Not winning with Bovril.

[farthing]

Bovril, the stray cat we took in was never claimed, blood tests showed he was very hyperthyroid and this also means he is elderly.
Last week he was very poorly, his food consumption had dropped which I assumed was the effect of the vidalta dropping his thyroid levels to normal, however he didn't eat in the morning and by evening didn't lift his head, so we took him into the vets. He had lost 0.5kgs too!
His temp was up and the vet took a blood sample to send off to check his thyroid. He was given Metacam to help reduce his temp and antibiotics. The next morning he was worse and more bloods were taken and I was fearing the worst, that his kidneys had packed in. His bloods were surprisingly good other than being slightly anaemic. He got a vitamin b injection and another antibiotic. He improved over the day and was meowing at me for food by the next morning. A couple of day later his thyroid results came back and they were normal.
He had slowly gone off his food again and just looks awful, I now think it may be his teeth and I kick myself for not thinking about it sooner..... I've been offering all kinds of food, including hills a/d pâté mixed with cat milk but he wasn't keen. Yesterday I gave him some Metacam because he's clearly interested in the food but turns away, I then offered a salmon pâté mixed with warm water and he's lapped some of it up. He's back to the vet today but I think his condition is so bad they won't be able to operate if it is his teeth and my bigger concern is that it's something more sinister.
Between this and Lady, our 14 year old collie with a mast cell tumour, who was off colour the day before and also ended up with blood tests and a scan, only to find out she had an upset tummy! My vet bill has sky rocketed this month!

[angieh]

Sorry to hear about Bovril and Lady. Must be worrying when identifying the problem is difficult. Have you thought about slippery elm for Bovril? I know when my Merlin didn't want food it was because although he was hungry, food probably made him feel sick - the slippery elm helped in that respect.

[fecto's mum]

When our Chubbiz was very poorly and completely off his food the vet gave him Convenia which worked brilliantly. It may work for Bovril, just a thought. Chubbiz had another jab about 11 months later when he was ill again then again 8 months later but sadly it didn't work and we lost him.

[farthing]

Bovril recently had a convenia injection, because he had an infection and it did take his temp down and perked him up. Everything has been tested, the vet can't feel anything abnormal and he would struggle with a sedation for a scan or an x-ray. His teeth are ok, so we have no idea what is going on. The vet is concerned he has se wasting condition, I'm now wondering if vidalta may be having some side effects?

[fecto's mum]

Poor little chap, I'm really sorry he's poorly. He's obviously been through such a lot. I wish him well.

[Velvet]

I guess the vet wouldve checked for mouth ulcers?

[farthing]

Bovril is looking very poorly today, I'm starting to wonder if it's the vidalta? Some of the less common side effects fit this description. To go from being bright, hungry and active ( I know these are symptoms of hyperthyroidism) to a walking skeleton completely off food and lethargic...... The only thing I can think of is it's the meds. If it is, I hope we are not too late as he looks really bad today, I just hate not being able to help him or get him to eat.

[Liz]

Have you tried Complivet foor supplement - it looks like Bovril don't take the Flumax one the cats here hate it and it maybe the Vitalda has no effect on him - I have one on felimezole and he is great crap on Vitalda and a feral on Vitalda who is great with it

[farthing]

The vidalta is working Liz, his levels are down from well over 180 to 37, I'm just concerned the anorexia and lethargy are side effects. I am clutching at straws and it may well be something more sinister, I have often experienced ( and know other rescues have too) taking in a very thin/ neglected animal, feeding it up, only to lose it to a something else...... It's almost like, when you feed the animal you feed the disease.

[farthing]

Well after syringe feeding Bovril, hourly over yesterday, he's looking much brighter, fighting me when I try to feed him and going to the food bowl with some interest. I've just left him lapping up some watered down tuna pâté food so here's hoping his appetite will pick up. He's still very unwell but I think if I hadn't syringe fed him yesterday, he would possibly be dead today. I guess I just have to wait and see what today brings.

[truthisouthere]

Farthing you probably saved him with the fluid intake there.
For what it's worth here's my experience on Vidalta:

Number 1: Fish is never recommended for a cat fighting h'rthyroidism, it can be too high in purines. Try and stick to white meat or beef. Lots of warm home made broth (simply boil chicken bones) is welcome. I know my Mitzi relished this every day mixed in with her wet food. Try and wean Bovril off of the fish a wee bit, but if this is all Bovril will eat then something's better than nothing.

Number 2: Yes, on 1st using Vidalta it can really slow a cat down in every respect, it can be a bit of a shock to the system. Although the results said the dose should be 15mg, I found that Mitzi was too just too poorly, no appetite, 'slow' and plainly depressed at times on this and better on a slightly lower dose of 10mg daily. Simply adjusting the dose brought her back to near normal because the Vidalta was suppressing things just that little bit too much for her. It can be difficult sometimes to get the careful balance with Vidalta on some cats, likewise it can take a while for your cat to adjust. Only you and your vet can agree or what is right for dear Bovril. I hope he continues to feel better, with your TLC farthing.

[timber-]

I have no insight on what could be ailing Bovril, just want to send you the very best and many healing thoughts.

[farthing]

Bovril is doing really well, active and yelling for food, his eyes are much less sunken too.
He's still a bit fussy, doesn't eat 'chunky' food but loves Lily's kitchen packs. I'm feeding him whatever he likes just to keep him going, we are back to the vet on Friday with him and will make a decision about his meds, he won't be going back on vidalta though. I'll try him with the z-d diet although I suspect he won't eat it...... It doesn't appear to be very palatable. If that doesn't work we will try felimazole. Fluffy didn't do well on vidalta either but was fine on felimazole.

[angieh]

That sounds so promising farthing, fingers crossed Bovril keeps improving.

[fecto's mum]

I'm so glad Bovril is rallying. What a fabulous Mum you are Farthing. I always feel so sorry for poorly animals because they can't say where it hurts. It's awful to have an animal that you know is hungry but they won't eat, heartbreaking. Great news, everything crossed, including Angie's fingers!

[farthing]

Less good news again today. Bovril sounds a bit wheezy, which is a concern as he's just finished his convenia course and had a top up injection on Friday of another 3 day antibiotic.
He's quieter today again, so another vet visit for us.
This is so stressful, I wish I knew what was going on!

[fecto's mum]

You're doing the very best you can, Farthing. Poor little chap, at least everyone is batting for him. It is stressful when an animal is poorly, I wish him well and hopefully the vet will find the problem and the solution.

[angieh]

Poor little Bovril, my fingers are still firmly crossed for him.

[truthisouthere]

My thoughts go out to you Farthing, they are such a worry because we love them so much, as Fecto's mum says, if only they could tell us where it hurts!

Furrballs can cause some nasty blockages and wheezing, something to ask your vets perhaps tomorrow as Bovril is longhaired.

Also, have you done the dehydration test recently. If the skin doesn't bounce back mix up some rehydration fluid and drizzle it in slowly.
That's all I can think of for now. I hope the vet gets to the bottom of it soon.

[farthing]

After panicking and making an appointment, Bovril had a big cough and bit of a retch and his breathing settled. He isn't dehydrated, I'm mixing his food with warm water, breaking it up at the same time. He's not eaten as much today though but his eyes are much more alert. I do wonder if he has something like arthritis in his jaw, but it seems strange it's suddenly happened now, I am paranoid about him.
I cancelled the appointment in the end, he's in for a re-examine on Friday anyway and I don't think the vet will find anything new.

[fecto's mum]

Eyes are a good indicator aren't they. Big Fooze was ages before his nictating membrane cleared. Thank God his eyes are now a beautiful clear blue. Do you think Bovril has a sore throat? Maybe an old injury in his jaw is hurting him. It is so difficult, I suppose you just have to keep eliminating things. At least he is warm and comfortable with a good Mum. Hope things improve for him.

[truthisouthere]

How is Bovril Fecto, any news?

[fecto's mum]

Don't know, he was off to the vets on Friday but heard nothing since. Hope he's OK.

[farthing]

Hi, sorry, Bovril's vet visit went well.
He hasn't put on any weight but is looking so much better, the vet said when he saw him the first time he was expecting to PTS soon but now he feels Bovril has a chance. He got a steroid injection to see if it would help the wheeziness and it has, good new is this means it's not his heart but some kind of inflammation. He's also been eating food without having to get it blended, I'm not sure if this means he has something like asthma, i'll see the vet again today to discuss.
He's not really keen on the y/d thyroid food but I'll get some more tins and see how he goes. Thanks for asking :D

[angieh]

Not quite out of the woods, but getting there - well done Bovril and farthing too of course! Healing vibes still being sent.

[fecto's mum]

So glad Bovril is on the mend. Must be a big relief. Could you mix something with his food to make it smell appetising. I've found that specialist food is sometimes very bland, a bit like complan for us.

[farthing]

You can't feed anything other than y/d food for it to work. I think I'm right in saying it has no iodine in it, but you cannot add anything as it will contain iodine, making the diet ineffective.

[fecto's mum]

Thanks Farthing, I will store that away for future reference. Learn some very useful things on this site.

[farthing]

A quick update on Bovril.
He is not too keen on the Y/D food and to be honest getting him to take something is more important.
He is much better after a steroid injection, I suspect an issue like asthma, so he is now on steroid tablets. I'm not a believer on having cats on steroids but sometimes we have no choice and they will stimulate his appetite. He is starting on steroid tablets so hopefully this will help, as he is off his food again. I have tried I/d, a/d, Lily's kitchen, Sheba..... You name it and we have tried it. Once we see how he goes with the steroids, we will decide what to do about his thyroid. I'm wondering if we have a go with the vidalta again once we get this 'issue' under control.
He's such a lovely, tolerant boy. I just want him to know what a loving home is!

[angieh]

Bless him ...... eat something sweetie vibes being sent.

[fecto's mum]

Farthing, have you looked at the zooplus site. I buy all Big Foozy's food from there cos he gets bored easy. Its very cheap and fast delivery. They do every type of food you can think of.

[farthing]

I think it's more to do with how he's feeling rather than the food, to be honest. He was ravenous when he arrived and I suspect as we controlled his thyroid with meds, the other issue set back in. He is very rattly, wheezy in the morning without steroids, which is why I suspect asthma. He's eaten on his own a bit today, so I guess it's the steroids kicking in. I now don't know whether to try the vidalta again or try something else!

[truthisouthere]

Poor lad. :(

Has your vet said what might be the cause of his wheezing if it is asthma or something other?.
Has your vet suggested it could be some sort of an allergy/intolerance perhaps.. EG: Some cats can be sensitive to the house dust mite and it can even clog their nostrils up due to localised inflammation and the body forming mucous just to get rid of the invading foreign body. Does he get any relief being outdoors or does he not go out yet.
Is your house chemical free?. Is he hairball free? I only propose all these questions to try and 'cover all bases' and get to the bottom of why he is so wheezy, especially in he mornings. :roll:

To 'Vidalta' or not to Vidalta is a difficult one. When he's already not got much of an appetite it won't help, BUT getting his thyroid under control IS a priority, so it's a real toughie.. Have you tried Bovril on a lower dose yet..I think it would be wise to have a little talk with your vet about his general health and what could be the cause of his wheezing.

Please give dear, sweet Bovril a gentle hug from me.

[farthing]

I am talking to the vet weekly, at the minimum about his health.
His blood show no abnormalities,( other than being slightly anaemic) and if it's an allergy/ inflammatory issue the eosinophils are often raised.
He is in the bathroom at the moment which has a wood floor, he doesn't seem to suffer greatly from hair balls and I do not use a lot of chemicals when cleaning. He is not fit enough to go outdoors or well enough for x-rays which would let us look at the state of his lungs, or show tumours, because it may well be a cancer the steriods are helping rather than an allergic response.
He is eating better now he's on the steriods and I will change his cat litter from wood pellets to the lightweight cat litter because reading your reply has made me wonder if the pellets are an issue in some way. We are waiting for him to stabilise on the steroids before dealing with the thyroid issue.
We may try the felimazole rather than vidalta, our Fluffy did not respond to vidalta but did with the felimazole so it will be a case of trial and error. :-)

[fecto's mum]

Poor little Bovril, at least he is eating better. Maybe a change of thyroid meds will help him. He's obviously getting the best care possible thanks to you, Farthing.