Animal Health (General)

[Aoife]

We adopted a 10 y.o. male himalyan mix last year. We don't have any of his previous medical history. In the last year he has had severe nosebleeds every 2-3 months, drooling (a large amount) and diarrhea. It comes on very suddenly (typically he's fine and an hour later he won't move, is in obvious pain and is covered in blood and drool). It's really frightening.

I've taken him to five different vets and no one knows what's wrong with him. I've spent over $4k in vet bills and am at my wits end. Apart from these episodes (which typically last around 2-3 days) he has a great quality of life and appears to be quite healthy.

Here's what we have had done so far:
tooth removed, blood work (all clear), nasal biopsy (nothing found), x-rays (all clear), tests for fungal infection (all clear), tested for feline herpes (clear), tested for bacterial infection (found pseudomonosis but the vets don't think that this is the cause of his illness).

He's an indoor cat and doesn't have contact with other animals (at least in the last year). If anyone has advice as to what might be wrong with him, I'd be very grateful. Thank you.

[Daveyo]

Hi

Hmmmm, I am Daveyo. Do you understand what pseudomonosis is. This is a fish disease and the treatment for this is FLOSAN 4 %, powder.

I would suspect if the VET found this illness it has a lot to do with the problem on the cat. This disease affects the upper respiratory tract.

First change the diet of the cat and avoid any fish foods. stay away from it. Start giving the meds as above and I think it will cure the problem. This disease has high toxicity, meaning the cat is being poisoned.

Better get your vet on the ball here.

good luck

Daveyo

[Aoife]

Thanks Daveyo. I'm calling the vet now to ask her about FLOSAN 4% powder. Will take fish out of his diet asap. Appreciate your help.

[Aoife]

Daveyo,

Just talked to the vet (internal medicine specialist this time). She got his culture work back (from the most recent round of nosebleeds etc.). She says there was no pseudomonosis this time. Instead they found E Coli. She recommended starting him on a 3 week course of amoxicillin (we are picking it up this afternoon). She also said that he obviously has some form of chronic rhinitis (duh) and that she doesn't know what's causing the inflammation and bleeding. There doesn't seem to be anything foreign in his nose, no cancerous growths or fungal infections. She wants to do a cat scan to see if they can find anything else. I feel like they are just shooting in the dark at this point. What do you think?

Aoife

[Daveyo]

Hi

e-coli is nasty too and it affects humans as well. Start treating for this bacterial infection ASAP.

I am concerned about the nosebleeds as this indicates something is up with the Neuro system on your cat. Brain injury, head injury, Brain Swelling.

Like when someone punches you in the nose, sometimes it bleeds for awhile, and I have seen people have nosebleeds out of the blue for no apparent reason too.

It is a sign something very serious is wrong. Another example is say when you cough, and you put your phlgem onto a napkin and you see blood. That is a sign something is wrong with your lungs, and a lot of times it is a strong indication of cancer, or emphesyma etc. being present.

Not trying to alarm you in anyway here, but it does concern me.

You can Do a brain scan (CAT scan) and possibly the MRI of the spinal cord and brain. If any lesions are present in the spinal cord or brain, it is a strong clinical indication of Cat Distemper and its curable. To actually confirm Cat Distemper, you can have a simple CSF tap done and send it to Antech Labs in USA to confirm for any Distemper Antibodies in the spinal fluid. If it comes out positive, yes you can cure your cat. If nothing shows up, then its all internal.

You have another option before you spend all this money. First where are you located???? I may have to send you to one of my VET resources who are very good and they might be of help.

It is very difficult to determine what is wrong with your cat over the internet. However at the same token it does appear your VET is stumped on the diagnosis of your cat and is running out of options. Now my VET resources do have a lot more tools and equipment and more ability to zero in on your cats problem.

So I would think you may have to consider strongly to make a trip to see one of our experts and again it depends where you are located.

So for now take care of the E-coli problem, and avoid any fish products. Give it chicken meat or some other foods that are well cooked for now. Keep the hydration up and monitor it closely.

Let me know your location and if you are willing to do some traveling. OK

By the way amoxycillin is one of the treatments for chronic rhinitis as well. It has to be combined with other meds, and there is a specific test to confirm this as well. I don't think your VET has this capability. Also human antibiotic Zithromax treats this condition and it responds very well and...the dose is 1/4 tab from a 250mg per 7 pounds weight of the cat for 2-3 weeks.

One thing I do know, the cat has some kind of toxin or allergy. There is a poison affecting your cat or a viral infection. It can go either way.

Daveyo