Published on: February 10, 2022 • By: Msnider · In Forum: Cats
Ask our vets a question or search our existing threads. If you've got a question about your pet, this is the place to get an answer.
Author
Topic
Msnider
Participant
February 10, 2022 at 11:13pm
Hey vets!
I’m wondering where to go from here… my Kitty has lost approximately 2 pounds since November, along with diarrhea and some mild bile/vomit… eating drinking and acting completely normal. Urine tests, heartworm, and pancreas blood tests all came back negative. I have an ultrasound scheduled in a week but I just feel like I’m paying for a bunch of negative tests, but no answers (money isn’t an issue, this is my child, but you get what I’m saying lol ) Not sure where to go from here… thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Hello! I'm afraid that I have no easy answers for you. Vets have two roles - one is to keep an on top of the symptoms - to ensure that any effects of the symptoms (dehydration, electrolyte imbalances etc ) are being dealt with; another is to try to understand what is going on and to stop it. Usually, we have a plan in our heads eg right, pancreatitis is a really common cause of this (which it is) so we'll try to rule that out, if not then we'll rule X out......'. I always find it helpful if clients understand this process; to write down a list of things we would like to rule out in which order and show them where we are on that list . If your vets are beginning to come to the end of their usual plan, they might agree to speak to someone with more knowledge of this specialist area eg a medical specialist, to see if they're missing anything. I wonder whether changing the diet may help, for example? - but I am not a specialist and know nothing about the case or what you're feeding; your vets are the people to ask. Sometimes the symptoms can be controlled adequately without a diagnosis. The next step unfortunately may be referral.
With Regards To asking the vets about controlling the symptoms, bear in mind that the cause of the symptoms may remain unchallenged and progress; this would always be one to talk over with your vet.