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My female Persian, age 14, has had 2 episodes lasting about four days of listlessness, muscle weakness, twitching and discomfort evident in the quality of her voice. She is limp and yielding to touch. Then she has come back to her nearly full energy, sprightly, responsive, able to jump on furniture, affectionate. She is eating and drinking and can use the litter box. She had fever during the last ill time, up and down, evidenced by warm ears, which has now subsided. This morning, showing evidence of her second recovery, she jumped on the bed, walked almost normally and purred and actively "hugged" me when I took her in my arms. A few hours later, the weak symptoms have returned and her energy is low with a pained vocal quality. What could be the cause and what is a prudent treatment? We hope to avoid high veterinary bills, as our financial circumstances are limited, but we are deeply concerned.
Submitted: 431 days and 6 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY
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Optional Information
Age: >12; Female; Breed: Persian
Already Tried:
water, rest, wet food, TLC, Reiki
Posted by
Theresa
431 days and 4 hours ago.
Info Request
Is she needing to urinate more often?
Any vomiting or diarrhea?
What color are her gums?
Is there any recent weight loss?
Do you see her drinking more?
Would you classify her appetite as ravenous or significantly decreased?
Are her stools changed at all in color or consistency?
Thank you
Theresa
431 days and 4 hours ago.
Reply
Thank you for your response.
To answer your questions:
No, she is not needing to urinate more often.
She has no vomiting or diarrhea.
I just checked her gums. The upper and lower gums have darkened in some areas. (My other Persian had this a few years ago before a few tooth extractions and cleaning).
She has lost some weight, as she is not eating as much the last several days - week, so yes she is eating less.
I have not noticed any change in the stool.
I need more help and information is ascertaining what may be the problem and what I should do.
She is weaker since I originally wrote. I am very concerned.
Posted by
Theresa
431 days and 4 hours ago.
Answer
Her gums should be pink. If they are white, pale, or bluish then she needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Based on her symptoms I am highly suspicious that heart disease and fluid either around the heart or on the lungs might not be the issue. It seems she goes downhill after significant movement or stress. If this is the case then obtaining adequate oxygen appears to be difficult for her. When she cannot get in enough oxygen the muscles of the body suffer as well as her brain which can result in her instability.
I know you do not want to visit the vet but I don't see that you have any other option at this time. I can't really guarantee treatment will help her 100% either. I do think that her thyroid and possibly kidney's may be part of the overall problem and bloodwork as well as chest xrays aren't a bad idea.
If finances are an issue then discuss things after your vet performs the exam and see what he things about further diagnostics and chances of a meaningful recovery.
Here are a couple of options you may be able to look into to help with financing:
www.carecredit.com
American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/home
" Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."
Angels 4 Animals
http://www.angels4animals.org/
"Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment
to those pets and pet owners in need."
Care Credit
http://www.carecredit.com/
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"With a comprehensive range of plan options, for
treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan
and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every
budget."
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
"Seniors, People with disabilities, People who
have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion."
The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Prog ram is a nonprofit 501
(c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and
kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save
their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
God's Creatures Ministry
http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html
"This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help."
Help-A-Pet
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
working poor."
IMOM
http://www.imom.org/
"We are dedicated to insure that no
companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker
is financially challenged."
The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need
urgent veterinary care."
Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Theresa
431 days and 3 hours ago.
Reply
Thanks for the information. I appreciate your observations. We did break down and make a vet appointment as I was very worried. I have to tell you that up until a week or so ago, this cat was perfectly healthy with normal energy and showed no symptoms of deterioration, so the sudden and dramatic appearance of symptoms is very upsetting. After our last vet visit, about a year ago, we adjusted her food (lower protein) and gave both cats more water and they have seemed fine. We were not advised that she needed dental treatment at that time, although we do brush the cat's teeth with fair regularity and they eat mostly dry food to help clean the teeth.
I suppose we will find out what the prognosis is. The only available appointment time we could get was Friday at 11 AM.
Juniper is somewhat stable now. She did eat and walked into the bedroom to rest. I do agree that. medical attention is necessary and pray it is a reversible situation.
Accepted Answer
Please do keep me updated and also if you wouldn't mind clicking accept so that I can be reimbursed for my time I would greatly appreciate it.
Theresa
Expert:
Theresa
Pos. Feedback:
100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:
9/17/2008
A Voice for your Pet
16 years experience in animal medicine as a veterinary technician
424 days and 13 hours ago.
Reply
Hi Theresa,
I wanted to keep you posted as you were a part of Juniper's process last week. I believe your assessment was correct. As I told you, we did make a vet appointment immediately, as her symptoms continued and I checked in regularly to see if we could get her in as soon as possible, which did not happen with that office, regardless of regular calls. They suspected kidney issues, but your explanation of heart/lung/breathing issues, in addition, as well as possibly thyroid make / made sense. Anyway, she came around with gentle affection with purring and even winking at us as she was a beautiful and very tuned in "soul!"
She grew weaker Thursday, but, still present, so we brought her to the emergency vet clinic, although she passed away en route. The vet was professional and reassuring, affirming her long life with us. In retrospect, I am grateful, as I believe she did not suffer long and sensed her own timing in letting go.
We are extremely sad, although feel her presence with us in spirit now. We were very close that way.
Anyway, by way of "closure" on this particular chapter, I did want to keep you informed as you requested that kindly. Thank you for your observations last Wednesday. It did seem to be a sudden decline and exit for her. Up until a week ago with short declines and recoveries twice, including early Wednesday morning, she was a happy, healthy cat, with no obvious symptoms. I believe she passed on as she was meant to, consciously staying close to us till the end. I believe in the healing power of love and relationship here.
Many thanks for your insights, which I'm sure are based on experience. I appreciate your caring intervention at a critical time...
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