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Sick Kitten - Lethargic

(32 posts)
  • Started 10 months ago by jgurnak
  • Latest reply from Buttercup
  1. Hi, everyone. This is my first post. I adopted a 2-3 month old female kitten from my local humane society on Dec 28 and named her Prada.

    Prada had her initial vaccination at the humane society on Dec 18. She was a happy little kitten when I got her home, although a bit more reserved than other kittens I have seen. I don't have any other pets, just so you know.

    She went to the vet for her first exam on Jan 2. The little girl only weighs 2 lbs! The doc said it was a bit early to give her the 2nd vaccination, but proceeded with the exam. She had some fleas which they treated with Frontline, as well as ear mites, which we got Tresaderm for. She also got a de-wormer (which the doc said wouldn't hurt just in case) and a blood test for feline leukemia, which was negative. They washed her ears good and they were a bit wet when we left but promptly went home.

    The next day, Saturday, Prada seemed to get a little sluggish and began to sneeze a bit. This got worse on Sunday and all she seemed to do was want to lay around. The sneezing go worse and her eyes got a little watery. I thought she probably had a cold and took her back to the vet on Monday. The vet said she had a slight temp and gave her ammoxicillin as an antibiotic, although she said that she may have a virus that just needs to run its course. During this time, she still has been eating and drinking. I've made sure of it and have been watching her closely.

    She is still extremely lazy and doesn't want to do much but lay around. I just wanted to know if anyone has experienced something like this and if it will get better. I miss her playfulness and just wonder if it will return when she feels better.

    Thanks for listening.

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  2. Welcome Jgurnak, Prada sounds like a wonderful kitty and you sound like a very good kitty parent. From the sound it does sound like a just a small cold, and the antibiotic should do the trick, but watch her closely. Just like with people make sure you give her all the antibiotics and if she gets worse, get back to the vet ASAP.

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  3. Please return to the vet ASAP. She is likely getting dehydrated and at the very least needs to get fluids. Kittens can go downhill very quickly from dehydration so please return to the vet. Best wishes.

    Posted 10 months ago by Tigerlilly #

  4. TL is right, even though she is still eating and drinking she could very likely be getting dehydrated.
    Thanks TL!!

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  5. I don't have direct experience with this, but there are many TDKers who have. I'm sure they will read your post and respond. I can say that you are doing an awesome job getting Prada seen by the vet when you've had concerns. The most frequent advice given her is to take an ill animal to the vet. If Prada is eating, drinking and eliminating properly, just continue to keep a close eye on her.

    One of the things that can make a kitten go downhill quickly is becoming dehydrated. You can tell if your kitten is dehydrated by gently pinching the skin between her shoulder blades. If it stays "tented" that is an indication of dehydration and she may need further treatment by the vet. Some here also recommend using a non-flavored Pedialyte to help rehydrate a kitten. I wouldn't hurt to have some on hand in case you need it.

    Good luck with your new furry friend. You are wonderful to rescue this bit of fluff and to give her the medical care she needs to thrive. She will be a wonderful companion for years to come!

    When you have the time, please put a photo of Prada in your avatar here or consider creating a webpage for her at Catster.com. It is free and easy to do. You can link your Catster page to your profile here. Click on my avatar to see photos of my two kits, Digit and Furl. :)

    Posted 10 months ago by Kitten Whisperer #

  6. I think you are likely right 2bp, but better safe than sorry. Best wishes with your sweet Prada, keep us posted, and would love to see pictures.
    Also, some kitties can have reactions to antiflea and deworming meds, so that was my other concern

    Posted 10 months ago by Tigerlilly #

  7. Hi JG and welcome to TDK. Your poor little baby has had a lot to contend with in her short life. The dewormer can takes its toll on a kitten, especially one who is so small. To be honest I don't like seeing kittens given commercial deworming or flea treatments so young. I don't have your frame of time clear in my mind. She had her initial vaccinations on December 18 and on January 2 she received the dewormer and flea treatment is that correct. If so, then it hasn't been a week yet and I am sure she is still feeling the aftereffects of those 2 treatments and then she has the added problem of a virus/antibiotic. Keep an eye on her for the next couple of days. Make sure above all else that she is getting fluids or she will become dehydrated. When a kitten becomes dehydrated they can go downhill within hours. There is something called pedialite which you might give her to prevent against that. If at any time she stops eating or drinking and is still lethargic then you need to get her to the vet again. Please keep us updated.

    Posted 10 months ago by petpntr #

  8. Good advise Petpntr, and Pedialite can be found easily in most grocery stores in the infant section.

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  9. Thanks for all your comments. My avatar is now a picture of Prada. I will keep you all updated. I will get some Pedialyte - hey, it can't hurt, right?

    P.S. The Frontline and Tresaderm have got her looking a bit scruffy now. I'm sure it will improve when the courses are done.

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  10. Welcome JG...hope you don't mind the name shortening. Yay another orangie. And I love the name Prada. A name fit for a queen. I send prayers that miss Prada gets thru her shaky beginning. Your a great mom for staying on top of things with her.

    Posted 10 months ago by feral #

  11. OMG!!! She is beautiful...Please consider giving her a catster page...It's like My Space for kitties...you can click on the pic to the left and meet my fur family.

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  12. Prada's a beauty! I'm sorry she's poorly now, hopefully you'll be able to post she's better soon. Welcome to TDK Chat :o)

    Posted 10 months ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

  13. Welcome to TDK JG..I hope Prada perks up real soon. Personally alot of strong medicines administered to a kitten is hard on their little systems and I think in a couple of days she's going to be just fine. Just be sure she's drinking fluids and still eating. =)

    Posted 10 months ago by Karenopa #

  14. Panda is gorgeous. Please keep us posted. Best wishes with this cutie

    Posted 10 months ago by Tigerlilly #

  15. The same happened to my kitten Mickey when I first adopted him. The vet told me he was 2 months old, weighing a little less than 2 lbs. He also told me he was to young for his vaccine. When i brought him home he started sneezing and his eyes were watery untill it got really bad and then I knew I needed to take him to the vet. The vet gave me a round of banana smelling anibiotics and he is as good as new! Best wishes!

    Posted 10 months ago by Catfancier #

  16. Well, Prada definitely has an appetite! She ate quite a bit tonight and drank lots of water! She still is sluggish but I know I just need to give her some time to let her amoxicillin work. I'm gonna let her sleep with a humidifier in the room tonight to see if it will help her congestion and sneezing. Thanks for all your comments and keep 'em coming. Your input has really made me feel better about the steps I've taken to get Prada back to normal. :)

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  17. Sounds like a good plan, JG. She has a lot of meds on board right now. Please keep us posted on how she's doing!

    Posted 10 months ago by Kitten Whisperer #

  18. How is Prada today??

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  19. Prada was a bit sneezy this morning and her eyes were watery. After her night with the humidifier, it sounded like some of her congestion is breaking up. She ate a good breakfast and took her medicine like a champ. She is resting now. Thanks for asking. Hope I can see some turnaround in the next day or two.

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  20. Thanks for the update...Have you given anymore thought to a catster page!! Prada is such a beauty!!

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  21. I second 2b - more pictures, please! She's such a beauty.

    Posted 10 months ago by Kilroy #

  22. Prada seems like she's feeling a little better. She is purring much more and kneading her paws again when I rub her belly. I was really getting worried for a day or so. Seems like her congestion got worse and now is starting to clear up a little. She doesn't mind the Pedialyte at all. I've also been giving her some children's saline drops in her nose and running the humidifier to keep things loosened up. Keep us in your thoughts.

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  23. I'm happy to hear that Prada is feeling better. You are taking wonderful care of her! There is nothing quite like hearing a kitten's purr motor going at top speed! :)

    Posted 10 months ago by Kitten Whisperer #

  24. Hooray for Prada! And well done you JG. :o)

    Posted 10 months ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

  25. Feel better, sweet Prada!

    Posted 10 months ago by Leeny #

  26. Feel better Prada and good job JG.

    Posted 10 months ago by Buttercup #

  27. OK...just an update. Prada is just about back to her old self again. Hooray! She is scratching (not real excited about that, but it's part of the deal) and playing now quite a bit. Her congestion has almost all cleared up. She is still taking her amoxicillin for another week. We have a return vet visit on Friday for her 2nd vaccination. She needs her 2nd dosage of de-wormer on that day as well. Wish us luck and thanks for all your comments!

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  28. Still waiting for that catster page jgurnak!! Prada is such a beautiful kitty, we want to see more!

    Posted 10 months ago by 2bpurring #

  29. OK...here's Prada's catster page with a few pics. :)

    http://www.catster.com/cats/943120

    Posted 10 months ago by jgurnak #

  30. She's such a lovely cat! So pleased she's nearly back to her normal self - scratching and all!

    Hope you stay posting with us JG, try one of the daily chatty threads - the cafe during the day, and the nightshift. :o)

    Posted 10 months ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #


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