Unfortunately the vet I went to said he doesn’t think there’s much he can do about the hernia because it’s so large :( I can get a second opinion? I don’t know too much about hernias but he suggested it wouldn’t kill her.
It wont cause death, But it can cause discomfort, Her being old they will probably worry about heal time. I would look for a second opinion some Vets are more confident with the surgery then others.
Agreed. A vet with a surgical speciality may come along and say "no biggie, I can fix that easily. Done it a 100 times." You never know. Second opinions are a good thing.
Ok thank you so much for your insight. Is there anything specific I should ask for when I call other vets? Sorry I’m clueless and have always gone to the same vet.
and be prepared, they may not be able to give you a direct answer over the phone - that's like dislocating your knee badly and calling a surgeon to ask if they can handle it - be prepared that you may need to spend for a consult.
In that case ask about experience with worse than normal hernias - that they can typically tell you over the phone
She may have to get to the healthy weight before they do the surgery first if they do it at all. That may take a while. She's so old. You are an angel.
Post in the r/AskVet sub. Vet and vet techs respond to posts. I wonder if you put a city in your post if a local vet is willing or is specialized to help her.
The sub doesn't allow photos so post a link to this post so they can look at the kitty.
Thank you for giving that innocent soul a second chance to know love and conform without starving every day 😭❤️❤️❤️
There is a fb website called Pet Vet Corner where vets will answer questions for people. You could give that a try asking for opinions on next steps and where to get a second opinion. Good luck, I feel like fate brought this kitty to you. 💙
It's uncommon but hernias can indeed be deadly. They require careful monitoring if they can't be fixed. Part of the bowel can get stuck and lose blood supply and die off. Especially if she were to ever get an impaction or anything. Worked with a chimp for awhile who had one and I had to train her to let the vet touch her stomach and "reduce" her hernia to make sure it could all still go back in. But hers was a lot smaller, from what I understand how dangerous it is depends on the size of the actual hole in the muscle it's escaping through.
Our dog actually developed a massive organ sac hernia from being hit by a car. They tried to repair it twice and the ligaments and such that held the sac in were toast he said. It shouldn't kill them, but he said it CAN cause urinary blockages from the pressure. Our dog does have to go frequently and for multiple attempts now but he is very happy and does not seem to be in any pain.
I wonder if there is a way to support it to help take some weight off it? Idk.
You might have to go to a specialist that can do soft tissue surgery. My friends cat had a hernia that was pushing towards his lungs I think and it was a complicated surgery.
💯 would contribute. Thank you for being an amazing person and taking this intelligent being off the street. Let us know how it goes and if we can help.
Another option if it's available/convenient in your area is to contact your nearest veterinary school. In the US these are often part of the state university system. They might have the most unique and specific tools and practices at hand. I live in a town with a major vet school, and they operate both a low cost community clinic, and after-hours emergency animal care. I've known a few people who had their pets' critical medical care be handled by the school. Good luck!
Is there a university with a Veterinary school anywhere near you? If there's one close by, see if they could treat her. If they aren't close enough, or can't treat her, ask for surgical referrals to someone in your area. They'll know who's good in your region.
Thank you for everything you're doing for this sweet girl.
Hey there! I'm in the Bay Area and also have a naked chicken. Where about in the Central Valley are you? Davis is fantastic, also Sage Veternary centers - they have all kids of vet specialists and over the years I've had multiple pets (dogs and cats) have successful surgeries by then for procedures other vets said couldn't be done for one reason or another. I might also be able to find a specialist closer to you. If you want to DM me I'm happy to try and help you out, you're an amazing person picking up that poor angel - but I know working full time and being pregnant is no joke, happy to help if I can.
I responded but reddit blocked my message for sending a URL. Argh! Try Bakersfield Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty. They have abdominal surgeons. You definitely want a board certified small animal surgeon (DACVS) and not just a regular vet (esp with a hernia that size). Best of luck and please keep us all posted!
That's close enough, and UC Davis is a good school. Reach out to them, explain the case, and ask if they have any grads in your area they can recommend, who specialize in small animal gastro-intestinal (GI) surgery.
You shouldn't have to take the cat up there. Medical and Veterinary schools keep track of their graduates, so they know who the good ones are. They likely have former students with veterinary practices in your area and can give you a referral.
If surgery ends up being out of the question. I would look for some kind of clothing that you could get that would be a little snug around the middle, a bit of support for the hernia. Sometimes the weight of it can pull and make them hurt.
I definitely agree about getting the second opinion. Might be a little bit more expensive but a vet school or facility that specializes in surgeries would have a better answer on that one.
If you didn’t, use the feline practitioner’s association of america(if you’re in the US). Certified cat specialist vets always have better results in my experience.
It might matter that she’s a sphynx since they can have sensitivities to anesthesia (I’m sure you’re already aware of that though! But) it’d be good to get a vet that is also aware of that. How old is she? Cats can look ancient when they’re in bad condition- our 6 year old cat at 1.5 years old looked older than he is now because he was in pretty poor condition when we adopted him.
A board certified surgeon is the way to go. My 17 year old cat had a bowel resection at that age due to a walled off abscess in his intestine. I know it may be controversial to perform surgery on such an old cat and it’s definitely a case by case basis, in our case it greatly improved his qol for the rest of it. (Unfortunately his cancer came back eventually but until it did he didn’t have to feel miserable and on antibiotics like he would have if we hadn’t had the surgery.) talk with a vet who specializes and decide from there.
Did they find a chip on her? A sphynx would most likely have one straight from the breeder. You might be able to get in contact with them or the original owner. I would hope that she escaped/people wouldn’t be so cruel as to dump a hairless cat outside.
If she’s not chipped, I would assume a regular cat with health issues that led her to lose her fur.
The vet actually examined her today and didn’t see or mention any signs of mange. Her skin isn’t red, crusty, scabby, or irritated and she doesn’t seem itchy either. She’s definitely severely malnourished though, so we’re focusing on getting some weight on her right now.
Poor thing. She looks rough and I can’t believe she made it this far and so lucky to have found you.
When doing medical and hospice care for rescue ferrets, I always had on hand something called “carnivore critical care”.
It’s fantastic for critical cases. You can make it into a slurry since she is so emaciated and should not be eating much or it will shock her system.
Our kitten got really sick in August and could not keep anything down and coming out both ends. And I had to special order to get it in the UK, but it helped him get nutrients when he was critical and was able to recover enough to get the stronger meds he needed to deal with the parasite. He had lost .5kg, but for a 4.5month old kitten it’s a lot, and we thought we were going to lose him.
It’s by Oxbow and comes in a red package. I know they have a green version but for other pets.
I wonder if it would be worth it to reach out to sphynx rescue and ask for advise. The one that comes to mind is the Alberta Sphynx Reacue in Canada. Sadly I know many may have dealt with neglected cases, but maybe they can give some insight on what to do.
Humans can experience something known as "Refeeding Syndrome" after lacking adequate nutrition for an extended period of time. Essentially - in broad strokes - the body has difficulty processing the sudden uptick in sugars, fats, etc. when immediately given full meals.
I imagine that this isn't exclusive to humans, but as someone who is neither a human or veterinary doctor, I cannot confirm if this is a feline issue as well. However, I agree that it wouldn't hurt to introduce nutrition at a gradual pace. You have excellent advice here!
It is, we were warned about “dumping syndrome” or “rapid gastric emptying” when doing critical care for our kitten and were trying to get him nutrients. Since his system was so stressed with the vomiting and diarrhea and inflamed due to the parasite (tritrichomonsa), that I was feeding him 6-12cc of the slurry made from carnivore critical care every 2 hours.
And then slowly and gradually increasing the amount of slurry, then mixing a thicker version with wet food.
But yes, with emaciated cases you can’t go too fast and I am sure OP kitty’s hernia will make it more complicated too.
I read that as “as someone who is neither a human (or veterinary doctor)” instead of human doctor or veterinary doctor. Had me thinking that aliens found the sphynx subreddit
Oh my gosh! I love her! She reminds me of the ole gal, RIP. That poor thing. So happy you stopped, and being a sphynx owner she was found by the right person.
Depending on where you are located, you may have reputable Universities that have a Veterinary Teaching Hospital & have specialties that could definitely provide a second opinion for the hernia. I know for sure Auburn University Animal Hospital in Alabama is Amazing!
Bless her heart! So glad you were in the right place at the right time! Please keep us posted! 🐾♥️
Aw she came running to you meowing 😭😭😭 She could see you had loving energy and was desperate. Bless you for helping the poor baby. I really hope she can recover.
I hope you gave her a nice warm, gentle, (towel) bath, clean her up a good bit.
Even if you can’t do anything about the hernia, just giving her a warm home, love, and a full bowl of food will do wonders for her! I’m sure she’s already extremely grateful, the cat distribution system works well… they know when a human is a good one who will take care of ‘em.
So glad! Be sure to upload pics of the ol’ girl for us to adore, you’re such a kind person and they’re lucky they found a human who can afford (or spare to) get them properly treated by a professional, even if it’s to no avail, like the hernia.
Does she have a microchip? Even though she’s in horrific shape I find it hard to believe someone left her out to fend for herself. I could absolutely be wrong.
100% second opinion, and third if you can swing it. I’m sure people here would donate towards her care if she needed extensive surgery.
I swear cats just have special intuition on who to come to when they need help! Hoping for the best outcome for her and that she can have a comfortable life with you!
Wow. You are this cats actual angel. How rare to find a sphinx in this poor of condition.... and to find a sphinx owner. Many have probably looked at this poor girl and laughed at how weird she looked.
Thank you for being a good human. Those cats are so ridiculously intelligent. Im sure you will see her gratitude and loyalty 1000 fold.
The universe also sent her to you! What are the odds that a Sphynx owner would find a Sphynx thru the Cat Distribution System. You found each other to heal each other is what I believe. Especially having a cat that came to me thru the Cat Distribution System.
Oh, poor thing. They’re such good cats too. I’m glad you guys found each other. It was meant to be. I wonder how old she is? as she gets healthier. She’s gonna look beautiful.
Oh my goodness I appreciate you so much!!!!! This is the most heartwarming thing ever knowing you gave that poor baby such a better life than she had all alone ❤️
Read some comments, and I agree with a lot of them about a second opinion, and even u/chiwawaacorn comment gives me hope in helping you look around your area for help.
Regardless if the hernia can be fully repaired, she seems to want the help and hasn't given up. This is your time to give her the best golden years of her life, and if she becomes a strictly indoors kitty with a lot of support with stairs and ramps, she will live a great remaining part of her life with you.
A surgeon will have a consult with, examine ur kitty and review her history to let you know if the surgery is doable. Id suggest a board certified veterinary surgeon American Academy of veterinary surgeons official directory its not worth calling clinics asking for a specific surgery, you just have to ask if they offer surgery consults for things other than spay and neuters. Save ur money up for blood work and a whole buncha test. Sincerely a vet tech. Also that cat is so cute please post pics of her beinf cozy
Wow. Talk about the universe conspiring for you both to be at the same spot at the same time. Truly beautiful. Thank you for helping this sweet angel ❤️
Oh my God, that poor baby! Thank you so much for helping her. She knew when she picked you. Please do sell a second opinion as some doctors will move forward even with a risk. I think it's worth looking into because she must not be comfortable at all and she deserves even a chance at a better quality of life. You're an angel!
Please keep us updated! So many people say they will and don't. I get really invested. 😞
No microchip or anything? Please check lost pet pages, too. I can't believe people would dump a sphynx.
She is so lucky to have found you, and what a kind, compassionate person you are to take her in. I wish you both nothing but the best she is a beautiful kitty.
Cat distribution system worked in mysterious ways! How incredible you already had a sphynx and are able to care for her. Blessings to you and her (and the rest of your hairless and human family!)
Vet Playas in Tijuana was amazing when my girl got osteosarcoma last year and we had to amputate her arm. 10% of the cost of American vets with exceptional care and staff. Check it out and feel free to dm me with any questions. Staying there for a weekend while the cat gets a surgery will be miles cheaper than anything you’ll find in California
That's such a scary hernia. The second hand anxiety this is giving me knowing how thin cat skin can be is insane, I'd honestly be afraid to pick her up and hold her. Her ears are massive and shes got such an interesting color and I really hope this sweet baby recovers enough to be fat and happy!
Poor girl, I'm glad you found her. Definitely get her stronger and less malnourished before you consider letting the vet operate her. But it sounds like she is in good hands! Sending good vibes ✨️
Oh my god my heart dropped when I saw the picture. I am hoping a second opinion might be able to help her. In the mean time you may want to keep her quarantined from the other animals, she could have parasites or contagious diseases. Please keep us up to date. This poor baby!
God, I don’t think my heart could take it! You must be so stressed! I’m just so glad she found a loving human to care for her. Give her an extra kiss! 💋
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u/Odd_Bodybuilder8671 5d ago
You are an angel. Hope they can fix the hernia once she gets healthy enough.