I don’t want to bore anyone. I’ll keep it short. If I do bore someone tell me. The experience is instructive, though. [Earlier post]
My cat, Charlie, was particularly poorly again this morning. He had not improved over the course of the antibiotic treatment so I had to conclude that the antibiotic was not working. Was it the wrong one? Sarah Hartwell advised a swab to test for the bacteria type.
I decided to take charge and requested that the vet:
- did a blood test to check for any underlying illnesses which may be reducing the effectiveness of his immune system and which caused him to get infections
- did a swab to find out what bacteria he is infected with
- did a biopsy on the mobile lump under his skin at the base of his spine. I discovered this and it is about the size of a kids marble. I don’t think it is relevant but it has to be checked out
- provide me with something to make him feel better
I took him in to the vet at around 9am and picked him up at 2pm. The vets took blood, swab and material for the biopsy and while they waited for my return “steamed him” with a vaporiser.
They also gave him an anti-inflammatory jab. This always makes him feel better because he becomes more animated and talkative. I have some more antibiotics, the same type as before (a general one) to extend the existing course and Metacam – a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) – which I am to give daily (5ml). I have to squirt it into his mouth or get it down him any old way!
I have also moved home! For a while. I have moved back in with my girlfriend with Charlie. He knows the place and is he has settled in quickly.
Here he is looking better at his new home in bed with me. The improvement might be temporary due to the anti-inflammatory. He is much better in this video.
I thought there may be the remote possibility that he has some sort of hayfever. As I work outside in the garden to my apartment I discovered there was a lot of fine pollen and other particles being shed by the trees and bushes. There is a lot more foliage where I live now compared to where I lived before and I wondered if this was causing sinusitis and/or an allergic rhinitis which in turn could be causing the bacterial infection.
That is a very long shot but I have to try everything in my power to cure him.
The tests come back next week so I’ll report back then. There it is. I have thrown some more money at this problem. This morning I was once again galvanized into action when he looked so miserable and had no desire to eat or get up.
Thanks Ruth. I don’t have good vibes about Charlie. I really don’t despite my best efforts. I think the vets are doing a poor job and they are good vets.
You made me laugh, Dee, about cats not wanting to be watched while using the toilet but there is certainly a double standard there.
I’m so glad to hear Charlie is a bit better and others could give you some specific things to look for to know whether you needed to rush him to the vet or whether you could wait.
Monty’s vet showed me how to check to see if he is dehydrated by gently tugging at the loose skin at the scruff of his neck. If it snaps right back into place he is right as rain. If it kind of stays pulled up and seems to lack elasticity, then he is possibly dehydrated. I use that test whenever it seems like he’s not eating or drinking enough or if he is not keeping food down.
It is a horrible feeling when your cat stops doing the normal routines in his normal way: eating, pooping, peeing, sleeping, playing. You just feel so helpless and want him to be ok, but there is no way you can force him to eat or use the litter box, you just have to wait it out and keep a close eye on him. Every time Monty has trouble with hairballs or feels ill from ingesting too much grass outside I know I feel worse than he does the whole time. My tummy feels as upset as his, I’m sure, because of worry about him.
None of my cats like being watched when they toilet either.
Good thing I don’t feel the same, because they sure don’t mind watching me.
It’s like a party.
Thanks Babz. I thought about that for quite a long time but decided the risk was smaller than the potential benefits.
It does sound as if he’s a bit better, eating and wanting to go out must be hopeful signs surely. Sometimes you just have to go with your instinct, I’d have let him go out alone as well so he can get on with doing his business without feeling watched.