know how to check him for dehydration?

Yes he's been tested for FeLV/FIV, due for his second round of vax but not overdue, holding off due to all this.
He's eating, and drinking.
Came home today with lots of antibiotics.

I sure hope he comes around for you!! :hug: I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

So do I. He's laying here beside me on the couch as I type. His appetite seems to have gone up some today. Previously he'd want to eat but would only eat about half a teaspoon at a time. So far he's downed half a can of food today!
Also, he weighs 2.5 lbs. Not a lot for an almost four month old kitten.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

So do I. He's laying here beside me on the couch as I type. His appetite seems to have gone up some today. Previously he'd want to eat but would only eat about half a teaspoon at a time. So far he's downed half a can of food today!
Also, he weighs 2.5 lbs. Not a lot for an almost four month old kitten.

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Well i am still thinking positive thoughts for you both.Tell him to get better or Santa will forget to leave him some catnip in his stocking :)

Yeah, He gets lectured all the time. Currently the only cat allowed in the bedroom. Makes him feel all special but now the other two aren't 'talking' to me. lol

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Originally Posted by Entropy

Yeah, He gets lectured all the time. Currently the only cat allowed in the bedroom. Makes him feel all special but now the other two aren't 'talking' to me. lol

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Sure pick your favorite :P :colbert: :D

How can I pick my favorite? They're all such characters.

Cooper is the snuggly big sudden demon kitty
Hudson is the 'never say die, speed speed speed demon that likes to give his people baths.
Marz, when he's feeling good is the 'aloof but cuddly furball that is too good for anyone but does like to give kisses.

Honestly, who could pick a favorite?... This question does not count when they are using me as a springboard or 'killing' my feet.
Little demons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Entropy

How can I pick my favorite? They're all such characters.

Cooper is the snuggly big sudden demon kitty
Hudson is the 'never say die, speed speed speed demon that likes to give his people baths.
Marz, when he's feeling good is the 'aloof but cuddly furball that is too good for anyone but does like to give kisses.

Honestly, who could pick a favorite?... This question does not count when they are using me as a springboard or 'killing' my feet.
Little demons.

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LMAO :8: .Yea cats are something at times.We had a cat when i was younger and when she wanted you up you had two choices,get up now or have your toes attacked :P :8: .We could not have a cat at our house right now.Reason is simple,Pit bulls view everything as a chew toy :colbert: :P .

I miss my boxer/pit. :( She's back at my parents house and is so whooped by cats that they can chase her around and she'll run away yelping. Goofy girl. I talk to her on the phone when I call home, sad huh.

If we could have pits here at the apartment I might consider it, I also saw an ad for a dobe/pit mix too... luckily the "no four legged mammals over 30lbs" keeps that urge at bay though I'm so itching for a yard that I think we'll move before Ryan's enlistment is up. Pits are far and wide one of the best dog breeds, they are great to train too, I really enjoyed my clients who had pits. Nothing like a pit grin.

Currently the demon kitties are watching the rats. I do believe they've developed an odd sorta bond.

Kitties...watch rats.
Rats...watch kitties and try to pull their tail hairs into the cage.

Marz is demanding I scratch under his chin and glaring in displeasure when I dare stop to type a few words.
How inconsiderate of me, we all know the world revolves around him.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

I miss my boxer/pit. :( She's back at my parents house and is so whooped by cats that they can chase her around and she'll run away yelping. Goofy girl. I talk to her on the phone when I call home, sad huh.

If we could have pits here at the apartment I might consider it, I also saw an ad for a dobe/pit mix too... luckily the "no four legged mammals over 30lbs" keeps that urge at bay though I'm so itching for a yard that I think we'll move before Ryan's enlistment is up. Pits are far and wide one of the best dog breeds, they are great to train too, I really enjoyed my clients who had pits. Nothing like a pit grin.

Currently the demon kitties are watching the rats. I do believe they've developed an odd sorta bond.

Kitties...watch rats.
Rats...watch kitties and try to pull their tail hairs into the cage.

Marz is demanding I scratch under his chin and glaring in displeasure when I dare stop to type a few words.
How inconsiderate of me, we all know the world revolves around him.

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That is so wild you have a boxer/pit,our staff/pit has a half sister that is boxer/pit that my wifes aunt has her and she is a little short legged barrel lol.Our staff/pit will not step outside to go potty if its to cold or raining no matter how bad he has to go potty lol.Does you dog have any people snacks that you share with him/her? Ours (staff/pit and red pit) both love pickles lol.If i open the jar in the kitchen by the time i start walking into the front room they are at the door waiting for there pickle :8: .I just give them each a small peice,if i dont they stare at me :P .Sorry i kinda hijacked your cat thread and have you talking about dogs.My original idea was to get your mind on something else instead of worring about Mars,not saying not to worry about him.Just i found it makes things less stressfull to chat about some good memories of your pets during these types of problems.Now i accidently made you miss your dog :( .

I hope your cat is o.k. Sounds like a blood test is in order to rule out infection. Is it possible he was bitten by one of the other cats?

See Joe, you're just a mean mean man. J/K
Rayne is doing good back home. She's a country dog and would not thrive in an apartment atmosphere, heck, I don' thrive in an apartment atmosphere!

Marz is doing okay today. One of his medications is like a butterscotch gel and he HATES it, but I try to follow it up with his 'good tasting' medications. He's asleep on the couch again after his breakfast. No sun out today so he's not basking in front of the balcony.

Erik, no wounds and believe me I've been over him and the vet has been over him. Also with no fever it's not all that likely.

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Originally Posted by Entropy

See Joe, you're just a mean mean man. J/K
Rayne is doing good back home. She's a country dog and would not thrive in an apartment atmosphere, heck, I don' thrive in an apartment atmosphere!

Marz is doing okay today. One of his medications is like a butterscotch gel and he HATES it, but I try to follow it up with his 'good tasting' medications. He's asleep on the couch again after his breakfast. No sun out today so he's not basking in front of the balcony.

Erik, no wounds and believe me I've been over him and the vet has been over him. Also with no fever it's not all that likely.

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Thats great :cool:

best luck to him

Well, this evening for the first time he did a little bathing. Just his front paws but it's a serious improvement over no bathing!

I'm no vet of course but I'm wondering considering the kitten is fairly long haired if this could be a hairball? I know in other mammals that a hairball can cause some very odd symptoms if it gets lodged in there and doesn't either move along either out one end or the other.

I asked that and they said very very very very unlikely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Entropy

So do I. He's laying here beside me on the couch as I type. His appetite seems to have gone up some today. Previously he'd want to eat but would only eat about half a teaspoon at a time. So far he's downed half a can of food today!
Also, he weighs 2.5 lbs. Not a lot for an almost four month old kitten.

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Is he still having problems w/not eating?? (Or did I miss it somewhere....?:confused: )
Have U gotten some A/D food for him??? That way, when he DOES eat, he's getting a "bigger bang for the buck" than just regular cat food. It's specially designed/formulated for malnurished/ill/ *insert word here* cats that need more protein and calories than a regular food provides...And Pesky (who has a bad jaw) likes the taste better, plus the softer more liquidy texture.

I hope Marz is doing better!!!!! :hug:

Well he's never had problems eating, he just eats a little at a time.
He's been eating more lately and yes they did give me the A/D for him but when he finished those off I switched over to IAMS which he seems to enjoy just as much if not more.
He's been acting a bit more...normal lately but he still has me worried.

I am going to have him weighed next week but to me it seems as if he's already put on a tad bit of weight.

I haven't been around much but thought I'd drop in an update. He's doing better. Still not 100% but much better. I just hope he's completely out of the woods by the time we run out of his antibiotics.

Sorry I missed this until now, but looking over it, I'm glad to hear little Marz is doing better! He looks like quite the sweet little furball too, BTW!

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Originally Posted by Entropy

I haven't been around much but thought I'd drop in an update. He's doing better. Still not 100% but much better. I just hope he's completely out of the woods by the time we run out of his antibiotics.

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I meant to post the other day wondering how he was doing.Now hopefully he gets better day by day:)

That's wonderful to hear. :D

I know you said he is getting better, but is he peeing alright? My cat was on a special diet because he would get clogged with urine crystals. The first time he had syptoms very similar to your cat's, and was getting blood poisoning from the retained urine. That would explain the weepy eyes, because the body goes into anti-infection overdrive.

He's always pee'd alright.

I was browsing the net last night and came upon a rather depressing site. Sadly Marz matched 90% of the symptoms so after switching vets I'm waiting on the results of a bloodtest to see if he's got CRF "Chronic Renal Failure" which is terminal and has it's ups and downs.

We'll see.

It would be extremely unusual for a young kitten to have "chronic renal failure" but it's not unheard of. Basic bloodwork should tell you if his kidney values are elevated.

The good news is that with advances in medicine, these animals are able to have a longer and better life than previously. I went to a phenominal seminar on this very subject last weekend and can give you some of the latest management info if that's what it turns out to be.

I worry also about FIP, which is almost impossible to test for (vets who say they can are outdated) and can manifest in a variety of frustrating symptoms.

Edit: Also, "a blood test" cannot tell you offhand if he has chronic renal failure...it will give you a snapshot look at what his kidney values are at the time the blood was drawn. Repeated samples over a period of time (days, weeks, months) will let you see if the values remain elevated, or if they were affected secondary to some other condition.

Oh that's just terrible. I hope that he'll be ok. When will you get the results? *keeping fingers crossed*

Jess, CRF came up in my early searches but they said it mainly was a problem with older cats so I didn't really check it out. However after looking around last night due to some other symptoms of his which have recently started and I read through all the symptoms...I can positively check mark almost all of them. And recently he's had blood in his iris's. A sign of hypertension or so I read.
I really really hope this is just a case of nutty owner misdiagnosing at home since I'm not as experienced with cat ailments as with say horses and dogs.
Thanks for posting Jess and thanks so much for the well wishes Christie.

Eeeep! Blood in his iris? Does your vet know? If not, call them and tell them ASAP. That is -never- a good sign and he needs a more agressive work-up immediately.

Yes the vet knows.

After extensive bloodwork and tests Marz was put to sleep today at 12:42 p.m. Pacific time.
:( Bye Marz.