God bless you and Kurt and prayers for Parfait...
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs
8wk old kitten - loss appetite, listless, fever, vomiting...advice?
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Thank you again, everyone. Truly.
Another update:
While she has yet to fully wake-up since the anesthesia, they say she is showing more signs of waking up; twitching her feet, licking her lips, moving her jaw, etc. All of her vitals are still great, and she's going to recover from the two hours of being under. Thank God. Now, her biggest hurdle is going to be whether or not she responds to the antibiotics to treat the bacteria in her abdomen, and whether or not the two ends of her intestines keep clean and heal.
Dr. Lorch just called, the clinic is closing for today, but she has kindly offered to take Parfait home tonight to monitor her and keep up her IV and injectable antibiotics for us, so that we don't have to spend more money taking her to an emergency clinic tonight just to make sure everything is okay. She said she'll call us regularly throughout the night to let us know how Parfait is doing.
We are both so unbelievably grateful to these two incredible women, Dr. Lorch and Dr. Judd, along with the rest of the staff, who have shown not just Kurt and I, but especially Parfait, such overwhelming kindness and support.
Keep praying for my little baby.
Here's a link to a photo of Parfait as well.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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In response to your question Madcat, I don't believe that they can be liable for it...it's not something that the vet intentionally caused, it's just a very rare thing that can develop from surgical procedures in the abdomen, or it could have developed simply from the stress of having been spayed. It's impossible to pinpoint the actual cause, but Dr. Lorch and Dr. Judd both suspect it developed because of her spay. We would never have a case though, and honestly, even if it was all their fault, I would never sue them. I just don't see the justice in that. I will definitely call the SPCA and let them know though, maybe they've had other problems with this in the past.
Thank you so much.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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Wasn't meaning you should consider sueing Kaylynsueg, just thought they might contribute after all...really glad you're getting such good support from the two vets you're using, that's worth it's weight in gold. Hope to log on tomorrow for some more good news :o)
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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That is really sweet of Dr. Lorch to take Parfait home with her. There is a lot of staff at that clinic but it sounds like you got the best two.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Yay! Thank God for dedicated vets. Special prayers continued for Parfait and family.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Any news this morning? Praying that Parfait continues to respond well.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Hi everyone. Afternoon update: Dr. Judd called this morning around 9am and told us that Parfait was back at the clinic and was running an elevated temperature, which she figured was caused by the stress of moving back and forth between Dr. Lorch's house and the clinic. Parfait was really active this morning, moving around nonstop, meowing and everything. Dr. Judd said she's definitely a fighter and her chances are improving more with each passing day.
We went to visit her around 11 this afternoon, and they unhooked her from the IV and brought her in the room for awhile. Her temperature is back to normal and is staying in the normal range. She seems really hungry, which is a great sign. She was chewing and licking my fingers and they said she made a beeline for the food dish on the counter this morning when they took her out to check her. Dr. Judd thinks she's responding well to the antibiotics so far, fingers crossed that she can overcome all of that bacteria, and that her sutures don't rupture over the next couple days. They 'think' she may be able to come home on Monday if everything goes well. They should be calling us sometime today with another update.
Unfortunately the vet is closed tomorrow so we can't go visit her, but there will be a technician there looking after her all day, and Dr. Judd is on call.
We just went to Michael's craft store and got $60 worth of kitten and other animal stickers, ribbon, letters, etc. to turn this blue posterboard we bought at Walgreens into a huge thank you card for the vets and all the staff, which I'm going to bring in on Monday with brownies and cookies for them all. Kurt and I want them to know how much we appreciate everything they've done for us, no matter what happens.
People around the vet's office today came into the room to introduce themselves and shake our hands and thank us for being good people who were willing to go so far to help this sick little shelter kitten. They said Parfait has become the new mascot for them and everyone loves her. We're really hoping that she's going to make it through all of this, but she seems to be doing great right now.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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Just a thought Kay, but would the vets let you display this board in their waiting room - maybe with a box for donations - it would all add up and help you towards the huge bill for Parfait's care & treatment...
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Good idea MCW, or even a chip-in page? Kaylyn you and Kurt are wonderful people. I am a firm believer that when we take an animal into our homes and hearts, we make an unwritten contract with that creature, and nothing, but nothing should get in the way of that contract. As humans, we have disgraced many of these contracts with the natural world, and I for one feel very strongly that some of us, allbeit a small percentage, try to go some way towards making up for the shameful deeds of the rest of our race. Don't try to explain this to your family, or any other people who don't understand this very fundamental code of ethics - it will only upset you and take good energy better spent on little Parfait. I have a problem with kittens being spayed at the tender age of 8 weeks - I think it is not right, that their tiny systems are not developed enough to cope with surgery on that scale. Was Parfait wormed just before you took her home? As I discovered with my sumi, this can also cause a huge shock to a tiny body, if there is any kind of infestation present, even parasite eggs. Although you have described her condition very well, and it sounds like it stemmed from a complication due to her surgery. Your vets are fantastic - it was so good of Dr. Lorch to take Parfait back to her home overnight, though stressful for Parfait. I feel every ounce of your anxiety and I know, as do many TDKers here, what you are going through. It is harrowing and we are all thinking of you, Kurt and Parfait, and sending strong beams of white healing light for your brave little kitty. Keep us posted.
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P.S. I also think that 8 weeks is too young for full vaccinations, as the mother's antibodies are still strongly present in her system, and this often renders the vaccination ineffective. In Ireland, where I live, and England too I believe, kittens are not given their first vaccine until they are 9 weeks old, and the second one 3 weeks later, although both can be given later than that too, with apparently greater effect. Parfait is aptly named, by the way - what a beautiful face she has.
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MCW - I'm not sure. I hadn't even thought about it. Maybe I'll ask and see. That would be incredibly helpful to us.
And thank you so much Eleniki. She was not de-wormed as far as I know, or the paperwork shows, just given heartworm prevention. I also think that spaying at that age is far too risky, but from what I've read there doesn't seem to be any solid medical evidence to prove that it causes any further side effects on a younger animal than an older one. I just think 8 weeks is much too young, her body wasn't ready to handle that kind of stress.
We both feel absolutely blessed to have found the vets we did. Actually the emergency animal clinic we took her to the first night recommended them to us, and though they're farther away than several other vets in our area, we just decided to go to them...and boy are we glad we did. I've never had an experience as incredible as this one with any of my furry children at any other clinic...not even when my German Shepherd was bitten by a coral snake in her oral cavity and paralyzed. All that vet did was call a hospital or two just to tell us he couldn't get the antivenin and said he couldn't help us. These people are so overwhelmingly kind and compassionate...it's surreal.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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I'm so thrilled that little Parfait (which is French for perfect!) is getting better and stronger -- may she have a speedy recovery and a long and healthy life from now on. And it's wonderful that you've found such great vets. {{{Parfait and Eggnog and their loving parents}}}
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Well...the update thus far today is terrible news in contrast to yesterday.
Parfait was running a high fever this morning, and seems extremely depressed and a little nauseous, though she hasn't thrown up again. She seems to have gone back downhill overnight. She isn't showing interest in food today, and her red blood cell count has dropped significantly, which would suggest a leakage in her GI tract EXCEPT for the fact her protein levels are still normal. Her white blood cell count is still normal, though in the lower end of the normal range. Dr. Judd said the best course of action right now is to wait and see later today how she's doing. Her temperature is back to normal, but that could be because of the alcohol and gel used from the ultrasound Dr. Judd just did to check and see if she could find any large pockets of fluid to suggest a leakage or a rupture in the sutures. At this point, Dr. Judd can't say exactly what is going wrong, whether it's just her body struggling to fight the bacteria...or if there is a leakage or further necrosis in her intestines. If either of those are the case, besides the bacteria, then surgery would be the only way to determine the cause and the only way to treat it. But Dr. Judd says Parfait's chances of surviving another surgery are slim to none, and if it was her kitten, she wouldn't risk putting her back under the knife.
Right now all we can do is wait...but the prognosis doesn't look to good if she keeps declining. Dr. Judd said she'll take Parfait home tonight and keep her hooked up to the IV so she can monitor her temperature and everything...she said if we wanted to bring her to the emergency animal clinic we could, but it would probably cost us another $800 or more, just for one night of monitoring her...and we just simply can't afford that.
Please pray for her...I'm scared that she won't make it through the night.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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I'm so sorry Parfait is struggling. Prayers and white light are on the way. Please keep posting no matter what the outcome. {{{hugs}}}
Posted 2 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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Our hearts go out to you. Parfait has excellent doctors and a huge outpouring of love surrounding her. The white light has worked miracles in the past. I'm so hoping all will be well.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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My heart breaks for you :(....I pray to St Francis that He hold her close.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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I'm praying very hard Kay. Promise me whatever happens you'll keep posting here, for whatever support and help we can offer. And don't give up hope - TDK white light is a very powerful thing, and if anything can pull little Parfait through, it's the huge amount of goodwill headed in her direction.
((hugs}}
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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Thank you all so much. I will keep posting here, no matter what happens. You all have been wonderful, caring and supportive. I really appreciate it. I hope desperately that you all are right, and that all the positive thoughts and prayers for Parfait will help her get through all of this.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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Holding my breath for Parfait.
Posted 2 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Hi everyone...the news is grim.
Parfait's temperature was normal this morning, but this afternoon she started becoming hypothermic...a possible sign of septic shock.
We went in to see her and she looks absolutely terrible. She is severely lethargic, mouth-breathing because her nose is so stuffed up. She cannot survive another surgery...there's just no way. They stabilized her temperature thanks to thermal support, and they did an ultrasound which revealed a large amount of fluid in her abdomen which they can't really identify without doing exploratory.
The vet suggested we give her the hemoglobin injection, which is bovine but works fairly well with cats. It won't replenish her red blood cells but should reoxyginate her tissues and help to prevent organ failure. The vet said we are starting to cross the line between her not suffering and suffering...and that is the last thing we want to do. She has been through so much, and we have done everything within the realm of possibilities to give her the best fighting chance. But everything we have done is not enough.
Right now, Kurt and I are coming to terms with the fact that perhaps the kindest, most honest gesture of love we can offer her is to end her suffering.
If the hemoglobin injection doesn't save her...or at least help keep her going until her body starts to be able to fight again, we are going to release her from all of the pain and suffering she must be in.
We're going back to the clinic at 4pm today to see how she's doing with the hemoglobin...and to discuss with the vet whether or not there is anything left for us to do.
Posted 2 years ago by KaylynSueG #
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