JustAnswer > Cat
Ask A Question|Register|Login|Help
JustAnswer

Cat

Ask a Cat Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Cat question?

15 Vets and Cat Experts are Online Now
characters left:
Not a Cat Question?

Related Cat Topics:

  • Age
  • ,
  • Box
  • ,
  • Cat
  • ,
  • Ear
  • ,
  • Ill
  • ,
  • Low
  • ,
  • Run
  • ,
  • Vet
  • ,
  • Cats
  • ,
  • Cold
Bookmark and Share

Question

My cat was salvating a bit for one week: she looked as if she tried to catch her drool by shaking her head and almost look like a gaging sumptom. she has bad breath which affects her coat smell which is bad oder

Submitted: 364 days and 2 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
+
Read More

Optional Information

Age: 11; Female; Breed: Tabby

Already Tried:
I thought her drooling, which she catches with the shaking of her head was a result of my bathing her, 2 weeks ago. She smelled stinky and I thought it was from her pooping in the same part of the yard.
However, she continues to stink, so in checking her breath which is not too bad.....i discovered her wet chin. I have taken peroxide with a q-tip along her gums..........not much foam. Then poured a bit from the side of her mouth so that it could drain on a towel and she foams a bit but not polifically. This procedure helps her breath but then every 2-3 days I want to wash her mouth again.
She displays no other characteristics of being in pain or discompfort. she does not like my hands in her mouth. This is the only thing I can think that is making her stink, so I have checked her gums.
Unless it is from her poor poopng hygein. She scratches the dirt and misses the spot she pees in, then steps in what she is trying to cover up. And she continues going in the same location in the yard.
My other thought could be that this smell is coming from her feet, pooping area and then it gets in her mouth.
She does not drool, however, now she will catch it, but acts funny as if she is gagging, never has she had hair balls, then shakes her head as if to suck up the saliva. Then she licks her chops like she has eaten something good.
She normally is in the house, rarely uses her cat box. will go out doors for long periods typically when it is warm.
She has had earmites last year and a loss of facial hair above her eyes. She is starting to thin again there , and I am hesitant to put the flea insecticides on the back of her head till I know she is fine. I do not want anything to bother her mouth if that is the trouble.
Occationally she drinks from water outside under the rain gutter. Could she be allergic to roof water or the mold that may grow near that water source.

Posted by ERAnimalNurse 364 days and 2 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,

 

I am sorry your kitty is not feeling well.

 

How old is she?

 

Is she still salivating?

 

Are you seeing any vomiting or diarrhea?

 

Has she lost weight?

 

Does she go outside?

 

Is she spayed?

 

How is her activity level?

 

Let me know and I will try to help....

364 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Tanny anny is about 11 years old

She still salvates, I think becuase sometimes I can see a tear sized amoutn of liquid from her mouth

No vomiting, no diarea

She is the same weight now for about a year. She looks healthy not skinny

She does go outside, and chooses that over her c/box in the house.

and is spaded

She used to be alot more active but seems like she is older and more mellow. She can hop from chair to chair, if she chooses and even hopped up on the mantle, which surprised me as that was a big leap. I do not notice less activity because it is cold and she likes the fire and to curl up next to it or the heater vent.

She can be frisky at times running about the house or from me when we play

I just worry cause she seems to have lost her Youth............and is needy and dependant now which is fine, or a pain, depending upon when she needs attention

Posted by ERAnimalNurse 364 days and 1 hours ago.

Answer

Thank you for the additional information. I am glad that Tanny anny (great name) is still pretty active and has not lost any weight, but I am concerned about the excessive salivation. This can point towards several things. First, it can indicate advanced dental disease. If she is experiencing some infection in her gums or tooth decay, she will drool and may eventually stop eating. Dental disease is a major concern in an older kitty because the bacteria that are in the mouth can actually enter the blood stream, and can be carried to the internal organs. Kidneys, liver, spleen and even the heart can be damaged by this bacteria. Excessive salivation also indicates nausea, which can be a symptom of systemic illness, which can be common in older cats. Cats are considered to be geriatric at 8 years old, so they can become ill earlier than you would expect. The 3 most common ailments known to afflict elderly cats are diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption, increased urination, dehydration, weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, poor hair coat, changes in appetite, changes in behavior and increased vocalizations. I think that your kitty should see her vet very soon for an exam, blood and urine tests to determine if an illness is present. Some x-rays may also be necessary as cancer is also a possibility at this age. Cats instinctively hide illness, and can appear to be fine one day and very ill the next. It will be much easier and less expensive to make her well if she is seen sooner rather than later. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. If this has been helpful, please hit the green accept button. Good luck with your little gir.

364 days ago.

Reply

What is systemic desease

364 days ago.

Reply

And is there anything I can do to make her more compfortable.

She looks sad

Posted by ERAnimalNurse 364 days ago.

Answer

Systemic illnesses are basically illnesses that can affect many of your cats major body systems. They include the illnesses mentioned above (diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism). The best thing to do to make her more comfortable is to have some tests run by her vet to determine which illness is present. This is the only way to manage her symptoms and make her feel better. She likely feels ill, and the longer she feels this way, the worse she will get.

364 days ago.

Reply

ok, I understand

Do you have an idea of average cost in Tacoma Wa for the procedure you talk about

And do you know if their is a conservative way to handle the visit to have the Vet know specifically to check or will they all know what you have been telling me about...

Can you reccamend a conservitive cost vet in this area.

The vet I have been to, took 3 visits for us to diagnoe the Ear might/ allergy of my cats ears last year?

Aso, do you reccamend that I hold off on the insecticide treatment for the flea issues effecting cats. I know it is over do but so far it is still cold here

Posted by ERAnimalNurse 363 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

I cannot provide you costs for your area, but can give you general prices. If you tell your vet the symptoms your kitty is experiencing, they will likely knwo what to test for. Make sure you tell them you are concerned about diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. If the flea preventative you use is something safe like advantage, frontline or revolution, go ahead and continue using it. Otherwise, if it is not one of those three, stop using it.

 

Typical exam costs between $35-$50

Urinalysis between $30-$55

Full blood panel between $125-$200

Thyroid screening between $85 and $150

X-rays between $100 and $200

Ultrasound between $100 and $300

 

These prices are ranges and may or may not apply to your area of the country. You can ask for an estimate of costs, and your vet needs your approval before they spend your money. Be sure to take the time to ask them ALL questions that occur to you so that you can understand what is going on. I do not know the vets in your area, but you can call your local humane society or spca and ask about low cost animal hospitals in your area. These hospitals typically have lower costs for the same services that any vet would offer, and may be very helpful in these tough economic times.

 

Some illnesses are hard to diagnose, and there are not specific tests for each problem. Allergies can be hard to identify (as you found out last year with your kitty). Medicine is frustrating because of this. The three illnesses above have specific tests which yoru vet will know to run. Best of luck with your kitty.

363 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

This will probably be our last chat

I have been watching Tanny anny because I was not sure I have been able to identify (describe) her symptoms and behaivor best.

When observing her she will skake her head as if trying to dislodge something from her mouth. It is apparent then that she paws at her face....so this makes me assume it is peridontal or inner mouth infection or trouble.

Do you conqeer and have you heard of these type symtroms

Accepted Answer

I do agree that she may have something going on with her teeth, maybe advanced dental disease and loose teeth. she definitely needs to be examined by a vet very soon.

Picture
Expert: ERAnimalNurse
Pos. Feedback: 99.4 %
Accepts: 1343
Answered: 3/21/2009

Emergency Critical Care Nurse

16+ years of veterinary experience

+
Read More

Related Cat Questions

  • 14 yr old cat.female, inside cat. weight loss of 4 lbs over ...
  • how can i take care of a new born kitten?
  • Nancy H., Thank you so much for the suggestions to try for ....
  • I have a 7 year old yellow and white neutered cat. When we ...
  • My 21 year old cat, Kiah, was recently treated with an ...
  • my beloved bj.. sterted throwing up a week ago, i took him ....
  • We have noted a couple of bloody spots in our cat''s ...
  • I want to know what is wrong with my cat. She is ...



Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Question List | Become an Expert | Terms of Service | Security & Privacy | About Us
© 2003-2010 JustAnswer Corp.