Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   Yesterday my roommate noticed a lump on Shiva's face, on her cheek. He didn't mention this to me until late last night. I took a look at it and called the emergency clinic to ask for advice since I don't have the money to take her in to see a vet. They advised me that it was probably an infection (which is what I had thought) and told me I could give her amoxicillin and how much to give her and how often. They also explained that, if it doesn't open up to drain on its own, I will have to take her to a veterinarian to open it up. The lady I spoke with also said that animals are usually pretty good about taking care of these things themselves with their claws (true - that happened one year with C.C. --- yuck!!) so I probably have nothing to worry about. I just have to give the baby the antibiotics and keep an eye on the lump to make sure it doesn't continue to grow and that it softens up.

   Well, I know it has only been about 12 hours since I gave her the first dose of antibiotics and that she has only had two doses of the medicine, but I am still worried. The lump is still somewhat hard and the baby looks miserable. I know it will take a day or so for antibiotics to start working and I went through the same thing with C.C. one year -- hers was on her neck and it was the size of an egg but the clinic said not to worry unless it didn't start draining after a week. C.C.'s broke open on its own and drained and healed up within a few days just like they said it would. Shiva's should do the same. I know they told me not to worry, but I can't help it. This is one of my babies!! I can't help but worry. I keep thinking all sorts of horrible things like, what if it isn't just an infection? What if its a tumor? What if the antibiotics don't work?

   Shiva is still eating and drinking plenty of water. She is cuddly and loving and she lets me feel the lump with little resistance. She is pretty much her normal self except for the fact that she isn't insisting on going outside and she is sleeping in the living room on the couch instead of wanting to be by my side while I am working on the computer.

   Please pray that this is only an infection and that it does clear up quickly. Please pray that my baby Shiva is okay.

   Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

2. 

   Oh poor Shiva...I'm sorry OW, I know how stressful these things can be..you and Shiva are in my prayers...

   Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

3. 

   Baby Shiva, many many good vibes coming your way.

   Posted 3 years ago by tuttibella #

4. 

   OW, will she let you apply a warm wet cloth to it a few times a day? If it is an infection/abscess, this will help it come to the point of drainage
   Also, have you checked her teeth? Is it related to a tooth issues inside her mouth?
   I will absolutely add my prayers for your baby Shiva. Keep us posted.

   Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

5. 

   Prayers for precious baby Shiva.

   Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #

6. 

   Hugs and purrs to you both, I hope little Shiva is OK.

   Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

7. 

   OW...I sooooo know how you feel with your constant feeling of unease while waiting for it to be over with. We get those anxious feelings everytime and they're so hard to shake til the bright shine returns to our babies eyes and bounce is back. I'm sending my white light and strength to you. It's a powerful light and has gotten me through my latest loss so please trust and believe in it. My prayers to Shiva sweet girl she is. Long ago I had a natural dog and cat care book and they recommended flaxseed poultices applied to draw the poisonous infection out. I remember that I had to add the flaxseed to a small amount of water and boil it up til it turned into a thick gel. Then I spooned it into some cheesecloth. It held it's heat for a very long time as I remember and I applied it to the abscess a few times a day and eventually the horrible infection released on it's own and healed very nicely. Never even needed the vet. Good luck sweety and again my prayers to Shiva that she heal quickly. {{{hugs}}}

   Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

8. 

   Prayers for baby Shiva, and for you, OW. My Bombalurina had a tumor in her throat that spread to her mouth. It was never a distinct lump, so I'm sort of inclined to think that this is an infection. It would be great if you could put warm compresses on the lump and see if it changes at all.

   Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

9. 

   Sending healing white light to poor Shiva. Heal quickly furry friend.

   Posted 3 years ago by SylMiaFelixMomma #

10. 

    Tigerlilly,
    Thanks for the advice about the warm wet cloth. I hadn't thought of that. I will try that in a couple of minutes. She is still eating dry food without trouble so I don't think it is related to her teeth. Her teeth have always looked very healthy so I don't think it is a tooth, but I will take a look the next time she yawns -- those bright white teeth show up very well on a black cat when she yawns *grins*

    Thank-you for your prayers everybody. I will keep you posted about Shiva's condition.

    Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

11. 

    WWM, My Jennyanydots Bombalurina had nasal cancer and she did not have a distinct lump until late in her illness either. Continued prayers for Shiva.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

12. 

    Prayers for precious Shiva and her Mom.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

13. 

    I was able to hold a warm wet cloth to Shiva's face for a couple of minutes before she became uncomfortable and started trying to back away. I didn't push the issue because I want her to keep resting in a spot where I can find her and easily give her the medicine.

    What bothers me is that she is not fighting ... it always bothers me when they don't put up a fight. I should have claw marks all over me for bringing something wet so close to her, but she only tried to back away a little. She didn't even fight when I used a syringe to force feed her the medicine this morning. She just tried to back away. She should be fighting me tooth and nail. My poor baby must be feeling awful if she isn't fighting... I hate it when one of my babies is feeling so bad that they don't even want to put up a fight.

    At least she is resting comfortably and still eating and drinking. I don't want to have to 'assist' (force) my poor little girl to eat and drink. She already feels bad enough. But where that infection is may mean that she won't want to eat and drink on her own at some point during this mess. My poor baby ... I hate seeing her like this.

    Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

14. 

    Good thoughts, prayers and white light for precious Shiva and OW. Please keep us updated OW. You know we are worrying right with you!

    Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #

15. 

    OW...I was going to also recommend the warm compresses to the lump. The others have offered very good advice. Now,for you, take a deep breath & say Things Will Be Fine. And just trust that they will. Prayers & Healling White Light to Shiva.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

16. 

    Praying for you OW and Shiva. Purrs and headbutts (soft ones).

    Posted 3 years ago by HootiesMama #

17. 

    I've sometimes found that even my feistiest cats were absolute sweethearts when I was medicating them.It seemed like they knew I was trying to help. Maybe that is what Shiva is doing I hope.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

18. 

    Buttercup took the words right out of my mouth. Maybe Shiva just realizes you're ministering to her out of love and wisdom. I think she trusts you implicitly. Get well Shiva so mommy can stop worrying.

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

19. 

    I gave Shiva her afternoon dose of antibiotics and she did give me a little bit of a rough time by moving her head in impossible directions to get away from the feeding syringe but still did not try to get away from me. She went right back to sleep after taking her medicine.

    We had to bring the dog in the house to give her a bath (an adventure in itself) and afterward, I took a shower. Once I had rid myself of my new fur coat, I went in to check on Shiva. She was sitting up cleaning herself, which is a wonderful sign. Her cheek looks bigger, but when I felt it, the lump is already be getting softer. Definitely an infection. I will continue the warm compresses as much as she will let me and, hopefully, this will all be over soon and Shiva will be back to her normal bratty self.

    Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

20. 

    {{{{HUGS to Shiva}}}}}

    Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #

21. 

    Good to hear OW. God willing this will all be better soon.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

22. 

    Shiva is still eating on her own but the food has to be brought to her - she won't go into the kitchen at all. The lump is getting visibly larger but I am still being told not to worry because Shiva just started the antibiotics last night.

    She has spent most of her time sleeping although she did wake up when I brought her some food and she ate about 2tbsp. of canned food with a little water poured over it. She also went and sat in front of the screen door enjoying the cool night air for about 10 minutes before climbing up on the little kitty condo to sleep again.

    That's all the update I have for now. I will let everybody know if there are any changes for better or worse.

    Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

23. 

    It sounds like Shiva's body is fighting the infection. You've got antibiotics on board so now they just need to work their magic. I hope she is right as rain very soon! Sending that healing TDk white light to Shiva--get well fast, little one!!

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

24. 

    I'd say you caught this quite early so she may not be as uncomfortable at this point as you think. I've seen abscesses that became quite a bit bigger and more uncomfortable before they opened. I sure hope this clears for her quickly. Poor Shiva...poor OW

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

25. 

    Poor Shiva! Heal quickly, little doll!

    Posted 3 years ago by miu #

26. 

    Just checking in OPW. How's baby Shiva?

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

27. 

    The lump seems to have shrunk a little and Shiva is a little more lively today. It was a bit of a struggle to give her the antibiotic this morning .. she almost got away from me! She also went into the kitchen and asked for some food but only ate a tiny bit of the canned food that I gave her. It seems that she mostly licks the liquid off of the food, so I have to watch her to make sure she is still actually eating. She wanted outside today and has tried twice to sneak out. Luckily, I was able to stop her. I want to keep her inside where I can keep watch over her and know where she is when it's time for her medicine. She wouldn't let me put a warm cloth on the lump this morning -- when I tried, I found out that her claws are actually quite sharp and she is still very capable of using them even if she isn't feeling well. It was good to see her fighting back. Right now she is resting again as I plot various ways of getting her to take her medicine this afternoon.

    Posted 3 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

28. 

    OW, this happened to Bob often as he was an outdoor kitty. I always just about had a stroke because he acted sooooo miserable until he got the abcess open. Then, once he did, it was like an overnight miracle had occurred! Some antibiotics work better on subcutaneous wounds than others. I think amoxicillin is a good one for that kind of thing. Chin up, sweetie! We're all here with you! Purrrrrrrrr....Lisa, CJ & Misty

    Posted 3 years ago by lisaeylau #

29. 

    I'm glad to hear that things are progressing nicely. Good work!

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

30. 

    Awwww Shiva sounds like she's getting better, OW. ((Shiva))

    Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #

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