Some may remember a cat I was working on months back, her name is Friday and she had the constipation problem that was so severe it would cause nausea and vomitting. Alum proved very helpful but in the end I have been controlling her problem through diet. A few months back it became evident that she is chronically ill, probably dying of old age or possibly cancer. She eats really well but continues to lose weight, her circulation has become quite poor,she becomes quite dehydrated and she still has really really stinky breath (like something died) yet her teeth and gums are healthy. Anyways in the last few days her ears have started to curl and become "moth eaten". I have seen this 2x before on dying cats (one of FIP and the other of KD)not sure what causes it. I have looked through the rep but fail to find a simular description for this particular symptom, anyone have any ideas?

I most certainly DO remember Friday and think of her often. Unfortunately I have no idea about the "moth-eaten" appearance of her ears, please do keep us informed about whatever you can learn (and I would really love to have a photo if that is possible).

Chris.

Hi Krista,

Could the curling ears indicate a kind of necrosis or even tumor, in your opinion? Do you see similar kinds of skin effects anywhere else, say, for example, around the nose? Does it hurt her if you touch the affected area on her ears?

[ 07. February 2004, 12:14: Message edited by: Divina ]

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Divina, you must know something I don't; the margins of the ears (at the top) curl, deaden and are falling off and before the ears this also happen to some extent on the nose (particularily the wings (right side worse). Her right eye has also become very infected in the last few days, constantly weeping (corrosive -leaving bald patches beneath), accumulation of thick green gobs of pus in the inner canthi -also seeing sores on the back hocks, skin peels away leaving red, bald skin. Should also mention that I've been dealing with a major bug for the last month which I'm starting to believe involves streptococcis. The cats are suddenly showing symptoms of pnemonia and developing skin lesions (especially front limbs) which peel and look like ulcers underneath.
FYI: the 2nd last case of pnemonia was very severe and quick onset, sat up all night with cat, sulph 30ch in water would bring relief (cat was very red, hot and choking gasping for air, also has a chronic skin ailment), by 9am the next morning wheezing gone, but because of time and # of sick animals, has been since maintained on antibiotics.
Chris I will try to get you a picture (I think we might have digital, will check)
Thanks for your input, off to give her fluids again....

It certainly sounds like a corrosion is taking place on a general level...this may be worth nothing, but it makes me think of corrosive remedies--Nitric Acid, phosphorus, flouric acid...

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...and deliverance has many faces<br />but grace<br />is an aquaintance of mine

Because Nit ac has turned up in her case before, and as the current symptoms appeared to fit the remedy, I gave kitty 30ch pellet. It knocked her flat, she slept very deeply most of the evening and night (I had trouble waking her and she couldn't stand upright, very weakened). I feared she might not be with me in the morning, but she was and had eaten overnight and continues to eat better than she did before the nit ac. No change noted on ears yet, but the eye infection has shifted so her eye looks much better but her left nostril has been discharging a thick whitish-grey drip instead. I'm going to sit on it for a bit and see how far it goes. Thanks for the suggestion.

Okay: aggravation into a deep sleep; improved appetite; eye infection is stopped but the discharging is moving downwards, to the nose...

it all sounds good, so far...hope the improvements keep coming, Krista.

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...and deliverance has many faces<br />but grace<br />is an aquaintance of mine

Hi Divina,
Yes I believe she is improving (as much as she can!) The discharge has shifted to the other nostril as well and the colour is more yellow-green now. She is eating up a storm. However she's really quite decreped and old and I'm not sure how much more one can do. He mobility has really declined since the summer and she is so gosh darn skinny. Well, no one lives forever and I'm happy to keep caring for her as long as she wants to stay. Her breath is still very smelly, but her constipation is currently in check and her attitude is the same as it has always been (doesn't really like people a whole lot, very grouchy when you try to get all kissy face with her -I try not to torment her too often!). Will keep you posted.

Good to hear. If she's eating up a storm, she's storing up for the fight...so there may be a great deal of life left in her! Let's hope so. Who knows. If she gets completely well soon, she may just let you play kissy face after all.

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...and deliverance has many faces<br />but grace<br />is an aquaintance of mine