Chestnut: update P 4 #60 Jan 31.

I plan to phone the vet tomorrow.

I keep a baby gate at the bedroom door where the cat food is, to keep the dogs out. Past 2 weeks or so, I've HEARD (not actually seen) that Chestnut is having a time of it, getting over that durn gate.

Chestnut often comes up on my bed during the night, and wants some cuddles. Last night (or I guess this morning, it was about 3 AM) by coincidence, I was awake when he came up. He didn't jump, he used his front legs / feet / claws to haul himself up. What the ???

So today, I've checked him over, gave him a brush up. He has lost all the muscle tone in his rear quarters. :( He doesn't feel skinny or thin otherwise, plenty of pudge till covering his ribs (what ribs? Can barely feel them, so that is all normal FOR HIM).

Chestnut is a biter / fighter. I was able to brush him all over with a few complaints and that is all. HUH? No way, not supposed to be able to do that! So I kept going, even did his belly -- I don't believe I have EVER run a brush over his belly!

So something isn't right. I don't have a clue what this could be. Will learn more Monday or Tuesday, depending when the vet can see him.

Prayers on the way! Is it possible Chestnut got into something (cleaning supplies, etc...)?

All that type of thing is kept in cupboards here.

From the noise as he jumps that baby gate, this has been developing over about 2 weeks or so. I think some type of poison would be a much quicker type thing.

Prayers for Chestnut - Truly hoping that whatever this is is very treatable.:love::love:

Thoughts and prayers going out for Chestnut, such a handsome boy. Hoping that all goes well at the vet!

I'm sorry to hear this.:( I sure hope it's easily treatable and nothing too serious. How old is he? Maybe he has arthritis or the cold weather is making his joints stiff. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

Ooh poor Chestnut! I hope he feels better soon and the vet visit goes well for him.

Sending prayers up for Chestnut.:love:

Prayers on the way!

Prayers headed out for Chestnut.

Sending up a prayer for Chestnut. I hope the vet finds something that isn't very serious!

I too hope it's nothing serious. If no other symptoms, Chestnut's changed behaviour might be just "old age"! Kitties age on a different scale than we do, that is, much faster, but I guess you know that. It is very common that the muscle disappear a little, and a little arthritis is also very common. Good luck on the check-up! I'll include Chestnut in my evening prayer. :)
Love,
Sus

Prayers for Chestnut, that the vet finds nothing serious and will fix him all up again.

I hope nothing serious is wrong with Chestnut. He is such a gorgeous boy! How old is he?

Fister and I will keep our paws and fingers crossed for your dear boy! :love:

Best wishes for a good vet visit!

Prayers going up for Chestnut right now, Sandie. Keep the faythe.

Prayers from DE to the RI Chestnut - hoping that there is nothing seriously wrong.

Keeping fingers crossed that it won't be anything serious and Chestnut will be his old self soon.

Big prayers for Chestnut from me too :love:!

And a candle
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...g&cid=12527631

Just got back from the vet.

Chestnut actually let them do an exam! For almost 2 minutes and then the "old" Chestnut appeared: screaming, hissing, biting swatting. :rolleyes:

So they took a blood sample, and sent us home with 4 meds: anti inflammatory for the potential back issue, and the other 3 for his URI. He goes for xrays Wednesday morning.

It "could" be slipped disc(s). The problem is the loss of muscle in BOTH rear legs. The vet said that much loss so quickly (about 2 weeks) is usually not from lack of use due to pain if he jumps. That quick is usually a sign of something more serious.

No jumping, so he is in the bedroom with Mandy for the next few days; where he has been for th past 2 days since I knew he had a problem.

Oh, Chestnut is age 12 years and 5 months.

Thank you for all the prayers.

Prayers that whatever is going on with Chestnut is not too serious and can be treated.

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

More prayers for Chestnut!:love::love:

Prayers for Chestnut to feel better soon. I do hope it isn't as serious as it might seem.

Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Chestnuts way.

Hmmm, but your vet didn't say what the more serious issue could be? Well, whatever the case, we're still praying here that Chestnut will get over this quickly and be better than before. Keep the faythe. :love:

Chestnut, you get better this instant, and no more jumping (not even on the bed) until you're healed! We're all worried about you! :love:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Medusa

Hmmm, but your vet didn't say what the more serious issue could be? Well, whatever the case, we're still praying here that Chestnut will get over this quickly and be better than before. Keep the faythe. :love:

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Yes, she did; I avoid using the "c" word until I KNOW.

Lots more prayers and good thoughts for Chestnut the feisty! I hope the xrays go okay tomorrow.

Lots of positive thoughts and crossed paws and fingers for dear Chestnut. I hope it's not anything serious and that it can be treated. It seems he hasn't quite lost his spunk. :)

Purrs and kisses to Chestnut and hugs to you. :love:

I was reading up on this and while the "c" word was mentioned, it was also said that this is often a symptom in cats who have diabetes. Chestnut is in the right age group for that and the articles all said that the symptoms lesson greatly once treatment is started. Whatever is wrong with Chestnut, I hope it can be easily treated.:love:

Got the results of his blood work today, all is fine except slightly elevated white blood cell count, indicates infection, and we know he has the URI.

So we move forward to the xrays tomorrow. Thanks for all the prayers.

I'm leaning towards a slipped disc issue. My RB Amber had spinal issues and could not jump, but his was due to hypothyroid, calcium deposits developed in between the vertebrae.

Many thoughts and prayers going out for Chestnut. I hope the xrays don't show anything that is bad!

Continued thoughts and prayers for dear Chestnut!

Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Chestnuts way.

Just got the phone call from the vet, Chestnut is groggy, I can pick him up at 2 PM.

The xrays didn't show anything re the spine; but she said again that is not conclusive. She also xrayed his hips. He DOES have changes there, and she expects he has some arthritis in them. But she isn't seeing such a big change as to explain why he can't jump. I 'could' do an MRI, that costs a LOT and still may not be conclusive.

So I will bring him home and keep him on the meds, get the URI cleared up, and the prednisone will continue to help as an anti inflammatory, and we will see if this helps him.

Wish it was more conclusive.

Many thanks for all the prayers and good wishes for my orangie.

I'm sorry to hear that his xrays were inconclusive. Hopefully he'll continue to improve. I'll keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

The vet is leaning more to cancer. She went over the xrays w/ me when I went to pick him up. She said all the vertebrae are lined up properly, no gray areas or spots where you can't be sure. Once he was under, she was able to examine him better -- he is a biter at the vets only, ha haaa He has lost almost all the muscle on both back legs, this is a major issue. We are just keeping him comfortable w/ the anti inflammatory. He was wobbly when he got home but just 15 minutes ago was hollering his food dish is empty! Yes I went in and added some. He is going to stay in the bedroom w/ Mandy, so he doesn't have to do stairs -- I keep the litter boxes in the cellar.

I took Marlin in at 2. He had blood work done as he is eating 3 times normal. Cushings Disease is a concern there. Plus he has a lump on his left rear leg, so she tapped that to have the lab check it. BUT that lump came up quickly and is deep into the muscle, she wasn't able to get anything "visible" out. So may have to surgically remove it and test it that way. We tried to catch a urine sample, but this boy who pees every 10 steps on a walk didn't want to go!

So between Chestnut's Monday visit and today for him and Marlin, I've spent a bit over $1,000. I think I see more PB &J in my future!

Edit: I started a separate thread for Marlin, in Dog Health.

Continued prayers for dear Chestnut!

And a candle:
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...g&cid=12544727

Prayers for your babies.:love:

Many prayers for your furbabies.:love:

Prayers for Chestnut and Marlin.. :love::love::love::love::love::love: