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  • #1

    Cat Flu Advice Needed

    So, past week or two, Dobby (6 months old) has had cat flu. Not too bad really, easily dealt with...except it's not.
    He went really downhill for a while there. He lost weight, stopped eating until I began force feeding (no hepatic liver disease, thankfully he only went 24hours before I made him start eating), got dehydrated, stopped using the litter tray all together. We took him to the vet right away and he got a shot of antibiotics, as well as fluids and an emergency food supplement. We've been trying to stop Spook jumping up and down on him as much as possible, but he's a three month old kitten with waaaaay too much energy and they're hard to contain. Dobby has been isolated to our room.

    Now, he's eating, drinking and using his tray...but the lethargy won't go away. It's been three weeks. His eyes are red and leaky, and he's snotty and gummed up. He only seems to perk up when I walk him around the backyard on his leash. He rolls around all happy, has little sprints and sniffs everything. I noticed however, he's all wobbly. Like his balance is gone and he's all uncoordinated. Only happens when he's trying to jump or balance on something. When I get him inside, he just curls up and goes all lethargic again.

    Stupid me, I googled all his symptoms, and I shouldn't have, because some of the suggested causes were FIP. The disease that killed Harry. I'm terrified it's going to strike our house again. It's meant to only hit 1 cat in 5000. We got unlucky the first time, but I'm really scared for Dobby's sake. Has anyone else had a kitty with cat flu showing these symptoms? We were thinking the uncoordinated movement might be because of his eyes being a problem, or due to him loosing some muscle mass moping around all the time, but holy crap am I worried. The vet bills are eating our savings something chronic. I'm currently coming into exam time for uni, and between worrying about going broke, being worried about my cat dying, my studies and work, I'm going mental again. I can't lose another fur baby. I'll never bloody well forgive myself if something happens to Dobby. I've tried so hard to keep him safe.
    Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER
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  • #2
    The congestion and red, leaky eyes sounds like a rhinovirus. Some cats are very prone to them. As for the balance, could be an ear infection.

    I know it costs money but you might want the vets to do some more bloodwork. Have you told them about the lethargy and wobbly stuff?

    It's good that he's eating and drinking, though. Sometimes it can take them a while to regain their strength after a bad illness. The vet might want to provide some prescription food with extra protein. I do suggest calling them and asking for advice. They are familiar with his medical history and can offer suggestions specific to him.

    Wishing you good luck. Asking Bast to send Dobby some strength (and you too!)
    When you start at zero, everything's progress.

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    • #3
      Yeah, kind of hoping it's Rhinovirus, since Dobby's always been a bit prone to boogers, particularly in warmer weather. We're hoping to go to the vet again soon and see if they can do something about his eyes, as they look quite sore.

      As for the lethargy/wobbling, I'll be calling the vet in about 5 minutes to ask about what they recommend. Blood tests will be happening in a fortnight even if they don't want us to bring him in, just because we want to make sure he's not FIV/FIL positive. Even though the shelter people said he was tested and came back negative. If he's positive, I'm going to be ringing the shelter and getting really cranky. All the health issues he's had, and they FAILED to treat or notify us about- I'm already kind of mad.

      EDIT: Update

      Dobby's going in for a full blood check tomorrow. Our room-mate is lending us money if we can't cover it, since he views Dobby as part of his family too. Being eaten with worry, but hey, at least he's still eating drinking and pooping just fine. There's that.
      Last edited by Latekin; 05-29-2015, 04:33 AM.
      Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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      • #4
        *hugs you* Hoping he's okay. Prayers sent for you & Dobby & family.
        1129. I will refrain from casting Dimension Jump and Magnificent Mansion on every police box we pass.
        -----
        http://orchidcolors.livejournal.com (A blog about everything and nothing)

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        • #5
          Thank you Phoenix. *Hugs*

          Dobby seems to have perked up a bit tonight. He's eaten a fair bit, and has been talking to us again. He's normally very vocal, but the illness has taken his voice away.
          He's also been wandering around and been very cuddly - his eyes aren't looking as red anymore either. Still pinkish, but he's not doing the exposed third eyelid "I'm in pain" thing either. Still wobbly and snotty, but it's an improvement. Hope tomorrow has good news.
          Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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          • #6
            News looks grim. Vet suspects a neuro problem. Possible viral infection in the brain. The results of the lab work come in Tuesday. The tests we $500. I feel like I could really use something going my way for once. Meanwhile, Dobby's being way more aggressive than usual and I just had to do an eight hour shift full of assholes. Someone shoot me.
            Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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            • #7
              Quoth Latekin View Post
              News looks grim. Vet suspects a neuro problem. Possible viral infection in the brain. The results of the lab work come in Tuesday. The tests we $500. I feel like I could really use something going my way for once. Meanwhile, Dobby's being way more aggressive than usual and I just had to do an eight hour shift full of assholes. Someone shoot me.
              If the viral infection is accurate,y not be any hope for Dobby. Once the brain is affected, the damage is more likely than not irreversible.

              As much as I hate to suggest it, has there been any discussion about having the kitty put to sleep?
              Human Resources - the adult version of "I'm telling Mom." - Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (NCIS)

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              • #8
                Not as of yet. Vet believes since we may have caught it before major damage has happened, coupled with the fact it's just been balance issue so far, Dobby will probably pull up alright. That's IF it's a brain infection - so far we don't know. That's why it's been a full blood workup as well as a seizure profile. Hence the disturbing expense.
                Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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                • #9
                  Ask the vet to do a thorough check of Dobby's ears.

                  Poor little Seph (Purrsephone) once got all wobbly and hard-of-balance, and it turned out that one of her ears had gotten gunked up deep inside (where our normal checks missed it), and the 'labyrinth' - a set of channels in the inner ear that performs the same functions as a gyroscope - had become infected as a result.

                  Clean the ear, treat with antibiotics, balance problems went away.


                  Of course, that might not be Dobby's problem. But we can hope it's something as simple as that.
                  Seshat's self-help guide:
                  1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                  2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                  3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                  4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                  "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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                  • #10
                    Got some results back. Not good. High level of anti-bodies in cerebro-spinal fluid and four of five possible infections ruled out. Last possible infection: FIP

                    Of course, I have to wait till Tuesday to find out more, since if it's not FIP, the vet doesn't know what the hell it is. Possibly mutated cat flu. I don't know how it can be FIP again. It's meant to hit one in five thousand cats, but it's gonna claim Dobby too?

                    Now Spook's thrown up this morning, and I'm paranoid he's sick too.

                    I don't understand why this is happening. The get good quality food, they have a clean litter box and clean dishes and a filtered water fountain that gets cleaned every couple of days. They don't go outside. They don't meet strays. Their room is kept clean. I'm starting to think it's me killing them. Like, I get upset or have a bad day or something bad happens and my cats get sick. I feel like I'm going insane.
                    Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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                    • #11
                      Tests came back. FIP, dry form this time. Vet says there's nothing I could have done to stop it. In about a month, I'll be losing my kitten. Again.
                      Patient has severely impacted cranial rectosis. There's probably no cure. - Overheard in ER

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                      • #12
                        I'm sorry, Latekin. That sucks so horribly. Maybe, though, this means you'll never, ever end up with another cat who has FIP?
                        The fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains gives hope to many people.

                        You would have to be incredibly dense for the world to revolve around you.

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                        • #13
                          FIP is communicable between cats. At this point, I'd STRONGLY recommend you not get any more cats until after Dobby passes and you have Spook cleared of carrying the virus and replace or sterilize all litter boxes, food bowls, water dishes and bedding that the cats use regularly. It sucks, yes, on so many levels.

                          I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. Give the furbabies pets and ear scritches and loves from me please. And hugs for you. *nod*
                          You're only delaying the inevitable, you run at your own expense. The repo man gets paid to chase you. ~Argabarga

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                          • #14
                            Ah crap. I'm so, so sorry. It really does seem so unfair.

                            All I can offer is hugs and my sympathy, and the thought that maybe you were meant to give these little ones as much love as possible in the short time they're here.
                            When you start at zero, everything's progress.

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                            • #15
                              *hugs Latekin & family & kitties*

                              I'm sure it's not you, but I know I'd feel the same way that you do if I were in your place.
                              Last edited by RootedPhoenix; 06-03-2015, 04:22 PM. Reason: fixing emoji typo/adding things.
                              1129. I will refrain from casting Dimension Jump and Magnificent Mansion on every police box we pass.
                              -----
                              http://orchidcolors.livejournal.com (A blog about everything and nothing)

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