ATTN: Knowledgable Cat Owners….

[Deleted User]

K, well I trust all of your opinions on bunny stuff, but I have a question for my friend who has a sick cat. Maybe some of you can help even though it has nothing to do w/ bunnies?!

Her cat, Spaz started acting funny last week. Just kinda hiding out, not being her playful self. She is about 6 years old, been w/ my friend almost her whole life. On Friday, Spaz puked up, like, mucus. Not your normal cat-food puke. She wouldn’t hardly move all weekend, acting in pain. Not eating/drinking.

My friend got her in to the vet today. Spaz wasn’t moving (when she did, she kind of walked all tipsy-topsy) and this was because she was so dehydrated, so she was put on an IV right away. After blood tests, it was originally determined that Spaz’s kidneys were failing, which doesn’t leave much options for the poor kitty. Now the vet says maybe it could be feline lukemia (anyone heard of this?!)

Anyways, I know lots of you have cats too—have you experienced anything like this? Spaz is at the vet, for probably another couple days, then I’m going to pick her up when she’s ready, cuz my friend is working out of town right now.

If nothing else, please send healing vibes to Spaz! Thank you!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi allenj, you are welcome to ask away.  You never know how much your fellow Binky Bunners know.

I’m sending plenty of ***healing vibes*** this unfortunately sounds like the case I had with one of my sweet cats, Neun who passed away from cancer. Has your friend ever had her cat tested for feline FIP?  It does cost extra and I assume that is what the vet is waiting for results on as this could also be the problem as well.  The feline leukemia (FeLV) is caused by a retrovirus similar to those that cause the FIP in cats so that is why I ask. Is this the only cat your friend has because it is very contagious and the cat should be quaratined away from any others.

Is there any weight loss, pale gums or anemia?

Here is a pretty lengthy article for your friend:

http://www.belfield.com/pdfs/Feline_Leukemia.pdf

I think it would be really helpful to know what kind of diagnostics are being performed, what results your friend has and what results they are waiting for.  Also out of curiosity, was the cat recently vaccinated for feline leukemia? 

Please keep us updated.

[MimzMum]

Oh allenj, I am so sorry to hear this is happening to your friend’s cat. It does sound terribly familiar, I had a beautiful ten year old Siamese who went through Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and her first symptoms (tragically the ones that come up when it’s already too late) were the puking mucus and the wobbling. Her kidneys also failed, and she went downhill rather quickly after that. Sadly, this is the cat that I fought to save, using every last cent I had, and she wound up passing on while I was at work, having just come from trying to force feed her. It is not a pretty way to go (like there IS a pretty way) and I would urge you that if this cat is suffering from this and has not been vaccinated, your friend should consider the humane option as soon as the vet knows there is no hope.
How long will your friend be out of town? I ask because it could turn serious rather quickly.
However, if it is leukemia, a lot of cats can have kidney problems and then recover with the correct treatment and live rather happy lives. Please be sure of the diagnosis and know that whatever the outcome, my prayers are heartfelt for you, your friend and her dear kitty. Bless you all.
Please let us know as soon as you can what the results are.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hi Allenji!!

{{VIBES}}

Here’s an article on kidney failure in cats…http://www.felinecrf.com/ But that’s all the knowledge I have

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m very sorry to hear about your friend’s cat. Sending healing vibes your way…<<<>>>>

Sorry I can’t be of more help. The only experience I have with cat illnesses is diabetes.

Let us know what happens with kitty.

[Ang]

i had a cat that was acting like that puking up a mucus. Have you looked at the mucus closely? i did and found little micro worms in there expanding and contracting. i took him to the vet they did all the tests this was before examining the mucus and they found nothing. spend a whole bunch of money. took him home was comforting him and finally examined the puke and viola it was worms treated him and he was fine. is the cat fairly skiny? loosing hair? look sick? or bloated? this is just a suggestion. by all means it could have fip

[Deleted User]

Spaz doesn’t look sick, just very withdrawn. My friend works out of town Monday night-Friday. She has two cats, I have been checking up on them daily while she is out of town. If Spaz gets out of the vet, I’ll go get her and she’ll stay with me. I know that Feline lukemia is very contagious and if she tests positive, I will get Penelope (other cat) tested right away.

Are cat illnesses contagious to bunnies?! I don’t want Boston to get sick, but I want to take care of Spaz! These are of course questions I will ask the vet.

I might stop by just to see Spaz today and see what I can find out w/ the newest test results.

Thanks for your responses!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t *think* it could jump species especially since they are physically so different. I’d be more concerned about guinea pigs sharing something with rabbits, or dogs sharing something with cats… I’m sure Boston will be OK

[Deleted User]

Ok thanks k&k…i’ll check w/ the vet too of course, when Spaz gets to leave.

I stopped to see her and they will know more tomorrow when they run more blood tests.

Poor baby, she recognized me and was doing the typical cat thing, by pushing her head into my hand to pet, but she’s very weak and i could tell it was a lot of work to hold her head up. other than her head, and tiny tail wiggle, she didn’t move at all. =(

i feel so sorry for my friend,….spaz is her baby and she can’t be w/ her right now!

[MimzMum]

I think it’s a good sign that Spaz actually tried to acknowledge you. My cat (Mitzi) didn’t even hold up her head for me, and this is a cat who would be at the bus stop when I got home from school and walk home with me every day, washing tears off my face when I had a bad day.

I know FIP is contagious to other cats…don’t know about bunnies. Leukemia goes between cats also.

Poor thing, she is lucky to have you there though to substitute as mom while your friend is away. Cats, contrary to popular belief, thrive on attention from their loved ones.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Here is a good article from Cornell Univ. on feline FIP:

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

This one isn’t too bad either:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1316&articleid=212

I saw where ferrets are now getting ferret FIP, but nothing on rabbits.  This may be a question for Dana Krempels: http://www.allexperts.com/browse.cgi?catLvl=3&catID=703

 

 

 

[Deleted User]

Hey guys, just thought I’d give you all an update on Spaz.

There was big talk of putting her to sleep as of wednesday. But she had an AMAZING turnaround the past two days. My friend got back in town last night and the vet let her take Spaz this morning!!! YAY!!!! Found out what happened was a bladder infection. My details are little fuzzy but I believe this caused some kind of pocket that burst and there is a hole in her kidney (?!) or urinary tract….something like that! Anyways, she’s not really eating, but is drinking tons. We are just waiting to see if the hole heals. You can tell she’s exhausted and in some pain, but her eyes are alive!!! HUGE difference from just two days ago. She getting around good, but can’t quite jump on the couch yet. My friend has to basically shove a pill down Spaz’s throat every morning, close Spaz’s mouth, then blow on the kitty’s nose to make her swallow the pill till Spaz starts eating again, and then she will put the pill in a treat.

ANYWAYS! Spaz is doing pretty good right now, but I have a question: i will be bring Spaz to stay w/ me Tuesday thru Friday for the next two weeks while my friend finishes up working out of town. From what I’ve read, cat litter is bad for bunnies. What do you guys do to separate your buns from the cat box, but still let the cat have access? Any pointer for introducing Spaz to Boston? Or for inducing the pill? I’m not too worried about doing it Tues-Fri cuz, seriously, if my boyfriend and I can handle what we went through w/ forcefeeding Boston and giving her the baytril injections, I think we can handle this pill! but pointer would still be awesome.

Sorry, this was way longer than I intended, but I thank you all so much for your feedback!!!!

[MimzMum]

I am so happy for you that it wasn’t FIP! *cries* Honestly, I was so afraid to reopen this topic, but I am glad I did. It still sounds pretty serious, but that it was only the bladder infection and probably a cyst burst on the kidney, well that’s something we can work with! Congrats!

There are plenty of cat litters that are not clay based. That’s the main concern for bunnies. The dust from the clay litter gets in their noses and it’s not good for their breathing. Pine litters are also a no-no, as bunnies will chew on that and pine is not good for their tummies.

My buns dont’ have access to the litter box room for the kitties. If this is not an option, I’d just get some Good Mews, it’s a recycled paper litter. My cats were a little wary of it when I began switching their old Tidy Cat out with it, but they’ll use it, albeit grudgingly. And it cuts down on the dust for their little noses too! It sound s like, with the problems the kitty is having already, she could use a litter switch. Clay litters sometimes are part of the cause in bladder infections.
As far as meeting the bunny? Well it’s up to you if you want to introduce Spaz to Boston. Personally, I try to keep my cats away from my bunnies, as one is scared of them and tends to swat at them when he thinks I’m not looking and the other likes to poke them to see if they jump. >.<

When Spaz can eat again I would try these little pill poppers for cats, a yummy fish flavored treat that you just stick the pill inside and they chew it up. My vet carries them. Until then, I’d say the best thing to do is gently place your hand behind Spaz’s head and wrap your forefinger and thumb around to the sides of the mouth and squeeze just a bit to help open the mouth, then put the pill at the back of the tongue and close and hold her mouth till she swallows it. Try not to let her push it out the front with his tongue. You want to hold the mouth firmly, just not so much that the cat can’t do anything with the pill. A shame the medicine couldn’t be given in liquid form, but this method should help you get the deed done.

I hope all goes well and please keep us updated on Spaz’s progress!

[Beeslee]

Healing purrrrsss for Spaz to feel better soon! Those darn uti’s sneak up on kitties all the time and can cause such problems. So glad she was taken to the vet bc this is very serious infection.

Please keep in mind that if Spaz does not eat for a few days she could have a serious problem called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. If Spaz can’t eat her wet or dry food because her stomach may be to sensative go and buy some Gerber baby food stage 2 Chicken, Beef or Turkey food. The ingredients will only have chicken, water for processing and corn starch in it. Any thing that contains any onion/garlic do not buy it. I always keep these jars on had when my cat gets sick will not eat. She will atleast lick at first and then start eating it. This will get some food into them. I have even mixed this with baby oatmeal when my first cat was really sick and could not keep her meds down. It seemed to help settle the stomach when I feed her by syringe (large one) before I gave her her meds. My vet is even recommending this now to her patients who are really ill and can’t eat. This will atleast keep some food in her stomach and I have not met a cat yet who was not tempted by the baby food.

Regarding the meds have you asked the vet if they can compound the medication? Some pharmacies in the area or even a large vet hospital will compound the meds. Seems cats will accept this much better sometimes than a pill. They will even flavor it with beef, fish or turkey flavor YUM. Granted some meds will still taste bad and a cat will foam at the mouth when given the meds but atleast the meds are down. If compounding is not an option try putting butter on the pill before giving it to her. The creaminess of the butter temps cats with the smell and also lets the pill slide down easier when she swallows.

I hope these tips help I have been through this with my cat who was battleing uti’s for a long time. She was a fighter with her meds, food and life!

Healing purrrrss again for Spaz!

[MimzMum]

I like the butter option, but I would caution that some cats are (oddly enough) lactose intolerant! 0_o My own cat cannot even lick margarine without it upsetting her tummy and giving her gas. And she loves cream and butter!
Just my two cents here. I think Bunykins has some great advice for you!

[Beeslee]

Thanks MinzMum forgot that some kitties are intolereant. You can also smear some of the baby food on the pill to entice her to swallow. May be a bit messy but some kitties won’t put up a fight if it smells good and tastes good. Hope it helps.

[Deleted User]

i went along to the vet today and the vet showed us how to put the pill in and force feed. it was pretty easy to feed her, we’ll see how the pill goes tomorrow!!! we also played w/ the idea of sticking her w/ a needle daily to inject water….she drinks a little on her own, so we’ll see how it goes! hopefully we won’t have to! the vet mentioned the butter thing too—good idea. and i don’t think we’ll have to do baby food, cuz we got some canned, wet cat food thats a special kidney diet and we’ll be force feeding that. wish me luck!!!

[Scarlet_Rose]

WHEW!  I am so glad Spaz is O.K.!    I think Mimz has just about everything covered.

Here is some more info on introducing cats & rabbits:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-11/cats-and-rabbits.html

My other suggestion would be is to make sure that the cats’ nails are trimmed ahead of time.

[MimzMum]

Oh yes, I tell you, I am a STRONG advocate of NOT declawing a cat, but the first time my Q.T. took a swipe at one of my bunnies I was seriously considering it! 0_o
So glad to hear kitty is doing better! *sends cuddles* Good luck with the feeding and medicating! (((((calming vibes for kitty AND human nursing staff!))))))))

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