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Post by chantel on May 11, 2015 18:34:48 GMT
Well I am quite concerned over Sindy a couple of weeks ago i noticed Sindy was not her normal self ): she stopped eating so bankholiday weekend i decided to get her checked over by the vet,he said that her teeth was not great but not bad enough to stop her eating but he gave her a antibiotic injection and a painkiller over the next couple of days she seemed to pick up but last week she was off her food again, and all she wanted to do was sleep in her igloo.when i came home from work on friday i tried to get her out of her igloo and she scuffed me and hissed at me which is not like her at all when i tried to stroke her she just kept hissing me as if she was in pain. so on saturday we decided to take her back to the vets,he gave her a very good examination and all the time she was going crazy hissing and spitting at him,he said that she was in pain somewhere but not in a specific place he seemed to think she may have a really bad virus so he gave her a painkiller jab and gave me some metacam to give to her for 1 week,he said if she was no better to bring her back for a blood test.she has seemed a little bit better with the metacam and she has started eating again but all she really wants to do is sleep all day and all night.she just isn't herself. I was wondering if she may have a problem with her thyroid? any advice would be appreciated as i am really worried about her.
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Post by gypsy on May 11, 2015 19:14:45 GMT
Hi Chantel
From what you describe it does sound like Sindy is in pain.
How old is Sindy? Does she go out and mix (possibly fight) with other cats? Does she suffer arthritis? Has she lost/gained any weight? Any changes in coat condition? Urinating/defecating normally? Drinking normally? High temp? Vomiting or diarrhea? Altered gait? Any lumps/swellings?
What makes you think its her thyroid?
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Post by chantel on May 11, 2015 19:47:48 GMT
Hi Sindy is around 11 years old I got her from a rescue. She is a house cat she dosen't go out.she has put quite a lot of weight on recently and we had to put her on light and weigh her food out,she has gone from eating loads to just picking.she hasn't had any diarrhoea or vomiting. But she seems to be in pain and just wanting to sleep although she comes around after her Metacam.I only thought it could be her thyroid has I Googled it and it stated that they go from eating loads to hardly anything at all.I brought it up with the vet and he said that sindy is still quite chubby so he didn't think it was that.
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Post by smilesbetter on May 11, 2015 19:59:40 GMT
Hey there, really sorry to hear that Sindy isn't doing so well, and I ally hope you get to the bottom of this soon and get her better. When did you change her food? What food did you change to and from? It could be an issue specifically with the food. That's what I'd check to begin with considering this has happened following a change in diet and considering how cats can be. She may be in pain or tired from not eating, I know I am if I don't eat anything. Anyway I'll wait till you reply about the food to say anything more and gypsy may be back with a reply by then too hopefully!
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Post by chantel on May 11, 2015 20:09:06 GMT
Thanks smilesbetter I don't really think it was related to her food as I still feed the same wet food sheba/gourmet as before it was only her dry food I changed to light.but like I said she is eating again now she just wants to be left alone to sleep.
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Post by gypsy on May 11, 2015 20:14:39 GMT
Hi Sindy is around 11 years old I got her from a rescue. She is a house cat she dosen't go out.she has put quite a lot of weight on recently and we had to put her on light and weigh her food out,she has gone from eating loads to just picking.she hasn't had any diarrhoea or vomiting. But she seems to be in pain and just wanting to sleep although she comes around after her Metacam.I only thought it could be her thyroid has I Googled it and it stated that they go from eating loads to hardly anything at all.I brought it up with the vet and he said that sindy is still quite chubby so he didn't think it was that. The common thyroid problem we see in cats is hyperthyroid. Clinical signs usually include excessive eating but drastic weight loss. Sometimes if cats have thick coats they will feel really boney underneath. However, often but not always the coat condition is affected. Also vomiting is quite common too. The fact that she responds to Metacam suggests that whatever it is, is helped temporarily. So it could be masking the pain but clearly not resolving it because it returns. It does sound like there is some underlying issue whether it be infection, virus, problems with organ function...or possibly something more sinister. Personally I would have full blood work done for Sindy and go from there. I really hope Sindy makes a full recovery and please let us know how she gets on.
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Post by smilesbetter on May 11, 2015 20:21:24 GMT
Yeah but the change in dry food could have possibly been a cause, she could have had an allergy to something in it which could cause a sore stomach and creating a reluctance to eat.
Just an idea anyway and worth checking out. I don't know what you were feeding before for dry or what you're feeding now though, but cats can get very funny during a food change, and it's quite common for cats to become sick following one which with some cats might put them off their food a bit as they may learn to associate eating with pain or discomfort.
Also certain ingredients in cat food can cause the digestive system to slow down considerably, causing sleepiness. Plus you say you've been measuring out her food, so presumably you have reduced the amount she receives in a day, which may cause some of the sleepiness you are seeing now (what I mean is, it might not be down to the possible illness). Most cats going onto a sudden diet will become very sleepy at first as their body adjusts to the steep reduction in calories etc (which Sindy will definitely have had with food being changed to light AND reduction in amount fed).
Sorry, it's just something worth checking out and I really hope this is the answer and that it's not something more serious. I am just of the believe that diet causes most issues with pets, and a recent change in diet would be a big flag to me as the possible cause of a sudden illness. Not saying it's bad you changed though, and I hope it helps her lose weight!
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Post by tonib on May 11, 2015 23:41:09 GMT
chantel, I agree with gypsy, blood tests are the way forward. Sleeping is probably her way of dealing with any pain. A couple of weeks a go, our Penny (16) really cut down her eating, was being sick a bit more than normal (she gets hairballs) & was losing weight she's already on Metacam for her arthritis (& hisses well) so it was unlikely but not impossible for it to be pain related. the vet said she was dehydrated & took bloods, he did find a couple of electrolytes not quite right (possible kidney problems) but not unexpected at her age. she did have a temperature. He prescribed a bland diet, Periactin to increase her appetite & Zitac to stop nausea. This has done the trick - she's now rehydrated & actively eating again. Yes she is sleeping a lot but then she always has (we got her at 8) & is on the more elderly side of live. I'm not suggesting that this is the same as Sindy by any means but as an example of blood tests highlighting an issue which can be monitored (or resolved) if necessary. Even if it is food related the blood tests would rule out (quicker than trying different diets) any other options. I've also had a look back in the forum (something niggled me) & in August 2014 you said you had changed her food from light to senior to help with her weight although the vet wasn't too worried about her size. If you've been this long on that food & only just seen these symptoms then I suspect that the food change is not the cullprit. I hope you can get to the bottom of this problem & that Sindy improves. As has been said let us know how she gets on. Take care.
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Post by scallywag on May 12, 2015 6:15:08 GMT
Morning chantel sorry to read sindy is not well, as you know me I have no experience with cats what so ever, but if it were me I would be to the vets straight away and have tests done too, cat / dog / rabbit what ever the pet . Keep us posted, good luck with the tests if you decide to go to the vets HUGS Xx
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Post by chantel on May 12, 2015 9:12:46 GMT
Thanx Guys she has had her breakfast this morning with her painkiller and she totted back upstairs into her igloo. like the vet says we have to give her time with the painkillers to see if it is a virus that is making her feel unwell but if no change i will be taking her back to the vets next week for a blood test and if she gets any worse in the mean time i will be taking her back asap.i just need to get to the bottom of it. i still don't really think it is a food issue though.
Thanks Guys i will keep you all informed xx
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Post by lotsofcats on May 12, 2015 11:53:18 GMT
Poor Sindy. I think you are just going to have to wait and see if the painkillers work and hopefully it is just a virus. It is worrying when the vet doesn't really know what is wrong but it's not a good idea to keep going online looking at symptoms - you end up thinking they have so much wrong with them - I've banned myself doing that for my pets and for myself.
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Post by chantel on May 12, 2015 12:23:46 GMT
Yes i think it's just wait and see if she picks up although the painkillers may be making her sleepy as well. lotsofcats - i know what you mean about looking things up on google :(i always used to google things regarding my health or hubby so i stopped it,i just wondered if it could give me a clue with sindy but its not a good idea i know. i have banned myself now.
Thanks
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Post by scallywag on May 12, 2015 12:46:21 GMT
i have banned myself now. Thanks Pleased to hear this Chantel
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Post by migsy on May 12, 2015 13:09:30 GMT
Fingers crossed Sindys ailments are pin pointed and sorted out soon.Our pets worry us sick at times, but its great we can come on here for advice or re assurance instead of flying off to the vet at times.
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Post by chantel on May 13, 2015 10:32:15 GMT
Well Sindy slept most of yesterday in her igloo,she had her tea last night then i brought her into the room with us last night but after 10 minutes she went back upstairs and got back into her igloo where she slept for most of the night.i think she enjoys the peace and quiet upstairs. I got up to the toilet around 5am this morning and she was sat on the stairs i gave her a little fuss i think she had been down stairs and had a few of her biscuits that i had left down for her last night. When we got up this morning she was sat down stairs awaiting her breakfast and she did seem a little brighter in herself :)she then went back up stairs and she sat in the window enjoying the sunshine for quite a while before getting back into her igloo.she is fast a sleep now.
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