Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   I welcomed two new foster kittens into my home last week; Herbie, a gray and white boy, and Hailey a black and white girl. They are so sweet--the purrfect lap kitties. They were both on the skinny side since they had just been rescued from a park, but they had huge appetites. After a few days, I noticed Herbie had a runny nose. I figured it would be the usual upper respiratory infection, so I scheduled a vet appointment. They couldn't get my in till the end of the week. Another day went by and Herbie had stinky breath and he seemed to be drooling. I even noticed a little blood in his mouth on his cheek. He eats like a horse, but his activity level is low. His stools are not as firm as they could be, but they are not awful.
   Then poor little Hailey stopped eating. I would have to seperate her and take time to convince her to eat. She was becoming so skinny that i decided to help her eat three time a day. Last night however, she wouldn't even touch her food. We watered it down and gave it to her with an eye dropper and it brought the life back into her. About three hours later, she threw up a good amount of it and had 2 green diarrhea incidents.
   I am taking both kitties to the vet today and I am so worried. I want to bring lots of questions with me to the vet because I want him to know that want to fight for their lives. I dont want him to just put them down.

   Has anyone experienced anything like this??

   Posted 1 month ago by Court #

2. 

   Hi Court, welcome to TDK CHat, I'm sorry you've found us under such awful circumstances. I don't have any experience of this I can share with you, but others will, so keep this thread bumped up close to the top of the board. I hope the vet can offer some help, please keep us posted - we worry right there with you! {{{hugs}}}

   Posted 1 month ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

3. 

   I don't know why they would be having problems with their food. When one of my cats isn't eating I give them raw egg yolks through a syringe. Personally I think my doing that saved their lives sometimes (plus eggs are easy to feed through a syringe).

   egg yolks are a good source of protein, I use them to feed the farm cats on normal days as well (once a weekish).

   Posted 1 month ago by furryfriends50 #

4. 

   Welcome Court! I don't have must experience either with this so I will say a prayer and keep checking back, You will find others here that will be helpfull.

   Posted 1 month ago by 2bpurring #

5. 

   Thank you madcat. Yes, this site is wonderful I wish I would have found it sooner! I actually read all through Sumi's story and got a lot of information. I was feeling so hopeless this morning and reading the post gave me hope. Thank you so much for your support.
   Its just Hailey with the food problem, Herbie eats like a champ. Thank you for the tip furry. And I do agree with you. If you can stay up all night with a kitten and keep it hydrated you can save lives. I have done it many times myself. I have to use the vet that the organization I volunteer for uses because he gives discounts. I hope he doesn't want to put them down.

   Posted 1 month ago by Court #

6. 

   About the eggs: the yolk is a good source of vitamins and fat, but the white has even more protein in it than the yolk has. You might want to scramble some of the white in with the yolk to get extra protein.

   Posted 1 month ago by Leeny #

7. 

   So far I am going to ask my vet about an ulcer pill for Hailey to help her eat, ask if he thinks it could be coccidia, irritable colon disease, or giardia (Over the summer I dealt with 2 giardia cases I think it could be at the park where most of the kittens are found). I am also going to ask if she can have an antibiotic shot if he thinks it is a bacterial infection, and possibly some vitamins to keep her going.
   For Herbie, I want to make sure the vet checks out his mouth carefully. He could have a tooth infection or something lodged in his mouth. The bad breath could be coming from a bad baby tooth. I hope that is all that it is. I spoke with another foster mom in the organization and she fears something worse is going on with Herbie. It could be a tumor in his throat, or some kind of organ failure.
   (I forgot to mention their age. They are over 12 weeks old.)
   Keep them in your thoughts and please post anything you know. I leave to the vet in thirty minutes.

   Posted 1 month ago by Court #

8. 

   Thank you very much leeny. I have only used eggs once for an emergency kitten formula... So I just crack it open and use it raw?

   Posted 1 month ago by Court #

9. 

   FF50, is that what you do? I've never had to use this myself, Court.

   Posted 1 month ago by Leeny #

10. 

    The emergency kitten formula? You can find recipes on the web, and you should only use it if you abolutly cannot get formula. I had to do a very early morning rescue and none of the pet stores were open, so I made them the home made formula. Then I rushed over to the pet store when they opened.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

11. 

    Hello, I am sumi's mum, of the thread you refer to above, Court. Yes I would say use raw egg - full of protein, maybe just the yolk for starters. Sumi is fantastic now, just under 5 months old and weighing 5 and a half lbs - can't get enough food into her EVER. She is on a raw diet now, and just savages her meat. I am so sorry to hear of your kittens' illness. With sumi, the cause seems to have been a sensitization to a de-worming tablet. Here is the end of the story, in case you didn't find this one: http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/18931
    It doesn't sound like this might be your problem though. But you are right to bring your babies to the vet - make sure they check for absolutely everything, including allergins/toxins in the blood. I will never give sumi another deworming tablet, as she is now allergic to them. I have been treating her homeopathically, and I hope her new diet will reinforce her immune system and her resistance to parasites too.
    I will check back here in a short while. Meanwhile, please ask me anything you feel like. I know what you're going through, and it is the worst. My email address is elenikiroy at gmail dot com. Mail me if you'd like to talk this through further. White light going your way.

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

12. 

    As it sounds like you are an experienced pet carer, you know the importance of hydration for those poor little babies. Maybe you could try the warm chicken broth in a syringe to get a bit of nutrition into them?

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

13. 

    thank you so much everyone for support. I am leaving work now to pick up the kitties to go to the vet with my research in hand.
    Eleniki thank you so much. I found your posts about sumi on google this morning and it powered me back up.
    I just wrote down the allergens and toxins in the blood. I do not want the vet to cheat the kitties out of their lives. (I am very skeptical of some vets.....)
    Chicken broth is a wonderful thing. I would say to anyone new to it to make sure it isnt packed with sodium because that can dehydrate the animal more.
    I am going to go home and eye drop some water in her to help her with the trip and when I get home chicken broth will be the next step.
    I foster kittens, cats, and greyhounds and every animal is a new adventure.

    Thank you everyone, I will post when I get home. Please keep Herbie and Hailey in your thoughts and prayers.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

14. 

    Good luck Court,I'll be praying for your kitties,please keep us informed.

    Posted 1 month ago by Buttercup #

15. 

    The caution about the chicken broth is a good point. I can't even eat most brands of the stuff because they're through the roof on sodium.

    Posted 1 month ago by Leeny #

16. 

    I just make my own, a very plain and simple stock. Chicken bones with some flesh on them, and water, that's all I gave sumi. Very best of luck at the vet, hope the news is good, and please let us know. We care a lot here.

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

17. 

    Hi Court and welcome to TDK! I'm saddened to hear the babies are not feeling well. It's hard when they're so little to see them go through any of this. I can't really add more to what has been said except perhaps giving them pedialyte for dehydration. Good luck and please let us know what the vet has to say. =)

    Posted 1 month ago by Karenopa #

18. 

    Thank you all for support.

    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.
    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.
    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.

    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.

    I will keep you all updated on their status.
    Thanks for all your tips and help! You all made me feel much better.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

19. 

    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.

    Posted 1 month ago by Leeny #

20. 

    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!

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

21. 

    Poor babies ! Thanks for the update Court, and of course welcome! Sending healing energies to Hailey and Herbie... and good vibes for you too !

    Posted 1 month ago by 2 Popoki #

22. 

    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.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

23. 

    Hello, Court. Welcome to TDK!! I'm glad you found us. :)

    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.

    Posted 1 month ago by Kitten Whisperer #

24. 

    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.

    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.

    and yes you use it raw.

    Posted 1 month ago by furryfriends50 #

25. 

    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.

    Posted 1 month ago by furryfriends50 #

26. 

    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!

    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.
    I will post some picks soon.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

27. 

    Very cute kitties kitten whisper! I gave them all kitty treats!!!

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

28. 

    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 !!!

    Posted 1 month ago by Cheri 12/22 #

29. 

    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!

    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.)

    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.

    Posted 1 month ago by Court #

30. 

    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?

    Posted 1 month ago by eleniki #

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