Miley-girl is ill...hope it is routine cat thing!

[sasvermont]

Yesterday, while watching TV with my various cats, I noticed drool coming out of both side of Miley's mouth. So unlike her. She is such a little lady, How undignified! Now Juni-get-down drools every time you pet her.

Any who, I have a call in to the vet, as I do think she is experiencing a tooth issue. We had a "watch" on one tooth and I suspect that is causing her discomfort, thus she is not closing her furry little mouth.

My pillows were soaked this morning. I didn't let them graze for food over night just in case Miley has to have a tooth extraction or something else that will require sedation.

So off to work for the morning and I hope to have her there in the AM rather than the PM.

The other indians are HUNGRY... they have been trying to get into their dry food bags, fruit on the counter, trash cans. You might think I starve the little monkeys. They have water. When I come home to pick up Miley, I will put the dry food back out for the other campers.

Oh, of course, I won't forget my check book. I say, oh, this will cost me, oh, about $150, after the sedation, cleaning if necessary, antibiotics, office visit.

Happy New Year Ms. Vet!

My hope is that this is JUST a tooth problem.

Fingers crossed, will you? Thanks.

SAS

[Pam]

Did you notice what was on TV at the time? Maybe it was a Fancy Feast commercial! :p

All kidding aside, we will all have fingers and furry paws crossed here for Miley that it is something easy to treat. Please check back when you hear what the vet thinks. I will also be curious as to how close you are in guesstimating the bill. ;)

[jenluckenbach]

Good luck with Miley.

[Barbara]

Oh little Miley girl, I am so sorry and hope you will feel much much better soon. I send you lots and lots of kissies.
Teeth are an Aby thingie I am afraid.

Now Sallyanne I am sorry for you as well: a gang of starving Abys plus Lucy- that sounds like just too much. I suppose you didn't get much sleep. ;)

[Laura's Babies]

Lets hope the vet can fix her right up and end her discomfort and get her back to normal asap!

[Karen]

Poor Miley - hope it's something routine and easily fixable! I mean, how undignified!

[sasvermont]

Well, the appointment didn't go quite the way I had planned. The vet didn't find anything in her mouth, although she hardly had a view since Miley nicely kept her mouth tightly shut.

So, Miley-girl will spend the day at the vet, having xrays and blood work and some food! She didn't look thrilled to be there. The vet said it could be her kidneys. She is NOT dehydrated, which is good.

I will hear something from the vet before I go after work to pick up Miley.

I will keep you guys posted.

Miley is my favorite kitty....sshhhhhhh. Don't tell the others.

;)

[Barbara]

Oh Sallyanne! I keep my fingers cramped for Miley. She's far too young for kidneys. And she is my favorite girl kitty too. You know who my favorite boy kitty is (and we won't tell Tigris)!!!!!!

[Killearn Kitties]

I'll be sending losts of positive vibes for Miley-girl today. I hope things go well.

[jenluckenbach]

Oh dear, why couldn't this be simply? :( Prayers for Miley.

[Randi]

Oh Sallyanne, I do hope it's not her kidneys. Hopefully, the vet will find the cause of this quickly, and hopefully it' something easily treatable.

We'll keep all fingers and paws crossed for little Miley girl.

[Christiansmommy]

Miley Girl!! You better keep your mommy from worrying...get well soon sweet girl!! The many adventures of Camp Vermont, to be continued...

Positive thoughts being sent your way, Sas!

Robyn

[sasvermont]

I just love my newish vet. She is so calm and thorough. Nothing has showed up on xrays. The vet seems to think Miley has colon problems and is filled with gas. She is going to give me to drugs to give her and then we will wait for the blood work to come back tomorrow. She will also be tested for FIP. So, other than no news, which is good news in some ways, Miley will have to wear a bib for the next few days! The vet said she was such a good little girl, tolerating the poking and xrays very nicely. That's my girl. She really is a trooper when it comes to the vet. The worst experience had to have been when Tiberus bit the day-lights out of her and she had to have drains hanging from her side end for days on end. She never touched them.

So, things are ok and I can bring Ms. Miley home a little after 5 PM. Then we deal with the pills!

Thanks for listening.

Robyn, I always have flash backs to where Grammy and Gabe died. We won't go there. That is why I insisted on xrays today. Just to be sure! ;)

[Barbara]

I think we all had the same flashback. Hope it is just the colon- that should be manageable. Although I never had to pill Filou up to now :(

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm a little late here but I'm glad that it's nothing serious and that some meds will be able to help her. Get well soon Miley girl. :)

[Edwina's Secretary]

Miley drooling!!!!!! It is hard to imagine such a thing.....

hope all turns out well....oddly enough I noticed something in Edwina's mouth this morning. I thought maybe she had bitten Eddie too hard or something....

Here's to a routine cat thing..... :)

[Cataholic]

Oh, Miley girl, whatever is your problem? While I had hoped it was a tooth, maybe you are just 'full'?

Keep us posted.

[Randy_K]

I'm so sorry to hear that Miley is having problems.

Knowing that Abys commonly have teeth problems (Mango gets his teeth brushed regularly!), I would have thought the drooling might be due to a bad tooth.

[catnapper]

Sorry I missed this earlier! I am glad to hear nothign is terribly wrong -- but what a worry your day must have been! I'm sure you can find a nice stylish bib for her to wear ;)

[sasvermont]

Hi,

I picked up Miley after work yesterday. She was happy to see/hear me!

It seems that, unless we see something in her blood work yet to be reported, she has issues with her digestive tract/colon and will be one medications for about 20 days. The vet said she had nothing in her colon except gas and she was filled with gas throughout her intestines too. She must have been in great pain. That could have been why she was drooling so much. So I must wait for the reports to come back from the labs to see if it would be related to kidneys etc.

She slept like a log all night long, even after being given 2 pills after dinner! She is easy to pill, but hard to catch once she gets into the routine.....she begins to hide from me after day two. I usually keep the pills out of the container and in my pocket so that when she passes by, I grab her. Once I have her, she is easy to give the meds to! Now Juni is another story. You might think I was trying to kill her even when I try to get the sleepy things out of her eyes!

Now we wait for the reports. I had emailed my breeder about Miley and she called me last night. She said that most cats have problems at some time in their life span with gas or intestine problems.

The vet seemed to think that the gas would have passed eventually, but how was I to know that. Poor Miley, not being able to sleep and drooling like crazy to boot!

She is worth every penny of a vet bill! She's my good little girl!

(((((((((((Miley))))))))))))

;)

[Barbara]

I know that Xeline, my friend Angi's Aby has intestine problems - and you can smell when she gets rid of her gas ;) But it doesn't sound as if Miley would have gotten rid of her problem the natural way- and the poor girl must have been in pain.

We know everything about hiding. When Filou has to see the vet Siegmar starts the evening before by closing doors to the rooms he is most difficlut to get out (like S.'s den). Then next morning we close more doors so he only has the free run of the downstairs living room, staircase and upper bathroom. Believe me that Filou found every niche where a small cat could hide: the shoe thing (on the upper landing) and I swear he closed the door after he sneaked in. Behind books he could only reach from the upper cat tree level. In the cupboard within the dishes (ok, the sound gave him away this time ;))

Good thing he forgives us very quickly and these fluids help him so much. (ok, he's an expensive kitty now- but he's worth every cent)

Kissies to Miley and hugs to you.

[kimlovescats]

Hi SAS, I am just now reading this post for the first time ... but I am glad to hear that Miley might just have an overload of gas on the tummy. Poor girl, that must have been so miserable for her! (sweet gentle huggies for Miley girl)

Hugs for you too Mommy!
Kim

[Vermontcat]

Poor Miley girl! :(
I hope she feels better soon.
Sending hugs to you and sweet Miley.

[Pam]

Sallyanne I'm glad that nothing too serious was found. Poor Miley girl. When I read that she was full of gas the picture of the Gas X TV commercial came to mind. You know the one where the person is in the backseat of a cab, I think it is, and their stomach is expanding and expanding. :rolleyes: How uncomfortable for your sweet girl. She has a very special place in my heart and always will, after all that she has been through in her little kitty life with the loss of her *brothers* and her terrifying experience with Ti. I am sending special Get Well wishes to her and hope that the meds do the job and quickly.

[sasvermont]

When I arrived home last evening the vet had called. I will have to call her this AM to discuss the results of the blood tests. I am thinking she found something, but nothing horrible or she would have had me call her at home. She is like that. I love female vets - they seem much more sensitive ....

Miley has been good about taking the pills. She has been eating, drinking and using the potty - and I must say that the potty results have improved a bit, need I say more?

Thanks for everyone's concern. She is really this little miss fuss-budget, if that is how you spell it. She hisses when another cat comes near her....but loves people and especially her meowmie! She slept curled up next to me last night....and was right there so I could drop a pill down the hatch this AM. She hardly awoke for it. She is a trooper, for sure!

I will let you folks know if the vet has anything dramatic to say about her testing.

Thanks everyone!

Sas

[jenluckenbach]

Waiting anxiously (along with you) for the test results.

[Barbara]

I am waiting as well for these results. But I'm glad to hear the little girl is feeling better. As I am one of the few persons at Pet Talk who ever got nose kissies from Miley I feel a special bond too. Just like my Filou she would prefer to be an only cat ;)

[sasvermont]

I don't have much else to say except that I have lots to read about. The vet isn't too upset about it, just let me know that if and when she goes full blown, it will be horrible. I won't let horrible happen, so...... keeping my fingers crossed. The next worry, of course, is the other cats. They may have natural immunity to FIP. You can just treat symptoms of FIP, not the virus itself. I will have the other three tested soon. So, not such good news.

I will not be allowed to have my cats visit anywhere or have cats come to my house. The only way to be totally free from FIP is to leave months between having cats and not having cats, and cleaning like crazy between having and not having. I will probably just adopt cats with FIP - that's that.

Off to do some serious thinking and reading.

L,
SAS (the unhappy camper)

[Cataholic]

Soothing hugs to you and the campers. Life gives us blows, and it is all in how we deal with it that matters. This is not the worst you could be faced with. Maybe not the best news, but, not the worst, by far. Praying for the best.

Johanna

[furrykidsmother]

I am sorry! I haven't been around much lately, but I am seeing this now. I am sooo sorry you didn't get better news. I hope that it won't go full blown or even close for a very, very long time. I hope the others have a natural amunity to it. Best wishes and good thoughts going out to all of you.

[Prairie Purrs]

I'd ask the vet what exactly Miley was tested for, because I don't think there is a test for FIP. If she tested positive for the corona virus, that doesn't necessarily mean she'll ever get FIP because most cats have been exposed to the corona virus.

Here's an article that might help: Link (http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/FIP.html)

I hope Miley is with you for many more years.

[sasvermont]

FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS, FIP, ENTERITIS, CORONAVIRUS

Description: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a deadly disease with no effective long-term management. Feline enteric coronavirus is common in cats and causes enteritis. Coronaviral vasculitis leads to either a fibronecrotic inflammation of serosal surfaces and accumulation of fluid in body cavities (wet form of FIP), pyogranuloma formation in various sites mainly in the peritoneum (dry form of FIP), or both. FIP is most common in younger cats in multiple-cat homes. Solitary lesions of FIP can be mistaken for neoplasms. CNS and ocular lesions more often seen with dry form.

Species: Feline

Signs: Abdominal distention, Abnormal behavior, aggression, changing habits, Abnormal forelimb reflexes, Abnormal hindlimb reflexes, Abnormal lung or pleural sounds, Abnormal proprioceptive positioning, Abnormal pupillary response to light, Abnormal retinal reflectivity, Abnormal size of retinal vessels, Abnormal size testes/scrotum, Anisocoria, Anorexia, Ascites, Ataxia, Back pain, Blepharospasm, Blindness, Chemosis, Circling, Conjunctival, scleral, injection, Conjunctival, scleral, redness, Corneal edema, Corneal neovascularization, Coughing, Cyanosis, Decreased amount of stools, absent feces, constipation, Decreased ecg voltages, Decreased, muffled, lung sounds, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Disoriented, Dullness, Dysmetria, Dysphagia, Dyspnea, Excitement, Exercise intolerance, Fecal incontinence, Fever, Forelimb hypoesthesia, Forelimb lameness, Generalized lameness or stiffness, Generalized weakness, Glucosuria, Head tilt, Head, face, ears, jaw weakness, droop, Hemiparesis, Hepatosplenomegaly, Hindlimb lameness, Hyperesthesia, Hypertonia of muscles, myotonia, Hyphema, Hypopyon, lipid, or fibrin, flare, of anterior chamber, Icterus, Increased respiratory rate, Internal abdominal mass, Ketonuria, Lack of growth or weight gain, Lacrimation, Lymphadenopathy, Miosis, Mucoid nasal discharge, Muffled, decreased, heart sounds, Muscle hypotonia, Mydriasis, Nystagmus, Ocular pain, Opacity or precipitates in vitreous, Opisthotonus, Optic atrophy, Pain on external abdominal pressure, Pain, neck, cervical, throat, Pale, Palpable enlarged kidney , Papilledema, Paraparesis, Photophobia, Pica, Polydipsia, Polyphagia, Polyuria, Prolapsed third eyelid, Propulsion, Purulent discharge from eye, Purulent nasal discharge, Retinal detachment, Retinal folds, Retinal hemorrhage, Rough hair coat, Seizures or syncope, Swelling mass penis, prepuce, testes, scrotum, Swelling skin or subcutaneous, Synechia, Tachycardia, Tetraparesis, Trembling, Tremor, Underweight, poor condition, thin, emaciated, unthriftiness, ill thrift, Urinary incontinence, Vomiting or regurgitation, Weight loss

[sasvermont]

Thank you for that link to the web site about FIP. I will send it to my vet.

Right now I am happy that Miley is feeling better and will make sure not to bring any cats in to my home. Other than that, I can't do much else. I will "read-up" on this situation and then ask my vet more questions, once she has read the article. My vet said she doesn't test for FIP in a standard way, because it is so rare. Whatever. I will probably never know the hows and whys about this problem but will know that I have a long road ahead of me, with a fair amount of worry about my cats.

If I find anything else out about this FIP thang' I will let you guys know.

Miley seems ok right now and is acting normally, except for sleeping lots. Heck, I would sleep too, if I could!

SAS

P. S. The vet said that all of Miley's blood work results were fine, including kidney, liver functions and that she only "failed" the FIP test. Poor baby.

[Edwina's Secretary]

My client can wait....I've been studying on FIP. From what I have read 80% of cats who have the virus never develop FIP. And cats can be exposed to it without necessarily contracting it. If your vet doesn't test for it does she diagnose from the symtoms?

And how do you know when Miley is sleeping "lots?" For the E's that is rather normal!

[sasvermont]

This is her passport photo....remember the cruise?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid100/pcdc7be3ec5b7bc2dd420046dcae31789/f9e479de.jpg

Little Bo Peep

I think she was having a hot spot flareup at the time....

[Barbara]

I hope with all my heart she is one of the kitties who have the virus and never contract it. And of course you'll have to test the others and some will have that natural immunity.

I also know that dying from FIP is a very horrible thing but we both have been talking about that very often- it is in our hands that it doesn't come to that :(

Last year in April I heard about Filou being a renal failure kitty. Now he had 9 purrfect and happy months after that and will have some more. He will not stay with me as long as I wish but he would have never- whether he gets 10, 15 or 20 years :(

{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}} my friend :)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh my gosh, SAS, I'm so sorry! I just can't imagine why this would happen to you and Miley after all you two have been through. :( I know absolutely nothing about FIP so I can't offer any help or advice, except to spoil her rotten as much as possible while you can. {{{hugs}}}

[jenluckenbach]

While I am very sorry you have to go through the emotions caused by this, do not fret.

I am no expert (but then again, most vets are not experts on this subject either :( )

There is no test that can tell you your cat has FIP! A test will tell you if there has been exposure to it, though. MANY, MANY, MANY (get the idea) will test positive for FIP if given the test. I would bet every cat in this house has been exposed at one time or other.) But MOST will never show symptoms. why? Because the virus must mutate inside the cat to actually bring on the onset of symptoms. Combine that with a cat's natural immunity and you have very few who will: a) have low immunity AND b) have the virus mutate.

If I were you I would forgo the expense of testing the other cats, because they most certainly have been exposed.

Best of luck keeping Miley healthy and happy, but don't lose too much sleep over it, OK???

[krazyaboutkatz]

SAS, I agree with Jen in that there really isn't any accurate test for FIP yet. As long as Miley doesn't have any of the symptoms I would try not to worry too much about it. The FIP shots aren't proven to work either. May Miley have many many more happy and healthly years ahead of her.

[sasvermont]

I think my vet doesn't like breeders and she thinks that the source IS the breeder. I will never know the source. My breeder did call Monday night and we spoke about Miley's health and at the time, I didn't know that Miley was going to test positive. I agree that Miley is healthy except for the colon issues and she is being treated for her problem. I will probably not have the others tested. Just wait for the annual visit and see if they are healthy. There is a vaccine for FIP but the vet doesn't think it does much. Rather a waste.

I am going to keep a very close eye on Miley and the others and keep all other cats from them. Some articles I have read say that most cats are exposed and never actually get FIP and I am thinking, yes, that's my Miley, exposed by she doesn't have it.

The bottom line is that I will keep her (them healthy) as long as I can but I will not put them through any end-stage illness, FIP or anything. As soon as they are uncomfortable...... that is one thing I can do for them.

So here's to their health and welfare and I am going to think on the positive side. Millie, my vet, is rather negative or overly cautious I should say.

I am home now and Miley seems fine to me. She is eating and hopping around just as usual. I have had a difficult time trying to catch her to pill her. She has caught on now! The little devil.

[Randy_K]

Poor little Miley! I hope she never develops the disease and lives out her natural life.

The FIP virus can survive on clothing for a long time so she could have been exposed by someone who handled an infected cat. Washing hands isn't enough with FIP!

My Danté was FIV positive which isn't contageous but it did compromise his health in a big way. Two days before he died he was playing with his toys tossing them in the air and jumping up to catch them; 48 hours later he was gone.

[sasvermont]

Thanks for your encouragement. I hope Miley lives a nice long life - and if she should surrender herself to the FIP exposure, then so be it. It is too late. And it seems to me, from what I have read here, so many cats are exposed to it.........

I went on the web and did a few searches for coronaviruses.....and found lots of interesting information about the viruses - humans, cats, dogs, horses....we are all at risk to a degree....

Life goes on.... and more pills for Miley!

Miley was in fine shape this AM. She didn't sleep as much last night as the night before and is back to her usual princess style behavior. She doesn't trust me now.....she thinks each time I touch her, it is pill time. That will pass as the days run on without a pill. She must be treated for 20 days....Thats three weeks! She may move out before then! Better hide the kitty suitcases.

[Pam]

Sallayanne I am so sorry to read this thread today and see the turn that this has all taken. I'm glad to hear, though, that Miley is acting more like her usual self as a result of the meds. It doesn't seem fair that another health problem has come to Camp Vermont but I know that they are all in the best of care having you for a mom and that you will give your all for these furry little ones. Your sense of humor shines through, as always, in the last sentence about Miley packing her bags. I'm glad that you have shared this with all of us as it has made us aware of this health issue (to which I plead ignorant) and I believe it helps to *unload* on others who care, so that you are not going through this alone. Please keep us updated on Miss Miley's progress. (((hugs)))

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

So glad to hear Miley is getting back to her "usual princess style behavior" this morning. Somehow I just can't imagine little Miley behaving any other way. :)

[gini]

I have just read this whole thread and I am one of those who must plead ignorant of the facts of this disease.

But I can offer you support and hope that Miley continues to reign as Princess for many more years to come.

I do know firsthand, how worried we become over our precious kitties, though, so my heart goes out to you.

[Randi]

I'm sorry to hear little Miley girl has been exposed to FIP. I do hope you and Miley will have many years togehter yet. I'm glad she's back to her usual princess style behavior.

For now, I wish you best of luck getting the pills down her troat! I'm sure you've tried every trick there is. ;)

Sending lots of kisses to Miley girl, and hugs to you.

[Barbara]

Abys MUST be nawtee. That tells us they are healthy :D
Filou wants to inform Miley that a decided 6 pound cat can always beat a human or two if it comes to pills ;)

I am so glad Miley is feeling better and hope she does so for many many years to come. :)

[Kirsten]

I'm very sorry!! :( You must be so worried now!

I thought these tests only show an exposure to a corona virus, and cannot tell if it's a (harmless) entero corona virus or the mutated form, the FIP virus.


I think my vet doesn't like breeders and she thinks that the source IS the breeder.

Well, it's a fact that FIP outbreaks often occur in multicat households, such as breeder's usually have. Stress can be factor for the FECV to mutate to the bad one, FIPV. Also, it's suspected to be inheritable.

But like others here have said before, please try not to worry too much. It doesn't necessarily have to break out! Many cats carry the virus and don't get sick.

Kirsten

[Randy_K]

Abys MUST be nawtee. That tells us they are healthy :D
Ain't that the truth!

[kimlovescats]

SAS, I am just now reading this latest update about Miley "testing positive" for FIP. Considering how I just lost my April to it yesterday, I can tell you what my vet told me. He said pretty much like Jen and others have said. There is NO CONCLUSIVE test for FIP .... my vet said that MOST cats have been exposed to it at some time in their lives, but VERY FEW ever come down with it. There is virtually no way to ever know if a new kitty you are bringing into a home is a carrier. Try not to worry too much about this very inconclusive test! I pray that Miley is feeling all better soon!

Hugs,
Kim

[Vermontcat]

Sallyanne, remember that Miley is a tough girl, she never got what Gabe and Graemer had.
I hope that she can fight this too and be with you for many more years.
Miley is such a sweetie, give her some hugs from me.
Sending more hugs your way for you and all your sweet kitties and bunnies. :)

[sasvermont]

I will continue with the pills for the colon upset she just experienced and will recheck her health in a week or two with the Vet. I am accumulating all of your opinions and experiences and trusting them much more than the Vet who is smart, but has not experienced this problem before.

Thanks, everyone for your sweet and kind words.

This AM Miley was fighting (reatively speaking) for her spot near the kitchen counter where I was fixing turkey to put in my salad. I actually used the turkey as an opportunity to grab Miley and pill her. She tolerated the pilling, knowing that she had to get back to the spot on the floor where all the turkey was being consumed. She didn't miss a beat. I pilled her, gave her a big hug and kisses, then she wanted back at the turkey! :p I think I may have to have turkey everyday for the next two and one half weeks!

Miley is finally having semi normal stools since taking the flagl. It worked miracles. Hopefully that treatment, off and on, will quiet her colon down enough that she won't be compromised health wise.

Miley is fine now. She is my sweetie pie, for sure. She cannot resist sitting on me or having me hold her, making her a good patient!

:)

[Nomilynn]

SAS I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. All I can say is if you need anything, please let me know, and I'm here for you :)

*hugs*

[shais_mom]

I too didn't see this earlier and I am sorry.
I hope that Miley just has the exposure and I know with your love and care she will live a long very very happy life with you and her sisters!