At 01:55 PM 5/26/2005, you wrote:
Stan, maybe I missed this info in your first email, but how long has he been this way? Has he always had a weakness in his back legs, or did this just come on recently? You said he is only 2 years old, right? There are, of course, many different things that can cause it, from brain damage, to a spinal cord injury, even severe anemia could lead to weakness that may show up only in the rear legs (it's a possibility, and one I'm thinking my newest rescue has). I would get a second opinion from a different vet clinic, if possible. Try calling around to all your local vets, and ask them on the phone, "Do you have experience treating FELV positive cats aggressively, or do you usually recommend euthanasia for FELV?" That will let you know right away if they are even worth visiting in person! I am worried that in your first email, you said the vet told you he has Kidney damage, and now you are saying the vet is telling you it's somewhere "between" the kidneys? That does not make sense to me. It's either kidney damage, or it's NOT kidney damage. Ask her to clarify herself to you. Have you had the vet do bloodwork, and pull a CBC? If so, can you get the results, and post them here, many of the members here have gotten very good at reading test results, and we would be able to help you more if we had the bloodwork results. I may be mistaken on this one, but I THINK an ultrasound is a better way to look at kidneys than x-rays. I'm not sure why your vet is doing x-rays, unless she is thinking of a possible spinal cord injury? (not the end of the road, in itself, even if that is the case) Are his gums very white, or are they pink? A lot of the people on this list have had their vet give their cats blood transfusions, and they say it makes a LOT of difference right away. You may consider that option.
Here is my recipe for force-feeding, but I'm not sure if it is appropriate for cats with Kidney damage:
1/4 of a 5 ounce can of cat food (use the prescription kind your vet recommends)
1 teaspoon of Nutri-cal (you can buy it from your vet or online here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3378 )
1 to 2 tablespoons unflavored Pedialyte to make it soupy. You can get that at your local grocery store in the baby food section.
Warm it just a little in the microwave if you have one, but be sure to stir it and check it with your finger so you don't burn him.
You can get oral syringes from your vet, or online at the same place as the Nutri-Cal: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3393
Foster and Smith is a great catalog for this kind of stuff, and they have an option for overnight delivery if you need it fast. I hate to advertise, but this place has always come through for me!
Jenn
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I have bad news form the vet. she said the problem was somewhere between the kidneys. I am confused. Is the leukemia really causing everything or the doctor cannot find the reason?
Yesterday he was eating good and looked good. Are the doctors really qualified enough?
She offered me euthanasia.
I am not going to accept, but I am very confused.
What might cause the deficiency in the back legs if not the kidney CRF???
Stan
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