[Sandwalker]

Hello all,

I'm desperate for answers as we've been working on finding a solution for over a month now. If anyone has any ideas or of an internal medicine specialist I can ask, please let me know.

I have a 5 year old Himalayan that's been healthy his whole life. 1 month ago I was away for a few days and when I returned I found him acting lethargic with one eye weeping. He hadn't eaten or drank anything the whole time from what I can tell. I have a second cat that showed no symptoms at all. I took him to the local vet, and then a cat specialist for a second opinion. They both thought it was an infection and put him on antibiotics. That took care of the eye but he still acted lethargic.

A series of tests over 3 weeks have been done:

- First xray: Shows enlarged liver, lymph nodes, and veins in that area. Also some fluid in the chest.
- First (Complete blood panel) test: White blood cells low, everything else normal. No diseases detected.
- Ultrasound verifies enlarged liver but shows no tumors.
- Second xray: No change after 3 weeks of antibiotics.
- Second (Complete blood panel) test: White blood cells back to normal. Red blood cells low. No diseases detected.
- Biopsy of lymph node: shows it's inflamed but no diseases detected.
- Third blood test of liver functions shows it's functioning normally.
- No vomiting, sneezing, coughing.

Vet diagnosis: She still doesn't know! She doubts it's FIV because of his age, he's an indoor only cat and the blood tests don't indicate that. She doubts it was poisoning/digestion problems because there would be vomiting.

Medications: He's on Lasix for his breathing/fluid in lungs, Vibramycin antibiotic and Prednisolone for inflammation.
Food and supplements: He eats steadily more and is slowly gaining weight each week. However he'll only eat baby food and cat treats. He drinks very little water, so I give him pedialyte to keep his fluids and electrolytes up. He acts tired but not lethargic.

We're at our wits end... If you have any suggestions please let us know. The next test is supposed to test the fluid in his chest.

Thanks in advance!

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[Heather Sharada]

That is a worry....I am wondering if it may be FIP - this can be precipitated by stress and it sounds like your boy was very upset while you were away. Very hard to diagnose though and hoping it is NOT FIP.

Are you in Australia? Perhaps he needs to go to see a University Vet.

[furball]

My thoughts with all those symptoms would also be FIP. Jacqui Norris at Syd Uni recommended at our feline health seminar last year, that an AGP test is the most definitive, that most other tests come back as false negatives.

[jemappelle]

I think it is the fluid in the chest that is making him lethargic. Has the vet mentioned pyothorax at all? If not ring her up and ask her about it.

[Sandwalker]

Thanks so much for your responses...

I asked my vet if she thought it was FIP/FIV and she said it wasn't in her top 5. Mainly because of his age, being a strictly indoor cat, and the blood tests not showing any signs of it. I heard it was hard to detect however, so that does have me worried.

Heather -- We're in the US, southern California to be exact just up from Disneyland, not the happiest place on earth at the moment . I haven't heard of using vets at a University but will check on that - thanks.

Furball -- thanks for the idea of an AGP test, I'll ask about it.

Jemappelle -- The vet hasn't mentioned pyothorax and has said she can't say that any of the tests point to one specific disease at this point. After reading a bit about pyothorax it does seem like a possibility though - thanks.

Should I simply ask my current cat vet to do an AGP test and about pyothorax? Or would I be better off going to an internal medicine vet? After so many tests already this has taken quite a toll on all. Thanks again for your help

This post has been edited by Sandwalker: 24 September 2009 - 03:49 AM

[Catspjamas]

Talk to your vet about a referral to a specialty hospital or to a vet school. I know UC Davis has an excellent Veterinary Medical School, but I don't know where that is in relation to your location. Your vet will be able to make a recommendation, and it is always better to have the vet refer you, as they can talk with the referral vet and give your cat's medical history.

[pbro3287]

that an AGP test is the most definitive,

This test on its own is of little diagnostic value for FIP, since other inflammatory conditions can cause increases (alpha acid glycoprotien is an acute phase protein and is increased in some inflamamtory diseases in cats)

This post has been edited by pbro3287: 25 September 2009 - 04:15 PM