Not such good news from the vets I’m afraid.
We took Kira this morning. She is indeed still losing weight, her coat is very poor and we are tight to be concerned.
We have to start a food trial tomorrow – dry food with special allergens. It is worth trying even though only about 10% of allergies prove to be food related apparently. The blood tests for everything else are not in yet so we will do this whilst we wait. All three have to go on it as we cannot risk her getting anything else in her diet.
We took Kira this morning. She is indeed still losing weight, her coat is very poor and we are tight to be concerned.
We have to start a food trial tomorrow – dry food with special allergens. It is worth trying even though only about 10% of allergies prove to be food related apparently. The blood tests for everything else are not in yet so we will do this whilst we wait. All three have to go on it as we cannot risk her getting anything else in her diet.
But that was the good news!
It is possible she also has some sort of irritable bowel inflammation and that she is eating loads but her body is not absorbing the food and nutrients hence the weight loss. We wouldn’t be able to tell this from her pooh, but it is a possibility. We will have to do the food trial first, see if her coat and skin improves and then explore this if the weight loss continues.
But even that wasn’t the bad news!
Apparently she has a heart murmur as well and whilst there are no obvious symptoms as such, this could be causing the weight loss and quietness. The vet has never really quite believed us about the mouth breathing but when he did the recent blood test he was concerned that she was very very stressed and mouth breathing a lot. It is an indication of a heart problem. And she was doing it again in the vets as she was stressed again. I said she had done it since she was a baby, and explained the time we thought she was going to die in my arms as she could not breathe. I have known (Lord knows how but I have) that she had a heart condition from when she was 12 weeks old and we fetched her. It is always a risk in Bengals – they carry a leaning towards cardomyopathy – but I just knew. And no-one listened to me. No-one believed me. And now she has a heart problem just diagnosed.
So, we have a cat who keeps getting scabby, whose coat, which was pelt like velvet and so stunning everyone was amazed, is now really poor, all manky and sticking up and rough and horrid. A cat who has an undiagnosed allergy to something, a cat that is losing weight hand over fist again, who may have bowel inflammation and who has a heart condition too. And to cap it alls he has to live with a step sister who hates her, a brother who won’t stop licking her face and bum for more than 2 seconds and a mummy who is too upset for words.
Sorry – I KNOW it is only a cat – I do really. I KNOW there are people with far far worse problems than this – I do really. But she is my baby and I can’t seem to help her. I can’t comfort her, I can’t tell he that what I am doing is to try and help, I can’t ask her where it hurts and I feel so bloody helpless and miserable.
My husband is upset about his job and the move and in denial, I am so damned tired all the time, I spend most of my day fighting back tears and I need a bloody good moan. Sorry!
So, we have a cat who keeps getting scabby, whose coat, which was pelt like velvet and so stunning everyone was amazed, is now really poor, all manky and sticking up and rough and horrid. A cat who has an undiagnosed allergy to something, a cat that is losing weight hand over fist again, who may have bowel inflammation and who has a heart condition too. And to cap it alls he has to live with a step sister who hates her, a brother who won’t stop licking her face and bum for more than 2 seconds and a mummy who is too upset for words.
Sorry – I KNOW it is only a cat – I do really. I KNOW there are people with far far worse problems than this – I do really. But she is my baby and I can’t seem to help her. I can’t comfort her, I can’t tell he that what I am doing is to try and help, I can’t ask her where it hurts and I feel so bloody helpless and miserable.
My husband is upset about his job and the move and in denial, I am so damned tired all the time, I spend most of my day fighting back tears and I need a bloody good moan. Sorry!
no words for this one, just thoughts for you Karen.
x
Posted by: Racheal | October 17, 2007 at 06:36 PM
Sending you ((((hugs))))) Karen, I truly sympathise. Ive mentioned one of my cat Bubble has just gone through something similar, and unfortunately his back has just flared up again resulting in a very quick to appear raw bald patch. He's back on steroids, antibiotics and is also being put on a prescribed diet to see if its an allergy. Everything is crossed for you, I know exactly how you feel xx
Posted by: SuzyB | October 17, 2007 at 07:01 PM
So sorry to hear Karen - didn't want to read and run without leaving ((((((hugs))))))
Posted by: Liz | October 17, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Oh, Karen. If there's nothing else I can do, just know we are thinking of you and Kira. Poor baby.
Posted by: heather | October 17, 2007 at 07:22 PM
You know how I feel for you. I hope that the food allergy ideas work.
Posted by: jakki | October 17, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Poor you and poor Kira! Hugs to you all!
Don't apologise for feeling silly about your cats we are all like that about our fur babies!!!!
Posted by: clarebear | October 17, 2007 at 07:36 PM
sending you hugs Karen, poor Kira. Hope she picks up soon
Posted by: Cleo | October 17, 2007 at 08:44 PM
I think every cat owner would feel for you, Nige and Kira. I know how hard it is to have a cat with something the vets can't diagnose and how you'd do everything you could to make it right. I do so hope that something in the tests shows up and you can at least like you're getting somewhere. Lots of hugs and love to you all.
x
Posted by: Lori | October 17, 2007 at 08:45 PM
Karen my heart goes out to you all - sending loads of ((((hugs)))). Just because she is a baby with fur on the outside doesn't make her any less YOUR baby - and there is nothing worse that your baby being ill and being unable to do anything about it. Sending all the good vibes I can to help her recovery.
Love to you all
Jennie xx
Posted by: Jennie | October 17, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Oh Karen I am so sorry to read this, being a furbaby Momma too I know too well how worrying all this is for you. Your dear cat will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs xx
Posted by: Caroline | October 17, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Hey that’s part of what we are here for support in trade for art I think it's a fair deal! Sending love & prayers for furry baby
Seeya hugya
*G*
Posted by: grungedandy | October 17, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Oh Karen I really feel for you and Kira sending you both {{{hugs}}} and positive thoughts.
Lynda xx
Posted by: Lynda | October 17, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Oh bless you Karen, it sounds like you are having a rough time. I am trying to get around to all my friends to say Hi, and that I'm back in the land of scrapping and blogging, and thanks for the support you have given me over the last 6 months or so, you've been so great. Hope I can return the favour. Just ask if there is anything I can do for you. Jen xx
Posted by: Jennie | October 17, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Not much anyone can say to make things any better, but i'm (like loads of other people) thinking of you and sending you (and your little moggie) loads of love and hugs!
Sally xxx
Posted by: Sally | October 18, 2007 at 08:51 AM
oh Karen, have some (((hugs)))
Jane xxx
Posted by: StarGazer | October 18, 2007 at 11:31 AM
So sorry to hear about your fur baby :( {{{hugs}}} for you all
Posted by: Maggie | October 18, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Thinking of you and send a big hug X
No1 Fan Jan
Posted by: Jan | October 18, 2007 at 01:44 PM
I know there is nothing I can do to help but I wanted to let you know I am so sorry to hear about the problems you are having with the cats' health.
I hope the vet gets to the bottom of it soon.
Sending you a big ((((hug)))) and lots of kisses xxxxxxxx
Also hope you are feeling "on the up" soon
Posted by: Sharon | October 18, 2007 at 03:05 PM
aww big hugs to you and kira, i have a cat and would be upset if it was happening to him, im thinking of you and it has put a tear in my eye but try and be strong and positive, your pussy cat loves you and i know you are doing all that you possibly can. Will say an extra prayer for you both tonight.
take care and god blesss
Michelle...xxx
Posted by: michelle allen aka zambezi | October 18, 2007 at 04:06 PM
(((HUGS)))
Just popped in to see how Kira was.
I have my own little cat who is my life so I know how you feel.
You are in my prayers.
Posted by: Lesley | October 21, 2007 at 06:14 PM