Critical civvie-GA

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Kahluasmom

Kahluasmom

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I have a 10 year old calico who is very sick. Last Wed and Thursday she ate very well. She's occasionally picky. Friday she ate a bit less. Saturday she ate even less and Sunday she only ate breakfast. She was peeing fine, but trying to poop. On Monday night, I gave her 1/2 a petenema. She immediately tried to poop, but didn't. Then she started panting. I called the vet. They said that is typical and just keep her calm. She eventually pooped. A rock. For the rest of the night she wouldn't eat and just slept under the bed. On Tuesday she still wouldn't eat, so we went to the vet. Her bloodwork was perfect. We decided to do fluids and 16 mg cerenia tablet. By Wednesday morning she was having breathing episodes that lasted about 6 seconds. She'd breathe very fast and lay down. Back to the vet. She stayed all day. Her temp was 95 and they got her up a couple degrees. She got an xray, which was perfect, and fluids. Home she came. At home she was panting and breathing fast, but after awhile things seemed more normal and she slept. She also started drinking some water and broth. I'm trying to keep her warm. Today she's had a couple breathing episodes, yowls if touched but is sleeping now. She feels cold so I've got the heating pad on her and a space heater going. The vet says to keep her warm, give fluids and try a bit of miritaz gel. He has no idea what's happening. Things look bad.
 
People will get the signal to respond quicker if you put the "911" prefix on your post. I dont think you can edit that part, so please copy this post and make another, next to the title click where it says "no prefix", then click "911".

I don't know how to help, hopefully someone else does. The only thing i can think of is how you said the vet has no idea whats happening, call him and make him sure he understands her symptoms and how serious the situation in.

And remember you can call or go to and emergency vet.

Best of luck, please ask questions and keep us posted!
 
What part of her did the vet xray? Did that include the heart and intestines? What part of her do you touch that causes her to yowl? She walking OK on her own?

Do you know how to test her resting respiratory rate? While she is at rest, count the complete number of in and out breaths in a minute. You want it to be below 30. The panting and breathing fast worries me is she's still doing that.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
What part of her did the vet xray? Did that include the heart and intestines? What part of her do you touch that causes her to yowl? She walking OK on her own?

Do you know how to test her resting respiratory rate? While she is at rest, count the complete number of in and out breaths in a minute. You want it to be below 30. The panting and breathing fast worries me is she's still doing that.
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He xrayed her chest and abdomen. He said it was perfect. Her resting respiratory rate is mainly 30-36. When she gets stressed it's much higher.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
I've found in the past that taking a video of concerning symptoms can be helpful for the vet in diagnosing.

Has she eaten anything since Sunday? That's too long to go without food. Can you assist feed her?
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I did send the vet a video. He also had her all day yesterday and saw it firsthand. She hasn't eaten. Just started drinking yesterday. Both broth and water. The vet said to give her a tiny bit of miritaz, which I just did. Like 1/6 of a dose.
 
That's high for the RR, especially if while sleeping. I was worried about the fast breathing and her getting fluids, which can be contra indicated if there is a heart issue. I found that out the hard way with Neko. Glad to hear the heart x-ray looked OK.

I would try to get some actual food into her if you can. Do you have any ondansetron/Zofran? If nausea is present, I find it's a better solution than Cerenia.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
That's high for the RR, especially if while sleeping. I was worried about the fast breathing and her getting fluids, which can be contra indicated if there is a heart issue. I found that out the hard way with Neko. Glad to hear the heart x-ray looked OK.

I would try to get some actual food into her if you can. Do you have any ondansetron/Zofran? If nausea is present, I find it's a better solution than Cerenia.
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I'm scared to assist feed her. She gets so freaked out and her breathing gets super fast. The vet didnt think i should do that yet. I gave the mirataz 15 minutes ago. I do have zofran. Im afraid to do anything because everything ive tried has made her so much worse.

I had thought 30 was the high end of normal for resting. No? And here I was feeling better about that.
 
I trust the X-ray showed that she’s not “backed up” with stool? I’ve seen some similar symptoms (but not low body temp) with a severely constipated cat. That can become life threatening if let go too long.

I too was concerned about the heart—Wendy has that covered. Fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen can also cause symptoms but I’d think they would have seen evidence on X-ray.
 
Also, if she’s laying sternally (upright) and refuses to lay on her side, that can be a clue.

You might want a second opinion if you can swing it.
 
JL and Chip said:
I trust the X-ray showed that she’s not “backed up” with stool? I’ve seen some similar symptoms (but not low body temp) with a severely constipated cat. That can become life threatening if let go too long.

I too was concerned about the heart—Wendy has that covered. Fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen can also cause symptoms but I’d think they would have seen evidence on X-ray.
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The vet was concerned about her heart, too. But it looks great he said.

I can't think she's backed up. This started with an enema. And she had pooped like 2 days before she blocked up. She did poop about 3-2 inch poops after the enema.
 
JL and Chip said:
Also, if she’s laying sternally (upright) and refuses to lay on her side, that can be a clue.

You might want a second opinion if you can swing it.
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I called and asked about the xray. It was a full body xray and there were no blockages or fluid build up.
 
Did the vet suggest how long she could go without food? It's over 4 days now. Have you tried enticing her with all meat babyfood?
Kahluasmom said:
I had thought 30 was the high end of normal for resting. No? And here I was feeling better about that.
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You said up to 36.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Did the vet suggest how long she could go without food? It's over 4 days now. Have you tried enticing her with all meat babyfood?

You said up to 36.
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It has been up to 36, which is bad. But, it has been around 30 most of today. She's not doing at all well right now. She's stretched out of her side, eyes open, breathing fast and she cried a bit ago. I'm not feeling hopeful. I want to throw up.

I made her some chicken baby food and I've tried all the goodies. Nothing.
 
It's been two days since the last vet visit with no improvement? I think maybe another visit is in order.
 
Thank you for all your advice. Lulu started seizing and yowling about 2 hours ago. She passed on the way to the vet. We are heartbroken.
 
I understand. I have had a few of those sudden, unexplained losses. It’s always hard to lose them, but it’s different when it’s really sudden and you don’t understand what happened and you don’t get to say a proper goodbye. When I read about Lulu, I was thinking… first Mouse…. now Lulu.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
I understand. I have had a few of those sudden, unexplained losses. It’s always hard to lose them, but it’s different when it’s really sudden and you don’t understand what happened and you don’t get to say a proper goodbye. When I read about Lulu, I was thinking… first Mouse…. now Lulu.
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I know....so fast....they are together again....they were besties.
 
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