Fister's throat felt normal, the vet said

[Randi]

I'm worried about Fister.

Do any of you know about throat problems in cats, because I checked him again and felt something inside his throat. I usually rub him there to make him swallow his pills, even though he gets only a quarter of a small pill. He always liked to be rubbed on his throat and he didn't protest when I checked him. There's something inside his throat, which I'm not sure should be there. It's not round... it's difficult to describe.

He hasn't been drinking for almost a week now, but eats Whiskas wet food with gelé with extra water in. Today I thought I'd try Temptations, which he loves, so I put 5 pieces in a bowl with some water, and he licked it all up. :) I know it's not the most healthy food, but it made him drink.

He doesn't seem to in pain and he walks around and jumps up in the window now and again, which has easy access - and he loves to cuddle with me. Yesterday, he tried to jump up on my desk, but it was too high for him. :(

I will of course call the vet tomorrow and make an appointment to get him tested, but if any of you have an idea what could wrong, I'd appreciate your advice.

[Kirsten]

Could it be his thyroid gland?

Hope the vet will find out what is wrong, and can help.

[Barbara]

Of course I have not the slightest idea but I am sending alll my best thoughts for you and Fister. :)

[Karen]

There's lots of "stuff" in that area, it could by swollen gland, like people sometimes get if they are sick, or something like that. Let us know what the vet says!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Prayers on the way for you both!!! :love::love:

[phesina]

Prayers and warm healing energies and good wishes are being sent for Fister and you, Randi, that the vet figures this out and fixes it up.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[Catty1]

If it is something like a painless polyp he might have trouble swallowing - and maybe that is why he went off his food and water.

Prayers that this is figured out and Fister gets better!:love:

[Pinot's Mom]

Prayers...waiting for news.... :love:

[Freedom]

I was also thinking thyroid. Do let us know what the vet says.

[Jessika]

Higher up would be the lymph nodes; mid-neck may be the thyroid.

Cats very commonly can have thyroid issues; however, it's normally hyperthyroid, which causes an increase in hunger/thirst with weight loss. That doesn't really fit the bill of what you're describing.

It could also be a mass.

Glad you're taking him in... please keep us updated.

[Bengalz]

Fister you poor baby - this cannot be fun for you or your mommy:(.
All our paws are crossed for some good news at the white coats:love:.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I sure hope that it's nothing serious. Maybe he just has a sore throat and it's inflamed.

In Feb. of this year, both Alani & Blaze got very sick and my vet ended up diagnosing them with a laryngeal (sp?) infection. They did have coughs though and both of them stopped eating because they had very sore throats. I still don't know how they got this but luckily it was treatable. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are going out to Fister. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Kirsten]

Any news on Fister by now, Randi? Has he seen his vet?

[Randi]

This morning I got up and called the vet, managed to get an appointment at 11:40 and I borrowed a pram, from the people upstairs. Luckily, it was not raining at the time I went.

Well, Fister has lost 1,7 kg since February. He had the normal tests done and also a T4 test, which I won't get the result on immediately. I think they're being done in Germany. The other results he promised to ring about, but he hasn't yet. In 2006, his weight was 7,5 kg. now it's 5,9 kg.

The vet checked Fister thoroughly, also his gums. He had a couple of tetth extracted in February and a cleaning, and the vet could not see any problems there, or anywhere else. except for the weight loss. What I felt in his throat was supposed to be there. :) He also told me that if cats are dehydrated, you can usually see it on their gums, but his was fine.

I entice him all the time to eat and drink, that means I throw half of it out and serve new portions in a new clean dish. That way, I made him eat a bit more Whiskas wet yesterday. I also did somehting I thought was really smart... I had got some Temptations, which he loves, so I put 5 pieces in bowl with water and he licked it all up! There was 3 pieces left, so I filled more water in and he licked that up, too. :)

This morning, I saw him drink out his glass for the first time in a week, just a little, though. So now, I really hope he will perk up! Will keep giving him the appetite booster.

Btw, when we came back from the vet, I let him out of his box downstairs, so he walked up to the flat himself.

Hopefully, Fister will be OK, but if not, I will stay home with him and don't go eat with my family on Christmas Eve.

Will let you know when I get the results. Please keep sending positive thoughts to him. :love:

[Catty1]

Positive thoughts and prayers going to Fister. Hopefully it may be thyroid and can be treated with a pill.:love:

[phesina]

Oh, this all sounds promising, Randi! What a good boy you are, Fister, eating and drinking your Whiskas and the Temptation treats mixed with water!

We continue to send along loads of prayers and warm healing energies and loving get well wishes.

{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} and ~~~~~~~PURRS~~~~~~~ and :love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[Randi]

Well, if it is the thyroid, then there's medicine for it. I can't remember the name the vet mentioned, but I think he said that in that case, Fister should continue taking it the rest of his life. I hope it won’t be necessary.

I haven’t got the results yet, had to go out shopping, so not sure if they called. Will let you know.

Keep sending positive thoughts, please. :)

[cassiesmom]

Dear sweet Fister, please keep eating and drinking! We :love: you!

[ChrisH]

Sending positive and loving thoughts for dear Fister. Please give him a little kiss from me.

[Felicia's Mom]

Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and Fister.:love:

[Karen]

Still thinking good thoughts for Fister!

[Randi]

Thank you again, everyone. :) For the first time in a week, Fister drank out of his glass yesterday and has drunk a little today, also. I guess he is fed up with me putting a syringe in his mouth. He has eaten a little, too, but I keep giving him the appetite booster.

When I was down doing the laundry, he wanted to come with me, so I let him out in the yard for 5-10 min. and he walked back up the steep staircase by himself. :cool:

I called the vet, but he's not there today, it's his day for home visits. His assistant said that he might have sent all the bloodwork to Germany, so I don't know when I will get the results. I just assumed that it was only the T4 I had to wait for, since he usually gives me the results for Glucose, Liver and Kidney shortly after the examination.

Well, keep sending Fister positive thoughts, please!

[Karen]

Sounds good, hope you get those results back soon!

[gini]

Randi, along with Annie and Emma, we are sending up lots of prayers and positive thoughts for our
dear friend, Fister.

We just cannot have that boy ill. But I like the good news that he is eating some and drinking water
for you too.

come on Fister - you can do it!!!

XXOO
Gini

[happylabs]

I am just now seeing that Fister has been under the weather. So sorry to hear this. I hope his test results come out okay. He is one of my favorite handsome orange kitty boys. Love to all and Merry Christmas.

[mrspunkysmom]

Prayers for Fister's health! And hugx for you. :love:

[Randi]

Thank you! :love: Fister has been eating a bit today also, even some dry food - K/D. It has more fat, so most cats like it. I just can't understand why he won't drink. What could cause that? I have used frsh cold water and also tried boiled tepid water. I will try to put a few Temptations in it again. The vet checked him over and he could not see any problems anywhere. His coat is nice and his eyes, too. I'm going to use that syringe again, when he comes out of his new fancy bed he got from a dear friend in England.

Will post a few pics one of these days.

[Catty1]

Randi I think there are a few PT cats who are on thyroid meds for life, just like some humans are. It seems to me that they are quite inexpensive.

You are giving Fister more moisture in his food so maybe that is why his drinking isn't back to what it was.

Praying for good news of something that is very treatable!:love:

[Randi]

Thanks Candace. Just now, he ate a little more K/D and when I put a glass of water under his nose, he drank. Perhaps he just wants it all served in bed. ;)

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Hope he continues to feel good. Heck when they get older they all deserve a little extra tlc. All Grandma has to do is look at the bed and I pick her up and put her on it. :D Well, since she is blind she just needs to point her head in that direction.

Hope you and Fister have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! :love:

[Catty1]

Yes, maybe Fister is getting used to being waited on a bit - and why not?

Prayers and good thoughts for your handsome orange boy.:love:

[katladyd]

If it is Fister's thyroid, he will be just fine. Mac was just diagnosed with hyperthyroid a couple of months ago and the meds (not totally inexpensive, but affordable) keep him fit, happy, and still ruling the roost in my house. You'd never know he is 15 and has a thyroid disorder. I am sending best wishes to dear Fister! Keep eating and drinking well, Sweetie. That will keep your Meowmie from worrying too much.

[Kirsten]

Randi, how is Fister doing meanwhile?

[mrspunkysmom]

Thanks Candace. Just now, he ate a little more K/D and when I put a glass of water under his nose, he drank. Perhaps he just wants it all served in bed. ;)

LOL. Sometimes Sam will not eat unless I hand-feed him. Spoiled Rotten! :love:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

This is just a thought but has the vet checked Fister's eye sight? I have to keep Grandma's water bowl in the exact same place or she can't find it. She can smell her food but I keep it in the same place too. Sometimes though, I still have to stick it right up to her nose before she knows it's there. The smellier the food the better she eats.

She was almost blind before I even knew there was a problem. Of course, she is an old girl now. :love:

[Randi]

Moff, I have thought about that, too, and have checked by moving a finger in front of his eyes. It looks like he can see. :) The vet did check his eyes and ears, too - and his heartbeat. He has never has his temperature taken, though.

I suppose the next step will be to have him X-rayed, I hope it's not expensive, but I will live on porridge if I have to.

I keep giving him Whiskas pouches with Gelé and extra water. I pour a bit in when I have boiled a kettle for tea.

He did drink a little bit this afternoon, when I sat with a glass of fresh cold water under his nose, but it took a few minutes before he did.

Will give him another pill to boost his appetite in a minute - and parhaps a painkiller, to see if that makes a difference.

Thank you, again! :)

[ChrisH]

Randi, I think perhaps Fister is getting moisture from his food now and doesn't so much extra. Ebby has a mixture of both types of food, one tray of wet and a bowlful of dry and when I give her fresh water - once a day- her water bowl is usually still a quarter full, sometimes more.

Also, though I know perhaps dogs are different, before I put Alfie on a purely wet food diet he used to drink quite a lot of water but now he doesn't drink much at all, plus I recently had occasion to add dry food to the wet for a short while and he was drinking quite a lot again.

[Randi]

Chris, I know, but he is getting so skinny. :( I must get him to eat more - and drink. I hate to force it down his throat.

[ChrisH]

I can see how that would be worrying, what does the vet say about the weight loss?

[Randi]

Chris, he didn't say anything, I guess he has to do more tests to tell what's going on. I had hoped to find out from those tests he already had, because I hate not knowing - and it's such a hassle getting him to the vet.

[ChrisH]

Do you have confidence in the vet? There is one in the practice I go to that I have no faith in at all, I hate it when she is the one on duty.

I know what you mean about a hassle, same for me with my two.

Prayers and good thoughts for your golden boy and big hugs for you.

[Jessika]

Forgive me if I missed this, but have they tried giving Vitamin B injections??? At my previous clinic, very very commonly with older cats who were otherwise in decent health but just didn't seem to want to eat we would have come in for Vitamin B injections. They would usually perk up right away. Some needed to come in every few weeks for another injection, some didn't need more than a few rounds of it. Maybe you've mentioned this or maybe your vet has already thought about this so sorry if I missed it, just thought it warranted mentioning in case this was something you haven't tried yet :)

[katladyd]

Mac was down to skin and bones when he was tested for hyperthyroid. I can guess that that is not Fister's problem judging by his test results, but the vet (I love my vet!) gave Mac some appetite stimulating pills and they really worked! Within 24 hours, Mac was eating and drinking everything in sight! He had actually stopped eating at all, so it was a relief to see him gobble up all of his food! Is Fister on any appetite pills? If he is, maybe the Vitamin B would work to get him eating and drinking and putting on some weight. It can be difficult to keep weight on older cats.

[Randi]

Chris, I do have confidence in the vet, he has always been very nice and honest. However, he doesn't have so much time to talk as in the beginning. You get 20 min. for a consultation. There's a new woman vet there, also. She has seen Fister two times and I like her, too.

Concerning B-vitamins, I asked about that and I honestly don't remember what he said, but I bring it up again. Is it possible to get the B-vitamins as pills, rather than injections?

This is the vet's homepage, there is a picture of both of them: http://blaagaard-dyreklinik.dk/om-os/

Fister ate a little wet food this morning with extra water in, like usual and when he comes out for his brushing, I will give him his pill. At least he likes to be brushed. I have this rubber brush that I wash with a nailbrush every day, and when I come in with that, he comes out from wherever he is. :)

[Jessika]

Randi, I THINK you can get them in pill form; however, I am not as familiar with that form in cats. Like you said, it may be something you talk to your vet about again at the next trip. I just know that we've had success using it in kitties.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oops, just found this thread....! Havne't visited the health section in ages......

How is Fister doing now?? Is he still losing weight??

[Randi]

I spoke to the vet about B-vitamins, he discouraged it, since it can be harmful if he he gets too much.

Fister is still pretty much the same, some days he will eat a little and some days hardly anything. I did give him some bits of raw calf liver, which he gobbled up right away, and he will mostly eat some of the Whiskas wet food, but only right after it has been opened. Have seen him a few times drinking from the Pet Mate, but very little.

I may have to take him to the vet again, but this is not a good time, because it's freezing cold here.

[Catty1]

Maybe some raw food would be a good idea? Liver has a lot of nutrients in it.

It must be so frustrating that the vets don't know - even the ask-a-vet people on that radio show?

I wonder if a pet psychic would be a good idea?

[Randi]

Well, it seems that he likes raw food and I know that Whiskas is junk food, but I'll give him anything he wants, just to make him eat. I'm glad to tell you that just an hour ago, after he's had a few slices of my steak (also raw), he went and had a little drink. :)

Unfortunatly, Karen hasn't sent me the audio, yet, so I don't know what the vets said on that radio show.