Advice for 17-year-old civvie please?

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Diana&Tom

Diana&Tom

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Hi everyone, I wonder if any of you have any thoughts about what's happening here with my dear little civvie Sophie, aged 17.5 years.

She's been extremely healthy all her life but obviously as she's getting older she needs extra care and more check-ups, etc. A check-up has been a bit overdue - she hates getting into the basket and screams all the way to the vets - but I knew she needed some attention when she developed a funny "croaky" sort of voice just two or three days ago. She can be quite vocal in response to me talking to her, and she was sounding like us beans would if we had a sore throat, perhaps. Otherwise, she's absolutely fine, completely as per normal.

Anyway, I took her to the vet yesterday. They did blood tests and got the results ready while we were still there. I'd been fearing the worst - that her kidneys were declining, maybe - but the results were fantastic. All completely in the normal range and in the vet's own words, "the results of a five-year-old!"

I was so relieved and elated at these results that the croaky voice issue seemed secondary, a minor thing. Well, I sincerely hope it is a minor thing, but now I've got the panics. The vet's first thought was an infection - so antibiotics and Metacam, and if she's no better we'll go back next week for other tests. I sincerely hope that the antibiotics will clear it up, but today I've done some online searches for what could be going on, and have started worrying. I've learned that some conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, can mask the true results of a blood test. And I've found that if it's not a simple infection, other throat issues can be difficult to treat...

I'm trying hard not to be too pessimistic - Sophie really is otherwise very good for her age, bright and alert, happy and playful - but I just can't help worrying because she's my little baby and she means the world to me.

If anyone has any thoughts/help/advice I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks
Diana
 
Diana I know what you are saying. We have Mitzy cat 17 years for sure she went deaf on us in the spring. She has been the perfect cat.very few vet visit for her. Started doing things just not her... like little poops on the floor. Drooling not all the time, use to only do this when being petted. She tells us when she wants a fuss .We have 3 other cats and last week we had to let our dog( lab) go. :cry: Wondering if its the changes with out Becky.Maybe she is missing her as they have been a close family. She has been throwing up so we got all blood work done and vet says everything perfect kidneys are great...She gave a shot yesterday to help stop the vomiting for 24 hours. We will see what next is a ultra sound. I am wondering if it could be just so upset about Becky Sending Angels and healing green light for your little girl and hoping it is nothing to worry about Kath
 
my first thought as i was reading and got to the croaky voice was hyperthyroidism. did they do a T4 or free T4 test? if not, i'd have that done sooner than later. hyperT is not that big of a deal in my personal opinion so don't panic or anything :) easier said than done i know.
 
Regarding:
"I was so relieved and elated at these results that the croaky voice issue seemed secondary, a minor thing. Well, I sincerely hope it is a minor thing, but now I've got the panics. The vet's first thought was an infection - so antibiotics and Metacam, and if she's no better we'll go back next week for other tests. I sincerely hope that the antibiotics will clear it up, but today I've done some online searches for what could be going on, and have started worrying. I've learned that some conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, can mask the true results of a blood test. And I've found that if it's not a simple infection, other throat issues can be difficult to treat... "

Hyperthyroidism can can mask blood tests finding kidney problems. I am not a fan of Metacam for felines other than on the one-time injection. In the USA oral Metacam is not approved for felines although it is approved for oral use in overseas. People have reported kidney problems arising for oral use of Metacam.
 
Thanks for the comments. I'm so worried. Rang the vet a bit earlier to discuss the hyperT/Metacam dilemma and she said she was almost certain Sophie wasn't hyperT. I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or cynical - she said she sees hyperT cats every day and Sophie is nothing like them. Yet when Sophie's brother Tom was being treated for FD, the vets didn't think he had acromegaly - which he did :cry:

I suppose I just have to wait and see how she responds to the antibiotics and hope they do the trick. Little Sophie is so precious.

Diana
 
I'm hoping for the best for you and Sophie. I know how very precious she is to you.

I also would ask for the thyroid blood tests, even though the vet doesn't believe that is an issue with her. If those were to come back normal, the ABX don't fix her voice, and she keeps on croaking, I would think about seeing a specialist for an ultrasound.

(((Diana)))
 
Not all hyperthyroid cats have the hungry symptom. My Bailey was not eating much and loosing weight and was dx'd with hyperthyroid about two months ago.
 
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