I know I am reaching here, but does anyone have ANY info on lupus in cats?

[Ramona]

There isn't much info on the net with it and my Julie may be having a flare up again. This time, her symptoms seem different and DARNIT, my vet who knew her inside and out moved to another state.

See, all she needs is a depomedrol shot when she has a flare up but that is a catch 22 in itself. We try to avoid the shots as much as possible because they will eventually ruin her kidneys so we only do them if we are SURE she is having a flare up.

This time, her normal symptoms are not there and instead she has been throwing up (A LOT!) for a bout a week now. It's not her usual furball or eating too fast thingy either. Plus, she is especially clingy with me and yesterday seemed very spaced out all day. Like she was out of it, like she didn't know where she was.

Normally her symptoms are flaky skin, hair all dull and becoming matted and her legs curl up (like she gets bowlegged) and she has pain walking, but this time it seems like something else.

I need a auto immune disorder specialist and don't know where to find one! I wouldn't think vomiting and lethargy are symptoms, but just beause she never had those specific symptoms before, doesn't mean they aren't part of her disease.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Ramona
http://www.enter.net/photoalbum/data/camilles/289824.JPG

[Fuzzy317]

Have you looked on Merck Veterinary Manual (http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp) I did a search on there for lupus. Hope this helps.

[Cataholic]

I don't know anything about Lupus, but, I did want to wish you good luck. I hope Julie will be okay.

Johanna

[CatDad]

I am sorry, that I don't have any real advice.

However, Russian Blue gave me a site that has a forum for asking questions about kitty health issues. I went there and will post my question one of these days. However, one of, or the person who started the board is a vet tech and will answer questions.

The link to the site is:
http://http://www.cathelp-online.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=994ec4038b2a618e4c779bbec919c788

Maybe someone there can give you a better answer, then I can.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Prayers for Julie on the way. I hope the little girl feels well soon.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Throwing up a lot can be a sign of kidney failure. You might want to have just any old vet do a blood test on her to make sure her kidneys are ok.

Hope you find out what's wrong with her, she sure is a beauty and I'd hate for anything bad to happen to her.

Oh, and just so you don't panic, kidney failure can be managed if it's not too severe. Tubby has been in the beginning stages of kidney failure for about the last 3 years now and is doing fine.

Good luck and please let us know what you find out. :)

[catcrazylady]

I'm sorry and I have no advice but I just wanted to say that Julie is BEAUTIFUL! I hope you get the info you need and that all is well. I will be keeping Julie in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on her condition. Get well Julie!!http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/smile.gif

[K & L]

http://www.lclarkecushingvmd.com/showpracfaq.cfm?FAQID=102&Private=0

http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/path/teach/vem5110b/sle.htm

[Ramona]

Thank you all so much! These sites you gave me are very helpful. I am thinking it may be time for a shot. Although her current symptoms are different than usual, they are still symptoms of lupus flaring up. I guess it's off to the vet we go!

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and thanks for calling her beautiful--she is, isn't she? And she is such a poser. I get out the camera, and she poses for me all I want. She is my best buddy and I love her TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!