Julio - A Cat Case

[gmccool2]

Julio:
Orange tabby cat with white legs, face, belly
Neutered male
Approx 14 years old
Trapped as a feral kitten and remains very wary of being "trapped"
again.
Extremely timid, fearful. Very nervous. Worries, particularly about
who can be trusted. Never fully trusts he won't be hurt
or "trapped" Will not even eat unless I put the food in front of
him, he says no one else can be trusted
Loves to be pet and talked to, very affectionate.
Always exceptionally well behaved and gentle with other cats and
people, good house manners.
Very small, delicate, fine features
Jagged freckling with age on edge of lower lid margins (somewhat
common for orange cats)
Vaccinations - Feline Leukemia, rabies, distemper (when about 1 year
old)
Several episodes of cystitis (urine blockage with sabulous material),
two of which at about 5 and 8 years old requiring catheterization

Last episode (at about 11 years old) 3 years ago resulting in
overnight stay at emergency clinic from which, on morning discharge,
must be admitted to regular vet. He was so upset (he thought he was
coming home) to be readmitted that he vomited, aspirated and was
pronounced dead by the vet. She made attempts to revive, his
breathing returned but he was immobile, cold, comatose. I used
homeopathy on him at the vet office and he revived almost to normal
within approx 1 hour. That vet and I both agreed he shouldn't be
left at a clinic again since he is so terribly stressed
.
No serious urinary trouble since above. Diet changes and Kali C as
per Geir Marcussen prevented further major situations although a few
times has looked on the verge, was usually given Acon which seemed to
eliminate the symptom of repeated, unsuccessful trips to the litter
box.

Several years ago began to show balance problems in hind quarters
after the cystitis/urinary blockages. No longer would jump
downward. If needed to jump up or down, would land with a grunt.
Seemed to have difficulty holding hind end stable when urinating or
defecating. Tends to only want to urinate in patch of ground ivy.
Prefers to stand and spray to urinate. Swayed back and forth when
voiding with the effort not because he was straining to go, I don't
think, as he seemed to not have difficulty going but holding himself
upright. Always much effort at stool. Developed a stiff legged
walk. One day, after napping he arose and walked lifting his right
hind leg very high with each step. He walked out of it after a while.

About one year ago he was suddenly barely able to hold his back end
up, very unstable and wobbling from side to side, in discomfort but
not seeming to be in pain. It was an abrupt worsening, very
incapacitating. He improved from that drastic condition but remains
very unstable walking. Since then, walked with slow deliberation,
hind quarters slightly lowered, back legs bent somewhat at hocks
(hind leg "knee"). There was a "hitching" of each leg with every
step originating from the hip area. ( I hate to sound so cruel but I
can't remember if I gave him any remedy at that time. For very
selfish reasons, I may not have. Julio has to have a routine, he
insisted on going outside to potty and he would lie in the hot sun
all day. He would be very anxious, threatening a urine blockage (!)
if he couldn't follow his routine. But he also was a "birder" and
a "squirreler".....constantly in wait for something he could catch.
Made my life miserable to always be watching him watching for
something to catch. It was a relief to think he couldn't catch
anything and I may not have treated it since it seemed an
inconvenience to him but didn't seem he was in pain.)

Three months ago, Julio began to cry out in pain before urinating and
defecating. Very difficult to pass stool (hard, small lumps) and
began to fall (usually on left hip) on completion. Some attempts at
stool without success. Gave one dose Kali C 200 (in water) and cat
laxatives and began to put psyllium (with water) in one feeding per
day. Abdomen distended. Seemed to have pain in hip/base of tail
area.

Three weeks ago:
(Appetite diminished for a few days preceding and had passed burned
looking dry stool night before) morning vomiting of food from
previous night combined with brown liquid.
Involuntary diarrhea
If made it to litter box, collapsed at each passing of liquid stool
(different from the falling over after stool when he would get right
back up)
Restless, almost frantic
Exhibited pain in right ear
Shook all over
Sought heat, stayed flat on top of heat vent
No thirst, no appetite
Nux V 6C, three doses, succussed over one hour period relaxed him,
passed 4 inch normal looking stool, light brown, with hair in it
Vomited/gagged up white foam immediately after stool
Wanted to stay in confined room (next to litter box), anxious if
carried outside or to another part of house
Unsuccessful attempts to urinate
Infrequent, insufficient amount stool passed
Began adding psyllium, milk, bran, more raw meat to food and cutting
back on the Science Diet prescription (dry) food used to prevent
crystal formation

12-24 continued to worsen, no stool or urine 48 + hours
Cried with pain at picking up or trying to void
Trembling/quivering
Seeking heat
Greatly distended abdomen, painful, > rubbing,

[gmccool2]

Last night, Dec. 28, after posting Julio's case, he again had
abdominal pain and was given a soapy water enema which caused him to
vomit and pass rectally, whitish mucus. This morning, when at stool,
he passed deep pink, thick mucus with no fecal matter.

Georgianna

[Christie Keith]

>

I'd also think about stopping the enemas. Well, if it were me I'd not just
think about it, I'd do it. You really don't know what is going on with the
cat, and while it's very late and I am too tired to dig up any quotes from
the Organon on this subject, I don't think that "purging and cleansing" this
cat is any kind of answer. He really doesn't need to vomit or have his
intestine blasted clean. Homeopathy is supposed to be a GENTLE healing art.
I realize of course he doesn't mind you doing this, because it's obvious you
want to help him. Not just obvious to me, but to him also, as he is
cooperating with you. But without knowing what is going on with him, you
really could be doing more harm than good.

Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry Since 1986
http://www.caberfeidh.com/