Conference misery::feline

    Sandy,
    
    It seems like a neverending battle sometimes, doesn't it.  My good
    thoughts are coming to you and your sister and Mitzi.  I'll see if
    my cat books have anything on vestibular when I go home for lunch
    today.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    I'm glad she is doing better.  I would guess that having her
    balance affected made her a bit nauseaous (sp?) and perhaps that's
    why she isn't eating yet.  Sounds like time for chicken :-)
    

    By the way, I have the dim idea that the vestibular is actually part of
    the ear.
    

    Karen you might be right...because when he pointed it out to us
    he pointed at the neck but kind of looked like it was the lower
    ear too!!
    
    The description in the dictionary reads:  a chamber, opening or
    bodily channel that serves as an entrance to another chamber or
    cavity.
    
    We have tried sliced chicken, tuna, baby food, her favorite cat
    food...and I even made her a special chicken/rice dinner!!! But
    nothing seemed to work.....
    
    Sandy
    
    
    
    

    Hi Sandy,
    
    I had a cat (Earthling) who had this once - they called it "vestibular
    syndrome".  The Cornell Book of Cats defines this as "incoordination
    and imbalance related to the inner ear".  It also talks about
    "peripheral vestibular disorder" (PVD), resulting from diseases that
    interfere with the "vestibulocochlear nerve".  It describes the
    symptoms as head-tilt, disorentation, vomiting, loss of balance, etc.
    It says there are numerous causes of PVD.  
    
    My cat got so dizzy that she could not walk or eat at all -
    her world was basically turned upsidedown.  She was at the vet for
    about 10 days, the first few of which we weren't sure she was going to
    make it.  The vet told me then that a lot of cats get better enough so
    they can get along.  When she came home, she still had trouble walking,
    I had to block off the stairs so she wouldn't fall down them, and I
    slept on the floor with her, because she kept falling off the bed (poor
    thing).
    
    She was fairly young when this happened, and she got better, but
    she always had a head tilt after that.  It took several months before
    she could really jump well more like her old self.
    
    Sounds like your kitty is recovering faster.  Watch the stairs, etc. if
    she seems not to have her balance completely.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Sue B. + Smokey, Spike & Trouble

    One more thought for her not eating:  resort to nutrical.  Sometimes if
    you can get something in their stomachs, it gives them a little
    jump-start.  Hill's also has a food out called A/D.  You can syringe
    feed this if necessary.  Ask your vet.  Good luck!

    Thanks for the well wishes...and Sue thanks for sharing
    Earthling's experience.  It should pep my sister up a bit...because
    after seeing Mitzi the way she was...all she keeps thinking about is 
    losing her baby!! 
    
    By the time we had the vet appointment (2 hours later)....Mitzi 
    symptoms (head tilt, disorientation) was pretty much back to 
    normal....and she just had one leg that dragged a bit.   So hopefully
    she is on the road to recovery......and I pray she starts eating soon.
    She sure can't afford to lose any weight!!
    
    Thanks again..
    
    Sandy
    
    

    I think even a transient virus can have an effect like this, so
    there's a good chance this isn't serious (I think).  I'd try the
    tuna again.
    

    When Bailey was at the emergency vet trying to recover from her
    problems.  We were able to get her to eat some chicken baby food
    when she wouldn't touch much of anything else.  It's worth a try.
    
    Jan

    Well Mitzi went back to the vets last night and she was dehydrated
    so they decided to keep her to give her fluids and to also run
    a full blood panel in the morning.   She also had very bad
    diahrea and there was blood in the loose stool...so they are doing
    more tests to see if there is an underlining problem.
    
    As far as the disorientation....well she appears to be back to
    normal...and she really put up a struggle when the vet was checking
    her over.  She only weighs 5 lbs...but what a little fighter!!!
    
    As soon as the vet said "I'd like to keep her overnight"...my poor
    sister started to cry.   Mitzi has never (in her 14 years) ever spent
    a night away from home....she has even come on vacation with us.
    On a good note...as we were leaving the vets office there was two
    cats in the waiting room...one of them was 20..and the other 17!!
    The owners told Donna...Mitzi is only 14 she's a spring chicken!!!!
    
    Keep the prayers coming....
    
    Sandy
    

    Sandy, I have a question.  How did Mitzi's eyes looK?  Were they moving
    side to side or around in circles (if at all)?
    Karen

    Karen ,,,,on Saturday when Mitzi was at her worse (head dilted,
    disoriented) her eyes were fully dilated and it appeared they
    were almost "bugging out".   She could see because she was walking
    around...but she almost had a blank look.
    
    As of last night...her eyes looked pretty normal and they weren't
    dilated anymore.   The vet is doing the full blood panel to check
    liver or kidney problems....but he also hasn't rule out diabetes!
    
    Why did you ask...curious minds want to know!!
    Sandy

    Sandy, if it is diabetes, it is not such a bad thing.  It was
    very easy to medicate Sweetie for diabetes (easier than giving
    him a pill), and his is currently controlled just by diet.
    

    Sandi,  sometimes the behaviour you are talking about together with
    rapid eye movement can mean brain damage.  It is different if the eyes
    rapidly move side to side or in a circular motion.  A virus or damage
    to the spinal column can cause this, as in a pull on the neck. This can
    actually semi-separate the brain stem and cause a spastic sort of
    reaction.  On the lighter side...  an infection of the inner ear can do
    similar things too! We could discuss this later in greater depth.
    Karen

    Update on Mitzi!!
    
    Well so far we think it is pretty good news.  Mitzi spent two days
    at the vets for fluids and further tests.   So far it has been
    determined that both her kidney and liver are functioning normally.
    Her protein level was a bit low...but they feel it is only because
    she has had diahrea and was dehydrated.
    
    Two vets believe (are almost betting on it) that alot of her symptoms
    point to hyper thyroid...and those tests should be back today!! If
    this is her problem...it can be treated with daily medication.  The
    funny part was about three months ago I convinced Donna to have a test 
    done on Mitzi for hyper thyroid (she had alot of the symptoms I had read
    in this notesfile)...but the tests did come back negative.  
    
    Well Mitzi came home last night and she was one happy little old lady!!
    She started eating baby food...and little baby hotdogs!!  She also ate
    a little bit of cat food.   All the disorientation symptoms have
    disappeared......and she sat with my sister all night long purring her
    little head off.
    
    It has not been explained (yet) if and how the hyper thyroid and her
    disorientation symptoms on Saturday are related...but I'm sure the
    vets wants to wait until all tests are back before they come to a
    conclusion.     I'll keep you posted.......
    
    Sandy
        
    
    

    Good news!  Glad to hear Mitzi is home and feeling better.  Getting her
    hydrated probably made a big difference.  It's amazing how fast
    dehydration can drag down our feline friends.
    
    And especially good news about her liver and kidneys.  See, she is
    still a "spring chicken"!
    
    Tell Mitzi to keep the good news coming!
    
    Sue B + Smokey, Spike & Trouble

Gee, when I was at the vet yesterday (don't ask....), there was a kitty who
also had thyroid problems and is doing really well.  She was in for a check up
and her Mom was saying how much improved she is on her medication.  She mentioned
how much Bella (the cat) hated taking the pills and how adept she was at spitting
them out (I thought I saw Blue smile...), and I recommended the pill popper to
her (I thought I saw Blue frown).  She got one and will try it out....anyway,
I hope Mitz is doing well and will tolerate her meds OK.

Tell her Blue says hi...
Mary

    SMILING!!!!!  
    
    My sister heard from the Dr yesterday and it has been confirmed
    that Mitzi has a very very active Thyroid (Hyperthyroid).  I'm not
    positive I got the numbers correct, but it is something like a 
    normal cat should be 3.5...but Mitzi was 10.5!!
    
    They do believe this problem also caused the Vestibular nerve to go
    out of whack on Saturday and also is the cause of the diahrea and some
    of the weight loss.   For the next three weeks they will be treating
    Mitzi with pills (2 a day) and then they will evaluate the situation
    to see if the medication is controlling the problem.  If not...
    surgery may be needed.   My sister got nervous and said "isn't Mitzi
    to old to deal with surgery"..and the vets responses was that all the
    tests prove Mitzi is a VERY healthy lady...and there is no doubt in
    her mind that Mitzi would make it through surgery okay!!
     
    Well my sister went from cuddling her baby, crying her eyes out and
    getting herself prepared to say goodby to her baby last weekend...
    to a smile on her face that was from ear to ear!!  She was beaming
    last night.
    
    And Mitzi is now eating everything in sight...again!!  What a strong
    little 5 lb old lady she is!!!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    Sandy
                         

    That's wonderful news.  I'm very happy for all of you.
    
    Steffi

    What's the latest?
    K

    Mitzi is doing great...she is taking her pills like a little
    trooper.   She is still eating like a little piggy!!
    
    Sandy