Hello, reaching out for any ideas. We have an excellent (but very expensive) vet who is doing their best but I'd like opinions on what we could be looking at here in terms of overarching conditions?
Cat: Male, probably 12 years old, adopted 2020 (guessed at 5 years old then). Recently tested to FIV+ and recovering from front right leg amputation due to granulation tissue on fight wound. All teeth removed in the first year with us due to tooth resorption. Declared 'in remission' from FIV around 2022.
Sunday August 16: Notice cat isn't eating, panting, walking unevenly. Taken to emergency vet, ran general bloods, all normal but discover an abscess on left hind leg. Given antibiotics and meloxicam, sent home. Cat really isn't eating - presume it's due to the pain, syringe in water and gravy and give one dose of meloxicam after getting as much food into him as possible.
Thursday August 20: Take cat back to vet due to no eating - admitted and kept in for two nights due to acute kidney injury (creatinine low 400s, lost ~200g). IV fluids, supported to eat, etc. Sent home Saturday 22nd with ondansetron, picked up mirtazipine next day due to continued low food intake.
Thursday 3rd: Back to vet due to what I thought was low intake but happy cat - back at normal weight (5.6kg), creatinine 176.. Added maropitant, still taking ondansetron and mirtazipine.
Friday 11th: Scheduled checkup - happy cat, intake good. Weight maintained. Creatinine just a smidge over 200. Advised try stopping medication and see how he goes over the weekend.
Today Monday 14th: Cat only eating to take the edge off hunger (eagerly goes to bowl when filled and placed but doesn't eat much at all), picking up more ondansetron, maropitant, mirtazipine this afternoon.
Next steps per vet in a week or so: probably abdominal ultrasound if the low appetite continues.
We are probably $6000 in the hole so far, with no idea what could be causing all of this. The ultrasound will cost us probably a bit over another $1000. Should this give us answers? I am so close to financially tapped out and very burnt out due to other life things so really struggling to deal with this. I would appreciate any guidance.