Cat specialist in the metro? anyone recommend?

Submitted by ChinSlurp t3_y9gwfd in rva

We just can't get a diagnosis for ou cat, every 10 days or so he is back in the loop/cycle of hot being well Blood work etc came out good but, we have no next steps

Anyone know a quality cat vet that cares to go an extra mile for a diagnosis?

Run down:

5yo gray tabby male(spaded/healthy weight) Went to doc only for not eating and he was packet with a large hairball that passed since then. (now we groom him and with medicine to break down ingested hair)

Cat gets lethargic and excessively sleeps for days at a time, gets up for the essential things, and play very little (this guy loves playing hard with multiple zoomies a day) He also gets scared and in high alert of objects around him when he is like this. Sleeps in unuaul places and you can tell something is wrong

Blood work and xray reveal nothing is wrong, cycle. Repeats every 10 /12 days, lasts about 4/5 days

Just haven't found a doctor that cared to go Further. Just in and out vibe

11

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

SnooHesitations926 t1_it5q2px wrote

Sounds like your cat is getting into something every 10 days

5

ChinSlurp OP t1_it5q6nr wrote

I guess it's possible idk how to find out To add, we have had him in a mostly bare room for 2 weeks straight before. Just to notice if the pattern repeated. And it did.

2

SnooHesitations926 t1_it5ricz wrote

Can you give the group a general run down on what’s going on? Not a vet but sometimes a different perspective can help

3

ChinSlurp OP t1_it5rk23 wrote

Sure I'll update the body of the thread

1

blueskieslemontrees t1_it5rf4l wrote

Dr Scotty at Springfield Vet specializes in geriatric feline medicine

5

rvafun100 t1_it5sla3 wrote

Possible b12 deficiency, doesn’t show up on standard blood tests

5

ChinSlurp OP t1_it5stj8 wrote

OK I'll ask for it! Thanks for the lead

1

benihana_christmas t1_it6wj7g wrote

We had a great experience with Dr Tucker at Stratford Hills. Our cat wasn’t eating and we tried an appetite stimulant and anti-nausea type drug after blood work didn’t show much. We also did an extra pancreatitis panel (it can manifest in different ways) - have you done that?

ETA: even though we lost him Dr Tucker kept giving us ideas of what we could try next without suggesting we spend zillions of dollars. He never gave up which I really appreciated.

5

ChinSlurp OP t1_it7mslw wrote

I appreciate it! No did not do any pancreas tests, thank you so much

2

Proper-Ad4006 t1_it7uyvm wrote

I have overall had a good experience at Stratford Hills. The one time that my cat was very sick and they couldn't figure out the cause after doing every test imaginable, they sent me to VVC's internal medicine specialist Dr. Laia.

1

MKrushelnisky t1_it72e9x wrote

I’m 99% sure it’s called Manakin-Sabot vet clinic.. just keep going down broad towards Satterwhites. They have neurologists there for cats (we went a few years ago) and some super specialized doctors. So sorry gosh don’t you wish they could talk!!

3

objectivegiant t1_itf3cc3 wrote

That’s a specialty center and they provide excellent service!

1

TripawdCorgi t1_it82gq1 wrote

Our regular vet is Dr Jones and he's great but hard to get into if you're not an established client right now. We have also used the emergency & specialist vet at VRCC in Manakin Sabot, our old man unfortunately passed but I would still highly recommend them based on how thorough they were in finding what was wrong.

3

femanonette t1_it93zgr wrote

What about the home environment? I know you said you all are keeping him in a bare room, but is it possible the cat is getting exposed to things in the air (essential oils? candles? plug in air fresheners? etc)?

Have you switched out all the litter, the toys, etc?

Sounds somewhat environmental which won't always show up on bloodwork either.

Also, if you didn't know: The SPCA has all sorts of resources like behavioral helplines. It may be worth a call to see if this sounds familiar to them given all their experience? They may be able to pinpoint something based on that.

2

ChinSlurp OP t1_it957hm wrote

I appreciate you, it could be we will change that too

2

femanonette t1_it960xa wrote

Lots of scents are super toxic to cats and other animals due to the essential oils put in them! Definitely a good idea to eliminate it all together :)

3

princessofbeasts t1_it99hdb wrote

Years ago my cat had a mysterious illness and the first thing the vets asked was if I burn essential oils, because they see a lot of cats come in with issues from that! Really good to know, not that I burn them, but you never know when the knowledge could help another cat owner.

2

objectivegiant t1_itf3kqp wrote

I’ve been taking my cats to Wellesley Animal Hospital in Short Pump for well over a decade and I can’t say enough nice things about Dr. Mark and his staff. They are not cheap, but I haven’t found a better option. You are guaranteed to get thoughtful/thorough care. ❤️

2

Available-Reward-912 t1_it6fren wrote

I once had a kitten that would crash like that, in cycles. Turned out to be a birth defect of the liver, something that normally changes after birth, but did not for this kitten. But again that was a very young cat, who never had the years of normalcy that your cat has had. I'm adding the story because I remember the vet saying something about the build up of toxins, that would normally be filtered out by the liver, they'd get very high in this cat, he'd crash, recover, repeat in a few days. That was years ago, at a different vet. We're at River City Veterinary now. They are amazing, knowledgeable and kind. Good luck.

1