My 2 year old cat goes outside, is a hunter, is gagging horrifically, no temp, no sign of upper resp HELP!!!!!

Question

My 2 year old cat, Ralphie, goes outside & is a hunter. He is gagging horrifically, no temp, no sign of upper resp problem, throat seems clear, blood doesn't show toxin, can't eat/drink because he gags. My vet has done xrays which showed some air in the stomach & the intestines appear to be a bit enlarged & entangling. Blood test, no toxins showing. Barium w/xray, it was extremely hard to get the cat to hold down the barium, but what he did hold down showed most of it moved through the intestines. He had a couple of severe gags on Monday evening which caught my eye, by Tuesday afternoon he stopped eating & was laying around. Took him in for a checkup, suspected a hairball, gave him a dose of CatLax, he spit up the next dose, by Wednesday I took him back to the vet. He did give him fluid and I know he did urinate today, but still has the severe gagging. The next step the vet suggests is an exploratory. I can afford it but would rather not have the cat go through it. Please help Ralph

Chalice,
Yes, I do think someone on here will be able to help me. How? By informing me of their experiences or knowledge. Apparently, that person is not you. I am amazed that you know everyone on Yahoo Answers and that not 1 person on here is a vet. Sure, no one here has seen my cat or knows his exact circumstances but maybe someone can help my vet and myself proceed in the right direction. The reason for an exploratory is the inability to deduce what may or may not be wrong. I am very good friends with my vet. I have 10 cats so we see eachother often. We've talked and neither of us know what else to do. I do want to put my cat through any means necessary to get him well whether that be an exploratory surgery or asking for help on Yahoo. The alternative being death, not gagging. So, if you can follow me on this one: I'm going to listen to your advise to not listen to anyone on Yahoo and not listen to you. I believe you were well meaning but have given me nothing but a load of rubbish.

Ralphie went in for the exploratory today and did not make it out. The vet said his throat and stomach were fine but his intestines had sustained major damage. The damage consisted of sores and dead tissue similar to that of poison. The strange thing is his throat, stomach, and blood tests were all fine. The vet was able to capture some images to discuss with his colleagues and hopefully they may learn something from it. He has no explanation or idea what may have been wrong. All I can say is he is free of pain now and chasing mice in the sky. I'll see him again sometime. Thanks for all your help, Jeremy.

Answer 1

I would do what the vet thinks is best. If he finds something during exploratory surgery that would really ruin his quality of life, that's something you'd be better off knowing. At 2 years old, Ralphie has a long life ahead of him and he will probably heal quickly from surgery.

Answer 2

Your vet has suggested an exploratory, and it certainly sounds like the cat needs it. Yet you think someone on Yahoo is going to be able to help? Like, how exactly?

No one on here is a vet. No one on here knows your animal or it's case, or has even ever seen it. Even if someone's animal has gone through something similar, it's unlikely to be relevant to your case.

You can afford it (unusual for Yahoo people) so do it! You don't want to put your cat through it - but what's the alternative, him gagging for the rest of his life?

You need a looong chat with your vet. S/he's the one with the best idea what's going on here and what to do next, and can advise you next what the 'exploratory' will entail and what it might/might not uncover and what the cat's prognosis is.

PLEASE don't listen to what people on here might suggest - even the well-meaning ones often come up with a load of rubbish! And then there's the people who don't mean well.... do yourself a favour and stick with your vet! I know you're after reassurance in some way - but I'm really concerned that anything you read on here is only going to make things worse.

Chalice

Answer 3

It does not sound like your husband is being very supportive. But, it is a segment and so now not valued at leaving your household over. He will mellow out and recollect that you are his mother, that's an essential bond for him. Remember, 2 yr olds are infamous for dangerous conduct. Sit down together with your husband and ask what he and also you son do while you don't seem to be round. He would possibly easily have yet another form dealing with the youngster that your youngster is responding to greater. He might also simply be giving in to each and every tantrum. It can also be very hurtful to suppose the best way you suppose proper now, and you wish to have your husband's aid. Let him recognise that once he tells you your son does not do that stuff while you are long past, that that's hurtful. Overall, simply stick it out. Your son does not dislike you, he is simply checking out his barriers with you. Be regular and organization, and gift him for well conduct and recollect to respire deep and rely to your head earlier than you assert some thing. This time will go, and you can remorse some thing rash later. Good good fortune.

Answer 4

How good is your vet? I went to one place that told me my cat had cancer and was going to die - she pointed out all the cancer in the xray. I then drove 2 1/2 hours to my old vet and brought the xray. There was no cancer. Granted my cat was old and had medical problems, but when a vet can't read an xray correctly that can be a problem. Maybe it is time for a second opinion. Time is of the essence - especially if he is not eating or drinking. People go to other doctors all the time - maybe your cat needs a fresh pair of eyes.

Answer 5

Were all the teeth checked as well? I've had cats gag on teeth that were hairline cracked vertically down to the root, when the pain hit them when they closed their mouth wrong.

Also, is there any thread or fishing line caught under the tongue and hanging down the throat? A remote posibility, but you need to consider everything.

Answer 6

My cat Gracie is also a hunter. She always gags like that after she eats something (usually a worm). I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep an eye on him to make sure this doesn't continue for too long. I hope he's okay.