cat health problems

[vickyjo1010]

I rescued a cat, he was about 3 months old, in may, he was born around the restaurant that I work at, where people drop off unwanted cats, because our owner feeds them, I believe he is inbreed and I fell in love with him. He had a hurt eye and I took him to my vet and got him medicine and decided to add him to my family of 2 cats and 2 dogs. I took him for his shots and he had tape worms and he got medicine for that. He seemed to eat well for a couple of months and then just started throwing up in the evening. Before he threw up, he would cry so loud. I of course took him immediately to my vet. Who through process of elimination and many meds and negative hiv and lukemia tests, can't figure out what is wrong with him. My cat "Emmitt", doesn't seem to really have an appetite, he eats alittle and does drink water. I am now giving him Tagamet liquid everyday and that has stopped for the most part his vommiting, but now he has a constant drooling and it is alot of drooling. I have to wipe it up everywhere. he is at about 4.3 lbs down from 6.1 lbs in june. My vet seems to think he might have a birth defect inside somewhere. Emmitt also seems to snore loudly even when not asleep. I saw a program today where a man's dog has multiple sclerosis and the dogs symptoms sound just like emmitts. Any ideas from anyone on what I can do to find out how to help my little one,Emmitt. I have already spent around $800.00 on him and am pretty much tapped out. I live in North Carolina, Any suggestions or advise would be appreciated

[Jade59]

Vicki, it looks like nausea can be a sign of drooling - and would also explain why Emmitt eats so little - he's still very nauseous.  Talk with your vet about changing the med to Pepcid AC (or whatever your vet recommends - I just saw the Pepcid is fine for cats.  Zantac is too, but ask your vet for proper dosage, of course) and see if that works better.  I have gastro problems myself and while Pepcid AC doesn't do a thing for me, Tagamet works wonders.  I'm sure it's the same in the animal world - one med might not work as well as another, even though they are similar.  

Something else I came across several times while researching nausea, is CRF (Chronic Renal Failure).  I'm sure that normally, this would be unusual for a young kitten, but given Emmitt's start in life, who knows.  I hope not, though.  

I would also encourage you to introduce more wet food.  Add a little at a time to his dry.  If that particular Iams comes in wet, please try.  Male cats especially need more moisture in their diet since they can be prone to urinary crystals, so might as well begin when he's young and not attached to a certain food.  Changing a cat's food as they get older can be difficult, if not impossible.  Talk to your vet about wet vs dry.  I do realize this is not of the utmost importance at the moment - just keeping food in his is what's important right now.  

Please keep us updated, Vicki.  Emmitt is blessed you care so much and to have you for his Mama.  We are all animal lovers here too and care very much about each and every kitty who comes through the forum.  

I'll be anxiously waiting your update.  Good luck!

[vickyjo1010]

I have changed his hard food to Iams digestive care and try and give him a little wet food at night, sometimes he eats the wet food and sometimes not. I will call the vet tomm about the blockage, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm trying to get him well because I really want to get him fixed as I believe that if pet owner had their animals fixed we would have less unwanted pet. I am such an animal lover,

[vickyjo1010]

The vet is looking for a vet school that does mri and cat scans and is suppose to get back to me. No drooling before the tagamet. His teeth are ok, I saw that online and checked it out. His teeth and gums look fine.

[Jade59]

Hi Vicki and welcome.  I'm so sorry for Emmitt's troubles.  Has he had an endoscopy or any xrays?  I'm wondering about an intestinal blockage.  I did a little research and so many reasons why a cat would vomit, but with his appetite loss, I zeroed in on the blockage.  I would like to encourage you to feed Emmitt via syringe since he's eating so little - make up for the lost calories.  When a cat doesn't eat enough, their organs begin to be affected.  

Another question...did Emmitt drool before the Tagamet was introduced?  If so, and even if not, has your vet examined his teeth?  Often when kitties teeth hurt, they will drool and/or not want to eat.  Are you feeding him hard or wet food?