Conference misery::feline

    All my fingers and kitty paws are crossed for Mocha and you.   I
    know what you have been through in the last month...and all I can
    say is keep your chin up and good thoughts are coming your way.
    
    Mocha is a little tough cookie...she had to be to put up with 
    Pretzel and Sneakers....so hopefully they will diagnose the
    problem and she can be treated soon.
    
    If I can do ANYTHING for you...all you need to do is let me know.
    
    Sandy 
    

    Hasn't anyone out there in Feline land been through something similar
    to Pam's ordeal and can offer support?
    
    Hope Mocha is feeling better soon.  I think you are doing everything
    possible to try to pinpoint what's ailing her.  Sometimes with
    illnesses like this, process of elimination is the only real way.
    
    It sounds as if the upper respiratory triggered something within her,
    which hopefully can be identified through more diagnostic testing such
    as ultrasound.
    
    Please keep me posted, either in here or by mail.  I know how hard it
    is when you have a sick kitty but don't know what is hurting her. 
    It's a very helpless feeling.
    
    Hang in there, Pam!!
    
    
    -Roberta
    

    Pam,
    
    I forgot to mention that FIP is very rare in cats Mocha's age. 
    Abdominal fluid is indicative of wet FIP, but it also accompanies other
    illnesses.
    
    Has the fluid been cultured?  That could tell a lot.  If it is tacky
    (sticky) and straw colored, then it could be a sign of wet FIP.  If the
    vet wants to test for FIP, don't let her do a titer test.  All they
    tell you is that the cat has been exposed to a corona virus, which is
    what FIP is, but there are many different types of corona viruses.  The
    best way to diagnose FIP is thru a complete blood panel checking white
    count and serum protein levels.  Though FIP can only be 100% diagnosed
    at necropsy, the bloodwork can give many clues.
    
    Hope this helps some.
    
    
    

    Holly had a very stubborn respiratory infection;  it took about
    three weeks of antibiotics to clear up.
    

    Pippin has an allergy which causes a sneezing sounding cough.  Every
    once in a while it surfaces and I'm beginning to believe that its air
    borne.  Sometimes she sneezes/coughs so much she can't eat.  She's on
    amoxi for the Kidney condition and she can't ever have any steroids so
    we have to wait it out.  While this is going on there is never any
    runny nose or eye condition.
    
    Could there be some sort of irritant in the house?
    
    Giudi

    Hi Pam,
    
    How's Mocha doing???  Any better??  Sending you Honeyrubs and
    Biffkisses...
    
    Mary
    

    Hi there,
    
    Thanks for the replies.  Mocha still isn't eating, and it's been over
    3 weeks.  She's still getting fluids twice a week, and I'm kind of
    force feeding her strained beef, chicken, and Nutrical to at least
    get something into her.  The funny part is, she still doesn't act
    sick - no sneezing, coughing, and she's not lethargic.  This has been
    going on for well over 2 months, so if it's a stubborn infection, it's
    sure being VERY stubborn.
    
    I'm taking her this afternoon to the vets for her fluids, and I have
    lots of questions to ask regarding FIP - thanks to Sandy Merritt and
    Robert Kagno for their input and research on the disease.  Again, the
    vets aren't sure at this time what it is, and the ultrasound and 
    biopsies should show more.
    
    I'll keep you all posted.
    
    Pam

    keeping good thoughts for you and Mocha.  I know the waiting can drive
    you nutz.
    
    Giudi

    Well, I just came back from dropping Mocha off at the vets.  It was
    really hard leaving her there knowing that today I will find out
    if she's going to be OK or not.  I left the vets crying, and it's
    pretty hard right now to hold the tears back.
    
    They said they would do an ultrasound, extract the fluid from 
    her abdomen and test it, and do biopsies of her kidneys and liver
    if necessary.  They should have the results by around 3:00 today.
    It's going to be a long day.
    
    When I brought Mocha for her fluids last Friday, I asked the vet
    whether it would help her to get fluids more frequently.  She said
    if she's not eating at all (which she isn't) that it certainly would
    be better for her.  Knowing that going back and forth really stressed
    her out, I learned how to put the IV in myself.  Never thought I
    could bring myself to stick a needle into my cat, but knowing that
    it would be the best thing for her helped give me the courage to do
    it.
    
    Keep good wishes for Mocha today - I can really use the support
    and encouragement from the Feliners while waiting it out.
    
    thanks
    Pam

    
    All our fingers and paws are crossed for Mocha!  Positive thinking
    going her way, too.
    
    Sandy & co.
    

    I am sending all the support I know how to through these words on the
    screen.  Calvin and Bilbo Baggins send head butts and hours of purrs
    for you and your Mocha.  We know that you will do what is best for your
    dear, dear friend.  Good Luck, and really, before you know it, 3:00
    will be here.
    
    Meow Meow.
    
    Catherine
    

         Best of luck to you with Mocha.  Keeping my fingers crossed ...
    
    					- Andrea
    
    BTW Congratulations on learning how to do an IV.  I didn't think I
    could learn to give Loki insulin, especially "shooting" him twice a
    day, but as you say anything to make it easier on him ...

    Thinking of both you and Mocha...and good thoughts coming your way.
    
    I'm sure Mocha appreciates you learning how to do the IV.....I give
    you all the credit in the world to make things a little easier on
    her.
    
    Sandy

    Sending hugs to both you and Mocha.
    
    Hang in there, Pam!
    
    -Roberta
    

    
      Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers to you and Mocha, wishing
      for only the best...
    
    
    Diana, Domino & Tykey

    Hang in there, Pam.  We're all wishing the best for Mocha!
    
    ng

    Sending lots of warm thoughts to you Pam and Mocha!  Hope things work
    out for the best.
    
    Holly
    

    God thoughts from us too.
    
    Karen, Sweetie, Holly, Little Bit, and Little Grey Kitty
    

    We're sending out thoughts (and hope that someone will update me after
    this Thursday).
    
    K.C., Leigh, Rico & Alex

    Thanks for all the nice notes and good wishes - they really helped
    me through the day.
    
    Well, here's the prognosis.  The vet called at 3:00 on the dot
    (just when MUTTON went down!! - is that a sign??)
    
    The vet that did the ultrasound doesn't think it's FIP (whew!).
    BUT, the liver did look enlarged, so they took a biopsy, and I
    won't get the results for another week (ugh - more waiting...
    this is going to kill me).
    
    They think it's some kind of condition known to laymen as
    "fatty liver".  She told me the actual name, but there's no way
    I could pronounce or spell it.  It's caused by a cat not eating,
    and the cat usually turn yellow (how a cat turns yellow, I don't
    know - maybe their eyes?).
    
    Anyway, the way for her to get over this illness is to get her
    to eat.  Since prompting and trying every food under the sun 
    didn't work, they can try either valium or steroids.  If she
    still doesn't eat, the serious can become serious.
    
    She's staying the night at the vets, because they had to put
    her under to do the biopsy.  So I won't be able to pick her
    up til tomorrow morning - tonight's going to be long too!!
    And the next week is going to be even longer!
    
    Thanks again for listening and I'll keep you all posted.  In
    the meantime, I welcome any suggestions on getting her to eat.
    I've already tried the heated up tuna, chicken, beef, babyfood
    route.  Other than forcefeeding her, I'm at a loss.
    
    Pam

    Oops - it's not "the serious can become serious" - I meant to
    say the "situation can become serious"

    Pam,
    
    When I took Amelia in for her blood work, they said she had elevated
    liver enzymes and told me not to try to make her lose weight because
    they didn't want her to end up with "fatty liver syndrome".  They 
    never gave me a scientific name for this.  Guess they figured I
    wouldn't remember it anyway.
    
    In any case, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mocha will be okay.
    
    Jan

    Re: turning yellow
    
    Basically, anything that isn't covered with fur that CAN turn yellow
    WILL turn yellow.  When Tiki fell ill, his foot-pads, nose, eyes
    (whites), tongue, gums, all turned a horrendous shade of yellow.
    
    Believe me...you'll KNOW when you see it!
    
    K.C.

    Lipidosis is the formal name for fatty liver syndrome, and it is caused
    by the cat not eating.  It is especially prevalent in overweight cats. 
    Was Mocha overweight to begin with?  It could have developed after the
    URI's, when her appetite was supressed during that timeframe.
    
    
    -Roberta
    

    I think someone mentioned some medication that was an appetite stimulant
    in this file awhile back?  I don't remember it's name.  Sometimes
    LB, my only cat with a finicky appetite, will eat if I stroke him at the
    same time.
    

    Found the complete name of this illness in 124.19 while I was looking
    for the correct note to move another note to.  It is "hepatic
    lipidosis".  Pam, does that sound more like what your vet told you.
    I believe notes 124.19 and surrounding replies might be good reading
    for you.  The topic is about getting cats to eat.
    
    Jan

    Pam, 
    
    That's good news about the FIP.  I've had a rocky road with my two
    kittens (note 167) and know what you are going through.  I too went
    through the FIP scare and didn't take it too well.  Thanks to notes I
    learned more about this disease.
           
    I don't know what else you could try to get her to eat.  When I had to
    clear up Cleo's stools she absolutely loved boiled chicken.  
    
    Don't have any recommendations but I'd like to let you know that I'm
    thinking about you and hoping for the best.
    
    Good-luck, 
    Rania  

    Pam ..
    
    First .. glad that it's not FIP!!
    
    Second ... the best way to see if a cat is "turning yellow" is at the
    inside of the ears.  It believe it's called jauntis (sp??).  My
    michaela became very jauntis when she had hepetitis.
    
    How do you get her to eat??  What I did with Michaela was actually
    force feeding her.  I know it sounds horrible, but you've GOT to get
    some food into her in order to keep this under control.  I mixed
    nutrical with babyfood and got a srynge from the doctor (no needle ..
    just the tubing).  I got michaela under my arm and opened her mouth ..
    then put the serynge in her mouth with my other hand and pushed the
    food down her throat.
    
    Another thing you might want to try is salmon.  My babies go NUTS over
    salmon!
    
    Hope she's better soon!
    
    Holly
    

    Force feeding is not as bad as it sounds.  Sometimes after _I_ have
    been sick and have not eaten for days, I feel to ill to eat.  However,
    being human, I understand that if I eat, I will feel better.  Poor
    Mocha aparently does not understand that.
    
    Also, if you do turn to force feeding, bland foods, gentle foods may be
    best at first.  Work Mocha into digesting slowly.  No hot peppers for a
    while.
    
    Mew Meow Mew Mew
    
    Catherine
    

    Be extremely careful not to get food into the lungs if you force feed.
    

    I was fostering a cat that wasn't eating and had lost a lot of weight,
    which prompted some speculation around hepatic lipidosis.  I asked my
    vet about it, and he said that usually happens in cats that are
    overweight and lose a lot of weight suddenly (as another noter already
    suggested).
    
    However, when we were discussing Duke's (the foster cat) treatment, my
    vet said that if the blood work showed normal (which it was nearly),
    and he still didn't start to eat, he wanted to *carefully* try an
    appetite stimulent.  We never had to do this (Duke eventually did start
    eating), but you may want to discuss this possibility with your vet if
    the biopsy doesn't show anything.
    
    And best of luck to you and Mocha - I tuned in tonite to specifically
    check on your progress.  I surely hope you can get Mocha eating.  Have
    you tried the water from spring-water packed tuna, as well as chicken
    broth, etc?  I used these to interest Duke.
    
    Sue B + Smokey, Spike & Trouble
    
    ps.  Duke went to a new home a few months ago - I recently ran into
    someone who visited him and his new family.  I asked her if it looked
    like Duke had put on weight - she asked me what I meant, because the
    cat she saw certainly did not need to put on weight!  :-)

    Thanks for all the great suggestions.  I just came back from bringing
    her back, and she's VERY happy to be home.  I did write down the
    actual name of what they think she has - and it is hepatic lipidosis.
    Again, the results won't come back for sure for another week.  I 
    also asked what they thought the original cause was - they still
    think it was the URI that lasted so long, then caused her not to
    eat, and her not eating is causing the liver problem.
    
    I talked to Priscilla yesterday from the PB Shelter, and she 
    suggested mixing a jar of baby food, 2 tbsp. of Gerber rice cereal
    and some evap milk to make it soupy.  I force fed her 4-5 syringes
    of it this morning  - she squirmed a little, but was generally good
    about it.  I'm going to try again tonight, and keep up with the
    Nutrical and fluids.  I've got her locked up in my bedroom today
    with some more babyfood, so that I can monitor if she's eating 
    anything.  Plus she's got the "vet smell", so I don't want her to
    be bothered by my other guys.
    
    To answer a few noters about her weight - no, she wasn't very
    overweight.  Her heaviest was 9 lbs., but she did plumet rather
    quickly to 6 1/2 lbs. the first time she wasn't eating.  I'm sure
    she's around 6-7 lbs. now, after not eating for so long.
    
    I'll keep you all posted on her progress.  In the meantime, I'm
    going to be stuffing her as much as I can to get her weight back
    up.  The vets are going to hold off on medication anyway until 
    the results come back - and I'd much rather she start eating on 
    her own after putting on weight, than to resort to drugs.
    
    Thanks again for your concern and support!
    Pam (and Mocha, Sneakers and Pretzel)

    Hi Pam,
    
         For what it's worth, I know Dr. Mary Labato at Tufts has does
    numerous papers on fatty liver syndrome, and I think she is one of the
    experts on it.  We have her for our regular vet, and she is super!
    
         Can't remember if you were going to Tufts or not, but if not, it
    *might* be worth going to her for a second opinion/treatment.
    
    					- Andrea

    I've been going to Dr. Mulcahy's of Leominster, and I know that
    they consult with Tufts when they're dealing with something they're
    not familiar with.  So, I'm confident that if it is something 
    beyond they're knowledge, they will pursue other avenues.  Right
    now, we're going to wait for the test results, and if that doesn't
    turn up anything, then I will go to Tufts.  Thanks for the
    reference.
    
    Pam

    Yes Dr. Mulcahy is excellent.  She's the vet for the Pat Brody Shelter
    and she is good.  I had two shelter cats and they were so good with
    dealing with those little furballs.  Any time I had a question Dr.
    Mulcahy took the time to answer it no matter how dumb I thought it
    was.
    
    Mocha's in good hands.  She'll soon be running around and terrorizing
    the house again.
    
    Kim (Morticia, Alpo, and Adelaide)

    If you get into a serious situation with Mocha and the hepatic
    lipidosis, your vet can tube feed her for you.  My vet has pulled two
    cats through this disease by using a feeding tube that is inserted
    through the nasal passage to the stomach.  It isn't pleasant to look
    at, and I am sure that it isn't pleasant for the cat when they put it
    in, but it did  save both cats lives.
    
    Jo

    Today is my last day (as a matter of fact, this is pretty much my last
    note)...can SOMEONE  let me know how little Mocha is doing?  (oh,
    Kim...  ?)
    
    See y'all later!
    
    K.C.

    Well, after debating for several days, my husband and I have
    decided to go away for a few days next week (we're both on vacation).
    I feel really guilty leaving Mocha when she's still not feeling
    well, but we've got to take care of ourselves too.  I felt the
    best thing to do is board her at Dr. Mulcahy's so they can keep
    a close eye on her, make sure she gets her fluids, food in her
    belly, etc.
    
    I really hate to leave her there, but it wouldn't be fair to 
    have my in-laws take on that responsibility.  Besides, if something
    does happen while we're away, she's in the best hands.
    
    I'll keep you posted on the results of her test when I return
    on 7/13.  Thanks, everyone, for your concern.  Mocha appreciates
    it too!
    
    take care, and have a happy 4th
    Pam

    Hi there,
    
    I called the vets a week ago Monday, while enroute to our vacation
    to find out the test results:  It's definitely hepatic lipidosis -
    fatty liver caused by not eating.
    
    The vets say it's just something that takes time to get over, and
    the best thing to do is keep trying to get her to eat, force feeding
    her, and giving her Nutrical to supplement and fluids.  I have 
    managed to get almost a small jar of babyfood into her every day,
    and 2 tsp. or so of Nutrical.  She doesn't really like it when I
    forcefeed her, but she puts up with it.  Worst case, the vet did
    mention the intranasal tube (tube stuck down her nose to her
    stomach).  That thought really disturbs me, but if that's what will
    save her, I'll do it.
    
    I'm going away on Sunday for a 2 week business trip, and my husband 
    is going to have to shoulder the responsibility of feeding her.  He 
    will bring her to the vets 3 times a week for fluids, as he can't
    bring himself to stick a needle into her.
    
    I'm hoping that when I return, she'll have put on at least a little
    more weight.  I really hate the thought of leaving her again... but
    at least she'll be home where she's happy.
    
    Pam

    
    
      Just a thought, but what about maybe putting her favorite food and
      a little water and putting it in a blender.  I had to do this for
      one of my furry babies once.
    
      Good luck
      Diana, Tykey & Domino

    Believe me, I've been trying everything that I think she would
    like, and the only thing I can get her interested in is Gerber's
    strained ham.  I know ham isn't great for pets, but if it's the only
    thing that works...  
    
    Her other favorite food is chicken, and I can't even get her 
    interested in that.  So, until she eats on her own, I'll have to
    continue to force it into her.  She doesn't like it, but really
    doesn't struggle that hard - she's a good baby and I think she
    knows we're trying to help her.  Even though she cringes when
    she sees me coming with the food, and when she knows she's going
    to get a needle, she doesn't take it out on me.  About 5 minutes
    later, she's hopping on the couch or bed and sitting with me.

    I finally have some GOOD news to report - Mocha ate on her own 
    Tuesday night for the first time in almost TWO MONTHS!!  I just
    came back from a 2 week business trip last Thursday night, and
    while I was away, my husband tried feeding her with little success.
    He ended up having to bring her back and forth to the vets so they
    could get something into her.
    
    When I returned, she had gone down to 5 lbs. (from her original
    9 lbs,) her coat looked terrible, and she was spending most of her
    time sitting in the window or on her favorite rocker.
    
    Well, I spent the entire weekend and Monday feeding her 4-5 times
    a day, giving her as much love as possible, and I gave her a bath
    to make her feel better on Monday.  She seemed to perk up on Tuesday,
    and started playing a little, and hanging around the kitchen crying
    (her signal for "Mom - I'm hungry!".  Well, I put down some Gerber
    strained ham - and she started eating it all by herself!  I almost
    cried I was so happy!!  
    
    So now, I'm still supplementing her with Nutrical and giving her
    babyfood, hoping she'll switch back to her original C/D when her
    appetite really comes back.  I weighed her, and I think she's already
    gained a pound!!
    
    I'm hoping this time she's turned around for good - she did seem to
    be doing well a few months back, only to have a relapse.... I hope
    and pray she stays well and finally gets over this awful condition.
    
    Pam (who's been on cloud-9 for two days!!)

    That's GREAT news! You and Mocha have been through a long ordeal...
    I hope this is the end of it and Mocha will be her old self.

    Linda

    Happy days are here again..........I sure hope she continues
    on her happy road to recovery.   Her MOM's home now.....so
    she going to try with all her might to get better!!!!!
                                                     
    Sandy

    That's wonderful.  I have her and you in my thoughts.
    
    Karen
    

    Great news!!  I'm sending porky wishes to Mocha.  (It worked for
    Misha).  
    
    Some food tempations - Fresh Catch's - Tuna and Shrimp, Mackerel and
    Shrimp in gel.  2 favorites.  Those helped Misha gain weight.
    
    I hope now that Mocha has rediscovered eating, she will keep doing it.
    
    Steffi

    I did try the Fresh Catch varieties very early on when she wasn't
    feeling well - and no go.  I will try other foods, though, now that
    I know her interest in eating is sparked.  It's funny, though, even
    when she was well, she usually passed up fish for beefy/ham type 
    foods, so now I'm sticking with whatever works!!
    
    "What Mocha, you want a hot fudge sundae?  No problem,  just let
    me run down to Dairy Queen!!"

    Oh, Steffi, Kelsey loves those Fresh Catch flavors too.  Whew!  Do they
    ever STINK!!
    
    Kelsey is my skinny-minny cat; only weighs about 8-9 lbs.  For a
    Ragdoll, he is anorexic!  Wonder if he binges and purges while I'm at
    work?  :^)  Come to think of it, I have seen him leaning over the
    toilet bowl several times, since he feels that is his water bowl. 
    Maybe he has learned how to flush!!
    

    Sorry, Pam, too quick with the cntrl Z!  I wanted to say hooray for
    Mocha and I'm so glad to hear she is getting back to her old self!
    
    :^)
    
    -Roberta
    

    Nine Lives Super Supper -- major stink, major cat attractant.  Normally
    I don't recommend Nine Lives, since 2 of my 3 cats throw up after
    eating some flavors, and I've heard of other cats with this problem,
    but it might be worth a small test run with this particular flavor.