Update on mystery cat ailment...

[Dookus]

A week ago today I found a neighborhood cat convulsing in my driveway. My neighbor and I took him to the vet - they ruled out poisoning, and he seemed to have no signs of trauma.

Well, he's been home and at my neighbor's house since Sunday. I just went to visit him, and he's improving, though still largely paralyzed. He's gaining strength and he's a lot better than a week ago. The vet theorizes it might've been an embolism - like he had a stroke. He's very young (only about 8-9 months) and otherwise in good health.

Anyway, he's improving - the vet said it'd take a couple weeks to really see how he's gonna do. But it's encouraging - he can move his front legs fairly well now, and his rear left leg seems to have some movement and strength.

The funny part is he was SOOOO shy and skittish, and now he's just a love. His forced confinement will turn him into a sweet lap-kitty. He adores being petted and held now.

Keep good thoughts for Phink.

[aquart]

1. When he was desperate, human hands saved him.

He knows who does him good.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. Healing thoughts coming your way....

Here's hoping for a complete recovery.

[northofdenali]

3. Phink - good karma your way.

Maybe antifreeze? It's fairly deadly and can cause paralysis. I hope he'll be okay! :hug: Phink!

[Dookus]

5. that was the first thing they suspected

but the tests for it were negative. They were unable to find any toxins.

It COULD be trauma but he just doesn't have any other signs - they x-rayed him and found no broken bones, he wasn't bleeding anywhere, not a scratch on him.

It's a real mystery, but we're hopeful he continues his recovery. He's really a sweet little guy and deserves to be mobile.

[the Kelly Gang]

4. similar happened to my kitty a few months ago..milder tho and he's

fully recovered . I thought it must have been a minor stroke and the vet said similar.

back to his crazy old self now.

[Dookus]

7. interesting...

how old was your cat? What were the symptoms? How long did recovery take?

[the Kelly Gang]

18. about 10 years old and took about 3 weeks lying around moping

..I thought he was on the way out but he's fully recovered..symptoms were the same as you described..your kitty will be ok..they're not as delicate as they look !

[Dookus]

21. thanks...

that's very encouraging.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. ~healing cybervibes for Phink~~~~~~~

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[XanaDUer]

8. Dookus-you saved a kitty kat?

:loveya:

to you and your neighbor!

[Dookus]

9. thanks

he's a sweetie. I'd been feeding him for a couple of months or so. Here's a pic of him:

[XanaDUer]

10. He's so sweet!

What a lucky cat that you found him.

[Beaverhausen]

11. thanks for the update and healing thoughts go to him

Are his eyes really that green? :loveya:

and love to you for helping him out!

[Dookus]

12. yeah

his eyes are beautiful.

He's extremely alert and looks all around. That's why it's all such a mystery...

[NashVegas]

16. Are You Sure That's a "He"?

He's don't usually come tri-color.

[Dookus]

17. yeah, he's a he...

he's got similar markings as my older guy. He's not really a calico. Just a tabby with a little brown in him.

[MissAnnThrope]

13. Convulsing?

That's the number one sign of a stroke or a TIA. I've had three dogs and one cat who have had those. One was a massive stroke, the others were all TIAs. A TIA is a mini-stroke and they recover quickly. What sort of vet doesn't check for that, or was money a concern? A few tests on the spot would have shown it.

I'm glad to hear he's on the mend. It's scary to go through, with animals or humans.

[Dookus]

14. well

they suspected that, too, but a cat scan would cost over $600 and they said it wouldn't necessarily show anything.

Their first suspicion was toxins, but it took them a few days to rule out all the likely suspects. A stroke wasy far down on the list of likely possibilities.

[MissAnnThrope]

23. They Wanted How Much?

Holy mother of God, what does this vet charge? When my one dog had her TIA, it was on a Sunday morning and I had to take her to the Animerge center. Which is $100 just to walk in the door. They did the tests to diagnose her and the bill was just over $300. They did a blood test, as something is released into the bloodstream during a stroke. It's about 3 years since I've had to deal with anything of the sort, so I don't remember the exact details.

I am glad the kitty is better though, and I hope he has no further problems.

[flamingyouth]

15. Wow - I'm so happy to hear that

I was wondering about that sweet lil' guy.:hug:

[Dookus]

22. thanks, flaming...

I'll tell him you asked about him :)

[TrogL]

19. Don't count on a lap kitty

I adopted a cat that had just been fixed and was all over me and a perfect lap kitty. As soon as it felt better it's ignored me ever since.

[Dookus]

20. heheh

I had a cat like that. When he was sick or hurt, he was the biggest baby in the world. But once healed, he was his same ol' ornery nasty self.

[Dookus]

24. Friday update:

he had a Vet visit today. She was VERY encouraged by his progress and thinks he'll make a full recovery.

She's pretty convinced it was an embolism, leading to a stroke. Poor little guy... but he's on the mend! yay.

[sleepyhead]

25. Glad to hear he's feeling better.

Strokes are extremely rare in cats. Lucky Phink to have someone to look after him.

[flamingyouth]

28. How scary

But good to know he's on the mend. Give him my best, and extra scritches for me!:hi:

[UrbScotty]

26. Keep us informed! (nt)

[KT2000]

27. Beautiful cat!

Phink is lucky to have you for a friend. And he is a looker.

That is scary though that such a young cat could have an embolism.