Hello,

If the limping doesn’t resolve with rest and there is swelling then I think that you need an Xray.

Hello,
Well let’s all take a collective moment to applaud the work up!! I say this because that’s a breath of fresh air!! I think that a couple things warrant a little further discussion.

First it sounds like your GP has done a very thorough job,,, but,, done it all in house. Which in some cases is the best we can do. But. Have you been offered a referral to an internal medicine feline practitioner? If you can find someone who is BOTH great. If not go to whoever you can get in with.
Next have rads been done? And assessed by a radiologist? At least for thorax?
I know it might sound crazy but also check anal glands. Some of these older cats are so uncomfortable they stop eating
Add an appetite stimulant. There are numerous options.

Ask for an internal medicine consult via your lab services. It’s a phone call and It’s free. It has been helpful in some cases. Ask them about budesonide vs. prednisolone if you are going to start treating for INS. Which to be honest I would do over a biopsy for a cat this age with these potential differential diagnoses.
I also add vitamin B12 and cobalaquin and immuquin to these guys. The other medication I like is cerenia and learning how to give SQ fluids at home for the kidneys. You also need a phosphate binder ( I think?, please inquire), we use naraquin. Maybe ask about azodyl too.

… and I know it sounds like I am spouting out a lot of meds… but I gave my older cat solensia when she was a nightmare of unhappiness and it really helped.

And let’s not forget pain meds. Every (EVERY!!! ) single patient deserves them. I like gabapentin 50-80 mg as needed.

Please keep m posted. Very best of luck.
Krista.

Hello,
There is no way I can give honest and credible advice without advocating that this cat sees a vet asap. There are non profits that can provide financial assistance and some that even have a vet on staff to provide care. This cat needs an examination and some diagnostics.
Please call your local vets, shelters and rescue groups. Look for help on every local social media platform and keep asking for help. Start a go fund me. The best advice I can give if this.

We need more information to help you and your cat.
Please stay tuned. I am working on this very topic

Hello,
You can always get a second opinion.

Hello,

I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. So many of these cats have a similar situation and it leaves their families with such a huge dilemma about what to do and how to afford all that might lie ahead.
My advice at this point would also be to do the PU surgery and to remove the stones. If you are close to us I would be happy to see him and see if there is anyway we can help. Please call the clinic and leave your number. I will call you back.
Dr Magnifico

Pre op cost.

Hello,
The pre op coat is about $50 exam, $170 blood work, $200 X-rays and $125 radiology review.

The cost of the surgery is about $3500-3800 based on weight.

Post op care is $200 for X-rays.

We have a boarded surgeon who does the TPLOs.

If interested call the clinic and set up an exam with one of the doctors.

Hello,

This is one of those conditions that need a vet immediately. They can prescribe medications to help. I sorry. I wish I could do more. You need a vet to help identify what this is, or might be, and provide medication.

Hello,
It sounds like you have done a pretty thorough work up. The places I think that you should look into are;
Repeat the blood work. It sounds like hyperthyroidism. I always check a free T4 on top of the thyroid T4. I also check a urine. If you haven’t sent a fecal to the lab too.

After that the ultrasound and X-rays are where I look.

You are still at the place where the diagnosis is eluding you. That’s where you need to focus.

PS. Just for the record I don’t love starting pred until you have a diagnosis. It can obscure your diagnostics.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Hello,
Any degree of limping that lasts for more than a few days should be seen by a veterinarian. The only exceptions to this is a dislocated hip which should be seen immediately to try to put it “back in the socket”. Infection is the other thing I worry about. There is usually wound and most often pets are quiet and not eating well.

The most common knee injury we see that causes limping is a cruciate rupture. You will need a vets help to diagnose this.