911 Need all the help/info I can get

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SammyM

SammyM

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About 2 hours ago, Elvis woke up and as he was walking he fell over. I thought he was playing until I realized he couldn't get up. I scooped him up and went to the vet which is thankfully a few blocks away...my initial fear was heart.

Xrays revealed a mass near his spleen. Dr. said it may have ruptured or something which caused him to become weak and fall over. He took a biopsy and extracted about 3 vials of fluids from the mass and sent out to pathology. This isn't a 24 hour care vet so I chose to take him home so he at least had me and wasn't all alone. Dr. said he should get some relief from the drainage, put a fluid back in his neck area, and a steroid shot to help with any other inflammation.

So I'm waiting now a day or two for path report. But now that Elvis is home, he still can't right himself and falls over every time he tries to walk. This has me very concerned. Can anybody shed some light on this so I don't freak every time he tries to get up? Will this abate?

Blood tests taken about 10 days ago, and in late July did not reveal any problems atypical of his age, and today Doc said his heart was fine.

Please....any input would be appreciated. It pains me to see him this way.
 
I'm so sorry. I can imagine how you must feel. I know the terror of dealing with things like this. I wish I had some help to offer you, but I only have sympathy. :bighug:
 
:bighug: I’m sorry this has happened to you! Did he put him on any antibiotic for any type of infection? I would call that vet back & let him know this!
What did he put in his neck? Sorry I didn’t understand that part. Did he do bw today? Is he sure that the rupture hasn’t caused any type of infection to spread? Wish I knew but I would def call back for more answers! Good luck!
I’m just speculating so .... hang in there. Does it appear to be one sided as in stroke? Or all over?
 
Thank you all for your sympathy and support. Yes he also gave him an antibiotic, covenia, and a dexamethazone injection; he said something about some kind of a liquid sac so he doesn't get dehyrated; bill says "lactated ringers s.q. fluid adm.". No BW was done today because the last one was done 11/21 and all was normal. I did call back but he had already gone; aide called him and he said he was very weak from what had happened earlier, and that he should start to feel better. I just don't know what to do....he tries to get up and walk, but just falls over.
 
Elvis said:
some kind of a liquid sac so he doesn't get dehyrated; bill says "lactated ringers s.q.
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This means they gave him fluids subcutaneously and it can stay pooled in the area where it was given or migrate elsewhere. If you don't have access to an ER vet clinic, I'd watch him carefully. Will he eat? Can he use the litter box? Maybe set him up in a place where he can't hurt himself if he falls or tries to jump.

Did they measure his blood pressure? If his spleen area had a bleed his BP might be too low and that can lead to falling.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
This means they gave him fluids subcutaneously and it can stay pooled in the area where it was given or migrate elsewhere. If you don't have access to an ER vet clinic, I'd watch him carefully. Will he eat? Can he use the litter box? Maybe set him up in a place where he can't hurt himself if he falls or tries to jump.

Did they measure his blood pressure? If his spleen area had a bleed his BP might be too low and that can lead to falling.
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Yes they did measure his BP and he said it was low; he can't walk to get to anything so I'm not sure he can use the litter box. I just couldn't bear leaving him at the vet's overnight unattended, so I brought him home, but he looks so sad. I don't know what to do.
 
Elvis said:
Yes they did measure his BP and he said it was low; he can't walk to get to anything so I'm not sure he can use the litter box. I just couldn't bear leaving him at the vet's overnight unattended, so I brought him home, but he looks so sad. I don't know what to do.
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If there's no one overnight at your vet clinic he's better off with you. Maybe carry him to the box to see if that helps him? The extra fluids might make him want to pee. Will he eat? That's so important.

I'd call the vet again in the morning if this weakness continues.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
If there's no one overnight at your vet clinic he's better off with you. Maybe carry him to the box to see if that helps him? The extra fluids might make him want to pee. Will he eat? That's so important.

I'd call the vet again in the morning if this weakness continues.
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I've carried him to the box, food, and water, but since he can't stand and I have to hold him up, I'm not sure if he's not eating, etc. because he can't hold himself up. I definitely plan on calling or going back to the vet in the morning, it's just getting through the next 14 hours that's worrying me.
 
Squeaky and KT (GA) said:
Rather than holding him with your hands, try put a towel under his belly and hold the ends above him to help him stand. It may help...
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Great idea!

If you put some food on a very small dish and hold it to his mouth, will he eat while laying down? I have had to feed that way before.
 
Yes - as Squeaky said; sometimes a towel around mid section will support him & he’d be more apt to go. Just not going to be easy for u & I’m so sorry! I’m glad they gave him fluids. When did he last eat? If it’s been all day you could place the food in front of him or if necessary, use the syringe. I mixed some warm water & food., sometimes that Spurs the appetite. What we go through & do for our cats!
many hugs & keep us posted!
 
Thanks, all...I will try the towel and other suggestions. I just wish he would fall asleep but he's probably so spooked about what's happening to him. His meows are so soft and sad it's tearing me apart. Long night for sure... I'll be on the couch so I can monitor him.
 
Oh no! What an awful situation. I'll say a prayer he recovers and wisdom for the vet to find the best treatment to help him. :(
 
Healing vines to you and your sweet Elvis. Sometimes cats can get real down, but they can heal from it. Impossible to predict. I hope Elvis gets better.
 
It's 2:30 am and finally I got Elvis to eat a little watered down Fancy Feast. He was hungry as he lapped it up vigorously, but I had to hold him over the little bowl. Was also able to syringe feed water which he really appreciated.

Litter box was not successful, even with towel, so I wrapped a towel with a pee-pee pad and put it in his favorite cave hideaway spot (a box wrapped in a T-shirt) and he eventually urinated in there. Changed the pad, put him back in the cavebox after he ate a little and drank, and at least for the time being, he's quiet and hopefully sleeping.

Just wish I could understand why his limbs seem plegic. 9:00 am can't come fast enough.
 
Taking him back to vet in an hour... he's still unable to walk or even sit up. Anyone have any ideas on what else the vet should look for? I can't believe this paralysis is all from the cyst on the spleen.
 
Elvis said:
Taking him back to vet in an hour... he's still unable to walk or even sit up. Anyone have any ideas on what else the vet should look for? I can't believe this paralysis is all from the cyst on the spleen.
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No idea.... Cyst or tumor on the spine?
 
I want to thank everyone who said prayers and offered advice for my little boy, Elvis. I know they all helped to make his transition over the Rainbow Bridge much more effortless and swift. I just couldn't let him live in this way another moment. He was in so much discomfort, but my eyes never left his to the very last second and beyond, and he was able to give my hand one last lick kiss, and an "I love you" with a slow blink of his eyes...I knew then for sure it was the right thing and he was ready to go.
I'm so heart sick right now because I'll miss my little best friend, but I know he's in a much better place. We spent quality time together durng the final 12 hours of his life...
I love you so much Elvis and will miss you until the moment we meet again.
Fly high Little Boy...Pookie...BooBoo...Angel Elvis. <3<3<3
 
I'm not a vet so take this at face value. Nobody dies from cancer, you die from whatever the cancer interferes with. That's why "mass" and "vials of fluid" don't go together for me unless a mass/tumor has pushed up against something causing it to rupture. Be thankful it wasn't blood. Secondly if a tumor, benign or malignant, had been pushing against anything for this long you would have seen obvious pain which you have not. That's good.
What happened to our dog. She had some whacko blood chemistry numbers and lost a bit of weight. An x-ray showed a mass (non digital x-ray, very inconclusive) and 2 needle biopsies proved to be inconclusive. Finally an oncologist did a third ultrasound and another failed/inconclusive biopsy. The word "Cancer" was never mentioned, maybe because the oncologist was in tears, but we were told to take her home and treat her like a princess.
After 100 days we stopped counting. She got all her weight back but my arguments fell on deaf ears. I did my own research, mostly on PetMD and found that the symptoms of some cysts mimic those of certain cancers. There's a little anger here from me. She NEVER had cancer, it was a cyst after all and she lived almost another year before succumbing to something unrelated. I don't understand the pain and there's nothing else medically I can offer BUT in my experience everyone was looking for the worst possible scenario. If you're going to pose a "Couldn't it be this?" question do not let someone give you the brush off. PetMD is a great site for doing your own research and will give you a better understanding and possibly an alternative no one is looking for. I wish you and Elvis the best, please keep us updated.
 
Crap, that took so long to write I missed everything. Sorry Elvis and to your Dad I am really sorry if you had to read all that. It was meant in the best way possible.
:bighug:
 
I’m sorry for you... so sad but it sounds like Elvis had a great life & dad! I know that doesn’t help matters! Bless you & it hurts ... but you did the right thing! You’ll meet again, I’m sure of it!
 
Fly free sweet Elvis, and land softly at the Bridge. You were a good kitteh and you were loved.cat_wings>o
 
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