Something wrong with Taz...update #56

[Ginger's Mom]

Cindy, I have been checking this thread all day, and I am usually never in Cat General. Sending more hugs and positive thoughts your way.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Im sorry Cindy... I hope that this weekend goes fast for you...

If you need help with funds, I could probably throw in on it. Just let me know through PM if needed.

Prayers going out to you and Taz

[sirrahbed]

I am sorry this is so worrisome!! The pictures are good and you know your kitty best. The pictures don't alarm me for what that is worth but Taz is not my baby either. I have tried studying my own kitties in this way and only have a few things I notice: Robbie & Lizzie both eat really fast and are growing too fast side to side. So, I do sometimes see the changes during the day. Eliot is very thin and has ribs that stick out sometimes if I look from the top. Our very first female was Emily and when she was about 1 or so, I took her to the vet thinking she may have a tumor and it turned out to be nothing but that girly pouch that females can sometimes get after the spay. My vet and receptionist got a bit of a chuckle - but I was relieved. I know you are worried and I would be as well. Maybe the vet will contact you today? If not then Monday right? That belly fluid possibility would scare me - because some here (kimlovescats & others) have been through that heartbreak of FIP and I always keep that in the back of my mind too - probably WHY I notice the kitty silhouettes from the top.

(((hugs)))) to you and prayers that your mind can be peaceful very soon. Hopefully all will be well.

[sasvermont]

I think it sounds like fluids building up from time to time. I suspect an chest xray would answer your questions. I would keep an eye on this, for sure. The sooner you get to the bottom of this, the better. FIP is pretty serious and there is no cure for it. I think with a sample of the fluids, they would be able to diagnose the problem. That's assuming it is fluid, causing the problem.

Keep us posted.

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you everyone! I just don't know what to do. This morning he was running around like a crazy boy playing with Paizly. He eats, and eats, and eats. And he pees and poops, and pees and poops. He is the same ol cat, like there is not a thing in the world bothering him. The buldges are still there today, but they are not as big. It's not slowing him down AT ALL.
I would take him to another vet today, but honestly, I don't want to take him to just any vet. I'd like to have a recommendation. Of course I will keep a CLOSE eye on him and we will be off to the ER vet if I suspect anything!!

[jazzcat]

At first I thought maybe he was like Ripley but after really looking at the pictures I don't think it is the same thing. Ripley has these hard bulging bands around his stomach and it makes his stomach seem very hard and distended, like he's just horribly overeaten or extremely constipated. My vet has been watching it for a year and was concerned about a tumor at first but it hasn't gotten any bigger or changed so she now thinks that for some reason Ripley is tightening his stomach muscles because she's able to get a finger through to examine his organs but then he will tighten up and force her finger out. She said it's very strange and not common but she feels that is all there is to it since it's been going on for over a year and he's health hasn't changed.

Now that I've rambled on I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I hope you can figure it out and that it's nothing more than Taz tightening his muscles or something harmless like that.

(((HUGS)))

[Taz_Zoee]

Thanks jazzcat. You raise a good question. Do you think he is doing this stomach tightening thing due to stress of Paizly joining the household?
Hmmm....this is something to consider. Hopefully I'll find out that it is nothing to worry about. *fingers crossed*

[Taz_Zoee]

So we went out of town for a long weekend. I took the "kids" to my parents, well Zoee went to my brothers right next door. I took Taz because his auto feeder only feeds for 3 days AND I wanted someone to watch him since his issues. I'm glad I did.
I talked to my mom on Friday (we left Thursday) and she asked if she should take him to the vet because he hadn't eaten at all. He had eaten when I fed him Thursday morning but threw it all up 20 minutes later. At the time I didn't think anything of it. So I gave my mom some suggestions to entice him to eat. It didn't work. He was drinking plenty of water though. We told her not to take him unless she really felt he needed to go.
He still hadn't eaten anything when I picked him up Sunday night. So I stayed home today (Monday) and took him to the vet this morning. We saw the other vet in the office (which now I think is a good thing). She felt his belly (she also saw the pix posted in this thread) and felt two masses around his kidneys. She did an ultrasound and saw two large fluid filled cysts that were pushing on his kidneys. She did blood work and his BUN only went up about 7 numbers since March and his creatine (sp?) only went up 3. So those are not extremely high to be causing the not eating issue. Of course she's never seen these cysts before. Leave to me to have an animal with a new discovery .
So, she drew urine (which is very diluted) and drained the cysts. He is on appetite stimulants (which aren't working yet) and potassium. I'm sorry I am not clear on the details because I was upset and worried. Plus the fact that I couldn't pay for it all today....that was another BIG issue which I have since solved. But the urine culture and sensitivity was cancelled to lower my bill. I will do it later if it is necessary. Oh, along with a specialists doing another ultrasound I'll do later if needed.
So for right now I'm just hoping the draining of the fluid and the pills will help get him back on track. We went through something similar about two years ago, so I believe we can get through this too. Of course a little PT power is always appreciated.

[Moesha]

You know that you and Taz will be in my thoughts! I'm glad that they found something wrong with him. Well, not that something is wrong, but at least there they discovered a reason for the concerns you've been having. I hope that Taz is feeling better and eating soon.

[Catty1]

Prayers that dear Taz will start eating soon! Do you have some stinky tuna or salmon?

Hugs to you and Taz.

[Taz_Zoee]

LOL, I understood what you meant Moesha. And I agree. Thanks.

Catty1, my mom tried the tuna and it didn't work. I tried to give him treats that he usually loves tonight....didn't work. I'll give the appetite stimulants some time to do their magic. But yeah, I need to get some tuna. I don't think we have any in the house.

Thanks Ladies!!

[Karen]

Taz will be in our prayers. For me, the thing that was the most amazing appetite stimulant ever was the prednisone they put me on for my asthma. Man, I thought I could eat everything and anything you put in front of me. Of course, it has the opposite effect on my brother ... he had to be reminded to take in nourishment ... so if the appetite stimulant isn't working for Taz, after a couple days maybe see if there's something different they can try.

[Medusa]

You have prayers coming your way from Mary and the Fur Posse.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I would try to give him his alltime favorite food; even if it isn't very nutricious

[Taz_Zoee]

Karen, that is a great idea. I will definitely do that if this doesn't work.

Mary, thank you so much.

Lut, I gave him some Greenies last night and this morning. And he meowed at me while I was getting them out. He ate only a few. I am going to pick up some tuna today.

Thank you all. I do think he is at least feeling better. He was out and about this morning with me rubbing all over me and wanting to be loved on. Now all I have to do is get him to eat.