Strange Symptoms

[dblum]

My 17 yr. old male cat starting showing some strange symptoms recently, and rather suddenly.  He stopped going up and down stairs, stopped getting on the furniture, seems to have weakness or lack of coordination in his hind legs, paces, does not meow, purr or groom.  We took him to the vet and after an examination the vet felt he had high blood pressure and that he appeared blind.  She could not get his eyes to respond to light.  She put him on medication and took blood and urine samples.  I took him home, and it's clear to me that although he may not be seeing as well as normal, he is not totally blind.  The blood and urine analysis were both normal.  The same symptoms have continued.  He went back to vet for a follow-up and again all blood and urine tests were normal.  At home, his pupils will constrict in the sunlight, especially.  

I have an appointment next week with a neurologist, but am wondering if anyone can give me a clue as to what's going on.

Thank you,

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am so glad you had the MRI performed, at least you now have a definitive diagnosis.  I am very sad about the results though.



Thank you so much for keeping us informed.

[dblum]

There is a large tumor in his brain.  The vet said probably pituatary (sp.?).  None of the possible treatment options would seem to be of any use, and would probably cause more problems than the tumor, at this point.  The vet did mention a slightly low platelet count from earlier blood work, and took more blood while the cat was anesthesized and will have the results tomorrow.  I'm not sure what that would indicate.  I admit I wasn't listening to much after seeing that tumor on the scan.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Let me know what the results are.  


Ginko Biloba, phospatidyl serine, choline and inositol, and DHA  are very helpful for a variety of brain issues.

[dblum]

We were at the neurologist's yesterday and he agreed there is something going on and will do an MRI today.  It's possible the high blood pressure was due more to stress at being at the vet.  Yes, his thyroid function was checked and was normal.  I have another cat who is actually hyperthyroid.  He feels there may be some brain event.  But whether it's a tumor, a stroke or an infection, we won't know until they get a look.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

High blood pressures can cause detachment, or hemorhage of the retinae of the eyes,  in addition to other eye problems, which can lead to blindness or partial blindness. Your cat could still have some vision if the retinae are not totally detached, for instance.  

Your vet has tried to discover  the cause of the high blood pressure by performing blood and urine tests. Since the blood and urine tests were normal, your cat does not have kidney disease, which is a primary cause of high blood pressure in cats.  The other most common cause is hyperthyroidism.  Has your cat been tested for hyperthyroidism?  These are not routine tests.  They are called T4 and free T4 tests.  

Treating the hypertension successfully with medications and repair of the possible retinal detachment may help to restore vision in your cat.

But,  an underlying cause of the hypertension must be discovered.  I think that taking your vet to a neurologist or a veterinary opthalmologist is an excellent idea.  A cardiologist might be helpful also.

Has your cat improved at all on the medications?  

Let us know how it turns out!