Cat with lymp edema

[OlliesMama]

I don't really expect anyone to have an answer on this because it's rare, but I thought I would post just in case there's someone out there that knows any thing about this. My cat, Dixe, is 15 and was born with a swollen back foot. After many vet visits to different vets and after writing to every vet school I could find (before the days I had internet), she was diagnosed with congenital lymph edema. Her foot began bleeding fluid from her claws when she was about 8 months old and her entire life she has had countless infections in her foot. However, she uses it to walk, jump, run, etc. It doesn't seem to bother her unless an infection gets bad. I was told early on that there was no treatment, just amputation and I was told how great cats do on 3 legs. Still, as long as she used it, I felt it would be selfish of me to do that just because of the mess she makes when she walks accross my floor. We go thru mops regualrly! (My dream is get one of those automatic scoopa mops). Anyway, the best treatments I've found have been supplements. I've tried everyting except acupuncture, but haven't been about to find one close enough. She's 15 now and is very healthy otherwise. If anyone can offer any suggestions, I am open to anything. Maybe I should have had her leg amputated, but at this point in her life, I know it's not an option. Thanks so much!

[special]

I have no solutions or even ideas to offer you (I may later, after thinking about it<g>) but I want to thank you for sharing Dixie's story. Your post may help someone else down the road who is faced with this problem.

Is Dixie an only cat? Does the foot drain constantly, or does she have flare ups? Does it hurt her? What kind of supplements does she take? Is she on any special diet?

Hurray for you for letting her live out her life. Many people would not have kept her, amputation or no. With three special needs cats of my own, I know how much work it is. So hurray for you!

[OlliesMama]

Thank youo so much for your support. I always feel like friends that visit think I'm crazy for allowing her free reign over my house with her condition. We actually built our house with her in mind, getting dark carpet that wouldn't show her foot prints. It bleeds it's pink fluid everyday, not contantly, but a lot. She is on and off antibiotics every few months. The best treatment we found is blue green algae, put in her food. It boosts her immune system and fights the infections which make the bleeding worse. She's an amazing cat. One vet school had done a study that suggested she take high doses os a vitamin called Rutin, but I saw no results. I know I disappionted them, but it didn't work that I could see. I hope no one ever goes thru this, but I'm happy to share with anyone that ever does. And please, no matter when you read this, if anyone knows a treatment, let me know. She's 15 now, but all the vitamins have made her a healthy cat and she may live a long long life! I hope so!