We Have An Epidemic :(

[K & L]

We have an epidemic going around our place and are at a loss on how to handle it. Numerous cats are coming down with a throat/mouth condition that keeps them from eating and is basically impossible to get rid of. We can keep it under somewhat control with shots from the vet but we’re going broke. The vets have run blood work, throat cultures, etc. and really don’t have a solid answer. We are heartsick over this and fear our next choice will be to have to put some down.

Sable (mom cat) is down to just less than 8 lbs. She goes in Thursday for teeth surgery in hopes this will help clear her mouth some, and in turn will help the throat. Gable was in yesterday and his is worse than the others. We are just beside ourselves on what to do.

We feel fortunate that this is the first time we’ve had a major catastrophe being such a multi-cat household. It’s just all so sad. Have any of you dealt with anything like this, and what would you do if you were in our shoes?

[Catty1]

How SAD! All I can think of, having only two cats, is to isolate the kitties...but you have more than two, so don't know how you would do that.

HUGS and prayers going out, I hope someone here will have ideas!

ETA: The only thing I can think of is to borrow (if you don't have one) an ionizing air cleaner. Also, a small room steamer (like you use when you have a cold) with some tea tree oil in it will really help - the TT oil really cleans up the air.

[moosmom]

There is a mouth condition known as "thrush". Did the vet mention anything about that??? It causes little tiny blisters in the roof and the tongue of the mouth. It's painful.

Lisa, please keep us posted.

[Catty1]

Thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth. People often get it (and females get the 'other' yeast infection) when antibiotics have been used. The abs kill off all bacteria, creating an imbalance that causes yeast infections.

Maybe something simple like Forti Flora or another acidophilus/bifidus supplement to restore the balance would help. Phone your vet and ask!

[K & L]

There is a mouth condition known as "thrush". Did the vet mention anything about that??? It causes little tiny blisters in the roof and the tongue of the mouth. It's painful.

Lisa, please keep us posted.

It's not that. Here's basically what is going on:

"Oral and pharyngeal problems can be disconcerting from the viewpoint of the cat owner and that of the veterinary surgeon. These conditions of the mouth and throat are a common occurrence and many of them are unresponsive to treatment. For a large proportion of these conditions no rational therapy is available because, at the moment, we do not completely understand their cause.

Although the causes of oropharyngeal disease in the cat are poorly recorded, it is clear that a number of these conditions may be a consequence of underlying generalised disease, particularly chronic kidney failure, leucopenia (depressed white blood cell count), immunosuppression secondary to FeLV or FIV infections and, rarely, diabetes mellitus. In such cases the oral problem cannot be expected to resolve unless the underlying problem is diagnosed and, where amenable to treatment, treated.

There are a number of signs which will suggest that a cat has some disorder of the mouth or pharynx. The cat may show no interest in food, or may come to the food bowl and then be reluctant to eat. It may chew with obvious caution and discomfort, may drop food from its mouth, or may swallow with great difficulty or discomfort. Excessive saliva may overflow from the mouth, there may be a marked unpleasant odour to the breath and, in some cases, bleeding. Clawing at the mouth and head shaking may also occur, particularly with foreign bodies or very painful disorders. The reluctance to eat may lead to weight loss which can become quite marked."

All of ours have been tested for all diseases and they've all came back negative. This makes it all the harder to cure and keep under control.

[Kirsten]

That sounds like a strange disease! I'm so sorry that you and your cats have to go through this! It must be so painful if it keeps them from eating!!

Hope there's going to be a treatment!!

Kirsten

[Randi]

Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope you'll be able to find a treatment for whatever it is.

(((hugs)))

[K & L]

I sure appreciate everyone’s suggestions and ideas. As far as water being contaminated wouldn’t all of them be sick vs. just some? Plus wouldn’t it affect us? We do have a filter system and I change their water daily. It’s a good thought though.

Beavis is headed in this morning. And Sable goes in tomorrow for teeth removal. Seems this stuff affects their teeth also. Leila wasn’t very bad at all so that’s a good thing. Gable is feeling better after his shot. And others do not even have one sign of it.

The scary thing is this doesn’t seem to have a cure and is recurring.