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Forum THE LOUNGE Tisha the cat’s mysterious health problems

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    • Vienna Blue in France
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        To condense all Tisha’s discussions into one thread… it all started in June of this year.

        Tisha (a ‘young & lively ‘ 14 yr old cat) went into a filthy dirty building’s roof space and came out ash grey, ALL over. When I was cleaning her the following day (when i realised she was filthy) I noticed her backside, surrounding her ‘bullseye’ was furless. No trauma, no scratches, just perfectly smooth skin, no fur. I thought she may have just licked excessively to clean herself, or put her bum somewhere where she shouldn’t, but mentioning it on here, LBJ suggested something maybe more sinister going on behind the hair loss, and to get it checked out.

        Mon 04/07  – I went to vets, re hair loss, who had no idea. Gave her an injection of antibiotics and a course of Fulviderm for maybe ringworm being the cause.

        Tues 05/07 – The following day, I woke up to a cat with a wonky head, she couldn’t lift her head up and was looking left and right as if she had something wrong with her hearing and/or eyesight. Suspecting a stroke (CVA) I headed immediately to the vets.

        Vets was in agreement and gave her the ‘stroke’ jabs and Candilat tablets. Tisha was better by the evening and eating. Yay!

        Bit by bit Tisha started not eating, although clearly hungry and still lively. Starting dribbling and breath stunk to high heaven.

        Weds 20/07 – Back to vets because I was worried about her going off her food.  Some tiny ulcers were found on tongue (so tiny I couldn’t spot them). An injection of anitbiotics and cortisone and she was better that eve. 

        Are the tongue ulcers and hair loss bum connected? Who knows?

        Thurs 21/07 – Second episode of wonky-head-itis. Back to vets – I asked if sure it was a stroke… not really sure now, noticed that she was deaf to clapping right next to her ears and no flinching with hand movements next to her left eye. Had antib+cortisone injection. Had blood test – results showed lack of Potassium. The symptoms which she was presenting with (stiff neck, head dropped down, inability to lift head, and sight probs) were all symptoms of Hypokaliemia.

        Hypokaliemia & hyperaldosteronisme diagnosed. Meds given : K for cat and Prilactone.

        Cause of this Potassium deficiency?  ??  Maybe tumour on kidney…. unsure.

        Weight dropped from 3k200g to 2k700g.

        Weds 27/07  –  Check up visit – Still difficulty eating. Ulcers still present so another antib + cortisone injection given (which in normal circumstances should get rid of ‘ordinary’ ulcers).

        Mon 01/08 – Check up visit – Still eating not regularly. Antib + cortisone injection given + meds Dermipred 5 + Therios 60

        Tues 09/08 – Check up visit – Still dribbling, much difficulty in moving soft food around mouth, – ulcers still present and now I can see them, clearly visible. Weight stable at 2k700.

        Vet advises not much more to suggest. Keep on with K suppléments and ‘see what happens’ – I suspect she suspects tumour.

        We talked about an echo scan and MRI, but quite honestly if it is only to confirm (or not) the presence of a tumour, for which the treatment would not be changed, I (and the vet) agreed it was a bit pointless to spend the money (250-500 euros).

        Not happy with not knowing the reasons behind these 3 symptoms (hair loss at top of thigh area, stiff neck and neuroligcal episode and ulcers on tongue)  and not knowing if they are connected, I am going to get a second opinion tonight at another clinic.

        Will let you know


      • Odette
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          Did the vet say whether the renal tumor could be safely removed if found?

          That is frightening. I would want a second opinion also. I hope Tisha can get to a good place of no ulcers where she can live a happy, much longer life.


        • Bam
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            My only suggestion would be Lyme disease. Rare in cats but do occur. Can affect the kidneys and the nervous system (neuro-borreliosis) with stroke-like signs and deafness. My bridge dog got neuro borreliosis in her old age. It’s more common in dogs of course.
            http://m.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_lyme_disease

            Wouldn’t really explain tongue sores and hair loss, but you never know with Lyme


          • Vienna Blue in France
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              So after long explanations to vet n° 2 she said she would have followed the same procedure than vet n°1.
              The only other thing she asked was ‘has her blood pressure been tested? No I say. She also asked if Tisha has changed personality lately – I said no not particularly except that whereas before she slept at the bottom of my bed or not at all, she now sits so close to my ear that her whiskers touch my face, and if she can she MUST place her front two paws IN my open palm.

              So another blood test later (the only thing that the blood test last week didn’t test for…) and the results will be in tomorrow for having a thyroid problem. Which ‘could’ cause the lack of potassium which ‘could’ in turn be causing the ulcers.
              A changing personality even if no wieght change has been observed can be caused by thyroid problems.

              Fingers crossed that’s it, then we might be able to remove the 5 meds she’s taking now and replace with one that targets the problem


            • jerseygirl
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                Thyroid problems can be common in cats right? Kudos to this vet if she has gotten this right. Asking about those atypical symptoms makes a very clued in vet, IMO. I guess she did have the benefit of seeing that previous treatment hasnt resolved everything. I hope you are closer to a diagnoses for Tisha, VB.


              • jerseygirl
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                  What is the skin like on the bald areas now?


                • Bam
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                    Thyroid problems are indeed known to cause hair loss, weight-loss and to affect the heart and the personality. I “hope” your vet is right because there are good meds =)


                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                      Blood results back. Normal high levels. Not enough to cause these extreme symptoms. Hyperthyroidism ruled out. Bum bum bum!!

                      So…. rdv made at specialist vet tomorrow eve for abdo echo! 125eur for rdv with a ‘genius’ vet who sees things others don’t… I want to get to the (hairless ) bottom of this now. And stop giving her meds she maybe doesn’t need….


                    • MoxieMeadows
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                        Vienna, I know how frustrating this can be! (((VIBES))) for both you, and Tisha!


                      • Bam
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                          Many many vibes from me and Bam and Yohio and Ephi (dog) too!


                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                            @Jersey – the bald patches are now covered with a microthin layer of baby fluff hair….. so it’s not completely bald now…. the plot thickens…


                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                              Not necessarily a specialist vet, but one, when you mention his name to other vets makes them swoon with respect. Good choice from 2nd opinion vet.

                              So 3rd opinion from Mr Vet who-makes-other-vets-bow (young, tanned and slightly handsome to boot!)…. After just the saying the words “balding patch around bum and thighs and stiff neck not being able to lift head”, he knew he highly suspected he would be looking for something nasty.

                              The stiff neck episode is classic hypokaliemia symptoms (lack of Potassium). Often caused by tumour on surrenale (not sure what that is in English, its the two tiny glands on a kidney) – which affects the creation of potassium.

                              Just googled – they are the adrenal glands !
                              “The adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol”

                              The bald patch can be a secondary reaction to a tumour – hence LBJs warning 6 weeks ago.

                              After abdominal echo scan (kidney OK, adrenal glands not particularly shocking, but one tiny dark dot in one, not enough to give Tisha her symptoms that she has) he took a look at the lesions/ulcers on her tongue and I felt he was edging more towards the tongue than the kidney.

                              Is it the kidney or the tongue the primary site…?? We need more investigations to find out.

                              So, contrary to what I posted a few weeks ago that “I didn’t want tests or go further… what will be will be”, I’m actually changing my mind because I need her to eat.

                              My priority is that she eats. Which she is not. She is not comfortable eating so she takes a miniscule amount and then bows out.

                              She’s gone from 3k500 to 2k500 in a month. At this rate without any treatment to help her eat she’ll die of starvation.

                              So on Tues they will do a punction (not yet a biopsy which will take more tissue from her tongue and take longer to heal) of the ulcers on the tongue under GA and also a blood test to check the aldostérone. That will point us in the right direction as to the primary cause of her symptoms.

                              So meds for depression (! lol) which will help her feel more motivated to eat and a bad-throat spray (for humans) with a long nozzle which should help to numb the tongue so she can eat (if I can hold cat, control her 4 paws, open her mouth, point spray and aim correctly)

                              For someone who was always very non-emotional – I have become a minor wreck…


                            • Vienna Blue in France
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                                Looking her best last summer   (With Kyra in the background – how a year can change things…. )


                              • Odette
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                                  That’s all so frustrating. I hope you get an answer and definitive treatment plan soon.

                                  I also hope the meds and spray stimulate her appetite and allow her to eat comfortably and gain weight again. Gentle pets to your beautiful girl.


                                • Azerane
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                                    I’m so sorry to hear that you still haven’t got an answer, I really pray that she starts eating well again soon. When Sparks our bridge kitty was ill and I had to give her tablets, I used to let her stay on the floor, I would kneel down behind her and shuffle up so that she was between my legs, which meant she couldn’t back out, then I would hold her chest and front legs down with my left hand, while opening her mouth and dropping the pill in with the other. It’s not a perfect solution but it worked well for us at the time.

                                    Have you been syringe feeding her?


                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                      Yes thanks Az and Odette. Az that’s how I’ve been doing it for 6 weeks now…. got it down to a ‘fine art’…. as I said – a pussy burrito.

                                      The throat spray makes a horrendous “ppssshttt” noise and frightens the life out of her but I’ve aimed well in the mouth. She actually doesn’t dribble as much but is still not eating… she is obviously hungry though as she’s around my feet miaowing in that ‘feed me NOW’ way our feline friends have of subtley telling us it’s dinner time…

                                      So I’ve got 3 kinds of food, meat , textures and flavours out at one time one 3 different plates and none work…. off now to buy a roast chicken. If that’ does’t work, I’m outta ideas.

                                      She needs to eat now before the biopsy on Tuesday, cos I can’t imagine she’ll be eating much for a few days after that….


                                    • Gina.Jenny
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                                        Lots of healing vibes (((Tisha))) that is an awful lot of weight loss


                                      • LBJ10
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                                          I’m sorry there are still no answers Vienna.

                                          Yep, hair loss can be a secondary symptom. I’m glad that the vet recognized this, but I’m also glad that nothing too suspicious showed up on the adrenal glands. Did the vet look at her pancreas? Hair loss is most often associated with pancreatic tumors and low potassium is a symptom of pancreatitis.


                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                            LBJ – Pancréas all normal seemingly

                                            For those who dabble in the Français tongue here is the med report. (which actually is alot of medical terms and and is pretty much understandable with some medical knowledge) Or, thank-you copy/paste+Google trad !!

                                            (RAS = Rien à Signaler which mean ‘nothing to report’)

                                            Motif de consultation: hypokaliémie, alopécie, ulcères linguaux
                                            Les ulcères linguaux ont un aspect prolifératif.

                                            Echographie abdominale :

                                            Foie : LIVER
                                            – Taille : normale
                                            – Parenchyme : homogène, normoéchogène
                                            – Vaisseaux : normaux

                                            Vésicule biliaire : GALL BLADDER
                                            – Paroi : un peu épaisse
                                            – Sédiment : absent
                                            – Canal cystique : dilaté
                                            – Canal cholédoque : RAS

                                            Estomac :
                                            – Fundus : RAS
                                            – Pylore : RAS

                                            Duodénum :
                                            – Epaisseur de la paroi normale
                                            – Péristaltisme normal

                                            Pancréas :
                                            – Parenchyme : homogène
                                            – Veine pancréatico-duodénale : normale
                                            – Conduit pancréatique normal
                                            – Graisses péripancréatiques : normales

                                            Rate : SPLEEN

                                            – Taille : normale
                                            – Parenchyme : homogène
                                            – Veines spléniques : normales

                                            Reins : KIDNEYS
                                            – Cortex : légère hyperéchogénicité
                                            – Rapports cortico médullaires : normaux
                                            – Diverticules : hyperéchogénicité lié à l’âge
                                            – Bassinet : RAS

                                            Glandes surrénales :

                                            – Taille : normale à gauche: taille légèrement augmentée à droite
                                            – Forme : normale à gauche: forme préservée à droite avec toutefois un centre hypoéchogène

                                            Nœuds lymphatiques abdominaux : RAS
                                            Intestin grêle : RAS
                                            Colon : RAS

                                            Vessie : BLADDER
                                            – Paroi : normale
                                            – Col : normal
                                            – Urètre : RAS
                                            – Sédiment : absent

                                            Conclusion:

                                            Dysymétrie surrénalienne modérée. Pas de masse clairement identifiable sur la surrénale droite.

                                            Il serait prudent de cytoponctionnner les lésions linguales et de doser l’aldostérone (avec arrêt du prilactone durant 2 jours au préalable)


                                          • Odette
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                                              Her blood work is mostly very good except for that one adrenal gland and the mouth ulcers. My French is terribly rusty, but Dysymétrie surrénalienne modérée means something like moderate adrenal imbalance?

                                              Have they tested Tisha for Feline Addisons?


                                            • LBJ10
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                                                Oh goodness, my french is rusty too. LOL

                                                Okay so the pancreatic duct looked fine. If they were looking at that, then I assume they didn’t see any tumors in that area.


                                              • Love4Bunny
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                                                  You know, it’s interesting that Odette mentioned Addison’s Disease, because that’s the first thing I also thought of. I was tested for it once, due to very low cortisol levels when I was sick in my twenties, so I’m also wondering if they should run a test for that. I’m very, very sorry to hear all of what you and Tisha have been going through.


                                                • LBJ10
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                                                    Oh that’s a thought. That can cause hair loss as well. Not sure about the mouth sores though.


                                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                      Yes thank you, the Addisons has been tested for. Negative.

                                                      Off to vets tomorrow morn to leave her there for a gen anaeth for a tongue ‘ponction’ and ‘another blood test.
                                                      Tonight I heated up yummy roast chicken from last night and mackerel off of our plates. She is so keen (the anti depressants help !! LOL) but as soon as she sees the food that shes been miaowing for, she tries a tiny piece, makes a vomiting type motion to get the food back out of her mouth, turns and walks away. It makes my heart break. I was in tears because I’m thinking of the GA tmw and wondering if I’m doing any favours by waking her up afterwards….. My visiting parents didn’t know what to say. I’m ready to let her go yet though. And she’s certainly not acting like a sick cat… if ONLY she would eat.

                                                      The numbing throat spray works (I tried it on my arm!) but I think the smell is overpowering, but she still doesn’t want anything.

                                                      Actually it was funny last night, my Dad cut up tiny tiny pièces of chicken from the leg last night and put them on a plate and by mistake left the remaining leg on the plate. She ignored all the tiny pièces cut up with love and yanked the big leg off the plate !! We had to chuckle. But she only nibbled one piece before giving up.

                                                      So tomorrow : biopsy, force feeding (because she can’t go much longer eating the amount she does) and wait for the results….


                                                    • Odette
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                                                        Tisha is a brave kitty trying to eat. Many cats will not even try when sick. She’s a fighter and that’s a good sign.

                                                        I have hope that the vet will find the answer that helps Tisha heal and eat. Good thoughts going with both of you.


                                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                          Thank you Odette, but although I’m a very optimistic person, I am also realistic and I wish I felt better about this… I’ll have to wait & see.


                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                            So dropped Tish off early at vets this morn, and kept tears back (unconvincingly…).
                                                            Called at 10, all went OK and she’d woken up. Phew.
                                                            Picked her up at 6 this evening. She’s OK – attentive but weak, however she escaped over the rabbit fence into the garden – climbing up with paws hanging on through the holes! – and I found her curled up in the middle of the lawn… obviously peed off that she didn’t have enough strength to jump up the brick wall, but somehow smug that she’d got into the garden !! LOL

                                                            She’s having another ventoflexion period (stiff neck and wobbly head) and so I gave her potassium médicine. I don’t want to overdose. I hope it’s just visual and she’s not in pain…

                                                            Result on Friday (normalement)


                                                          • Bam
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                                                              I’m so sorry, Vienna, it must be so hard to watch, but you are doing all you can. I hope you’ll get some answers on Friday.
                                                              Sending so many vibes for you both (((((Tisha and Vienna)))))


                                                            • Odette
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                                                                That had to be difficult. I’m sorry and I am glad she is safe. Good thoughts for you and Tisha and Friday’s results.


                                                              • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                  Paws n fingers crossed for some answers on Friday x


                                                                • BubblesJo
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                                                                    Fingers crossed for Tisha! ((((vibes))))


                                                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                      Thank you all. She had hypokaliemic periods last night and this morning (stiff neck, head towards floor, wobbling) so I called the vets and asked if I could up her dosage. She was taking 2 pills of K for Cat twice a day (normally, it should be just 1p twice a day) and I’ve upped it now to 4p twice a day. Her dodgy head has stopped.

                                                                      She’s accepted that the vet’s food is yummy and soft for her tongue ulcer and so lets me syringe feed her, she must have got 4x 20ml down her today which is more than she’s had in weeks probably.

                                                                      Enough strength for “Spidercat” to do this….!!   


                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                        Exceptional measures are accepted in exceptional circumstances – she is allowed to eat at the table. She’s allowed to eat anywhere she wishes !!!

                                                                        However to then swallow her goodies… that’s another story… 


                                                                      • Odette
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                                                                          That is wonderful. She looks great. I hope the increased meds and hand-feeding help get her past this hurdle.


                                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                            She’s looked better, but she certainly doesn’t look or act like a cat at death’s door !!


                                                                          • Odette
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                                                                              I expected her to look very weak and frail. She looks better than my eleven year old cat who has asthma! And, he looks a lot better than he did during his last hospitalization. But, I know you see the day to day change. Still, she looks lovely.


                                                                            • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                Thank you Odette
                                                                                She did look weak and frail a week ago – little monkey !


                                                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                                                  {{{Tisha}}}
                                                                                  You must have slept well after she finally ate the syringe food!


                                                                                • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                    You betya bottom dollar (Annie!) I slept well. I’m going for 4 meals a day at the moment thinking that if like humans not eating for weeks shrinks the tumtum, then she’d prefer to digest little and often rather stuff a huge banquet….

                                                                                    Friday tomorrow : Parents leave and (hopefully) Tish’s results


                                                                                  • Bam
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                                                                                      I’m glad she’s doing better.


                                                                                    • Hazel
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                                                                                        So glad she lets you feed her! She certainly seems to be in good spirits, I think she looks great. Such a pretty girl, I’m sending her lots of healing vibes. Fingers crossed for the test results!


                                                                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                          Tisha’s results are back – “Carcinome epidermoide”. It really is a crap Friday.
                                                                                          If it continues to grow at the same rate, she’ll be gone by Christmas, and that’s being optimistic.


                                                                                        • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                                            Poor Tisha


                                                                                          • Hazel
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                                                                                              Vienna, I’m so sorry. I hope you will still be able to enjoy the time you have left with her as much as possible.


                                                                                            • Benthebunny
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                                                                                                im sorry about Tisha. enjoy the time you have with her, chistmas is not close, so just please take it easy, and enjoy her.


                                                                                              • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                  Oh man, Vienna…. I’m very, very sorry. Mr Google just translated this as… skin cancer?? Tisha is lucky to have you taking care of her, and I hope you guys get to make some happy memories during this time. I hope Tisha makes you laugh with her antics and quirks, despite the difficulty. I don’t think it’s an accident our pets end up with us, as individual owners. I think some pet-human friendships are meant to be.


                                                                                                • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                    Oh VB, I’m so sorry. x
                                                                                                    {{{Tisha}}}


                                                                                                  • LBJ10
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                                                                                                      I’m so sorry Vienna. I was hoping her symptoms weren’t something more sinister. This is disappointing news.


                                                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                        LBJ – I don’t like saying ‘you were right’ in the best of times….
                                                                                                        I am so lucky that she came into my life and that I ‘fought’ to keep her when my neighbours moved away and were going to take her with them all those years ago.

                                                                                                        I will enjoy every minute with her now and wait for the day when she will go and hang out with Kyra.


                                                                                                      • Odette
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                                                                                                          I am so sorry, Vienna. May this time be as long as possible and full of love. Gentle pets for Tisha.


                                                                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                            L4B – it’s a cancerous ulcer/lesion on her tongue. On it, Under it. On its side. Hence why I must syringe feed her as she can’t really ‘lap’ comfortably. But other than that, for the moment she seems fine as she’s drugged up on happy meds :a quarter tablet of antidepressant every three days. (I’m taking the other three quarters !! )

                                                                                                            (Joke)


                                                                                                          • LBJ10
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                                                                                                              This is what both of my childhood cats had.


                                                                                                            • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                                Thanks for the clarification, Vienna. Your love for Tisha has already brought her a quality of life she would not have had otherwise. I, personally, don’t know very many people who love their animals like the BB crew do. Sending hugs to you and Tisha.


                                                                                                              • Azerane
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                                                                                                                  Awww no I’m so sorry to hear that Vienna, it’s so sad For me at least a diagnosis is better than never ever knowing and constantly wondering what happened. Enjoy the time and spoil her rotten. She knows she’s loved.


                                                                                                                • Bam
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                                                                                                                    Dear Vienna, I’m so sorry. Poor Tisha And lucky Tisha for having you for a human.


                                                                                                                  • BubblesJo
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                                                                                                                      I’m so sorry Vienna. Tisha is lucky to have you. Enjoy the time you have with her (((hugs)))


                                                                                                                    • Reesebun
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                                                                                                                        Poor Tisha, and Poor Vienna! I’m sorry about Tisha’s diagnosis.


                                                                                                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                          Now, I didn’t think I would ever say “pussy”, “mucky” and “burrito” in one sentence and think there was anything cute about it….

                                                                                                                          I stand corrected….

                                                                                                                          And here’s a semi burrito : “look! I do have paws” !!

                                                                                                                          She’s getting about 40ml of mixed paté and water by syringe 4 times per day. After 40ml a very patient puss gets very fidgety.

                                                                                                                          I checked the ‘on tongue’ ulcer today, it’s grown, now about a quarter of the surface, covering middle to back right.

                                                                                                                          She doesn’t seem to have too much difficulty swallowing – I’m sure it can’t be comfortable for her, but if she keeps escaping over the Zou-proof wire fence onto the grass using her Spidercat powers, jumping up on 5ft wall and running onto roof, (closely followed by her keeper who won’t let her out of her sight now incase she has hypok attack and can’t find her way home) then there’s no way yet i’m ready to take her for her final visit…

                                                                                                                          So we’ll just keep syringing…


                                                                                                                        • Odette
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                                                                                                                            She is the cutest burrito I’ve ever seen. I am glad to hear Tisha doesn’t seem to have much trouble swallowing and is still a master escape artist– both good signs.


                                                                                                                          • LBJ10
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                                                                                                                              Poor girl.


                                                                                                                            • BrunosMama
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                                                                                                                                What a cute burrito. Sorry she’s so sick though


                                                                                                                              • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                                                  What a sweet girl.


                                                                                                                                • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                    TIsha update – she’s doing fine.

                                                                                                                                    I’m syringing as much liquid food down her as she will take. About 80ml four times a day. So physically she’s fine. (I don’t want her to fizzle down into nothing and become all floppy-weak….)

                                                                                                                                    She dribbles and leaves little dirty puddles (ulcer gunk?) where she’s drooled when sleeping.

                                                                                                                                    We had a look at the tumour with the vet yesterday and it’s now spreading across the back half of the tongue. The ulcer is still quite ‘flat’ so the liquid food seems to flow over it without any discomfort to Tisha (except maybe the first swallow, where she ‘gags’ a little bit). She lays back in my arms, paws free but relaxed, letting me pop the food in her mouth. We’ve got a sort of rhythm going,.. present syringe, open, squeeze, swallow, lick, lick, lick, present syringe, open, squeeze, swallow, lick, lick, lick…. when she’s had enough she starts to wriggle and I have to catch her head at the millisecond before she does a head shake which in turn (and almost in slow motion) makes the last mouthful spray everywhere in sight (usually my white tshirt that i’ve put on fresh 10 mins earlier!!). It’s amazing how far that stuff can fly with a whipping head shake !!

                                                                                                                                    We’re off to London this weekend, Tisha and I, and so she’ll get lots of fuss over there.


                                                                                                                                  • Hazel
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                                                                                                                                      Glad to hear she’s doing okay and eating!


                                                                                                                                    • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                                                        Yes, I second Hazel. You guys have been through a lot.


                                                                                                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                          {{{Tisha}}}
                                                                                                                                          Safe Travels you two!


                                                                                                                                        • LBJ10
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                                                                                                                                            Poor thing. I’m glad to hear she’s doing well. At least as well as can be expected anyway.


                                                                                                                                          • BubblesJo
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                                                                                                                                              I’m so happy she’s still accepting food and being generally happy! You’re such a good cat mommy Vienna <3


                                                                                                                                            • Odette
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                                                                                                                                                I am glad Tisha is able to handle the syringe feeding. Those whipping head shakes are something to behold. But she sounds like she is doing much better.

                                                                                                                                                Safe travels to you and your sweet girl.


                                                                                                                                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                  Which reminds me… I’ve left her out in the garden attached to a planted tent pole !! So much for the “good cat mommy” !!


                                                                                                                                                • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                    Things unchanged really for Tish, except for her hair pulling has become more manic. Does anyone have any experience with this and animal cancer sufferers ?  Any medication to calm the skin ?

                                                                                                                                                    She started on her bum and back thigh area (which is when I noticed it) and she now concentrates on her chest area, front legs and has worked her way down her front to her belly. She grabs the fur and pulls aggressively out, soaking her fur, getting the fur in her mouth (and then coming miaowing to me to pull it out, mucus and ‘all, yum !) and causing her (now bare) skin to be plucked-red colour.

                                                                                                                                                    Here is a photo from today, you can see where the fur is starting to grow back on the upper neck but between her (chicken leg) front legs it’s wet and red raw, poor sweetheart .  The part of her body which is covered in fur looks very normal.

                                                                                                                                                    Going to vets tomorrow for a check-up. I know the ulcer has grown (you can’t miss it when her mouth is open, it takes up the entire back half of the tongue and underneath it) but she still doesn’t complain when feeding her.

                                                                                                                                                     She still likes to play and cudde and thwap passing flies so it’s not ‘time’ yet.


                                                                                                                                                  • Azerane
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                                                                                                                                                      Poor sweet Tish, apart from the fur pulling, I’m glad she’s still pretty positive and accepting food. Give her lots of love from me and the bunnies


                                                                                                                                                    • Odette
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                                                                                                                                                        Poor baby girl. She looks strong, though. I’m glad that she has done so well with her feedings.

                                                                                                                                                        My 16 year old cat passed from mast cell cancer after a brave two year battle. Mast cell disease creates a histamine release, so he had a lot of itching and hair loss too. My vet told me to put him on baby Benadryl and Krill oil. I don’t know how that would affect Tisha’s illness, but you could ask your vet about the benefits and risks and whether either would be useful.

                                                                                                                                                        The baby Benadryl helped the reaction and itching, but it was a terrible trade-off. He was happier when I stopped. It did initially help. He just hated it so much. Plus, the baby Benadryl made him so drowsy.

                                                                                                                                                        I also bought a wound wash that soothed the skin. That helped tremendously. I threw it all out when he passed, so I don’t know the active ingredients. But, your vet can probably prescribe a calming cream.

                                                                                                                                                        Feel better, Tisha.


                                                                                                                                                      • Bam
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                                                                                                                                                          There are antihistamines that don’t cause drowsiness. Cats are so very different from dogs and I only know antihistamines suitable for dogs and don’t cause drowsiness (cetirizine). Ask your vet, of course. Is she on pain meds? Opioids can cause itching.


                                                                                                                                                        • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                                                                                                            Poor Tisha it would be great if you could find some way to reduce the itchiness and hair pulling


                                                                                                                                                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                              Az, Odette, Gina and Bam, thanks for your help.

                                                                                                                                                              She got Cortavance (Hydrocortisone aceponate) to spray directly on – I have just done it and it stinks !!! See if that makes any difference. Tomorrow is antidepressant day so she’ll be boinging around like a kitten again !! That’ll be a good test !

                                                                                                                                                              Also got a rabbit syringe from the vets today !! Changed my life. 15ml instead of 5ml (which was back and forth 20 times to the liquid) which makes filling up so much less time consuming. Must be careful to press it tiny bits at a time though, or she’ll choke (wider diameter so more liquid each press).

                                                                                                                                                              Vet said she was amazed to see her alert and fit with good muscle tone (Tisha, not me….! ) . She hadn’t really expected to see her again….


                                                                                                                                                            • Bam
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                                                                                                                                                                (((((Tisha)))))
                                                                                                                                                                I hope the hydrocortisone helps. It’s generally very good for itches. Weird it should stink but Virbac is a very well renowned brand so they probably know what they are doing.

                                                                                                                                                                She’s lucky to have the best cat-mum.


                                                                                                                                                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                  For info – It smells like nail varnish remover and says use in a well ventilated area !!


                                                                                                                                                                • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                    So how can an agressive ulcer half the size of a tongue not be hurting?

                                                                                                                                                                    How can she not be in pain?

                                                                                                                                                                    And when it bleeds, like it just has done tonight, how can that not be ‘suffering’?

                                                                                                                                                                    Yet with me feeding her and with her Mirtazapine (anti-dep) she seems ‘ok’. Really ok.
                                                                                                                                                                    Sniffing, curious, loving, purring, energetic even. 

                                                                                                                                                                    Why do I not know? 
                                                                                                                                                                     


                                                                                                                                                                     


                                                                                                                                                                  • LBJ10
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                                                                                                                                                                      It might not hurt that bad. Sometimes people with mouth cancer will have sores that don’t hurt very much.


                                                                                                                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                        Really? I so so hope you’re right LBJ. It would be nice to think so (for my own mental state)… but I’m a bit sceptical all the same….

                                                                                                                                                                        She attacked a poor innocent mini-spider minding his own business this morning in the loo, so she’s not laid up with pain !!


                                                                                                                                                                      • Azerane
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                                                                                                                                                                          Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 9/25/2016 4:15 PM

                                                                                                                                                                          So how can an agressive ulcer half the size of a tongue not be hurting?

                                                                                                                                                                          How can she not be in pain?

                                                                                                                                                                          And when it bleeds, like it just has done tonight, how can that not be ‘suffering’?

                                                                                                                                                                          Yet with me feeding her and with her Mirtazapine (anti-dep) she seems ‘ok’. Really ok.
                                                                                                                                                                          Sniffing, curious, loving, purring, energetic even. 

                                                                                                                                                                          Why do I not know? 
                                                                                                                                                                           


                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                          Hugs and snuggles from the bunnies. I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this Vienna, it’s never easy to see a beloved animal so ill. You are doing so much for her though, and the fact that she feels well enough to play is a really great thing


                                                                                                                                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                            Since yesterday, so for the last 4 feeds, she starts resisting after about 5 doses whereas before she was having 20-30…. so although I don’t feel it’s time, I think it’s time.

                                                                                                                                                                            They would be purely selfish reasons on my behalf to not let her go now. The other option (to make me feel better about it) is to wait for another week, let her get all weak from no food intake and then take her. But that doesn’t seem right either.

                                                                                                                                                                            It’s so much easier when an animal is on its last legs or you absolutely know it is suffering.

                                                                                                                                                                            And that is bloody hard enough.

                                                                                                                                                                            So I’m taking the afternoon off work tomorrow and will take her for her last mini roadtrip and a well deserved never ending sleep.


                                                                                                                                                                          • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                                                                                                                              Poor Tisha

                                                                                                                                                                              It sounds like you know it is time, and it is the kindest thing for her, but it is never an easy decision to make. Hugs to you all x


                                                                                                                                                                            • Odette
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                                                                                                                                                                                My thoughts are with you both, Vienna.

                                                                                                                                                                                Rest peacefully, sweet Tisha.


                                                                                                                                                                              • Bam
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                                                                                                                                                                                  So many hugs to both of you, Vienna. It’s so sad and unfair. I had hped you’d get to keep her longer, but humans have very little say in these matters.
                                                                                                                                                                                  (((((Tisha)))))


                                                                                                                                                                                • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                    Thanks Odette, GJ.

                                                                                                                                                                                    bam – I really do believe that I have had many more weeks more with her than any of the vets said I would, so that’s what I’m focusing on.

                                                                                                                                                                                    I’ve just given her a body bath with fresh wet towels so she smells nice. (She was a bit (quite!) stinky… :crazy and the fur on her front is growing back nicely so it’s like the soft fur behind Zou’s ears.


                                                                                                                                                                                  • Bam
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                                                                                                                                                                                      I remember your vet was surprised that she was in such good shape despite everything.

                                                                                                                                                                                      I know you’ll do what is best for her.


                                                                                                                                                                                    • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                                                                                                        Oh my, Vienna. That is a tough decision. I’m so sorry. Hoping you and Tisha can create some more memories on the drive, and that she makes you laugh with her cheekiness.


                                                                                                                                                                                      • BubblesJo
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                                                                                                                                                                                          I’m so sorry Vienna. But you gave her such a great life, and you had more time with her than even the doctor thought. *Hugs*


                                                                                                                                                                                        • LBJ10
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                                                                                                                                                                                            I’m sorry Vienna. I know how hard it is, especially when you’re not sure.


                                                                                                                                                                                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                              It’s over – I’m OK – I know it was the right decision and so that helps.  Thanks to you all for your kind words over the past few months.

                                                                                                                                                                                              I’ll post other photos in Rainbow.

                                                                                                                                                                                              **   RIP ma belle   **


                                                                                                                                                                                            • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                                                                                                                                                Hugs x


                                                                                                                                                                                              • Love4Bunny
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                                                                                                                                                                                                  It’s so hard to watch a loved one in sickness. Sending my condolences, Vienna. You are a great furbaby Mum, and even though Tisha didn’t want to eat as much in the end, our pets know when they are loved, and Tisha was.

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                                                                                                                                                                                              Forum THE LOUNGE Tisha the cat’s mysterious health problems