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A few years ago I woke up to find my oldest cat on the floor of the bathroom. (I had gotten her from the Humane Society as a senior, so she was probably in her mid to late teens by the time this happened.) She couldn't get up and I felt HORRIBLE as I had no idea how long she had been there. I picked her up and she purred her little head off. I held her and tried to give her some food and water but she couldn't eat or drink. She died later that day, and the vet said she had probably had a stroke.
As someone else posted, I didn't know they could test for stroke? That was the first thing I thought of when I read the original post.
CTGirlNoMore, I am so sorry to hear you're going through this, and hope your kitty starts eating and drinking and recovering more.
Well if the initial blood work came back okay that's puzzling. Given her age - stroke would be a guess or epilepsy but she has no history I assume of seizure.
Spinal injury would be my next guess. That's a big cause for ataxia. Next up would be lymphosarcoma
I asked earlier about shots. Rabies reaction will lead to ataxia - I've seen it happen. Severe reactions like that can happen at anytime. A friends pug at about 8yo had a routine exam and rabies vax. Two days later the dog was in the emerg. vet for a week and barely survived - she's partially paralyzed.
I took her back in yesterday. It just so happened the critical care specialist was in, so I got to talk with him. He did say it was the vestibular disease. However, my cat was bordering on the severe/treatable line (there are 2 kinds). All symptoms pointed to treatable, except that her eyes were moving fast, which to him indicates getting into the serious one.
He suggested treating her for the treatable one, then seeing how it goes from there. I had her admitted as I wasn't able to get her to eat at home, so they could try it there and also observe her behavior.
As of this morning the vet confirmed that he was defintely thinking the treatable kind. She is ever so VERY slowly progressing. She still won't eat, but she is showing interest at least. Also, while she still can't walk or stand well, the vet said that is a tad bit more steady than she was before. She will stay another night and as long as she progresses, I will bring her home tomorrow. If she doesn't progress well, we talk from there
I have hope, but I also have to prepare myself for the worst. I would NEVER let her suffer, and obviously not being able to stand or walk or eat is not a good way of life.
They encourage you to visit your pet, so I am heading off to see her now. I can't wait to hold her!
I took her back in yesterday. It just so happened the critical care specialist was in, so I got to talk with him. He did say it was the vestibular disease. However, my cat was bordering on the severe/treatable line (there are 2 kinds). All symptoms pointed to treatable, except that her eyes were moving fast, which to him indicates getting into the serious one.
He suggested treating her for the treatable one, then seeing how it goes from there. I had her admitted as I wasn't able to get her to eat at home, so they could try it there and also observe her behavior.
As of this morning the vet confirmed that he was defintely thinking the treatable kind. She is ever so VERY slowly progressing. She still won't eat, but she is showing interest at least. Also, while she still can't walk or stand well, the vet said that is a tad bit more steady than she was before. She will stay another night and as long as she progresses, I will bring her home tomorrow. If she doesn't progress well, we talk from there
I have hope, but I also have to prepare myself for the worst. I would NEVER let her suffer, and obviously not being able to stand or walk or eat is not a good way of life.
They encourage you to visit your pet, so I am heading off to see her now. I can't wait to hold her!
Thanks for the update. So glad she is in the hospital getting the treatment she needs. When you visit, bring in a shirt that smells like you for her to have in her kennel. Not something you value, as it won't be returned. Sleep in an old t-shirt then bring it in. I, too, believe visits are very important.
My baby is coming home tonight!!!!!! The radiologist and surgeon both looked at her x-ray today and agree that surgery is not needed. I will have to watch her, of course, and if she reverts back then surgery may be needed. But she is improving everyday.
When I saw her Saturday she looked bad. Very distant eyes, eyes darting back and forth, very quiet. Yesterday we immediately noticed the improvement. No more distant look in the eyes, no darting back and forth. She was much more aware of her surroundings. She ate a couple tiny bites of chicken for me. She also kept looking to jump off the table. Defintely a good sign - for her to do that she must be feeling better. The vet also said she was using her litter box, which was great. usually cats with that condition are too dizzy/naueseus (sp??) to get up, so they just go wherever they are. Her getting to the litter is a great sign. They also said she was moving around the cage more.
This morning she has eaten a bit more, and is moving around the cage more also. So she is being released!
YAY! So glad she's coming home. Is she on antibiotics?
To help her in the litter box try laying paper towel under a very thin layer of litter. This will help prevent her feet from sliding. Puppy pads work too, but I used paper towels for my girlie who had a stroke. I also gave her a litter box with high sides, so she had something to lean against to hold herself up. I cut a hole low in the side, for ease of access.
We had similar symptoms on our very elderly boy; he has kidney and heart issues. We thought it was "the end." Sure enough, an inner ear infection, from which he fully recovered.
I'm sure your girl will recover just fine. Thinking of you both.
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