Sick Cat

[richardjm65]

Anyone got any ideas? We have a neutered male cat, about 6 or 7 years old, who has rough (liquid sounding) breathing, coughs and sneezes a lot and has wet eyes. He (and our other three cats) got sick around mid-December. Three recovered completely but this guy, although he's improved a lot, is just not improving enough. He was badly dehydrated and on a drip at a vet hospital in Korat for over two weeks. He's been treated with antibiotics, bronchio dilators, anti-inflammatories, antibiotic infused steam inhalations, eye cream - had courses of various injections - but the vets don't seem to be able to identify and treat the underlying problem. He seems to be quite cheerful and affectionate (though lethargic), and has regained a little of the 4kg he lost. We force-feed him twice a day with high energy "Recovery" formula and he is able to eat small fish meals by himself. His elimination functions appear normal. We've discontinued using the Terramycin eye cream and substituted eye drops. He tolerates the force-feeding well without complaint. Just lately his coat looks "clumpy" instead of sleek and I think this is an indication of poor condition. His in and out-patient treatment have cost a small fortune and we don't think his treatment was particularly effective anyway, so we're loathe to put him back in vet hospital care.

When this all started back in Dec., we thought at first it might have been fish bones caught in his throat. No obstructions were found though. We've got him this far and would be really happy to see a full recovery. He's now off all medication. Thanks for any helpful opinions or advice.

[Forethat]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat.

First of all, if the vet ran any tests your cat should have been diagnosed already. In case he only suspected a certain infection, the odds are he suspected one of the following three:

• Calici
• Chlamydia
• Herpes

Cats infected with Calici can usually be diagnosed by checking the toungue - check for blisters on the tounge and in the mouth.

Typically, younger kittens are infected with Herpes, and a majority of adults are carriers of the virus. Herpes (FVH), shows similar symptoms to what you describe, and in combination with the primary syptoms (runny nose, inflamed eyes), cats infected with Herpes tend to be susceptible to secondary bacterial infections (Bordetella bronchiseptica, mycoplasma), which could explain the respiratory infections.

Chlamydia...could be. If the first symptoms of an infection appeared in the eyes, chances are this is a Chlamydia infection.

If there is pus in his eyes this could be sign of a bacterial infection, and you need antibiotics. If this is a virus infection there's not much you can do but treat the cat to make life a little easier for him. The way this sounds, is that your cat has some sort of bacterial infection.

My advice is to take your cat to the vet again first thing tomorrow and make sure he run tests.

Potentially, I'd look at getting the cat vaccinated, at least against cat flu. There are excellent vaccines (Nobivac tricat novum or Purevax RC) which protects against this.

Good luck.

Edited March 2, 2011 by Forethat

[richardjm65]

Forethat, thanks for your considerate and helpful insights. All our cats were vaccinated against rabies and the other 4 in 1 ailments, but not against cat 'flu since the vet advised no such vaccine existed. (Perhaps he actually meant that he didn't have it and it got lost in the translation). Originally, he thought that the cat's inability to feed was down to infection in the mouth plus the respiratory trouble which prevented him from smelling his food. I'll take him in again today or tomorrow, along with your notes, and see if he is able to make further tests. I've just checked his mouth and found no sign of blisters. I've made a note also of the cat 'flu vaccines and will check availability. At this stage, though, would a vaccine be useful in helping to clear a condition that has existed for almost 3 months?

I would have expected the vet hospital in Korat to have carried out checks, but perhaps they too have their diagnostic and laboratory testing limitations. Maybe we have to take him to one of the university labs, but I really hope that could be avoided. Again, our thanks.

[ETatBKK]

I am sorry to hear the sickness with your cat.

with an ambiguous situation as such, I suggest you should bring your cat as soon to the Kasetsart University Verternary Training Hospital - they have a specialised CAT CLINIC.

the first visit, you meet the young vet / intern for general diagnostic. then you ask to transfer the case to the CAT CLINIC at 3rd floor. the cat clinic is led by a senior ajarn with a team of experience vets. it is something like ICU for cats :-(

go there in early morning, from queue to vet may take 2 hours on a busy day.

all the best !

[richardjm65]

Thanks ETatBKK. He's back on another course of meds and if there's no positive outcome, I'll do as you suggest. A few questions: First, do you know what time this cat clinic opens, as we live up-country and would have to plan a road trip? Second, would you happen to have a contact 'phone number for the clinic? Third, where (approximately) is the university located? Fourth, is the clinic open 7 days a week?

Any help you can provide with these queries is much appreciated.

[Forethat]

Thanks ETatBKK. He's back on another course of meds and if there's no positive outcome, I'll do as you suggest. A few questions: First, do you know what time this cat clinic opens, as we live up-country and would have to plan a road trip? Second, would you happen to have a contact 'phone number for the clinic? Third, where (approximately) is the university located? Fourth, is the clinic open 7 days a week?

Any help you can provide with these queries is much appreciated.

The hospital, if I'm not incorrect, is in Chatuchak, though there are two faculties.

I have a phone number:

0-2942-8756-9

Edited March 4, 2011 by Forethat

[ETatBKK]

[The hospital, if I'm not incorrect, is in Chatuchak, though there are two faculties.

I have a phone number:

0-2942-8756-9

yeah, at Chatuchak as per address. it is actually further up at Bangkhen, in the main campus.

public service clinic hours :

Mon - Thu

clinic 08.30h to 15.30h, queue ticket from 07.00h

Fri & public holiday

clinc 08.30h to 11.00h, queue ticket from 07.00h

daily

clinc 18.00h to 20.00h, queue ticket from 17.30h

call them at +66 2942 8756-9 and confirm the clinic hour. we went there the first time they closed for some functions. in the first visit, you may meet the young vet / or intern vet for general diagnostic. but try to ask for transferring to CAT CLINIC there. also, some lab diagnotic may take some days, the 2nd visit should be at cat clinic. I may have the names of the ajarns there, let me check and return.

website in Thai, hope someone could read

http://hospital.vet.ku.ac.th/

my opinion, go as soon. mis-dignostic may delay the proper treatment.

Edited March 4, 2011 by ETatBKK

[ETatBKK]

Cat Clinic, Kasetsart University Veternary Training Hospital

check for ajarn Panchait ( not sure if right spelling ), or check Thai name below :

รศ.สพ.ญ.พรรณจิฅฅ์นิลกําเเหง

[richardjm65]

Thanks, guys. I'll get my wife to take a look at the Kasetsart site and make the necessary 'phone calls early next week.