Need Healing Thoughts!

[Kristin]

See, the vet wants to biopsy her, but I am so hesitant to do it because it is so painful and invasive. If Tiger is sick as well, wouldn't a biopsy be pointless?

 

[Carykd7kau]

Is there something suspicious that could be biopsied? If no bumps, tumors or lesions, what are they going to sample? I don't know enough medical to comment. BUT I want to agree with you. However, DO NOT take MY word. If they both have the same thing, yeah, seems to me it would be pointless.
Feel so bad

 

[Kristin]

They want to biopsy all of her GI organs basically. This is why I want to get a second opinion first, and seeing as I prefer holistic options, I am looking for a holistic vet. It's going to cost me, but I just am not feeling right about the prognosis

 

[Carykd7kau]

I am with you. BUT I think you should definately talk to some more experienced in Cat medicine. I Have never agreed with "exploratory surgery".

 

[Rafiki]

What dishes are you using to feed them? Lead toxicity could cause this. My vet, on her first visit to my house, insisted on seeing all dishes my cats ate out of. She immediatelyhad me to get rid of absolutely every cat dish made in China. I now only use pyrex glass bowls and dishes. I am appalled when I look at pet dishes at the various stores - it seems that all the cute ones are made in China. And I seriously doubt that they have truly reformed thier use of lead-based or cadmium paint.

 

[Kristin]

Zeddie eats out of these

http://www.vannessplastic.com/forcats/cat_green.html

And drinks out of the Glacier Point Fountain (and water is added to her regular meals)

Tiger eats out of regular kitchen bowls. Makes me wonder about what I gave my rabbit though...

I just called to see how the kitties are doing. Zeddie is getting into mischief (pulling the extension IV out) so she must be feeling a bit better. She has also been vocalizing how much she hates everyone for putting her there. She hasn't eaten any of the food they offered her (hypo, ZE(lol), EN) Tiger isn't as active as Zeddie (as per usual). The metronidazole seems to be doing its job, and neither cat has had diarrhea problems since its been administered. A dr is going to call me in the morning to give me another update, and hopefully one or both will be able to come home. I am working tomorrow as well, so I will be there for the afternoon to keep an eye on them.

Thanks for all the support everyone...the hunt for a cure continues

 

[WitchyWoman]

If Tiger is sick as well, wouldn't a biopsy be pointless?

Did your vet establish that Zeddie and Tiger are sick from the same thing? Has any diagnostic imaging been done on Zeddie to try to detect presence of tumors or swelling of internal organs? What did the vet say s/he hopes to achieve through the biopsy? Looking for cancer? A biopsy of intestinal tract may be necessary to firmly establish IBD or lymphoma at some point if either is the suspected culprit. Second opinion is an excellent choice. Invasive procedures, IMO, are done when noninvasive options have failed to find a cause.

 

[Kristin]

Did your vet establish that Zeddie and Tiger are sick from the same thing? Has any diagnostic imaging been done on Zeddie to try to detect presence of tumors or swelling of internal organs? What did the vet say s/he hopes to achieve through the biopsy? Looking for cancer? A biopsy of intestinal tract may be necessary to firmly establish IBD or lymphoma at some point if either is the suspected culprit. Second opinion is an excellent choice. Invasive procedures, IMO, are done when noninvasive options have failed to find a cause.

They haven't established anything. Tiger had blood work taken (oi, that was an adventure) but he didn't have an Xray done because it just seemed too unlikely. They didn't do a fecal on him though. Zeddie had an ultrasound which came back completely normal. They were looking for IBD and didn't find it. Obviously the only way to know for sure is a biopsy, but I am just not ready to go there yet. Lymphoma is highly unlikely due to her age, but its not completely ruled out.

I figure I will get a second opinion before doing anything invasive, and although the holistic vet is extremely expensive, it is worth it even for the piece of mind that I have done absolutely everything I possibly can before putting her through such a terrible surgery. It could still be environmental, and I am more inclined to rule absolutely everything out before resorting to IBD or lymphoma.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Right there with you Kristin. Exhaust all options and get a second opinion before invasive action.

 

[John Campbell]

What dishes are you using to feed them? Lead toxicity could cause this. My vet, on her first visit to my house, insisted on seeing all dishes my cats ate out of. She immediatelyhad me to get rid of absolutely every cat dish made in China. I now only use pyrex glass bowls and dishes. I am appalled when I look at pet dishes at the various stores - it seems that all the cute ones are made in China. And I seriously doubt that they have truly reformed thier use of lead-based or cadmium paint.

Made in china is a term that may never go away... I feed Elsa her wet in Coffee Cup Saucers, and I only feed Jake and Elsa out of Stainless Steel Bowls.. No Plastic or anything like that from China.