Question:
Hi all,
I need help!!
My mom's cat (4 y/o spayed female, UTD vaccines) Kali is definitely very sick
Just over a week ago she was perfectly fine, in fact we were commenting on the fact that she was looking a bit "pudgy".
I spoke with my mom yesterday and she had mentioned that Kali seemed to have lost her appetite and gone off her food, so I went out and bought her a few cans of Evo cat food thinking it would entice her to eat (has always worked in the past). I was not prepared for what I saw when I walked into my mom's house today to deliver the cat food, (even though Kali lives with my mom, all expenses for Kali are my responsibility....food, litter, vet etc.) poor little Kali is just a rack of bones I can feel every bone, rib, vertebrae in her body, there is not an ounce of body fat on her.
Mom says she went off her food less than a week ago, but is still drinking normal amounts of water and using her litter box. this morning I received a message from my mom stating that Kali had eaten a bit of the Evo cat food but had vomited it back up about an hour later and that had diarhea in the bathtub this morning (she NEVER potties in the tub usually).
As soon as I got home and got the message, I called my vet and have an appointment for Kali first thing in the morning. I was just curious if this sounds familiar to anyone or if anyone has any suggestions as to which tests I should request our vet perform?

TIA
Tammy

Answer:
Sorry to hear about Kali. She sure is a pretty girl.

I would get a full blood panel done as well as a urine test. Good luck and please post with the results.

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Kali is a beautiful cat, and it's a shame that she's sick. I'm not sure if this will help you and the vet find a source for her illness, but I found these two blurbs online:
Sudden weight loss is almost always a certain sign of water loss and dehydration which are early symptons of feline diabetes and chronic renal failure, especially if the cat eats primarily dry food.
and this one:
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a usually fatal disease affecting the cat's immune system. This increases susceptibility to other disease in addition to causing leukemia. Signs of feline leukemia virus include weight loss, recurring or chronic illness, lethargy, fever, diarrhea, unusual breathing patterns, and a yellow color around the mouth and the whites of the eyes. A blood test is necessary to prove that the feline leukemia virus is present.
(I hope it's not FeLV)

I also found a link (this one wouldn't let me select the text): http://www.cats-inverurie.co.uk/Catc...SeniorCats.htm (especially #2).

Don't forget that cats are susceptible to Fatty Liver Disease, which is caused when they don't eat for a few days (not sure how long). Left untreated, it can be fatal, so I'd suggest to anyone who has cats that you keep a few cans of "stinky" cat food (or baby food) on hand in case they stop eating their "regular" food. One day won't hurt them, but if they're not eating after 24 hours, I'd start looking for ways to get nutrients into them.

This article on FLD may give you ideas on how to get your kitty to eat again: http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/fatty_liver.htm

Please post after your vet visit and let us know what they said. Good luck and hope she's ok.

Melissa

Answer:
well we've just returned from the vets office and after a thorough physical exam the vet says that Kali is severely dehydrated and anemic. We're having a full 12 panel biochemistry and a CBC done to try to find out why and the vet is rushing the tests so we should have the results in a couple of hours.

Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for our poor little Kali.

Thanks
Tammy

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I hope you find out she'll be ok! She's very pretty and looks almost exactly like my first pet cat I had while growing up.

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That was nice of the vet to rush the test results so you wouldn;t have to wait through the long weekend.

Our thoughts are with you. Fingers and paws crossed here.

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I just came across this thread - my thoughts are with you and your kitty!

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keenbrunette...any news yet?I hope it's something that can be cured or at least helped with medication

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What a beautiful kitty. So sorry to hear that she is sick. Hopefully it isn't anything serious and she will be feeling better soon.

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Well the news is not good for our poor little Kali Kitty.
The vet called me late this afternoon and the diagnosis is feLV.

Her platelet count is only 6 and she is most definitely suffering

Please say a little prayer for our little Kali tomorrow morning at 10:45am to help guide her on her journey to the bridge.

Tammy

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It has progressed that much? I am so sorry!!!

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How sad. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow when you set her free.

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Oh, I am so very sorry to hear about Kali. I'll be thinking of you both. I'm so very sorry.

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Oh that's so sad :(



Megan

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I'm so sorry. :(

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So sorry to hear the news.

R.I.P. Kali

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Poor little sweetie, i'm sorry

Answer:
Thank you all for your support and kind words.

Our little Kali kitty peacefully crossed over to the bridge at 11:09am today.

We had a lovely final evening with her. Kali who has always been an indoor only cat (truly never showed any interest in the outside world, we could open the door and she would never go out the door, just sit in the doorway and watch the world), she has always been a window kitty, content to lay on the window ledge and watch the world go by. Well last night she wanted to go out, so we all spent a few hours in the yard with her while she checked everything out.

I held her in my arms this morning while our wonderful vet helped her on her journey, and looking into her eyes, I know we did the right thing.....doesn't make it any easier though

Kali is now at peace and pain free and is resting in the back yard under one of our maple trees, tomorrow my daughter will plant a lilac bush in her memory.

Tammy

This is one of the last pics of Kali, taken last night with my daughter

Answer:
Very sad to hear the news, but glad that you made the right choice and took her in--best to end her suffering in the arms of those who love her. I'm sure she went peacefully and was grateful for your assistance in her last moments.

I *know* she's across the bridge waiting for you with a big kitty purr, happily remembering all the good times in her life.

Best wishes in your grieving time--hugs aplenty from me.


Melissa

Answer:
I'm so sorry for your loss

Answer:
I am so sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful kitty

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..and saw where it was going so I am sitting her with a big pile of Kleenex. Kali was as blessed to have you, as you were to have her.

When you look at those pictures of a healthy pudgy Kali, just think...that's what she looks like now, playing in the grass and the sun, with the bridge at her back.

When we laid one of our dear kitties to rest, my little girl asked me if while Jemma was waiting for us, if she missed us and was lonely. Of course we knew she wasn't lonely because "her dog" had gone on only months before her. As to the question of time, my mother said to my daughter, "In heaven there is no time like we understand. God knows our hearts and what time means to each of us. Only a few second go by there, while its been days, even years on Earth. While Jemma is still checking out her new surroundings, other friends are coming to join her and before she has a chance to miss you, she can hear you calling.....because you're there."

My little girl will never forget those words and neither will I. I wanted to share them with you.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Kali is definitely a beautiful cat.

Starr

Answer:
I too have lost a loving wonderful cat to FeLV. Altho it was many years ago right when they first put a name on the illness. I am new here, and just read your initial post and as soon as I saw what her symptoms were that was exactly what I thought it may be. I also put a pet to rest just this past Monday. My heart goes out to you for your loss. God Bless the Ones who Love Animals.

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