sick cat question

[Shannon Nelson]

Anyone have thoughts on this?
A friend's cat suddenly got sick about a week ago -- or at least was
suddenly *noticed* to be sick. Vet can't figure out what's wrong, and
they wonder whether she's been poisoned.

Her symptoms (just now over the phone; not very complete):
She is "wasting away".

For the past 8 days has had no interest in eating or drinking; they've
been giving her some with a syringe.

She is alert, happy to be stroked, will occasionally move around
(jumped down from her chair), but mostly just lies, "looks as if she's
already dead."

Several days ago vet gave her "four syringes" of rehydrating solution
under the skin, and she picked up quite a lot--but only for a few
hours, then slumped again.

Owner thinks (is checking) that color of her gums is normal. (I take
this with a grain of salt, but at least not blue?)

Today for a bit she was foaming at the mouth, but that has stopped.

Change in behavior is simply that she has become so listless.
Normally she was a bit of a hell-raiser, and not affectionate. (So
liking to be stroked is new.)

She does not seem uncomfortable, just listless.

Abdomen is not swollen; on gentle massage, there's some gurgling. She
does not seem to mind having her belly gently massaged.

It does sound like this may be too late in the game already, but--
anyone have thoughts? (I'll look into china and carbo veg, but mostly
I am feeling pretty clueless so far.

I've asked the owner to try giving her some very diluted food through
syringe, and let me know whether she is merely disinterested, or
actively averse, and how she responds.

Thanks,
Shannon

[Shannon Nelson]

Addition:
"the vet couldn't find out what was wrong, he tested her for all kinds of things and did blood work. Even gave her another de-wormer. But today she cant keep her head up and theres a little foam at her mouth. She doesn't look like shes in pain though, just exremely tired and weak. She hasnt ate in forever and every time I force feed her water wtih a scyringe she vomets. (same with her antibiotics.)"

[Tanya Marquette]

did you rep the case?
tanya
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[Shannon Nelson]

Not yet. Details trickling in, and I have to deal with some stuff, then find my dongle, find my brain, maybe go over and have a look at her...
I was curious if anyone has ideas about what could have caused it.

Now I have the added detail that it was not really that sudden. She had been sleeping more and eating less than normal for maybe a couple of weeks before -- so about three weeks total now. I just don't know much about cat diseases (ours have been healthy), and if the vet didn't recognize it, I'm guessing it's not any of the "usual suspects", whatever those are.

Could eating a poisoned mouse do anything like that?
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[Hennie Duits]

Ask Irene:
furryboots@icehouse.net
Op 28-5-2011 1:59, Shannon Nelson schreef:

[Jeff Tikari]

Have you tried Zincum met, Shanon.
Most symptoms match.
Jeff
http://www.smashwords/books/search?query=Jeff+Tikari

[Tanya Marquette]

some of the obvious: is the cat an outdoor cat? what is it being fed? age of cat?
you know, the usual obstacles to cure categories.
if the cat has been eating mftr'd dry/canned food, it could be reacting to that.
remember the melamine poisoning a couple of years ago in food from china?
it could also be the slow disease making of eating poor/dangerous food over time.
and it could be a reaction to chemicals in the environment. don't forget to ask about
chemical cleaners or aerosol deodorizers in the house. any new ones being used?
small bodies that stay close to the floor are very susceptible to the toxicity of these
household products.
tanya
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