C10013864 / invoice 10000

Reason: Weakness, not eating, terrible breath, sluggishHistory:Presented for inappetence, lethargy, and hindquarter pain starting last night (10/03/2026). Refused wet food last night and this morning, which is unusual. Described as very sluggish, barely walking, and weak on the back legs. Unusually tolerant of being held. One episode of vomiting yesterday, which contained undigested wet food from the night before; this is unusual as vomitus is typically digested food. No urination observed today, but was seen urinating yesterday. No defecation observed. Possible bin scavenging occurred the day before yesterday, with potential ingestion of a small amount of chipotle sauce. An indoor-only cat living with another cat and dogs; occasionally fights with the other cat. No previous health concerns or current medications.Objective:General demeanour: Quiet, alert, and responsive but agitated and sluggish. Weak and tentative on hind legs.Temperature: Unable to obtain due to pain reaction on lifting the tail.Cardiovascular: HR 192 bpm, strong and regular pulses. Mucous membranes are pink and tacky.Respiratory: RR 32 bpm, eupnoeic.Abdomen: Soft and non-painful on palpation when calm. Difficult to fully assess due to reactivity to hindquarter palpation.Oral exam: Malodorous breath. Gums and teeth appear normal.Musculoskeletal: Repeatable and significant pain reaction on palpation of the tail base and surrounding hindquarter region. Pain elicited on lifting the tail.Gait: Ambulatory but tentative on hind limbs.Neurological: Mentation appropriate. Moves tail and has sensation at the tip of the tail; no obvious neurological deficits noted.Assessment:Acute onset lethargy, inappetence, and vomiting.Significant, repeatable pain localised to the tail base/caudal lumbar region. Differentials include trauma (e.g., tail pull injury, fracture), bite wound/abscess, or referred pain from another source (e.g., hips, abdomen).Possible secondary constipation due to pain on posturing.Mild dehydration.Plan:Admission to hospital for further investigation and management.Sedation with methadone (0.2 mg/kg IM) and medetomidine (Domitor, 0.02 mg/kg IM) for pain management and to facilitate diagnostics.Radiographs of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and tail to investigate for fracture, dislocation, or other bony abnormalities. Abdominal views will also be obtained.Further treatment to be based on radiographic findings. If radiographs are unremarkable, bloodwork may be the next diagnostic step.Potential treatments discussed included pain relief for soft tissue injury/fracture, and in severe cases with nerve damage, tail amputation.Client communication:Discussed examination findings, particularly the repeatable pain at the tail base. Recommended hospitalisation for sedation and x-rays to diagnose the cause of pain, rather than a trial of pain relief which may mask a more serious issue. Discussed the possibility of a fracture, constipation secondary to pain, or an issue within the abdomen. The owner was informed that sedation is low-risk and reversible, and that the patient would be monitored throughout. The owner was provided with an estimate of approximately $1000 for the initial diagnostics (consult, sedation, x-rays). The owner consented to the proposed plan and will be contacted with results.    Vital Signs