Cat vet help!

[alainax]

Hey would love if anyone can help me!

ill get straight to the point.

3yo male -"ty".

We bought a kitten. A week later ty "lost" his meow and got a weepy eye.

Took him to the vet and she diagnosed it as " viral infection" probably caught from kitten. he also had a temperature

Got antibiotics, eye drops and metacam. they worked perfectly. Symptoms dissapated ( but meow was very odd).

One week after the end of the course, the syptoms reaapeared.

Same course prescribed again, and same result.

I called the vet and she said the antibiotics only treat the symptoms and not the cause. She says his immune system has to do that, and to leave him a few days on eye drops.

Now theres no change and his eyes worse than ever.

He eats,drinks,plays etc all as normal. Just has a weepy puffy eye, funny meow, and sounds like a slightly blocked nose.

What do i do?

 

[Allover]

If it were me i would probably get a second opinion.

Hope he feel better soon

 

[SusieT]

Second opinion?

 

[Gleeful Imp]

I second a second opinion!

 

[alainax]

Lol a common theme!

Each time he has went its been a different vet ( 3 in total now) But at the same practice.

If i go to another practice will they have his medical record? or can I ask my current vet for a copy?

They have a bigger practice in the next town, should I try that?

(and although this doesnt matter as id pay anything for him - but will I still be able to claim my insurance if I go to another practice?)

Thanks for your replys!

 

[daveismycat]

It does sound like it could be viral, or poss Chlamydophila.

Is he vaccinated? Where did you get him from - was he a stray kitten or from a rescue place himself? Do his eyes have any discharge, or are they squinting and shut?

Any idea what antibiotics he was prescribed - doxycycline (ronaxan) or azithromycin (zithromax)? They are often used vs Chlamydophila,

If it is viral (poss feline herpes) then unfortunately it probably is largely up to his immune system to sort out, although it is important to sort out any secondary bacterial infections and treat symptomatically particularly if he has any eye problems. Antiviral drugs taken systemically (ie tablets) aren't tolerated that well in the cat (and are expensive), so if you are going to use them your vet will need to justify it by testing for the virus first and sending swabs off. There are other things which can help, e.g. lysine (but you have to be really careful what preparation you use as some can be toxic to cats so best to stick to the licenced cat product - enisyl).

If he is upto date with his vaccines it is unlikely to be a 'new' herpes infection caught off the kitten. Once herpes is in your system is usually there to stay. I often use the analogy of the human cold sore which is also caused by a herpes virus. If you are under the weather or stressed then 'old' infections tend to flare up, and the same is true of herpes in cats. The introduction of a new kitten into your household could trigger a latent herpes virus infection, which he could've possibly picked up as a kitten before you even got him and before he started his vaccine course.

(Remember, the vaccines we use are aimed at preventing disease, not curing ones they already have)

You are entitled to a second opinion if you are worried that he is not getting any better. You could always ring and speak to your original vet and see if they have any further ideas - or if they have a colleague interested in feline medicine (or ophthalmology if his eyes are particularly bad)?

Hope that makes some sense - I have typed with one contact lens in so there could be lots of typos!

Hope you get sorted.

 

[daveismycat]

Sorry, just read above. It's a bit rubbish that you have had to see three different vets; there are certain circumstances when it can't be helped but it's frustrating when you have to start from scratch each time. Could you ring and specifically request a revisit with one of the vets you've already seen?

If you do switch practice let the new receptionist know he's already been seen at another practice for that problem and they will obtain his medical history from the former practice.

Hope he gets sorted.

 

[alainax]

It does sound like it could be viral, or poss Chlamydophila.

Is he vaccinated? Where did you get him from - was he a stray kitten or from a rescue place himself? Do his eyes have any discharge, or are they squinting and shut?

Any idea what antibiotics he was prescribed - doxycycline (ronaxan) or azithromycin (zithromax)? They are often used vs Chlamydophila,

If it is viral (poss feline herpes) then unfortunately it probably is largely up to his immune system to sort out, although it is important to sort out any secondary bacterial infections and treat symptomatically particularly if he has any eye problems. Antiviral drugs taken systemically (ie tablets) aren't tolerated that well in the cat (and are expensive), so if you are going to use them your vet will need to justify it by testing for the virus first and sending swabs off. There are other things which can help, e.g. lysine (but you have to be really careful what preparation you use as some can be toxic to cats so best to stick to the licenced cat product - enisyl).

If he is upto date with his vaccines it is unlikely to be a 'new' herpes infection caught off the kitten. Once herpes is in your system is usually there to stay. I often use the analogy of the human cold sore which is also caused by a herpes virus. If you are under the weather or stressed then 'old' infections tend to flare up, and the same is true of herpes in cats. The introduction of a new kitten into your household could trigger a latent herpes virus infection, which he could've possibly picked up as a kitten before you even got him and before he started his vaccine course.

(Remember, the vaccines we use are aimed at preventing disease, not curing ones they already have)

You are entitled to a second opinion if you are worried that he is not getting any better. You could always ring and speak to your original vet and see if they have any further ideas - or if they have a colleague interested in feline medicine (or ophthalmology if his eyes are particularly bad)?

Hope that makes some sense - I have typed with one contact lens in so there could be lots of typos!

Hope you get sorted.

Wow thanks for your awesome reply, ill try and answer all you have asked in the hope of more solutions!

Yes his vaccinations are all up to day - got his annula ones done 2 months prior to new kitten ariving. He was bought from a very reputable breeder and had had all his kitten jabs etc.

Yes his eye has light green discharge, only one eye. Very swollen and pink inner eye lids, eyeball its self is fine ( they did an iodine test)

Im pretty sure the antibiotics were Noroclav. 1 tab twice a day.

The vet did mention Chlamydophila but said it was very unlikely due to him being vaccinated.

The phrase youve used "secondary bacterial infections " is exactly how the vet described the weepy eye etc.

I had asked the vet initially if they could do blood tests/swabs but they said as it was viral there wasnt much they could test for, and no treatment anyway ( they likened it to a cold or flu)

Ive never heard of using lysine, i may mention it to the vet

I did ring and speak to the origional vet last week, it was her who advised to leave it a week to see if he can fight it without more drugs.

What she did say tho we could try a different type of antibiotic - a jab that lasts for 2 weeks.

I really dont want to have to go to a new vet, but if its the only option id do it without hesitating.


Thanks again for your reply.

ps - kitten also from a breeder and all vaccs upto date - however she did sneeze a couple of times a day when we first got her - dont know if that relevant


OMG - Ty just meowed normal when i was writing this! wonder what hes trying to tell me! first time ive heard his normal meow since the kitten arrived. I was begining to wonder if the meow was a behavioral thing.

 

[daveismycat]

I would get him seen again, and go back and see someone you've already seen.

We don't routinely vaccinate against chlamydophila although you can do, so it'd be worth checking if he has had that componant. Chlamydophila does sound a bit more sus now having read your reply, but obviously I can't say for sure without seeing him, and even then you can only be certain if you do test him

Noroclav (Amox & Clavulanic acid) can work vs Chlamydophila but you usually need pretty long courses - 3weeks +. In an adult cat I like to use Doxycycline although you have to be careful with dosing the tablets as they can cause oesophageal burns if not given with food, and we can't use it in very young cats either. Azithromycin is really easy to give (every 2days - woohoo!!), is safe and is effective in alleviating syptoms but if you read the literature it might not get rid of the organism completely so they can suffer relapses later on.

Lysine is a bit more like a nutritional supplement than a 'medicine' as such and had been shown anecdotally to help with recovery/reduce shedding etc with herpes virus. People use it who suffer from coldsores. It'll not do anything if this is caused by Chlamydophila.

In short, I'd discuss this with your vet and make it plain that you want it sorted. If he is insured then you have the option of virus testing, but I'd probably want him covered with a decent course of antibiotics first

Hope that helps and he is feeling better soon. If all else fails tell him he has to go back to see the vet - just the threat can sometimes work!

 

[alainax]

I would get him seen again, and go back and see someone you've already seen.

We don't routinely vaccinate against chlamydophila although you can do, so it'd be worth checking if he has had that componant. Chlamydophila does sound a bit more sus now having read your reply, but obviously I can't say for sure without seeing him, and even then you can only be certain if you do test him

Noroclav (Amox & Clavulanic acid) can work vs Chlamydophila but you usually need pretty long courses - 3weeks +. In an adult cat I like to use Doxycycline although you have to be careful with dosing the tablets as they can cause oesophageal burns if not given with food, and we can't use it in very young cats either. Azithromycin is really easy to give (every 2days - woohoo!!), is safe and is effective in alleviating syptoms but if you read the literature it might not get rid of the organism completely so they can suffer relapses later on.

Lysine is a bit more like a nutritional supplement than a 'medicine' as such and had been shown anecdotally to help with recovery/reduce shedding etc with herpes virus. People use it who suffer from coldsores. It'll not do anything if this is caused by Chlamydophila.

In short, I'd discuss this with your vet and make it plain that you want it sorted. If he is insured then you have the option of virus testing, but I'd probably want him covered with a decent course of antibiotics first

Hope that helps and he is feeling better soon. If all else fails tell him he has to go back to see the vet - just the threat can sometimes work!

Ok, ill take him to my vets in the morning. Il suggest testing for Chlamydophila and maybe trying Doxycycline or Azithromycin ( although im sure they will hate me for telling them how to do thier job! ) He is insured

Yeah threats may be an idea, cause when you give him sympathy he pulls the " im so not well... its cat man flu... even worse than man flu.. please put the heating back on and top up my feed?"

His vaccines are -

PureVax RCP x2 a few weeks apart (kitten at breeders)
then Nobivac Tricat and Nobivac FeLV
Then Nobivac Forcat and Nobivac FeLV
then Forcat and Nobivac FeLV again

Means nothing to me

Oh and the boxes are ticked to say vaccination been carried out against -
Feline panleucopenia (infectious enteritis) (P)
Feline herpevirs(H)
Feline calicivirus(C)
Feline chlamydiosis(chlam)
Feline leukaemia virus (FelV)
(but the rabies box isnt ticked)


Thanks again for your advice - its greatly appreciated

 

[daveismycat]

Looks like past two times he has been vaccinated vs Chlamydophila.

I tend to treat with decent course of ABs and if no improvement then test for chlamydophila/herpes.

Diplomacy will probably be needed but fingers crossed it goes ok - do keep us informed.

 

[alainax]

phew, another diffferent vet - but this guy has worked wonders on my familys pets in the past.

He said back in the day it was called the "one eyed cold".
He prescribed Ronaxan 5 day course. He said if it is *cant remeber name - sure it had and x or c in it, maybe began with m? * then it will clear up in the 5 days and that will be the end of it.

He said if it is Chlamydophila thet it may come back, in which case he'd prescribe a long course of Noroclav so Ty doesnt have to fight the bacterial infections that come along with it, and conentrate of fighting the Chlamydophila.

He changed the eye drops from Fucithalmic to Aureomycin.

He warned me about the Ronaxan, saying if the tab gets stuck in his throat hed get a nasty ulcer, and to use a syringe to skoosh water down his throat after ive gave him the tab.

 

[Achinghips]

stating the obvious, but make sure you keep the baby warm too and hydrated. Did vet not suggest a little lectade to syringe in (hydrating liquid), it makes a big, big difference to their comfort?

 

[alainax]

stating the obvious, but make sure you keep the baby warm too and hydrated. Did vet not suggest a little lectade to syringe in (hydrating liquid), it makes a big, big difference to their comfort?

ooo he'd love you! Tys a heat seeking kitty - he'd try and get inside the radiator if possible! And disturbing him from his sunbathing results in many looks of disgust


He has been eating and drinking as much as usual ( which isnt very much) and I skooshed a good few syringes(just the small metacam ones) full of water down with the tablet ( paranoid it would get stuck - as hes had things stuck in his throat in the past) then gave him a wet feed ( which the kitten ate most of!)

No he didnt suggest lectade, do you think its a good idea?

 

[alainax]

Oh and the vet mentioned he's a strong healthy young cat, so should be able to fight it.

(dunno if he was just trying to make me feel better!)

 

[Achinghips]

It's only a hydrating liquid with electrolytes - you can't get enough of it into them, they'll just pee the extra out and it won't do them any harm. I've had quivering poorly kits, stop quiverring and start purring after hydrating them with it. You can buy it over the counter at the vets, it's cheap enough and comes in a sachet you put in the water, but it doesn't "keep", so you need to only make up small amounts at a time. Keeping poorly ones hydrated is SO important, they become dehydrated (incrediby and rather wierdly) quick.

 

[daveismycat]

Sounds encouraging; hoping the ronaxan will do the trick and aureomycin is fab too.

I shouldn't worry about trying to get lectade in, sounds like he's otherwise happy and well so shouldn't be dehydrated.

Keep us posted but hopefully he'll be back to 100% soon.

p.s. was the other thing your vet mentioned 'mycoplasma'??

 

[alainax]

Sounds encouraging; hoping the ronaxan will do the trick and aureomycin is fab too.

I shouldn't worry about trying to get lectade in, sounds like he's otherwise happy and well so shouldn't be dehydrated.

Keep us posted but hopefully he'll be back to 100% soon.

p.s. was the other thing your vet mentioned 'mycoplasma'??

Great, yes il update with his progress.

Mycoplasma... er maybe... would that fit in?

 

[alainax]

Well its been a wee while now since hes been off the antibiotics and.... no recurrence!!!! Didnt want to post too soon, but the signs are looking good!




Hes a slender agile playful cat and had seemed to have slowed down and put on a bit of weight while he had "cat man flu" But now hes lost the weight and is his usuall troublesome self.

Is taking great pleasure in beating up his wee kitten sister

 

[*hic*]

Well its been a wee while now since hes been off the antibiotics and.... no recurrence!!!! Didnt want to post too soon, but the signs are looking good!




Hes a slender agile playful cat and had seemed to have slowed down and put on a bit of weight while he had "cat man flu" But now hes lost the weight and is his usuall troublesome self.

Is taking great pleasure in beating up his wee kitten sister

All good news then - apart from for his poor wee kitten sister

 

[City Mare]

Has the vet mentioned calicivirus?

My beautiful persian unfortunatly developed that - we think as he hadn't been immunised against it as a baby (I had him from 6 months, and he had been very badly treated).

He'd have periodic flare ups of it, including one weepy eye (conjuncavitus, one weepy/crusty nostril). Being persian it wasnt good to have a blocked nose, but luckily he wasnt flat faced.

They can never get rid of it once contracted. He managed it well so we'd just look after him and give him extra cuddles whenever he felt poorly.

xx

 

[City Mare]

Has the vet mentioned calicivirus?

My beautiful persian unfortunatly developed that - we think as he hadn't been immunised against it as a baby (I had him from 6 months, and he had been very badly treated).

He'd have periodic flare ups of it, including one weepy eye (conjuncavitus), one weepy/crusty nostril. Being persian it wasnt good to have a blocked nose, but luckily he wasnt flat faced.

They can never get rid of it once contracted. He managed it well so we'd just look after him and give him extra cuddles whenever he felt poorly.

To add - he was immunised immediately against calicivirus as standard as soon I got him; but because he already had this virus dormant in his system - it meant he wasn't immune. So just because he has had his vaccs doesn't mean he wont get the virus/illness if he has been exposed to it before his vaccs (which you may not know have known about).
xx