Our cat, George, (aka Tripod).
Two years he got into a fight which resulted in an infection in one of his rear legs. Several trips to the vet, doses of antibiotics, in-patient treatment, IV anti-biotics which still had no effect and the end result was amputation of his leg.
He has managed really well for so long, even climbing fences and following us when we took the dogs for a walk ( short walk because he was following us!). Week before last we knew something was wrong. He’d gone very quiet ( he is a vocal cat, especially at food time), was sleeping all the time, wasn’t eating or drinking. So we took him to the vet on saturday. He had a temperature of 40 degrees. Obviously had some sort of infection going on. Vet suspected some liver problem, from which cats do not usually do well. He gave George two shots, of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics and said make an appointment for monday but bring him back tomorrow if he didn’t pick up.
Well that afternoon he seemed to find some interest in food but only picked at little bits unlike his normal habits. He was a bit more lively, actually moving around a bit, but by sunday morning he was the same as before. So we phoned the vet and took him in as an emergency, obviously with extra cost! At this time we could see his eyes and gums were a little yellow signifying jaundice, confirmed by the vet. They decided to keep him in, put him on a drip for fluids as he was a little dehydrated (not surprising), and more IV antibiotics, and do blood tests.
They called us next day, saying that the blood test wasn’t conclusive but did show some abnormalities. So next came further blood tests that had to go to the lab, and an ultra-sound scan. This showed a normal liver which was good news. The blood tests showed a biliary problem, or lack of, appearing that the bile ducts were compromised. Plan was a couple more days of anti-biotics . By this time they had also fitted a naso-gastric tube so they could get some food inside him. If he didn’t pick up then they were thinking of further scans (like MRI) that would ascertain exactly what was happening in the Liver.
We were allowed to visit regularly, and went in to see him and talk about difference! Apparently he’d started eating for himself and the tube was out. He saw us and started meowing straight away and almost jumped out of the cage to us, purring his head off! We bought him home that day, with a bagful of tablets to give him. Anybody try and feed tablets to a cat? Not easy! But he’s eating, drinking, being a pain just like he was before he was poorly.
What they think happened was that whatever infection it was was compromising the bile ducts, hence the low blood readings.
I cannot believe how this cat keeps coming back from the brink. When he had his leg problem we didn’t know how far the infection had travelled and had prepared for the worst. Again this time, when the vet told us that cats don’t do well with liver problems, we’d prepared ourselves to visit and say goodbye to him. But he keeps defying the odds. I swear he has used up his 9 and and is now on borrowed lives! But he is our George and we are so happy he’s still with us!
Well, whadya think of that? A real live proper entry for a change!
Hugz
RNBiker
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