Does anyone's family work for a VET?? RIP ALEX!!

[Dirtcrasher]

I need some help here, if you hate cats, please stay out of the thread.

I'm 1000$ deep into my cat "ALEX" he is only 4 yrs old.

6 months ago, he was healthy and fine. Then he got thin, lost his color and hid allot in the basement.

After 10 days in the VET hospital they claim he has a "red blood cell" parasite. I pay the bill and they send me home with prednisone and doxycycline.

He does well for about 3 weeks AFTER the one month of treatment and now he's right back to where he was. Not eating, hiding and losing weight.

I've been thru 2 vets for ALEX and about 5 vets since January but I liked this Vet. Now I'm losing faith in her too.....

If this cat can be saved, I'll sell a farking 3wheeler to do so, I could care less but I don't want to put him to sleep. I have hope........

I know it's not a piston and rings, but is it THIS hard to fix a cat??

I called a couple Vets just to inquire about what a Red blood cell parasite is, how he got it and how do we get rid of it and save his life. They just wanted me to make an appointment. Health care is the same with animals, they just want the check.......

If anyone has any family that works for a Vet and could let them read this post I'd appreciate it IMMENSELY!!

[seadoo650]

Sorry to hear DC. I had a cat that had the same symptoms once. Took him to the vet and the vet asked if he ever got outside. Well, by chance he did just a few days before. He said it figures, He prolly got into a fight with another cat. Probably had a deep bone bite. Cats have very dirty mouths. My cat had a deep bone infection. Doc gave the cat a shot and a script for some antibiotics. Cat was like new in about three days. Hope this helps.

[JasonB]

I hate cats!!!

JK and lol at the 'fix a cat' remark. I dont have any idea, thats not cool though and i understand what health problems with a companion is like. My boxer keeps having issues with his right eye and the vet wants me to go spend around 1000$ at some opthomologist. not important or valid to this thread, just sharing that I know what its like to spend money and not get the right answers. i wish you and alex the best of luck!

bump for you

[Dirtcrasher]

It's cool bro.... Anyone with animals has gone thru it or will.

Sadly, I tell my OWN MOTHER and she says "Stephen, you aren't working maybe it's........." I basically told my own mother to STHU and you can't put a price on your animals!! If you take them in, you have to take care of them!!

Would I rather have a spotless empty house with leather furniture and Oak tables? Or a house with pine furniture that gets chewed up or thrown up on by my animals that will always love me?

Easy answer for me

I'd ask Plastikomd for advice but he'll just chop his paws off

[oldtime3wheeler]

Steve, my wifes cat was healthy then suddenly started getting very thin, not eating as much, he wasnt cleaning himself well either, and laying under the bed alot. Vet checked him out and said he had a hypertyroid problem. Gave us a script for a med and he started getting back to his old self. Now he has to be on the script the rest of his life, but hes alive and healthy again. The script we have runs about $15 a month. Its called tapazal(not sure if thats how its spelled).
Hope this helps

[ProCarbine2k1]

Dc, cant say that I see eye to eye with you on everything, but I couldnt agree with you more here. I think this post says a lot about ya bud ...

Do you think there is any chance that your cat as feline leukemia? Would hate to think so, but I don't know what else it would be if it in fact isn't a red blood parasite. Did your vet tell you how it could have been contracted? I will try to give my vet a buzz tomorrow... BTW, have you thought about calling the humane society? They may be able to point you to someone who is more concerned about your cat than your cash...
Sorry to hear, hope things get better. I would sell anything I own for mine... Good luck bro...

[factoryX]

could be tick related blood cell parasite, I was watching animal planet and it was transferred over to a human and she had the same exact symptoms as your cat does.

[factoryX]

http://www.cathealth.com/ticks.htm i think I found something close

Feline ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick. Ehrlichia infects platelets and other cells. Loss of appetite, depression, fever, sensitivity to touch, and serious weight loss may occur.

[plastikosmd]

I'd ask Plastikomd for advice but he'll just chop his paws off

LOL

Sorry to hear DC. I dont have any advice. Our vet is great..in providence..Called City Kitty. Only work on cats. Dr. Lunstrom is our vet (think that is her name..wife asleep atm) Try giving them a call?

scott

[Louis Mielke]

I know I'm gonna get a groan, and this is just a joke....


But you need to freshen up the bore and throw a new cat and rings in there. That'll bring compression right back up...


Seriosuly though, DC I know your pain, this is Martin who I love to death, he's all growed up now, (not that he got very big, he was the runt I think). I notice the second he's behaving differently and I worry about him more than I worry about me.

I think life would be over without him.

I hope you find the problem and get it licked!

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Lou.............

The Humane society is a good ide and thanks for your vets name Plastikosmd.

Alex has never been out doors, none of them go outdoors and they all have there shots and tests all done.

I just tried to feed him, he ran and he's hiding under the oil tank

He's so skinny it's killing me, it's like watching him die in front of me

I'd accept this if he wasn't 4yo, but it's just to young, he ought to be able to enjoy some life,.,,,,,,,,,,

He goes back to the vet at 4pm today and I'm sure he'll be staying there for awhile. I just hope I can catch him.

[MagicJames]

I understand how ya feel, My dog has Lyme disease (from ticks) and there is nothing we can do about it, so we have to watch her suffer from time to time. It really makes me sad.

[the great gazoo]

Steve, the wife and I are feeling you, we had to put our one "cow" cat down in Nov last year & in Dec. our Siamese got real sick, lost weight, hid wouldn't eat. We went through the gamut of vets in the Metro Baltimore area, with no real diagnosis. He was on pednisone too, & it helped, but no vet could tell us what was really wrong with him, finally he died in Merlyn's arms this june, it was really painful, but worse for her because she's had Max 5 years longer than me(17 years). My prayers are with you, brother. I know your pain all too well.

[Thorpe]

What kind of food do you feed the cat?

[Dirtcrasher]

So, much to my complete amazement; 4 yo ALEX was found to have a huge tumor in his belly today. They had him 6 weeks ago for about 1.5 weeks when the "red blood cell parasite" was diagnosed.

So my options were:

1) To take him home and get an ultrasound, which I explained "He's sick, each day hurts him and he gets thinner....." and she didnt know anyone who did that procedure - wtf......

2) Euthanize him now, until I told her ALEX is only 4yo and then her eyes grew as she said "I though he was older than that!"

3) Do an XRAY and merely acknowledge the mass she "knew existed"

4) Exploratory surgery (this Thurs) and the mass will be removed IF she can remove (which I do understand). I had to sign a paper that they won't bring him back if it doesn't go well......

So, I hate to be negative but this hasn't been my year. I feel like I lost him when I "left the building"...........

It all suks.............. How does a vet with your pet 10 days and handed you a "huge bill" miss a "huge tumor" all that time??

I found out that they take credit cards so I'm all set now, I'll max it out for my little buddy I hope you make it Alex!!