I noticed my 13 year old boy, Indy, wasn’t eating as much as he normally does on Monday. He was still drinking water and acting pretty normal. Unfortunately I’m at work all day Mondays and Tuesdays so it wasn’t until Wednesday that I realized he wasn’t eating anything. He would lick the food and then walk away. So I offered him multiple different kinds of wet food, some boiled chicken, and the raw food that they normally get. I have two cats so I didn’t notice that he wasn’t defecating, but he was still urinating. He started acting more secluded and wouldn’t even touch his catnip (his favorite).
I took him to the vet on Thursday and they did some blood work and found he was dehydrated and his Potassium level was very low so they sent me to an emergency vet saying it could possibly be a heart problem. Six months prior I had blood work and a urinalysis done just as a checkup because of his age and everything came back great.
The emergency vet did an ultrasound and found his stomach to be very enlarged. They immediately suggested a scope, but because of his age I asked that they waited until his electrolytes were brought back up because I didn’t want him under anesthesia at his age and in such a weakened condition. They were at least able to rule out a heart problem. They kept him over night and put an IV in, but when I called to check on him I was told that he was scheduled to be scoped and put on medications that I was not informed of. I moved him to another emergency vet where they took several xrays and ran a barium series. Same thing… stomach still enlarged and feces in the bowels. The xrays were sent to two other doctors and a radiologist. None of them have been able to see any blockages, tumors or problems with any other organs. The stomach wall is thinner in some areas than others, but no visible lesions or leaking. The barium is still in his stomach over 24 hours later. I asked about IBD but the doctor said he didn’t think so.
After informing me that they wanted to do an exploratory surgery, I asked if they could give him an enema or something to try to loosen up the feces in his bowels. When I went in to visit the doctor said he’d rather do the surgery as a last resort (to my relief). After the enema (he did pass a small amount) they sent him home with medications and special food and suggested I try this for a few days where he'll be more comfortable. Since he’s not eating or drinking I have to crush up the medications, a small amount of food and pedialyte/water and give it to him with a syringe. Most of the time he just ends up vomiting it back up. As of right now he seems to have more energy than a few days ago, he’s purring constantly and talking to me like he used to (he’s a very vocal kitty). However, when he’s walking around I can see that he’s fighting back vomiting so he’ll take a few steps and lay back down. I’m taking him to another vet tomorrow for a second opinion on the surgery, but I figured I would ask on this forum in hopes that somebody has experienced this or has some new ideas. All the doctors have said that aside from these problems he’s in great condition for his age (no kidney problems or other diseases that come along with his age).
Indy means the world to me and after 13 years with him if he’s still going strong I’m not going to give up on him. After being told it could possibly be heart problems, cancer, tumors, neuromuscular problems and still not getting any definite answers this emotional and financial roller-coaster has left me pretty devastated. Any input, ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I took him to the vet on Thursday and they did some blood work and found he was dehydrated and his Potassium level was very low so they sent me to an emergency vet saying it could possibly be a heart problem. Six months prior I had blood work and a urinalysis done just as a checkup because of his age and everything came back great.
The emergency vet did an ultrasound and found his stomach to be very enlarged. They immediately suggested a scope, but because of his age I asked that they waited until his electrolytes were brought back up because I didn’t want him under anesthesia at his age and in such a weakened condition. They were at least able to rule out a heart problem. They kept him over night and put an IV in, but when I called to check on him I was told that he was scheduled to be scoped and put on medications that I was not informed of. I moved him to another emergency vet where they took several xrays and ran a barium series. Same thing… stomach still enlarged and feces in the bowels. The xrays were sent to two other doctors and a radiologist. None of them have been able to see any blockages, tumors or problems with any other organs. The stomach wall is thinner in some areas than others, but no visible lesions or leaking. The barium is still in his stomach over 24 hours later. I asked about IBD but the doctor said he didn’t think so.
After informing me that they wanted to do an exploratory surgery, I asked if they could give him an enema or something to try to loosen up the feces in his bowels. When I went in to visit the doctor said he’d rather do the surgery as a last resort (to my relief). After the enema (he did pass a small amount) they sent him home with medications and special food and suggested I try this for a few days where he'll be more comfortable. Since he’s not eating or drinking I have to crush up the medications, a small amount of food and pedialyte/water and give it to him with a syringe. Most of the time he just ends up vomiting it back up. As of right now he seems to have more energy than a few days ago, he’s purring constantly and talking to me like he used to (he’s a very vocal kitty). However, when he’s walking around I can see that he’s fighting back vomiting so he’ll take a few steps and lay back down. I’m taking him to another vet tomorrow for a second opinion on the surgery, but I figured I would ask on this forum in hopes that somebody has experienced this or has some new ideas. All the doctors have said that aside from these problems he’s in great condition for his age (no kidney problems or other diseases that come along with his age).
Indy means the world to me and after 13 years with him if he’s still going strong I’m not going to give up on him. After being told it could possibly be heart problems, cancer, tumors, neuromuscular problems and still not getting any definite answers this emotional and financial roller-coaster has left me pretty devastated. Any input, ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
