Quote Originally Posted by Lizzie View Post

Were any x-rays taken by either vet? Was there swelling, is that why the first vet first thought it was an abscess and then an inflamed joint? If he thought it was an inflamed joint, why put your cat on antibiotics rather than an anti-inflammatory?
This is indeed very strange, even with my vestigial knowledge of vet. pharmacology! If the amoxicillin clearly wasn't improving the situation, there was either one heck of an infection or NO infection to begin with. I can't think of a logical reason to re-prescribe the same drug and dose if symptoms were worsening rather than improving.

The heat around the swelling speaks immune reaction to me. I first thought it could be something to do with leakage of joint fluid provoking the inflammation. In my readings, I've heard of autoimmune-type diseases happening similarly in humans, and to some extent dogs, but never to the point that the animal gets as bad as I.R.Kitty. It does seem like a bit of a mystery.

The FIV thing I really don't understand. As far as doing a 'quick' blood test, there's quite a few options; I'm assuming in this case the vet must have carried out something along the lines of an ELISA SNAP test. However, since you say there was no fever, and that she otherwise seemed well, I am really unsure as to how he validated his test result (as mrspunkysmom said, the tests are not gospel, and a diagnosis is a combination of observed clinical signs and test data). Unless he thought it was well into its 'silent' period by then, although I'm sure there would be obvious loss of condition by that time.

If I ever come across anything in my next four years of study, I'll give you a shout!