Hi there, I wanted to ask if polyps in the throat can be felt. My kitten that can’t meow I suspect of having polyps. The vet tested for Leukemia and FIV negative, xrays negative, and lung worm negative. Now I notice both sides of her neck has lump, one side bigger. My other kittens do not have these lumps. My vet said she doesn’t think it’s polyps because that’s uncommon in kittens, so $500 in tests later and I have no answers. Shouldn’t they have noticed these lumps? They are the size of a small marble.

Frequent flyer here, back with another question! All 3 of my cats have a current issue- Milo, who you gave advice on before with his chronic rhinitis/sinusitis which we have mostly under control with nebulizing Gentamycin and saline. Lily, who I asked about recently, was diagnosed with a heart murmur who has further testing on March 18th.

But my question today is about my youngest cat Pippin, who will be 2 years old this month. Pippin has always been a piggy, and eats his food very fast. He throws up every other day or every 3 days, and it is full pieces of food mixed with some liquid, as if this food never made its way down. I tried slow feeding bowls for a few months, but when the vomiting continued I switched back to regular bowls as to not disturb the other cats with this new feeding system for no reason.

I took Pippin to the vet and he told me to try hairball gel, which Pippin luckily loved and gobbled down for a few weeks, but the vomiting continued. The vet then suggested bloodwork, which I just got the results of today. I was told that his white blood cell count was high, specifically lymphocites and the vet suggested that we do further blood work then would include feline aids and leukemia as the initial blood work did not test for those. He stated that we may also want to consider an ultrasound.

Many in my life tell me that I get “taken for a ride” by vets because they know ill fork over whatever money it takes to keep my pets healthy. I wondered what your advice would be about this situation or what steps you might be taking if you were seeing Pippin, as I trust your morals and standards more than any vet (if only you weren’t so far from me)

Thank you so much for any insight you might have.

Courtney & Pippin

I have an 18 yr old cat who is due for her rabies shot. She has been up to date on this shot for the last 18 years. She is in good health. I am wondering with her age if it would be worth it to have a rabies titer done? Are there any risks to her continuing to receive this vaccine at her age? When I asked my vet they said they could not legally tell me that a titer could be done and depending on results wave the vaccine. They are no longer suggesting the leukemia vaccine for her. I am not against the rabies vaccine, I just don’t want her to get it if she doesn’t need it. She is primarily indoors but does venture out, staying close to the house. I appreciate any advice! Thank you!

Hi Dr. Magnifico. You are our vet to our indoor cats. Last week, we brought in a feral cat that was roaming our neighborhood. Turns out, he is pretty friendly, allows petting and belly rubs. On Monday June 19th, I took him to Animal Rescue, Inc., to be neutered, a rabies shot, and flea control. They also checked for a microchip (none), and I paid to have blood work done to have him tested for feline leukemia. Unfortunately, he tested positive for FIV. I would like to find him a home. I have two questions. Do you know anyone willing to give a home to a big orange friendly male tabby cat, or is there anything you can do to help? Maybe doing a courtesy post on your facebook page? I asked Animal Rescue and was told to put him back outside since he is now neutered. I was shocked they said that, as he could infect other ferals. We are currently keeping him in our basement and I just noticed a tapeworm coming out of his anus. My second question is, can you prescribe a tapeworm medication, without me having to bring him in, since he is FIV feral, and just went thru so much at Animal Rescue? My husband can pick it up after work. If not, can you recommend an over the counter medication to treat tapeworms? I am hoping whatever it is, that it will be something easy to give, maybe something I can put in his food that is tasteless. Thank you. Terri

I had a Tabby cat that was going to be 3 years old in July and we had to put him down just this past Monday. Over the weekend he started to act funny, he won’t eat, drink, or really move at all. So we got him into the vet as soon as we could. They told us he had leukemia, and he had a blockage idk what the blockage was. They also said his blood cell count was only 9 percent so I guess he couldn’t get surgery. Jinx was a stray cat, he came to us when he was 4 months old and we brought him into our home and loved him so very much. We got him fixed and his shots but I never heard about the leukemia and he could get it. I feel like it’s my fault and I should have known. I just want to know if there is something that could have been done. I hated having to put him down. now our other cat is lonely btw he has been tested and so far is negative for the leukemia, he goes back in two week for another test just to be sure. I never saw any signs he was sick and then all of sudden everything went down hill every quickly. I just don’t understand it and I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.

My six year old cat was recently diagnosed with leukemia. she’s had it since birth (twin sis had it too). I don’t understand the disease at all. what are symptoms I should look for, what are products that are safe healthy and beneficial

Hi so yesterday I took my male 2 1/2 year old cat to the vet he got the Leukemia 1 and the FVRCP 1 and now he wont put weight in one of the arms…

Also cared for sister and brother. All 3 suffered from excessive weight (not caused by eating) brother died at 3 year from unknown stomach disease or leukemia with sudden onset, 24 hours. Sister aged fine, died of injury. Current surviving sibling is 13 yrs old, experiencing diarrhea, 3 or more times daily,with random vomiting after eating and increased appetite. I have know knowledge of geriatric feline health issues.

Blood smear revealed infection. Test for feline aids and leukemia negative. Urine test high in protein.Laboured breathing, mouth open on day 5 after not eating. Force feeding prescribed food. Day 3 now of this and his breathing is better but still lethargic, hiding and not eating spontaneously. Please help. Can’t afford hospitalisation.

My boyfriend and I are thinking about moving in together and he has a cat with feline leukemia. I also have cats of my own. If I get my cats vaccinated, will that prevent them from contracting the virus?