Suspicions about Spicey

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 7:34:08 PM UTC-5, Takayuki wrote:
Having had a chance to observe Spicey for several days has reinforced my

initial impression that Spicey does not look like a normal healthy 9.5 year

old cat. I know for a fact that that is her age, yet she really looks like

she's carrying a lot more wear on her body than that.



What do I see wrong with Spicey? First, her fur is scraggly, almost as

though she's dehydrated, and she's skinny too. Second, she eats and drinks

a ton. Third, her limbs are stiff and weak, almost as though she's

arthritic.



And fifth, and this is something I find maybe the most peculiar and

alarming about her, is that her pupils do not contract. Her pupils are

always wide open. At first, I thought it was because she was scared being

in a new environment, but in all this time, I've never seen her pupils even

quiver. They're always huge and round. I've turned off the lights, turned

them on, redirected her gaze so that she was staring at the lights, and she

pupils still don't contract.



Is it thyroid? Diabetes? Parasites? Kidneys? I have no idea, but Spicey has

a vet appointment for Saturday. I told them that I want a full physical and

bloodwork on her. And that she is not tame, and will have to take

precautions when examining her.

Most clinics don't include a thyroid test in standard bloodwork, so make sure to request that test as well.
Definitely make sure they check her blood pressure. If they don't have a monitor, please find a clinic that does as this is very important to rule in or out, especially in older cats. Dilated pupils could be a sign of retinal detachment, which is a common occurrence in cats with untreated high blood pressure.
Also, please don't feed her dry food.It is not a good diet for any cat, especially for an older cat with a bad coat and health issues AND it will keep her in a state of chronic dehydration. If you haven't read these articles, please do. Spicey's best chance at recovering her health requires she be fed a species appropriate diet and dry food does not fall within those parameters.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutritio...cats-and-dogs/
http://www.catinfo.org
http://www.catnutrition.org/diabetes.html
http://catnutrition.org

On 2012-10-05, Takayuki wrote:

And fifth, and this is something I find maybe the most peculiar and
alarming about her, is that her pupils do not contract. Her pupils are
always wide open. At first, I thought it was because she was scared being
in a new environment, but in all this time, I've never seen her pupils even
quiver. They're always huge and round. I've turned off the lights, turned
them on, redirected her gaze so that she was staring at the lights, and she
pupils still don't contract.

Blindness, perhaps. It can be hard to tell. If Spicey is in unrecoverably
bad condition it might be time to perform that final kindness.

Bud

Sounds like Thyroid and/or Kidney failure and possibly the issue with the eyes is cataracts. Good that you are going to the vet tomorrow.

"Jack Campin" wrote in message
...

Having had a chance to observe Spicey for several days has reinforced my
initial impression that Spicey does not look like a normal healthy 9.5
year
old cat. I know for a fact that that is her age, yet she really looks like
she's carrying a lot more wear on her body than that.
What do I see wrong with Spicey? First, her fur is scraggly, almost as
though she's dehydrated, and she's skinny too. Second, she eats and drinks
a ton. Third, her limbs are stiff and weak, almost as though she's
arthritic.
And fifth, and this is something I find maybe the most peculiar and
alarming about her, is that her pupils do not contract. [...]
Is it thyroid? Diabetes? Parasites? Kidneys?

Nutrient deficiency, taurine in particular? Your vet will be able to
check blood nutrient levels (this will probably be a standard part of
the workup).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU,
Scotland
mobile 07800 739 557 http://www.campin.me.uk Twitter:
JackCampin


******************
I agree with Jack. And please make sure they do a "senior" panel for the
bloodwork.

It almost sounds like renal problems. Then again, perhaps I'm focused on
that since Persia is having that problem.

Jill

"AB" wrote in message ...


I am fairly new here, and didn't know Suzy or Spicey. Anything I know
about either of them, I've gleened throught the recent posts here.

First, I offer my sincere condolences regarding Suzy's passing to her
family and friends.

I want to thank and commend Takayuki for his compassion, great
attitude and concern in taking in Spicey in her hour of need. From
what I've learned, Spicey can be rather spirited, to say the least.
Kudos to you, Takayuki, in every aspect in this saga.

I agree with you too, that something seems amiss with Spicey
healthwise. I commend you once again for really doing a terrific job
tackling this whole situation and getting her to the vet quickly.

Like all of us here, I am eager to hear what the veterinarian comes up
with.

You are one terrific person, Takayuki.

AB

*******************
If I haven't previously done so, welcome to the group!

I agree Tak is a very special person, for having cared for and known Suz and
for taking on the care of Spicey. I should aspire to be such a good person.

Purrs for Tak and for Spicey,

Jill

"Takayuki" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:53:39 -0400, AB wrote:
I am fairly new here, and didn't know Suzy or Spicey. Anything I know
about either of them, I've gleened throught the recent posts here.

First, I offer my sincere condolences regarding Suzy's passing to her
family and friends.

I want to thank and commend Takayuki for his compassion, great
attitude and concern in taking in Spicey in her hour of need. From
what I've learned, Spicey can be rather spirited, to say the least.
Kudos to you, Takayuki, in every aspect in this saga.

I agree with you too, that something seems amiss with Spicey
healthwise. I commend you once again for really doing a terrific job
tackling this whole situation and getting her to the vet quickly.

Like all of us here, I am eager to hear what the veterinarian comes up
with.

You are one terrific person, Takayuki.

Thank you AB. Welcome to the group! She really is a feisty one! Co-workers
were asking me today, "OMG, what happened to your hand!?" And I had to
reply, "I put down a dish of food to my cat."

I would allow you to have adopted Kitty Farmcat.

"jmcquown" wrote in message
...

It almost sounds like renal problems. Then again, perhaps I'm focused on
that since Persia is having that problem.

Jill

Spicey will not be eating voraciously if she has kidney problems, quite the
reverse.

".

And fifth, and this is something I find maybe the most peculiar and
alarming about her, is that her pupils do not contract. Her pupils are
always wide open. At first, I thought it was because she was scared being
in a new environment, but in all this time, I've never seen her pupils
even
quiver. They're always huge and round. I've turned off the lights, turned
them on, redirected her gaze so that she was staring at the lights, and
she
pupils still don't contract.

I would be very worried about this.
I cannot understand why a 9.5 year old can have so many health problems.
Unless..no-one has ever monitored her health.

Boyfie is now 10, he is perfect. Maybe slowing down about rat patrol. He
does do it and gets the tiny ones stiil, but he would prefer to not bother.

On Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:12:57 +0100, Jack Campin
wrote:
Nutrient deficiency, taurine in particular? Your vet will be able to
check blood nutrient levels (this will probably be a standard part of
the workup).

I guess that's why they can't make a diagnosis over the phone. So many
possibilities!

On Thu, 4 Oct 2012 22:26:23 -0700 (PDT), Catlady
wrote:
Most clinics don't include a thyroid test in standard bloodwork, so make sure to request that test as well.
Definitely make sure they check her blood pressure. If they don't have a monitor, please find a clinic that does as this is very important to rule in or out, especially in older cats. Dilated pupils could be a sign of retinal detachment, which is a common occurrence in cats with untreated high blood pressure.
Also, please don't feed her dry food.It is not a good diet for any cat, especially for an older cat with a bad coat and health issues AND it will keep her in a state of chronic dehydration. If you haven't read these articles, please do. Spicey's best chance at recovering her health requires she be fed a species appropriate diet and dry food does not fall within those parameters.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutritio...cats-and-dogs/
http://www.catinfo.org
http://www.catnutrition.org/diabetes.html
http://catnutrition.org

Yes, I think that's sound advice. Dot and Buster are on dry, but I've taken
Spicey off dry, and she's on low carb for now.