Almost two weeks ago, our cat pushed me away, just didn't look good and started shaking, so we called the vet... the vet said bring her in.

Well, she cried when the vet touched her back, so they did x-rays and she has "Degenerative Disc Disease" (very rare in a cat the vet said and that is why she also couldn't move quite right all of a sudden) Schnapps just had her yearly check up a month ago and everything was great for a 6 year old cat (except she needed to lose 5 pounds, and she's lost three).. so this is a "shock"....

Schanapps was given a cortisone shot and I've started to give her Glucosamine Chrondoitin every morning. The vet said this happens so seldom as cats are so flexible that if she were to get worse it would be best to put her down as she would be in pain.. but they they don't know if we're talking years or what... she might be perfectly fine... .. who knows... today she came and sat on my lap for the first time since going in. Maybe she is feeling better .....

Keeping my fingers crossed..... but I'm wondering if any of you have ever gone through this with any of your cats or do you know of any one who has? If so, what was their outcome?

Trish

Oh Trish: I am soooo sorry - have not gone through it but would hate any second of "our" cats discomfort - Joanna

Trish..My mother has this. There are bad and good days. My thoughts are with you.

Andi??? HUH???? Trish - again sorry for your worry about your cat!!!!!

Trish, I don't have much experience with cats, sorry. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and Schanapps and hoping for the best.

Nancy

Hi Trish,

It's so hard when our furry babies hurt and can't really tell us about it. There are some very good veterinary medical websites where you can find out more about it. I will do a search online and I would definitely get a second opinion.

Thanks for sharing here. We're glad to listen. We'll be thinking about you and Schnapps.

Trish,
I am so sorry to hear about your little companion. Dealing with a pet in distrss is so difficult, but it sounds as though Schnapps may be responding a bit to the treatment. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Cheers, Pam

Trish - sorry to hear about your cat. Wishing you and Schanapps the best - degenerative disc disease (which is a catch-all diagnosis for all types of arthritic disc problems including herniated or slipped disc) must be rare since in all the cats I've had, I've never had one that had this. I hope that the cortisone shot helps a lot!

Masaki

Trish, so sorry to hear about Schanapps! I've never owned a cat with degenerative disc problems. I have had dogs and cats that required cortisone shots from time to time....has worked as kind of cure all for various ailments. I hope it helps Schanapps! Keep us posted.

Trish: Keep us current on Schanapps - I love cats and feel so bad when mine are sick - which is not often thank goodness - unlike my father, who suffered from DDD and could describe his pain and location, poor Schanapps can only meow!!!

Oh how sad. Just a thought! Can they not operate on a cat for this? I know it can be done on dogs and the outcome can be very sucessful. My mini doxie had disc operation and had several of them fused when he was 6 years old. He was in terrible pain at the time and was even loosing the ability to walk. He is now going on 9 and you should see this guy run. I just don't allow him to climb stairs or jump up on anything anymore. It was extremely expensive, about $8000.00 CDN as I recall but he is worth every penny of it for the joy he gives me. Perhaps you can check out specialists in your area and/or the local veterinary college to see if it has ever been performed on cats. It is just so heart wrenching to seem them in pain and 6 years old is still young for a cat. I wish you luck!
Pat

Trish - That's a tough diagnosis and is tough for both you and Schapps (what a great name, BTW). I am thinking of both of you. Cheers, Anne

Thank you everyone. She is such a wonderful companion and we just don't want her in pain. The shot does seem to have helped, although it did seem to alter her mood. Kathy, I already went online and I did find information, nothing awful, but nothing too helpful either. It did say not to do the shots very often as it breaks down the cartiledge. As you pointed out Joanna, she can only meow, and she's always done so much of that anyway, that it can be difficult to know if she's in pain now or only wants attention or to be brushed, etc. Our vet did say the University of MN can do surgery, Pat, but we just feel it may even worse to do that to her. The cost isn't a factor, but cats are noctural and to try to keep her calm and down may prove very difficult and she almost vapor locks going to the vet. She had to stay overnight a couple of years ago and they literally had to cover her completely up so she didn't have to see anything around her.
I am just so sorry that she is going through this, but I am going to continue to think good thoughts and maybe she will hang in there!

Trish

Trish,

I am so sorry to hear about Schanapps. It is so sad when a poor little thing is hurting and you can't tell them you are trying to help. I'll be thinking of her, she sounds pretty special!

Sorry to hear about Schanapps' problems, Trish. I hope the shot will keep her comfortable. Sending good thoughts your way.

Oh Trish - so sorry to hear this - tough stuff with animals :mecry: :mecry: Good luck, hope Schanapps gets better soon.

Hugs to you Trish! I echo everyone else's thoughts!
:hug: :hug: :hug:
Sheri

Me too, Trish!

Trish, Any updates on Schanapps??

Trish,

Lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way. I'm with Marcie - how is Schanapps doing?

Kathy

Fabulous news!!

The Glucosomine seems to be working! She is walking without any distress and seems better. We are feeling very blessed with her health thus far and we are hoping she will remain with us for the long haul.

I met a girl in Vegas who works at an animal hospital and she was awesome! These employees have such a GREAT attitude!! Of course I told her I was going to ask questions on behalf of my cat.

I talked to my friend Deanna last night who took care of Schnapps while we were in Vegas to thank her and tell here that Dave and I were both very grateful. Apparently, Schnapps was feeling so good while we were gone that she JUMPED up on the center island the first day and dragged her bag of Greenies across the kitchen floor. There were marks on the bag, but Deanna just put the bag back up. The second day, Deanna couldn't find the Greenies. She discovered that once again, Schnapps had JUMPED up on the center island, grabbed the bag of Greenies, dragged them down the hall, into the master suite, opened the bag, and ate half of them. Bedtime snack, anyone? I would say she's feeling pretty good!!!

YEAH for Schnapps!!!

Trish

Trish that is such great news! My dog, who is 8, just had a ruptured disc problem last month. She was given injections and had to be on complete rest in a little "cage".

It seems she has some permanent damage as she now hops like a bunny when she does try to trot and run and she wears out real fast, but you can tell in her eyes and her face she is much happier and not in anymore pain.

I give my dogs something called Missing Link Plus and it has glucosamine and chondroiton in it.

So happy to hear this, Trish. It's such great news when our pets make recoveries like this! :)

Masaki

Yay Schnapps!!! :app: :app:
I am very happy for you Trish!

That's so great, Trish!!! Now you just have to worry about Greenie overload!!!!

Trish, thanks for sharing the great news about Schnapps!

Nancy

Go Schnapps!! Cats do have 9 lives you know. What great news!!