Vincent�s Diagnosis: Gum Inflammation

We brought Vincent to the vet’s and got his problem diagnosed – it’s gum inflammation and it’s quite severe too. According to the vet, there is no cure, only maintenance.

At long last, this explains his behaviour and why he has difficulty eating. And also why he was so frightened and he pulled back when I tried to open his jaw (to pill him the Vetri DMG (I’ve seen given him the liquid instead)). The inflammation is all along his gums and this causes it to be very painful when eating, chewing or opening up his jaw.

In fact, while trying to take Vincent out of the carrier, the vet already smelled his (bad) breath and this made the vet suspect it must be some sort of gingivitis. True enough, it was. The inflammation was pretty bad.

We decided not to opt for the full-scale bloodwork as there is no necessity for this right now. So, the vet administered a steroid injection for the inflammation and prescribed 8 days of antibiotics (Baytril). Baytril is chosen since Vincent is a community cat and Baytril is given only once a day. I mentioned I might have problem opening his jaw to pill him, so the vet suggested crushing the half tablet and mixing it with condensed milk or honey or some tasty paste, then rubbing the paste below the cat’s nose. This trick usually works.

The vet said there is no cure, only maintenance. The steroid injection’s effect will last for up to 14 days, and later, the problem might recur. The cause is unknown and even with bloodwork, the exact cause might still not be known. That is why we decided not to do the bloodwork and spare him the agony of having blood taken. Even if Vincent is FIV+ (not tested), there’s nothing much we can do about this except to maintain his health as well as we can, which we are already doing now.

We came home and I mixed the crushed half tablet with a bit of Laxatone. Vincent ate it up, with some coaxing and repeat rubbing.

By lunch time, I didn’t expect Vincent to come back as he hadn’t been coming back for lunch for a week now, but guess what?

Yay!!!  Vincent is back!!!

This means he feels well enough and confident enough to come back!! The steroid injection must be working very well already.

Ginger still postured against him, but this time, Vincent did not cower. Yay for Vincent!

Monge with turmeric paste (the golden paste is supposed to reduce inflammation too).

After finishing his food, Vincent went to hide, but only in our garden, not next door.

Can you see Vincent?

Peek-a-boo, Vincent!!

I’m SO relieved it isn’t some throat cancer or food poisoning or anything more severe. I was pretty worried…

(*Wipes sweat off brow.)

Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2016/03/06/vincents-diagnosis-gum-i..

Tweet

AnimalCare

AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

More Articles   |   Pets For Adoption   |   Website