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Debbie Molnar | 7 years ago
Is There A Technique To Reduce The Side Effects Of Mirtazapine? My 9lb Cat…

Is there a technique to reduce the side effects of Mirtazapine? My 9lb cat takes 1/16th of a 15mg tablet every 5-7 days. She meows and howls for 12 hours after each pill.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Have you spoken to your vet about this? Can you try a different appetite stimulant (assuming that is what you are using it for) to see if maybe that would help? Also ask about concurrent disease like thyroid, blood pressure, kidney diseas etc?

  2. Debbie Molnar Post author

    Hi, thank you for the response. Yes, the vet knows, and it is being used as an appetite stimulant. The cat has IBD. I was just hoping there was some way to lessen the side effects, the dosage has been reduced over time. It used to be 24 hours of hysterics. It may be time to try something else.

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zeta rose id | 7 years ago
My Cat Was Hit By A Car And Broke Her Pelvis. The Vet Suggested Surgery…

My cat was hit by a car and broke her pelvis. The vet suggested surgery which is very expensive. Is surgery the only way to treat her? or is there any other alternative? So far she can urinate on her own but having problem pooping. I think she’s in pain. The vet prescribed Tramadol and lactulose for her. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Well this is a somewhat difficult question to answer. Here has been my experience. If you do not have the ability to see a surgeon and have this corrected by them (in my area it would be anywhere from $2000 to $5000. Then I always suggest strict cage rest. No leaving the cage for two weeks. No exceptions. The crate should have a very low bed, low sided litter box and food and water. They should be fed a watered down wet food to keep the stool soft and easy to pass. After two weeks see your vet for a recheck X-ray to see how the pelvis is healing.
    Have the cat spayed asap.
    If the cat presents with anal tone and deep pain in all four feet I recommend cage rest

    The best option is surgery. If you cannot afford it try cage rest. They will be painful for a few day. A fentanyl patch might help or try buprinex. Ask your vet about these.
    Let me know how she does

  2. Anonymous

    Her pelvis is broken. It needs to be stabilized, surgically, for proper healing. If you DON’T get the surgery, she will be in pain, most likely for the rest of her life.

  3. Sarah

    I would get ahold of my vet and try to have this very discussion with them perhaps there is something they can do that fits for both of you.

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
My 18 Year Old Cat Has Eaten Very Little Today. She Is Still Drinking…

My 18 year old cat has eaten very little today. She is still drinking and urinating normally. She is very thin. I am taking her in tomorrow. What can I expect during the visit?I’m scared that I will have to put her to sleep.

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  1. Sarah

    I may glad you already have an appointment. I’m sure if you tell the vet your concerns upfront they will work with you.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I expect that after an exam, some questions about how much she drinks and pees that they will recommend some blood work. I also expect it to include thyroid and a urinalysis. From here most of the needed information can be gathered. As long as her heart and lungs sound ok bloodwork usually holds the answer. At my clinic this is about $200 total.
    And for the record only you decide it is time for your cat to pass on. No one else has the right to decide. Except a judge if they deem it to be cruelty. If your cat is struggling to the point that you questioning she still has a quality of life acceptable to you then your vets job is to help both of you come to a peaceful end of life journey. It’s your decision. Never feel coerced or intimidated. Find a vet who cares and wants to help. Also hospice is available if you ask. Please let me know what happens tomorrow. I wish you both the best. Krista

  3. jen Hohman Post author

    Thank you both for answering my question. I’m still very worried that I may lose her.

  4. jen Hohman Post author

    Hello,
    I just wanted to let you know that Rugrat has passed away. She died before her vet appointment. Thank you so much for all of your help.

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
My Cat Fell Into The Pool Last Week. She Is Fine, However Yesterday I Saw…

My cat fell into the pool last week. She is fine, however yesterday I saw that she pooped on the attic floor instead of the litter box. Could she still be traumatized by the swimming pool incident? She is 18 years old.

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  1. Anonymous

    At that age, I’d worry she isn’t well. Did you get her to the vet after it happened?

  2. jen Hohman Post author

    I called our vet to let her know that the cat had fallen in the pool. The cat has only done this once. The vet told me that as long as she doesn’t have any respiratory problems, she should be fine. We just switched her to a new food. Could this be the issue? She uses her litter box like she always did. She has accidents from time to time. She is eating and drinking normally and is not lethargic.

  3. Anonymous

    Ah, new food absolutely could be the issue, in addition to the fall into the pool. Maybe pick up some Cat Attract litter to remind her where to go…and if it’s a tall box, maybe something with shorter sides?

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Has Anyone Had A Kitty That Developed An Autoimmune Disease Where Their Body Attacks The…

Has anyone had a kitty that developed an autoimmune disease where their body attacks the plaque on the teeth causing extreme pain and inability to eat? I have 2 now that have developed it and have had to have all their teeth extracted. I’m having such a difficult time making sure they get the nutrition they need. Looking for sugggetikns and possibly an explanation as to why this happens to cats. I just want to make sure I’m not doing anything that caused it.

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  1. Anonymous

    Are the cats related in any way?

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I think you are referring to stomatitis? I have seen it most often in young cats.. even whole litters.. in most cases the only way to resolve it completely is to remove all of the teeth. I know it sounds terrible but these cats are so much happier afterward.. I have done many of them. I have also tried every other conceivable treatment option. At this point I tell my clients to save their money on all of the other stuff,, like steroids, anitbiotics, and just pull the teeth. Often we do it in stages. All of the molars first. As these are what are most commonly affected. Canine teeth last.

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Sandy Whitney | 7 years ago
If My Cats Sugar Is Low How Do I Get It To Go Back Up…

If my cats sugar is low how do I get it to go back up
He was very sluggish and not himself so I tested his sugar level which read low

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  1. Anonymous

    Is your cat currently being treated for diabetes? You may want to ask the vet that knows your cat best, to ensure you aren’t countering any medications your cat may be on.

  2. Sandy Whitney Post author

    Yes my cat gets insulin twice daily, we have changed his food in the hopes that it would regulate his sugar.
    Apparently it has made a difference and we may need to lower his insulin dosage

  3. Anonymous

    Definitely time to talk to the vet, then.

    In the short term, a little food may help.

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jen Hohman | 7 years ago
Hello, My Cat Loves To Walk Along The Edges Of Our Swimming Pool And Drink The…

Hello,
My cat loves to walk along the edges of our swimming pool and drink the water puddles ( even when we provide fresh water for her). Today she fell in the pool. Fortunately I was standing nearby and heard her trying to get out. We dried her with two warm towels and placed her inside. She is still shaken up but she is eating and drinking normally. Is there anything else that I should do?

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  1. Jennifer Taylor

    Our cat loves to walk on the side of the tub while I give my daughter a bath. She has fallen in several times yet continues to enjoy her time hanging out on the side of the tub! If she didn’t seem to take on any water and is acting normal; meaning normal breathing, normal behavior, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much. If she isn’t acting normal then perhaps have your vet check her out to be on the safe side Best of luck!

  2. Jayden Cihlar

    The truth is this happens a lot and could just be anxiety acting up. The cat could have been so used to not falling in that when she did she got in she was startled. The best way to determine this is if the type of cat is known to have anxiety issues. If she still shakes after a few days then maybe you would want to go to the vet. Hope it’s better soon!

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
1 Year Old Cat Left Home Alone For One Day (not Unusual For Her). When…

1 year old cat left home alone for one day (not unusual for her). When owners camehome she was very clingy and needed to sleep in primary owners lap. As she would sleep her head would suddenly drop down and she seemed to have slower heavier breathing. After sleeping off and on for a few hours she began to get very aggressive especially towards male owner. Has also been moving head erratically and seems to shake head when moving it. Will only eat if food is on the floor and out of the bowl and has shown irregular signs of back pain sometimes being sensitive and sometimes not at all.

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  1. Jennifer Taylor

    A veterinarian should really check out the cat’s unusual behavior. The doctor would need to determine if there is an injury which would determine the course of care. I wouldn’t delay seeing a vet as the cat may in pain. Best of luck, I hope the kitty is acting better soon!

  2. Anonymous

    I would worry about trauma to the spine or head. Please encourage them to get her in ASAP.

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Shiria | 7 years ago
How Much Medication At The Same Time Without Damaging The Bodytoo Much? So, We Have A…

How much medication at the same time without damaging the bodytoo much?
So, we have a group of 22 kittens (6 months) and 2 mothers. All are treatet for ringworm (Microsporum Canis) and in 3 days are finished (only 8 showed symptoms, but since they all had contact, all had to be treated).
They were treated with Itraconazole (1 week treatment, 1 week break, 1 week treatment, another 1 week break and a last week treatment). Additionally they were bathed 1 once a week in Enilconazole.

Some of them are treated with marbocyl for cat flu right now (most likely Calici).

Additional they were tested positive for giardia and worms (Toxocaridae?) last friday after most of them developed bad diarrhea that smelled incredibly bad.
For the Giardia they get treated with Metronidazole (twice a day).
Fenbendazole is not an option, as it doesn’t help anymore most of the time.

So now I still need deworm them and make a flea treatment (as they have also fleas). I don’t want to do worm and flea medication at the same day – as that would mean that at least the ones with cat flu would get 5 medications at the same time.

Only two more days till the ring worm treatment is finished, so I thought of doing flea treatment the following day and deworming the day after that to spread the treatment a little.

Some of them are clearly not well right now, so while I would normally deflea/deworm at the same time, I’m a bit hesitant here.

What do you think?

What I have to add – one of the kittens died this morning without known reason. It was not extremly thin or dehydrated and acted normal when I saw it the first time this morning. When a collegue wanted to clean their room she called me because it would lie on the floor and couldn’t move. (I was like 20 meters away in another room) She said it made strange noises and lost poo (diarrhea). When I arrived it was already gone. The hair on his tail was poofed up, eyes/pupils wide, but no heart beat and breathing. I tried to bring it back, but without success.
It had no signs of being extremly sick. It was not affected by ringworm itself and hat no catflu. It had diarrhea, but ate well. It played, was active and so on. It showed no signs of liver problems (as Itraconazole could cause that) like yellow skin.

No one has seen what happened. I was thinking that it may has fallen off a wooden layer that are left and right to the door, right beneath the windows. The cats like to sit in it and look out the windows or wait for someone to come inside. But those are only like 1,20m in height.

So I’m even more worried that all those medicaton already was too much for that one :(.

2 Responses

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  1. Jennifer Taylor

    I am assuming all medications were prescribed by a veterinarian and an exam done on all kittens? If so I would check with the prescribing Dr. I have had foster puppies who have been incredibly sick and on many medications at once at the advice of our vet. In the case of my foster pups they were very sick, the risk of not treating outweighed the risk of treating. That is a conversation though that you should have with the vet who examined and prescribed the meds. Best of luck with the kittens and so very sorry for your loss.

  2. Shiria Post author

    Thanks for your answer. Yes, all medication were prescribed by the vet of our shelter. I also planned to ask her this tomorrow when the next visit is scheduled. Just wanted to ask for other peoples experiences for similar situations.
    We also had very sick kittens, where the risk of not treating them was bigger than the risk of treating – but they had other problems.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My Bengal Cat Was Diagnosed With Pyrometra And I Was Unable To Afford The Surgery…

My Bengal cat was diagnosed with pyrometra and I was unable to afford the surgery 1000-1400 I took her home and treated her with antibiotics and now she is no longer sick. Is the infection just cleared up and she still has the desease or will it come back when she goes into heat? Will she be able to have kittens again?

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  1. Anonymous

    Now that the infection has cleared up, I would plan to spay. Directly from a publicly available vet hospital website: “The rate of recurrence of the disease in a treated cat is generally thought to be as high as 50-75%.”

    I honestly wouldn’t risk the queen.