http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ Daily Kitten Chat Forum Topic: Please help...Sick Kittens en Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:12:12 +0000 http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-505341 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:36:33 +0000 eleniki 505341@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Great news AMC! So glad Casper is doing well now! (that's my nephew's name too!) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-491892 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:20:51 +0000 amc18 491892@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thanks for the response!! Casper is like a different kitty these days! We have been having terrible cold weather the past month which has meant icy road conditions. So I was trying to bring him to the vet just b4 xmas but couldn't on account of the roads(was all set one day to attempt it, but then vet was stuck and couldn't come in to work!)<br /> Anyway just after xmas he changed, before he wouldn't eat hardly anything and now he is constantly begging for food and his weight has increased(i was very worried bout this as he was so skinny!) I noticed his paw pads though during the time he was sick looked like they were peelin(they're back to normal again now) and he would stand on his hind legs. I think he might have walked on the top of the stove(range) while there was no one in the room :( He absolutely cant get enough heat and the way he looks at the sstove it wouldn't surprise if he had been curious enough to atetmpt a walk on it!! I'm thinking now that may have stopped him from eating? His flu seems to be gone now. He is out climbing trees at the moment, i'm sure he#ll be at the door in 5 mins looking for food! (i wormed him again this week to be safe) I should be able to bring him to the vet next week as temp is set to rise a bit!(living in the country and our roads aren't the first to be looked after in terms of grit!!)<br /> RE adopting a cat- I would definitely adopt a cat now instead of a kitten if i had a choice(i dont tend to look for pets but rather they find us!!) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-490815 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:11:41 +0000 Court 490815@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>AMC18-- i am so sorry to hear that you have a sick kitten, and i apologize for such a late response.</p> <p>FIP is a horrible virus that they do not know much about. they do not have a medical test that can be used to tell if the kitten has it at a young age like leukemia. there are 2 kinds of the virus. wet &amp; dry. the "wet" strain causes the kitties organs to fill with fluid and they start to look some what like a bowling pin. the cat looks like it is fat, but if you pet the cat along its back it feels very skinny. Thats the one that herbie had. the "dry" version causes the cat to become skin and bones. Hailey had the dry. There is speculation on how easily it is passed from cat to cat, but like i said they do not know much about it. they do know that mom cat passes it along to their young. </p> <p>a lot of times cats do not show symptoms until they undergo a great amount of stress like getting neutered or spayed. usually they will start losing interest in food and stop eating. Herbie would run over to his wet food, because he knew he was hungry, but when he smelled it he didn;t want it anymore. it was very strange... he would only eat food off my finger the last few days of his life. </p> <p>if your cat is feeling sick, and the vet has ruled out bacterial infections, it is possibly time to do a blood panel. they can look at the results and if their blood titer numbers are way off the charts then it could be FIP.</p> <p>that is what i have learned about it... contact your vet to get a professional medical opinion... </p> <p>i hope it all works out, and i will check back here tomorrow to see if you have written anything back. i would like to know how your kitty is.</p> <p>Grizz-i totally agree with you. in my organization the kittens get adopted right away and we have tons of cats waiting to find homes, but sadly they never get a chance. i have adopted kittens and adults, but my favorite is adopting a older cat. you know so much more about their personality! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-484227 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:34:59 +0000 GizzysAuntie 484227@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>If you should lose this kitten, wait a bit until the virus has had a chance to die out in the house, but do consider taking another cat, preferably an older cat. There is so much love out there just going to waste because there are not enough homes and most people want kittens. But adult cats have a great deal to offer and are very grateful for a second chance. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-484224 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:25:04 +0000 amc18 484224@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I am so sorry!! I am very scared tht my little kitten has this virus as symptoms seem similar, is there no way they can get better? Also I have read that no vet can tell if this really is whats wrong with them and that they can live with it? Is an of this true?<br /> I am a little put off having another cat after this as i just find it too sad. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-478121 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:22:18 +0000 Court 478121@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>yes, it is an awful virus... i wish something could be done about it... thank you jcat for your kind words. I am happy that they ended up at my house, rather then living out in the cold for all of this time.. they wouldnt have made it as long as they did. this way they do get to go peacefully, surrounded by people that love them. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-478115 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:45:50 +0000 jcat 478115@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Court, I'm so, so sorry. It's a horrible virus and that is so sad that both Hailey and little Herbie seem to have got it. The loss of poor Hailey must have been unbearable and it is too cruel that you are now going through the same thing with Herbie.</p> <p>But these two babies could not have had a better foster mum to help them through it. I am so sorry their lives look to be cut so short. But they are both so loved, they could not have asked for more. It is the hardest gift we can give them, to let them go peacefully and surrounded by love, with no more suffering, when it is their time but it is also a blessing. {{{Court}}} </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-478112 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:11:26 +0000 Court 478112@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I am sorry i havent been on here in a while... I work and go to school full time, so between all that and caring for all the fosters i dont have much time. I have finals next week and then I get a break, so I am glad I get to join the community again. I just wanted to update everyone....</p> <p>Herbie and Hailey got sick again, and the vet got concerned. Hailey was in the worst shape, so she had blood work done. Her results came back and it was determined that she had FIP. (there isn't a test for it, but they have to look at the other results/numbers and the symptoms to make the call) She was going blind and stopped eating, so the vet had me come in to put her to sleep. I have never lost a foster animal in my time volunteering, and it was one of the hardest things I had ever done. My baby Hailey never got a chance at a forever home or a long life. I miss her so much. She would brighten up when I spoke to her and when I reached out to pet her she would lean way into it... it was like she didnt expect you to love her. She cuddled and slept with me every night.. once i turned the lights out she knew it was bed time and rushed under the covers. I told her to find my other forever friends that I have lost at the rainbow bridge, and I know they are all watching after my baby girl for me. blah its hard to even type this<br /> Herbie most likely has FIP as well, since it is passed to the kittens from their mom. He hardly eats much by himself anymore, and he is showing some of the physical symptoms... he is slowing down... he goes in early next week to get an exam to see how his organs are and get a blood test done. The poor baby is so lonely... he doesnt know where his sister is.. i got him out the heated cat bed so he can cuddle in that while I am gone. Herbie is a lover.. one of those kitties that purrs when you are around him... you dont even have to pet him and he gets happy. He will run up to the mirror while i get dressed and put my make up on and talk to my reflection. he is such a character... it kills me that he doesnt have much time here </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-453392 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:34:48 +0000 Court 453392@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>It says just turkey. The food is just temporary. I am mostly using it to convince her to eat her wet food. And, its working! She is getting better. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-453386 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:26:39 +0000 furryfriends50 453386@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>was it turkey meal or just turkey though?</p> <p>turkey is 80% water and when it is put into dry it ends up being the 5th or 6th ingrediant. cat food companies make the ingrediant list before they cook it so they can legally put turkey as the first ingrediant even if it isn't once cooked.</p> <p>turkey meal is turkey with water removed, so it stays at the top of the list. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-453376 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:10:36 +0000 Court 453376@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Yes, Hailey is getting fluids from me as well. She is not as dehydrated (you can test your kitties by doing a skin snap test.. Pinch skin up on their back, and if it snaps back quickly, they are hydrated. If it stays up they or snaps back slowly, they are dehydrated.)<br /> Yes, the Purina is a dry food, she will crunch on it throughout the day, and will eat her wet food, that she gets 3 times a day to help her gain weight, as long as I put a couple of kibble pieces on top of it. I caught her drinking water today on her own which is exciting. Normally I only feed Royal Cannin Baby cat for kittens and Wellness, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it. The Purina, to my surprise, has turkey listed as the first ingredient which made me feel better about using it. </p> <p>Thanks and they are coming along well! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-453251 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:37:56 +0000 eleniki 453251@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Oh that's great. Be careful though, as the Purina is a dry food? She will need much more fluids to counteract the dehydrating effect of dry. Also, I'm not sure about the calorie content, but carb calories are not as valuable to a kitten needing nutrition and body weight as protein-rich food. They need plenty of meat content, so as soon as you think they're interested in food generally again, get going with high-meat-content, low-grain wet food. And keep their fluids up. Good luck - great progress! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-453198 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:08:14 +0000 Court 453198@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Kitties still have diarrhea, but they are eating. I have to sit with Hailey and make sure she eats her food, but she really likes the Purina. I bought Natural Balance Duck and Green Pea's because I have read that it makes sick kitties feel better... Hailey liked it and ate a good amount of it last night. This morning she has a sparkle in her eye that I haven't seen in a while. She is still wayyyyy to skinny, but we are getting there! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-452986 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:45:37 +0000 MadcatwomanintheUK 452986@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>YAYYYYYY! That's GREAT news :o) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-452983 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:39:26 +0000 Court 452983@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Ok thanks for the tip madcat, and Maddox is pretty silly. </p> <p>OK so more great news! I was talking to another foster mom last night and she said to get Purina Sensitive Systems because cats with ulcers will still eat it. I was skeptical, but I went out and bought a small bag. When I got home I gave Hailey and Herbie some chicken broth and pedialite. I had to force it on Hailey, she wants nothing to do with food--even the tastiest wet foods. I then brought in a bowl of the Purina mix and she started to sniff it and then she started chowing down!!! AMAZING! She only ate about ten pieces, but still it's something. Herbie ate some of it as well. </p> <p>So there you have it. You can try the Purina Sensitive Systems if your kitty won't eat anything else. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-452929 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:20:31 +0000 MadcatwomanintheUK 452929@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Maddox looks like a right character! Glad to hear things are still improving, also pleased to see you getting into the TDK spirit on other threads! Look out for the daily cafe &amp; nightshift threads, it's where the general chit chat (&amp; craziness!) tends to take place :o) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491/page/2#post-452895 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:50:54 +0000 Court 452895@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Wow that is so sweet about sumi! I hope Hailey comes about to it soon. You know, right after I made the post, Hailey came right to me and rubbed on me and she cuddled with me all night. She is an older kitten, so I think thats why she detests being fed, but she showed me that she loves me and I think that she knows on some level I am making her better.</p> <p>They are bother doing well the morning. Hailey is not so dehydrated... I think she may have drank some water!</p> <p>I do not have any pictures of Hailey and Herbie, the picture is of Maddox actually. I will get some pictures hopefully today and post them on my blog. I need to up date it! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452800 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:23:22 +0000 eleniki 452800@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Well, good news so far then - lets hope the improvement continues. Its funny - when I was 'helping' sumi eat with a syringe alternating chicken broth, water and dioralyte, she never objected, even though she was so sick and would not eat by herself. It was as if she knew I was trying to make her feel better. She also became incredibly affectionate. In the past month I've had to give her the herbal parasite remedy by syringe twice a day, and I noticed she would jump up on her pillar and wait when she saw the syringe. Then I realized she was bumping it with her nose, wanting me to squirt the water/remedy into her mouth! She would open her mouth and push against it! She had such good associations with the syringe from that horrible time! Sometimes I just give her a little water in it now, as a way of making her feel special! I hope Hailey will come round to the syringe too... Your avatar is gorgeous - is it Hailey or Herbie? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452793 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:48:57 +0000 Court 452793@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Ok so I am finally off to bed. Herbie just had a very loose stool. Poor baby. It is either the antibiotic hurting his tummy, a parasite, or some sort of intestinal infection. He got his first dose of antibiotics about 6 hours ago and his breath is already better! Yay for medicine!</p> <p>Hailey still has no appetite. I am still forcing fluids on her, and she is angry with me. Everytime I pick her up she figures I am going to torture her again. I am picking her up and just giving her affection so she doesn't think I am horrible. She does look better now then she did this morning, but every time I put something in her tummy she goes on a specific bookshelf and gets in meat loaf position, like she is trying to keep it down. What a fighter. She hasn't thrown up since last night. (Meat loaf position is the weird name my family came up with for when the kitties lay on all fours, with their tummy on the ground...I Hope that makes sense.) </p> <p>I am going to pick up some different kitten food tomorrow that should help these kitties along. I will let you know what works and what doesn't. I am also going to get pedalite. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452733 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:03:27 +0000 Cheri 12/22 452733@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>i make "gravy' by cooking meat (usually boneless) with a little rice and wnough water to cook the rice plus one cup and then when everything's done, i use the stick blender to pulverize everything in the pot. cat vitamin capsules can be broken and the contents added to the gravy. yumm-o !!! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452731 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:34:16 +0000 Court 452731@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Very cute kitties kitten whisper! I gave them all kitty treats!!! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452730 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:33:20 +0000 Court 452730@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thank you. I do encourage everyone to try foster care!! You can find rescue organizations that need foster moms and it is very easy. They pay for everything and you just provide the shelter and the love. Try to find a rescue group that doesn't have a shelter because they are in greater need or temporary homes for their animals. Fostering animals takes some work, but it brings so much joy to my life. Just always remember your mission and try to find the strength to let your animals be adopted out. The Cat People (TheCatPeople.org), the org. I volunteer for, have problems keeping foster homes because they always keep the kitties! Out of all the animals I have fostered, I have only kept one so far. You just have to stay strong!</p> <p>Hailey just pooed and it was not as runny or green. She kept the chicken broth down. Herbie is laying on my shoulders as I type this right now.<br /> I will post some picks soon. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452729 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:04:09 +0000 furryfriends50 452729@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>chicken broth is easy to make by yourself and then you know the ingrediants are just chicken. Put some chicken w/ bone in a pot of water and let it boil (not sure how long, I did till the meat was falling off the bones). Don't add anything like salt or spices. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452728 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:02:28 +0000 furryfriends50 452728@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>personally I'd use just the egg yolk for sick cats. Raw egg yolk contains biotin which is indeed a B-Vitamin, the raw egg WHITE contains avidin which will indeed bind to the biotin rendering it useless. </p> <p>However I am going to try start giving the farm cats a dozen eggs a week split between them and will use the egg whites. if you cook the egg whites it destorys the avidin so then they can be fed.</p> <p>and yes you use it raw. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452724 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:35:59 +0000 Kitten Whisperer 452724@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hello, Court. Welcome to TDK!! I'm glad you found us. :)</p> <p>You sound like a very good advocate and care provider for your rescue babies. They are very lucky to be in your care. When you have a free moment, we'd love to see photos. Please click on my avatar to see photos of my three kits, Digit, Furl and Boots. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452713 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:17:00 +0000 Court 452713@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>They thank all of you! I just fed Hailey some chicken broth which made her a tad angry at me. Now I am just waiting to see what kind of reaction she has to it. Hopefully no throw up! Herbie had some too, but apparently painful ulcers are not enough to keep him from eating like horse. Poor kitties. I have never had ulcers but I am sure its hurts!!!! I am going to soften food to help the healing along as well. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452701 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:30:43 +0000 2 Popoki 452701@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Poor babies ! Thanks for the update Court, and of course welcome! Sending healing energies to Hailey and Herbie... and good vibes for you too ! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452700 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:29:54 +0000 eleniki 452700@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>This sounds very hopeful Court! You must be feeling positive! Mouth ulcers are very painful and debilitating - they are also a sign of a run-down system so probably because of the URIs. How wonderful that people like you exist, who care so much for these rescue babies. You have some days work and TLC ahead of you by the sound of things, to keep little Hailey and Herbie hydrated and nourished while they regain their appetites, but they are in good hands. All positive energy and healing thoughts coming from the emerald isle! Keep posting! And welcome to TDK! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452698 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:24:53 +0000 Leeny 452698@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Those poor little kittens! I used to be very prone to getting ulcers in my mouth, so I know what that feels like. It definitely does discourage eating. I hope that they resolve quickly. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/21491#post-452697 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:21:53 +0000 Court 452697@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thank you all for support.</p> <p>I just got back from the vet--what a long wait. I also had to take Maddox and Macie in (7 week olds) to get tested for leukemia. That test also makes me so nervous. First bit of good news is that Maddox and Macie are healthy foster kittens and will be up for adoption in a week.<br /> After the nurse took Hailley's and Herbie's temperature and weight the vet came in. Hailey had a high temp but Herbie didn't. She looked at Herbie first and I was practically crying. I gave her all of his symptoms and she looked in his mouth. He has lots of ulcers from a bad URI which is causing the bad breath and drool. His glands were swollen but everything else checked out. The vet said that once a kitty develops ulcers, it takes longer for the infection to go away. Just takes more TLC because the ulcers make it painful to eat and once they start healing they often break open again. I was sooo relieved to know that he just needed antibiotics.<br /> Hailey also has ulcers in her mouth and is starting to get the URI as well. The vet is concerned about her weight and diarrhea. She probably does not want food because of the ulcers on her tongue, so I will have to help her along. Stool sample results will be back soon so we can see if she has a parasite. </p> <p>So it will be a journey to get these kitties healthy and ready to be adopted, but I am up for it. Poor little Hailey is probably going to take longer since she won't eat on her own. I can't wait for the antibiotics to kick in and make the kitties feel better.</p> <p>I will keep you all updated on their status.<br /> Thanks for all your tips and help! You all made me feel much better. </p>