Expert: Norman Auspitz - 2/25/2010

Question
I noticed my cat had a trouble breathing and thought something might be partially lodged in his throat. I took him to the vet and the x-ray showed a blockage. The vet sedated him and found out that the block was what she believed to be an abscess. She attemted to drain the large bump but nothing came out. She put him on clavimox and and gave him a steroid injection. And sent him home with us a few hours later.

day 2
He still wasn't eating probably due to the fact his throat is swollen and painful. I have seen him drink a little water but not eating anything. I gave him a few syringe squirts of chicken broth and waited until the next day. The vet called and wanted to know how he was. I told them no improvement so they recommended I pick up some pain medicine to maybe help him. So i did that.

Day 3
Took him back to the vet upon vet's recommendation. When arriving at the vet the tech pointed out that his hind legs were swollen. The actual vet could not make of what is going on with the cat. She gave him a different shot of an antibiotic and something to help settle his stomach and gave him some IV fluids since he is dehydrated.

So now it is $600+ and 3 visits to the vet in 3 days and no real results. I have continued you administer the clavimox and pain medicine this evening and he is just in pain and weak and miserable.

We have 4 cats (all indoor) and one of the cats is a new 5 month old from an adoption center. Is it possible my cat might have contracted something? or have another disease that the vet is overlooking?

I live in Phoenix, AZ and there is a fungus in the valley from spores that creates Valley fever for cats. Could this be factor? I am clueless and just want to see the cat not suffer. I have spent a lot of money trying to find a solution and nothing seems to be working. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

Answer
Joe,

Remember, I am not a vet, but I can find out good vets in the Phoenix area (just respond to this for a private follow up).  I would definitely go for a second opinion from another vet.

As to whether or not your kitten contracted something, that is possible.  It is also possible he got into something toxic. I know nothing about the fungus you mentioned, but, indeed, that is a possibility.

Best regards... Norm.