Tonsilitis in cats

[lindapalm]

Has anyone ever had a cat with very swollen tonsils?  Our cat began gaging, throwing up foam, coughing, etc. and was lethargic.  His appetite was still good, although while eating (canned food) he would stop and loudly gag a lot.  I took him to the vet yesterday, and after checking him out he said Harleys tonsils were  swollen and, and he    was given a shot of Convenia, and said he would check back with me Thursday.  Today he  is worse, he keeps snorting and gaging more than yesterday, he's  still eating,  but not as much as normal.
Shouldn't there be some type of improvement by now after 24 hours?

[CML2014]

Hi Linda,

There is a site I would like you to go to and read about Stomatitis. This will tell you WHY ROOTS being left in the mouth along with any teeth will continue to cause flare-ups of this condition.

Stomatitis in Felines: Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialist

Roots left will allow the bacteria to reform around them and inflame the gums. Any one who has a cat with Stomatitis will tell you NEVER have a reg Vet pull their teeth--they are just not equipped to handle the full removal of diseased tissue. No their fault they just do not understand this immune specific disease. There are also Forums on the net for Feline Stomatitis. It would be helpful to read.

CML

[CML2014]

Low Platelets are common in blood test for cats because they tend to clump--please have it rechecked. If they are low than Leukemia may be the cancer he is talking about. It also might be a mistake. So check it out again.

My cats registered at 41 (my God I thought he was dead) they re-did them and they were fine at 167. Mistakes are made with CBs

[lindapalm]

I I questioned my husband, who talked to the vet about the blood tests. He always screws up the messages, which is why I wish I would have been home.  Now he's saying that the protein levels were high, but the platelet levels were very low (he thinks)

Probably the platelet level being low  is why the vet brought up infection or cancer?

[CML2014]

Hi Linda,

When you say his protein level is high are you taking blood protein? This is a form of white blood cell and most likely indicates infection--why do you say cancer?

[lindapalm]

Got Harleys blood results back today, his protein level was elevated, which I guess could mean infection or cancer.  Vet said if he is still having problems in two weeks, to come back, there is a specific test they can do to narrow it down.  He doesn't seem to be choking  or gagging like before, but his appetite isn't as good today as it was yesterday when we brought him home.  Possibly the Metcam or Cerenia shot made him want to eat, and has worn off.  It is also possible he is being picky because we were giving him all different kinds of cat food, and tuna fish, just to try to get him to eat, and now he doesn't want his old brand back.  I'll keep you posted, thanks.

[CML2014]

Hi Linda,

So happy Harley is eating. As long as you are satisfied with your vets treatment , that is what matters. I hope Convenia does not cause problems for Harley.

I still thing it might be beneficial to have x-rays of Harleys mouth, but it is an extra cost and Harley is up there in age and not sure surgery would be a good thing for him anyway.
Wishing you and Harley the best.
Keep us posted, K?

CML

[lindapalm]

Harley woke up today and was still not eating or drinking, so I called a Vet  Specialist Hospital that was out of town, and was able to get him in.  The vet said his gums were good, throat slightly inflamed, but couldn't tell how it was further down the throat. Her said it wouldn't be stomatitis because the gum line wasn't infected, I mentioned about maybe a tooth root still left in the jaw, and he felt the root would have to be exposed to turn into stomatitis.  

He took xrays to see if there was a blockage, and there wasn't.  He also did full blood work up, which I haven't gotten the results of.  Also testing thyroid, which I don't feel the symptoms fit that. He gave him a  fluids injection and two other injections, one being an anti inflammatory (not steroid) and another for nausea ,which I don't know why he did that.  A couple of hours after we got home Harley started to eat, which was great.  I don't know if what the vet did today helped, or the Convenia kicked in, but I'm so glad to see him eat. The vet said he usually doesn't see Convenia work for things other than UTI and skin infections.Hopefully his blood tests come back okay. . Thank you for listening and your advice.

[CML2014]

I know, lots of people do not realize roots left will still cause flare-up's. His throat is severely inflamed from the flare-up and he should have at least pain killers until you can consult a Specialists. This will help him to eat and drink for now. He needs to eat, so even baby food (lamb) is ok right now. But please see a specialist as soon as possible--you will see from the x-rays there roots still left. The Specialist will  answer a lot of your questions.

Thinkof how bad it is for us to eat with Strep throat---same thing.

[lindapalm]

I knew about the stomatitis, because one of our other cats was diagnosed with it years ago, but I thought you could only have problems if the cat had teeth, I never thought about the roots being left.

Would stomatitis flare up so long after having his teeth pulled?  Harleys not eating  now, I pureed his food because I know he's hungry, he licked up a little and then hacked up saliva and walked away.  My big concern now is to try to get fluids and food into him until tomorrow.

[CML2014]

Hi linda,

That might be why your vet thought it was just a throat problem, although TONSILITIS was a stretch, LOL! He thought Harley had no teeth therefore could not be Stomatitis......NOT SO

Stomatitis is an immune mediated condition where the oral tissue of the mouth attacks the tartar on teeth or their roots , causing SEVERE pain.
I would bet if you take Harley to a Vet Dental Specialist they will find the ROOTS of several teeth still in the gum line. As long as ONE tooth or ONE root is left Harley will have experienced the same pain and raw red throat.
A veterinary Dental Specialist will take oral x-rays of the mouth , find those roots, remove them and Harley will never need prednisone.

When I rescued my cat Meezy she had lost some teeth already but was still in a lot of pain. the Rescue vet pulled seven teeth. When she went to the Specialist he found roots in 4 of the pulled teeth and he pulled the remainder . Vets just can't do the job a Specialist can. Cats teeth are really tiny and you can miss a lot.

Anyway, You can choose this for Harley or if he keeps those roots he will then HAVE to take Prednisone--. This is a very strong
steroid and has many negative side effects and I did not want to jeopardize my cats health since she was only 4 when I got her. Now if Harley is already 12--Poor guy has suffered with this all his life and you may wish to spare him major surgery and opt for the path of least resistance and that would be the steroid shots.

Make that decision ONLY with the Dental Specialist not your VET. He has done enough harm with the convenia.
My cat Meezy is 10 and has had a wonderful pain free life because of getting all of the teeth and their roots out. Never missed them.

Don't feel bad about not knowing about this condition ,I had to do a lot of research to find out what the alternatives were, and the only real cure was TEETH OUT. Cost a fortune, but worth it not to see her drooling, hardly eating, never drinking or playing, just trying to sleep and be put out of the pain. LIFE IS GOOD for the Munchkin, at least on the tooth front.
The rest of her health is pretty hinky , but pet insurance has helped and CareCredit card has taken some of the bite out of the cost for her maladies.

Keep the question coming until you figure out what you want to do. ....and of course stay in touch about Harley.

Good Luck to you  on the Convenia thing too,
CML

[lindapalm]

When we got Harley he was with a group of cats that were living in the woods.  I was able to capture him and two others.  All three of them had such bad teeth problems that after a time they had all their teeth pulled except for one cat, they left him four. The vet was unable to determine how old they were because of the poor teeth.  I would think it would take maybe four years to have them get so bad, guessing, so that would make Harley 12 now.

That was eight years ago, can he still get stomatitis if he has no teeth?  I am gong to back to him tomorrow if there is no improvement, and then he is going to do blood work.  Would you think prednisone would be a better med to try, I'm not sure if he could take oral anitbiotics if his throat is so bad.  

[lindapalm]

I was worried about Harley before I posted this morning, and after I did I read about the Convenia.  Now I am really worried, he is no better as of this afternoon.

[CML2014]

UPPP!!!!! Did I see my name???? LOL?

To Linda Palm,

This sounds exactly like Stomatitis. Opus is right. The entire mouth is affected by this condition. He needs to have his teeth and gums looked at and probably the "Tonsillitis" is the swollen lymph nodes under the neck from infection.

Do not go back to this genius go to a Veterinary Dental Specialist for the diagnosis. They know exactly what to do for this condition. I assure you it is not Convenia.

I have no experience with this drug, but have read a great deal on this forum about it harmful effects. Personally it should be illegal.

Any question I can help answer ----I am here for you.

Poor little guy is in a lot of pain!

Sincerely,
CML  

[opus88]

hi Linda.....sad that you hadn't seen the warning on our forum abt convenia...this is NOT a good drug!!! makes me sooo angry the Vets continue to use this!! I would monitor kitty very closely for next while and what ever you do do NOT allow the Vet to talk you into another shot of this plz I will give you a link to many postings abt this drug. but to answer your questions no I have never heard of tonsillitis with cats, didn't even know cats had tonsils....I am wondering if the Vet didn't miss diagnosis and the condition is stomatitis??? it not only affects the teeth but also the mouth and back of throat, CML a member on here can tell you more about this. meanwhile I will give you a link to convenia and the stomatitis info...good luck with kitty, and sometimes any antibiotic will take 2-3 days to show improvement, if not than its something requiring more testing....good luck to kitty:) let us know how he is doing okay

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_plasma_cell_stomatitis.html

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Just-Say-NO-To-Convenia-This-is-a-dangerous-drug/show/1865523