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Hi so my senior cat has been doing these weird noises for two days and even if she eats and drinks I’m still worried
My 6 month old cat came in 4 days ago with a limp. I have called around to so many different vets and shelters but it looks like it will cost too much for me to be able to help her. Her back left paw has swollen up to twice it’s normal size should I just give her to a shelter or is there a chance she will heal on her own. I can get her some medication. Should I give her antibiotics or something for the swelling?
Hello,
Please call your vet and ask to be seen asap. Your cat most likely needs antibiotics RIGHT NOW. you can decline all of the diagnostics they want to run and just insist on an antibiotic. Also you need to talk about whether this is a wound and whether your pet has a possible rabies exposure.
Just seeing if you know anybody in Chicagoland that is able to do somewhat affordable surgery. My cat had unblocking last Monday, model patient & fine til Sat when not flowing as freely, he is trying so hard, I’m trying to gently help him while going. I’m 1400.00 in & don’t want to lose my Lil guy cz of money. He’s trying so hard & I’m losing my mind going thru it all. We have most of the antibiotics & pain meds, just need to get past this, did the overnight at home and stayed up, all went well. 5 days 2 soon…..if could direct us somewhere near Ill go. He deserves to live, not die cz his dad can’t afford this unblocking.
Thanks
Bretster7@gmail.com
If email can give u more contact info
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about your kitty and this situation.
I would post on social media looking for advice and affordable options. Call all of the shelters and rescues and ask your vet for help.
Next ask to be unblocked via the most affordable option they will give you. Ask to decline all diagnostics and ask to be allowed to go home with the urinary catheter in place. Or ask if your vet will permit your cat to be hospitalized at their facility for a few days. I have written a lot about trying to afford this. Please go to my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com and search for UO or blocked cat.
There are also Facebook groups on this. See if anyone there can offer help.
Please let me know if you find someone to help.
Hello all,
I posted on here earlier this year asking for some advice about my cat who had a very advanced cryptococcosis infection.
Her right lymph node (submandibular) was swollen the entire time, and the left one but to a lesser degree.
She developed anisocoria and horners syndrome, droopy right eye, and she had a mass that felt like bone on top of her eye.
The anisocoria disappeared after 3 days and her pupils were entirely normal again.
Things escalated last week. Her nose has always been blocked, to various degrees, since she developed the symptoms, 1.5 years ago, but it seemed like she was able to get enough air in with some gasping and mouth breathing. I didn’t know how comfortable she was, but I had to try the last recommendation the vet suggested: 150mg of fluconazole a day. She was on this massive dose for 3 months. (4 kg cat)
Previously, she was on 37.5mg for 6 months, her nose and lesions cleared up and she was able to breathe again (most importantly!)
But, in March, a big lump (cryptococcosis mass) exploded into an abscess. It wouldn’t heal. The vet performed surgery to remove it and other lesions nearby. It was an eyesore, I felt so bad for her. She had a cone on for nearly 3 weeks because the suture area got a bit infected. Raised her fluconazole dose to 75mg a day.
Last week, her nose got much more inflamed and distorted very rapidly. It began bleeding and ulcerating, drying up and then bleeding repeatedly.
She looked so uncomfortable and basically slept all day in various positions to keep her head elevated. When near me or when sleeping with me at night, she’d clamp onto my arm or neck with her teeth to keep her mouth open so she could breathe and fall asleep. I can’t fathom how difficult it was to sleep having to make a conscious effort to get air in through her mouth. I understand cats are not “mouth breathers” and can’t fully relax that way.
I took her in to see her vet, 11 days ago, after noticing blood on her paw, and no wound. The vet looked inside her mouth and looked said the fungus was pushing through her soft palate (roof of mouth) into her front teeth. She recommended euthanasia and said she was not going to “get better” in her professional opinion. And that my cat was suffering and it wasn’t ok, I asked outright if her quality of life was ok. She said no. My cat had lost 1 kg since her last visit. This also factored into the vet’s recommendation.
The vet was ready to put my cat to sleep at the time of our consult, but I requested some time to digest and take her home to say goodbye.
Then, 4 days later, I took her in for euthanasia. I wish I had canceled. Am I wrong to feel that she should have died on her own terms?
What she had was like a breathing disability, in other ways she was a strong and vital cat. She was still eating, though appetite decrease by 30 or 40%.
Why did her nose not clear up (while the cutaneous lesions cleared) and in fact get worse after 3 months on a higher dose?
I’m so devastated and confused and wish I could have done more to save her life.
I felt selfish for letting her live this way, knowing there was no hope and I’d just be prolonging the inevitable (probably suffocation).
I am in so much pain recollecting what’s happened.
I wish I had kept her at home and only taken for euthanasia if she had collapsed and refused to eat. Taking her in to have her put down when she still asked to be fed, showed playfulness in some moments, trotting around when it was food time, it felt hasty but also inevitable. I felt I was saving her from experiencing more suffering as the fungus grew.
But, I will never know how it would have gone if I left her. Maybe nature would have performed a miracle, and she would heal, or she would die without my intervention and without pain (like a quick heart attack). I feel so terrible for having made the choice to snuff out her little life when she was still very strong.
She fought the sedative the vet gave, they took her back to insert a catheter and didn’t bring her to me until 40 mins later, saying she was fighting the sedative.
It pains my heart thinking she was in terror during her last hour on earth. When they carried her in, sedated, she looked absolutely petrified and braced. I could see her spirit fighting with all its might.
The vet told me that she had a more thorough examination of her nose and that the masses had hardened/were like concrete all through her nasal airway and that she was breathing through a “pin prick” hole. She said she was never more certain that euthanasia was the right choice.
I am so heartbroken. I still feel like I took her life away too early. Why should it be up to me? I can barely trust myself now.
Hello,
Based on your description and the photos I feel about as confident as I could that this was a cancer in the nose/face/brain and that you did the right thing.
No matter how much money you would have had, or how many specialists you could have brought her to she was not able to survive or get better with this.
I am so sorry. I do believe you did everything you could have and that your cat was so lucky to have had someone who loved her as much as you did.
Sending love and condolences.
Krista.
Thank you for your input, Dr Krista!
It never occurred to me that it might be cancer. She had a biopsy done last year (for the cutaneous lesions) and it came back positive for cryptococcosis. They didn’t want to touch her nose or interfere with it, since it was so sensitive. Once she was on fluconazole, her nose response (clearing up) was so rapid, within 3 weeks all the crust, nasal bridge disfigurement and inflammation had virtually disappeared. She was breathing well. That was on 37.5 mg a day.
When she developed a big ulcer on her side, and then later her nose starting to inflame and ulcerate again, I felt so solemn about it all. Previously she was in what appeared to be a “stall” state with her nose. Upping the dose did not do a thing, imo. It continued to worsen.
Could it have been fungal AND cancerous? My theory was the fungus developed resistance to the meds, and also was far too embedded to loosen its grip. In months past, I looked up nasal cancer to get an idea what that looks like but it didn’t seem to fit her. Also looking it up because I was so worried about her not being able to get air in, and whether this was humane, while we searched for a cure. Cryptococcosis cases in cats are not well documented online. I have not yet found one where the cat’s nose was so blocked up, from nostrils all the way up, like hers was.
She was very loved, I am amazed at her resilience and that is what also hurts. She was so intense and sensitive, with immense all-round hardiness. It really felt that whatever was afflicting her was not going away.
Thank you for your reassurance. I felt I took her life too soon, and also concerned she was not comfortable. It’s challenging to separate what I want and see her /the situation objectively and compassionately.
Hello, firstly thank you for making this site and sharing your message and trying to help both Vets and pet owners do better by and for their sake.
The cold weather in Oregon is setting in, I attached some photos I hope help. I’m trying to figure out the best way to identify and treat this issue.
The following are my observations of the marks located at the base of the tail areas side and underside only, surface level circular with some being slightly more crater like. Hair loss and area effects remain the same after what feels like over a month already. Plasma is typical puss in 2 or so spots, no swelling since first observed till present day, skin near effected area looks okay, over grooming of the area likely but not believing this is a source of pain. We live in a farm setting he is a stray I will watch over like my own and treat as such, I’m not against funding anything from big or small for his care but he’s strictly outdoor hunter and sometimes I wont see him for days. Would be most appreciative to any insight in what this might be or how I can help, likewise if there is a wound spray or dewormer I could purchase he is 100% outdoors and I see no signs of worms but he drinks from bird bath dishes. He will allow me to handle him but only so much I’d be much more worried when his patience runs out. I’d say he weighs about 15 pounds and overall health and appearance / dental is amazing. I always offer him a safe clean area and access to the property I will be buying a breakaway collar with a GPS tracker for him, he’s a farm cat my neighbor and me watch after. Would this be something to just give more time to mend? or should I step in and apply or seek help. Thank you! I will 100% be doing a donation, really wish more Vets were like you or highlighted in the community.
EDIT, the donation link via paypal says this is indelible, you can click 1-2 photos below that say Ads to be redirected to those to donate, if you have a place in mind please add it to the response I’d be happy to donate to your place of choice.
Hello,
Thank you for taking care of this kitty. It sounds like he really needs to have a friend in his corner.
I think that a few things are really important to discuss. One, although the skin wounds are concerning I think that too often pet parents are focused on an exterior (often transient and benign things), and forget about all of the immensely important things going on in the inside. Like, is this cat spayed, neutered or vaccinated? These are the absolute foundations for a healthy pet.
I also think that your vet can help you understand if this is a parasite issue like fleas?
I wish I could tell you that this is and give you the answer to help it get better, but, medicine isn’t just looking at a picture. It is about helping the pet from the inside and out.
I think that you need help from a vet. I think this cat needs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. I also think they need an antibiotic and a product to help with fleas.
Good luck.
I will search for a Vet office and bring him in for some treatment or an ER clinic for results. Glad I’m he does not have flees presently, as I comb him and check with flea combs. Those things are terrible as for infestations go and I love Food Grade DiatomaceousEarth for getting rid of that mess. My neighbor is a farmer who lives offsite and does not visit, more or less he picked up this cat some years ago and it only gets put in doors when they spray chemicals on the crops. I was worried with cold weather approaching and any injuries present much less bald spots like this. They either seen this on his tail by now or would have got him help. In his words he is just a friendly stray, pretty sure he is fixed but I will bring him in and get everything covered. He will be okay though I will make sure of it just wanted to get some insight on this. Could be days or sometimes a week or two before I see him day or night, but I will always watch for him and over him. Thanks again for your time and care you give in this field. The donation links did not work for me paypal related / sign up email Have a great day, take care.
Hi, I have a male cat (Mugzy) less than 2 years old with a broken / dislocated right hind leg, he was probably hit by a car. After his injury he was removed from a colony and taken to a vet. digital scans were taken of his leg. Aside from this injury he appears to be in good health. The injury occurred approximately 2 months ago and he had gone missing for 1 month before he reappeared. The veterinarian recommended the leg be amputated at the hip. He has good blood circulation in his leg and foot and is coping well despite his injury. My question is can surgery restore partial mobility to his leg as an alternative to removing his leg ? See pics. Appreciate your opinion. John
Hello,
That’s a pretty significant injury. It looks like the hip is dislocated and the femur is broken at the knee. For the hip you could talk about an FHO surgery as a good option to keep the leg, and stay functional without pain, but the knee needs to be addressed. I’m not sure how to manage that without help from a surgeon.
I always recommend a second opinion before making the decision to amputate but this has to be done in person with a vet. It cannot be done safely online via a photo alone.
Good luck.
Hi my cat went to the vet a couple weeks ago and noticed a scratch with a small bald spot as soon as I got home now he has a huge spot with scratches can anyone please identify what is could be ?
Hello,
It’s hard to identify a lesion based on a photo. If I had to guess I think that you are seeing hair loss but not an active lesion or wound. This can be from hair follicle damage or infection after it has healed. I’m sorry but it might be best to see a vet if the lesion persists, or others arise.
[Very Urgent] Advise on Cystotomy vs PU
My 8 year old cat (male, neutered, American short hair) was diagnosed with bladder stones and underwent a cystotomy in February 2024 to surgically remove the stones from the bladder. Unfortunately, the surgeon left behind 3-4 stones in the urethra during the surgery, which were later pushed back in the bladder. These stones blocked him again in May 2024 – he was unblocked via a catheter and the stones were pushed back into the bladder during catherization. He again got blocked a couple days ago and has been unblocked again via catherization with the stones pushed back in the bladder. The X-rays do not show formation of new stones in the last few months and the urinary analysis do not show any crystals.
We are considering three surgical options to remove the sones now: 1) cystotomy 2) PU 3) Cystotomy + PU. Please see X-rays after the cystotomy in February, the one from May and the one from last night and advise on the best course of treatment
@kristamagnifico Please help advise on PU v Cystotomy urgently
Hello
I’m sorry to hear about your cat. The problem is that we don’t know what kind of stones these are and therefore the concern is that more will form and more will obstruct, or , that these are the kind that do not resolve and therefore you will be back here again
If you can afford it I would do a pu and cystotomy to hopefully be done with this forever.
If you are struggling financially ask the vet if they took a post op Xray after the last surgery. If some were left behind (which happens to all of us) ask for a discount on this surgery. At least a discount for the cystotomy portion as the surgeon should have taken a post op Xray and should have gone back in to remove them at this time,,, because of course they were going to cause a re-obstruction.
That’s my advice. Keep me posted. Good luck
Thanks for getting back to me Krista. Can you help me understand why PU alone will not be sufficient? Can the stones be flushed out during or after PU? I will also attach the stone analysis report shortly
The stones are:
90% Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate (Whewellite).
10% Tricalcium phosphate (Whitlockite)
PFA attached stone analysis
My cat has been on medicated diet since Feb 2024 and no new stones have formed since then. Will cystotomy alone won’t be sufficient?
Should my 15yo cant perform nasal polyps removal operation?
Good Afternoon Doctor.
I came across your Youtube video that you are performing Nasal Polyps removal operation to young cat.
My question is should my 15yo cat young enough to receive this operation.
Currently he is on Steroid and Yuan Bio medication but it is starting to wear-out.
Those medication worked great for the first month but now he is having discomfort in respiratory again.
My cat is not young but I would like to maintain the QOL of the cat and wanted to know if this helps.
If so, what will be the rough estimate and how long does she might have.
I know this is hard to speculate without actually seen the cat but just a ballpark will be appreciated
Thank you
T
Hello,
In my experience I have never seen a polyp in a cat this old. It is far more likely that this is a neoplastic mass (cancer) than a polyp. If you are concerned about your cats quality of life than I would do and consider doing anything and everything to alleviate her discomfort and try to improve her life.
Thank you for your quick response doctor,
Yes I was told he has a cancer, so I guess I misunderstood that tumor and polyps are different.
I guess too old for Chemo and radiation and surgery, what will be the appropriate to maintain the QOL ?
My vet told there aren’t much they can do.
I just feel helpless seeing cat in such a discomfort.
He is eating well, and very active as for now, but just breathing seem difficult sometimes.
Thank you
T
Hi Krista,
We had adopted two month old American Short Hair and got them all vaccinated at Petco plus got them Spayed/Neutered.
One of them, 2 years old Riley had a runny nose(Green Mucus) right from the beginning and later on the Vet at Petco mentioned that she has a Polyp and can’t be treated at their facility.
I need your help to find a vet that can perform Polyp removal surgery on my 2 year old female American short hair cat near Chicago, IL
It seems Riley has a very large Polyp or some type of mass that’s blocking her airway and food pipe; the vet tried to insert a tube for breathing and it couldn’t go through due to a large mass that is blocking it.
This Vet @ Westchester Animal Clinic in Porter, IN recommended a Specialist and is not optimistic that this polyp or mass can be removed through surgery and was proposing Euthanizing as an option which we didn’t agree.
Hello,
I apologize for the delay. Somehow I missed this one.
Call everyone and see if you can find someone who will anesthetize and look for a polyp behind the soft palate. Call all of the rescues, shelters and private veterinary clinics. Put out a plea on social media. Use all platforms to ask for help.
Keep me posted.
Hello,
I’m sorry but there isn’t enough information here for me to offer much help. Please add more detail (how old is your cat, behaviors, vet care , medical issues,, etc?) and a description of the sound for more help.
In general this will require an examination by your vet to better understand the source and develop a treatment plan.