Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    	Why is he on prednisone and how long has he been on it? Did
    	you remind the vet of that when you spoke to him? It might not
    	have any connection, but I'd check into it. 
    
    	Keep up posted!
    

    Hmmmm, my Honey used to do it every once in a while.  It usually meant
    she was constipated....  Lots of laxitone took care of the problem. 
    Just to play it safe, you should talk to a vet about it.
    
    

    
    
       Fortunately, i've never experienced that in either of my cats,
     but where you mentioned before that your vet said to watch him
    and now it's happened again at a later time..I would at least call
    the vet again and ask them whether they think he should or shouldn't
    come in to be checked out..
    I know it's hard cause my big guy (Sylvester) would put his little
    paws around my neck and burry his face in my hair when we walked
    into the vets (and it used to break my heart), so he surely didn't
    like the vets...
    But just my two cents, I would call just to see what they have to
    say.
    
    Hoping it's just cramping~
    Diana, Tykey

    Li has been on prednison for years now...he has asthma (or something
    where his lungs get mucusy).  I also give him laxatone often because it
    helps his throat out because he still has coughing attacks ever so
    often.  And, I did call me vet again and asked him what he
    thinks...he'll be calling me back when he gets in.  I know they always
    say to bring them in to check it out no matter what....I was just
    hoping that this thing just happened every so often to cats, although
    this is the first time I've ever experienced it.  Does anyone know of
    any disease this might be?  I hope not...he seems fine as always...
    
    Di

    Since the attacks were eight months apart, I wouldn't worry terribly
    about it being serious, but I'd have it checked out.  None of my
    cats have ever exhibited anything like this.  Perhaps its some
    slight muscular weakness that gives Linus a tendency towards this,
    but it seems best if it's possible to track down what's going on, both
    for his comfort and your peace of mine.
    
    

    I know that in humans long term steroid use causes (I think) a calcium
    deficiency.  This interfears with neural transmission and causes
    muscle cramping.  I would push your vet to check out this possiblity.
    Let us know.
      Nancy

    re. 6:
    
    I spoke to the vet about vitamin deficiency, and he said that he didn't
    remember anything about prednisone causing that in cats, but he was
    going to check on it.  In the meantime, I'm going to start giving Li
    kitty vitamins too.  So hopefully he'll be fine, but I'm keeping a
    close eye on him.  If this happens again soon, Li will be going in for
    some bloodwork.
    

    It's not a vitamin deficiency, it's a calcium deficiency that's
    being suggested as a possibility.
    

    Yes, I did say calcium to the vet...wouldn't vitamin D help that?

    I have the vague idea that there is some relationship
    between vitamin D and calcium -- my "old lady calcium suppliments"
    come with vitamin d added, but vitamin d  itself is not calcium --
    I think it aids in its retention or absorption from suppliments.  In 
    general, I believe that when some nutritional deficiency is present,
    fairly large suppliments of the missing item has to be given for
    awhile to get things back up to snuff, but check with your vet first.
    

    Did the vet acknowledge that relationship between longterm steroid
    use and calcium deficiency in humans or did he just say he'd never
    heard of it at all?  You COULD try a calcium supplement (I have some
    I bought from Haddeleigh House) but personally, I'd feel better if
    his level was checked first.
      Nancy

    The vet said that he didn't know of it in cats...and was going to read
    up on it.  The calcium supplement you got, was it for cats?  What's the
    name of it, maybe I could get it from my vet.  I'm really hesitant to
    have bloodwork done on Li.  This doesn't seem to be a problem...yet. 
    It's not because of laziness or affordability...I'm mostly thinking of
    him and his reaction to any vet visit.  Believe me, when I say it
    traumatizes him, I mean really badly.  He was a very ill kitty when I
    got him (a boyfriend's valentine gift from a local pet store).  Anyway,
    it took me several vets and a couple of years before I finally found
    someone competent enough to figure out his problem with asthma.  He
    also has a urinary track blockage a few years back.  Anyway, he was in
    the vets often the first few years of his life and he terminally HATES
    it.  I could go on about this, but what would you do.  Since my vet
    (who I really like -- Hudson Animal) doesn't seem too concerned right
    now...I'm thinking I'll let Li off the hook and pray this is a minor
    incident.  If I thought it would turn into something life-threatening
    by waiting, I would certainly bring him in now...  Any thoughts?

    Sorry for the delay.  I've gotten behind in notes reading rather badly.
    Yes, the supplement is for cats.  I'll get the name.  I got it from
    Haddeleigh House at a recent catshow.
      Nancy DC