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Name | Date | Lines |
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| 2654.1 | | NRADM::CONGER | What's ONE more cat???? | Thu Jul 06 1989 15:05 | 9 |
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I think I would get another vet's opinion if this hasn't
shown improvement in another day or two. Sounds more like
an inner ear infection than just an irritation in the canal...
I would think he would've put her on antibiotics as well as
the ear drops...Let us know what happens.
Sherry Rosie Missy & Squeek
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| 2654.2 | Could it be potassium loss? | VAXWRK::SKALTSIS | Deb | Thu Jul 06 1989 15:06 | 59 |
| <<< NOTES$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FELINE.NOTE;1 >>>
-< Meower Power >-
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Note 471.0 New Disease causing potassium loss? 3 replies
VAXWRK::SKALTSIS "Deb" 53 lines 8-FEB-1987 15:47
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The following appeared in the March 1987 issue of Cat Fancy in the
LITTER BOX. It appears that dispite a balenced diet a number of
cats have been quickly getting ill due to no potassium in their
bodies. Has anyone heard anything about this?
Deb
The letter, retyped with out permission, follows the form feed.
New Disease?
------------
We own a 7-year old, orange and white domestic shorthair named Seymour.
He has always been very healthy and is a large cat. One evening
when he jumped up on the couch next to me, I noticed that he was
holding his head with his chin tucked in down toward his chest.
It gave him the appearance of a show horse. Twentry-four hours later,
Seymour was at Colorado State University Vetanary Hospital in critical
condition.
Although Seymour had the most severe case of what now appears to
be a new disease, doctors at the hospital told us that they have
recently treated several other cats with the same symptoms. The
first noticable change is in the head position. This is followed
by a staggering walk where the front legs appear week and stiff.
These cats do not have a fever and give no other warning. Seymour
was still trying to eat and drink when he could not even hold himself
up. When we got him to the hospital, he could hardly breathe and
his whole body seemed to be shutting down.
The treatment that saved Seymour was oxygen and an intravenous dose
of potassium. For whatever reason, Seymour and the other cats treated
at the hospital for the same problem seemed to have no potassium
in their systems, although they were all on a balenced diet. My
understanding is that potassium is converted into electrolytes within
the system and that is what the muscles need to operate. without
it their systems quickly shutdown and they could die.
If you have had a similar experience with one of your cats, please
write to
Dr. Richard LaCourtier
c/o Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
300 West Drake Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Dr. LaCourtier is doing research to identify what is causing the
potassium loss in these cats. We are fortunate to have CSU so close
to us. Had it not been for their exceptional staff, we may have
lost Seymour.
Susan Vincent
Colorado
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| 2654.3 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif. | Thu Jul 06 1989 17:56 | 5 |
| On the other hand, I had an ear infection as a child, and it was
extremely painful. I have the impression that ear infections can
be quite dangerous, due to the proximity to the brain, but I don't
actually know.
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| 2654.4 | Potassium foods for cats? Know any?? | VAXWRK::PETIT | | Thu Jul 06 1989 19:35 | 14 |
| Thanks to all for the quick replies. I'm glad there are so
many cat lovers around...
reply to .2
I would like to try the potassium effort first.
Is anyone familiar with any cat foods that are high in potassium?
I don't usually read the ingredients on the boxes or cans.
Mitzie loves fish and chicken mostly. She's not crazy about beef.
Any suggestions would be most welcome. I don't want to loose my
kitty!
Thanks so much,
Sandy
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| 2654.5 | | CIRCUS::KOLLING | Karen, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif. | Thu Jul 06 1989 19:52 | 8 |
| Dietary deficiencies take a long time to correct simply thru
changing eating patterns. If the problem actually is a potassium
deficiency, your cat would be much better off with a potassium
suppliment from the vet to help her along. I would ask the
vet's advice before doing anything like simply adding potassium
tablets to her food -- what is safe for humans is not always safe
for cats.
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| 2654.6 | see your vet | VAXWRK::SKALTSIS | Deb | Thu Jul 06 1989 19:56 | 5 |
| If the cats symptoms seem to match the article in .2, you might want to
consider printing out the article (please edit out the notes headers),
show it to your vet and get your vet's opinion on how to proceed.
Deb
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| 2654.7 | Sounds good to me! | VAXWRK::PETIT | | Thu Jul 06 1989 20:27 | 6 |
|
Thank you all.... will do as you suggest.
Visit to the vet is tomorrow. Will let you know how
we make out!
Sandy
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| 2654.8 | MY CAT HAD THIS! | LAUREL::REMILLARD | | Mon Jul 10 1989 15:45 | 23 |
|
I had a cat that came home one afternoon walking stiffly with
her head tilted to the left... My husband called me outside
to look at her and I qickly called our Vet. By the time we
brought her (10 min.) she was fine at the Vet's... He looked
her all over and said she was fine. That was October. Well,
in January the same thing happened - this time she seemed very
depressed also. The doc checked her all over, did a blood
check and checked her lungs. She stayed that night - in 2 hours
her lungs had fluid and by 9:00 she passed away. He went in
to check on her that night and found her all curled up - like
she was alseep.
In the end - he had no idea of what happened to her and I felt
very badly about that and I changed Vets. I felt that he didn't
do enough. But that is one of the first things when you lose
someone you love - you need someone to blame.
Now, I see this note and am VERY interested on more news of
this... I don't want to possibly lose Spot my new cat
of 3 years - I love him DEARLY.
Susan
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| 2654.9 | How 'bout an update? | CSCOA5::ELLIS_S | | Tue Jul 11 1989 20:09 | 8 |
| I once had a dog that had epileptic-type seizures (the vet said
it was due to her age), and each seizure left her head tilted.
I don't know if this will help, but thought I would mention it.
How did the vet visit go? Any new developments?
Sharon and Smokey Jo
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| 2654.10 | Update of .0 | VAXWRK::PETIT | | Wed Jul 12 1989 16:49 | 31 |
|
Originally the vet did think Mitzie may be epileptic.
We did get the blood test results back.
Mitzie is dehydrated, anemic, and has extremely low blood count
of her white and red blood cells.
The leukemia test came back negative.
Her potassium level is fine.
She has been doing much better the past 3 days. She has not had
anymore seizures. Last night was the first time in over 10 days
where she stayed out all night. At 7:30 this morning, she was
sitting on the porch with a bright-eyed happy look on her face.
She wasn't even limping.
The vet has prepared us for the worst. He has given Mitzie some
medication to help her blood level and anemia. In 2 weeks, she
must go back for another leukemia test. With the white and red
blood cell counts so low, the vet figures this may be the beginning
of leukemia. If the second test comes back negative again, the
vet will give her leukemia shots and do further blood work and
more extensive tests. This may become very expensive and I don't
know if I want to put her through all that, especially if she keeps
improving and doesn't have leukemia.
I will update this note with any new findings.
Wish us luck!! Keeps your paws crossed over the next few weeks!
Thanks for all the support, comments and suggestions!
One more thing...is leukemia contageous? Should my other cat be
tested as well??
Sandy, Mitzie and Casey
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| 2654.11 | Protect her | CRUISE::NDC | | Wed Jul 12 1989 18:56 | 16 |
| A low white blood count means that she has a lowered resistence
to disease and infection. The low red blood count means that
her system doesn't have all the blood cells it needs to carry
oxygen to the cells and waste away from them. This also means
a lowered resistence.
Give this situation, I don't know as it is a good idea to let
her out where she is more likely to get hurt or come in contact
with some disease that she would normally be able to fight off
easily. I would keep her in or supervise her when you do let
her out.
Yes FLV is quite contagious. If you let your cats out you should
definitely have them immunized against this disease.
Good luck. I'll tell all my crew to cross their paws for Mitzie.
Nancy DC
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| 2654.12 | Mitzie will live a long healthy life! | VAXWRK::PETIT | | Fri Aug 04 1989 19:59 | 15 |
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Update on Mitzie.
We're so excited! Mitzie doesn't have feline leukemia!!!
The vet just figured the infection in her ear made her sick,
weak and dehydrated. The spasms were just her muscles reaction
to depletion. Whatever it was, I'm glad it's over. Mitzie is
healthy and playful as ever. She's back to wacking Casey around
when he gets too close. It's great to see her back to normal.
The medicine she was taking was called Pet Tinic to build her
blood back up.
Mitzie and Casey will be going for their first set of shots.
Thanks so much to ALL for your help and concern.
We are 3 happy campers!
Sandy
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| 2654.13 | My ear hurts, too!! | CSCOA5::ELLIS_S | | Fri Sep 08 1989 19:39 | 7 |
| Hey, can I have the name of your vet? I have had a sore ear for a few
weeks, and my doctor can't figure out why. I'm holding my head funny,
too. I always figured I was part cat!!! ha ha
Glad your Mitzie is ok. I was worried!!
Sharon and Smokey
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