Please Help!!!!

libby74

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What could I have done to get her sick?
Please, please don't blame yourself! It sounds as if you've done everything right, from washing your hands after touching outside cats to taking Twinkie to a second vet. You're doing all you can. Hopefully, your next post will have good news about your baby. Got my fingers crossed for her.
 

goldenkitty45

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Don't blame yourself. One time I brought giardia into the house and didn't know it - lost two of my young pedigree kittens. Giardia can be walked into the house on your shoes and then the kittens can pick it up from running around on the carpet.

Nasty stuff! Dehydrates kittens quick.
 
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gizzie

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Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your posts and vibes. I just spoke to the vet and here is what they found in Twinkie. She has Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV). The vet feels optimistic about her recovery but would like to keep her hospitalized for another day. He thinks she has 80% for recovery so I am hoping to bring her home tomorrow. He told me I would have to take her temp twice a day and give her meds to drop her temp. She has started to eat at the hospital and got a little more active. She apparently talks to them and wants vet tech to take her out and pet her. I so missed this little girl and I am hoping that she doesn't have FIP. From what I have red FIP is fatal and I don't want to loose her. I have been reading about FIP and FICV and really hate what I am reading. I can totally see how she can have them based on the environment she was in. Also I am very worried about her litter mate. I guess it can be transferred by their mother and since Tweetie comes from the same litter she can get the virus. Does anyone have experience with this?

Please please keep your prayers and healing vibes coming Twinkie really really needs them.
 

jellybella

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FECV exposure is fairly common among shelter and barn cats. It's not easy to treat, but it's not a death sentence either. From what I understand there are a variety of symptoms that can appear. FIP is far more rare and there really isn't much you can do except make her comfortable if it's FIP.

Here's some good vibes and a
. Please don't blame yourself. This is just one of the unfortunate risks you take on when you bring a little one into your home. Just treat her and love her the best you can and we'll all be pulling for her. Sounds like this vet is doing a better job that the first.
 

larussa

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I am sending many good vibes for your Twinkie, I hope the vet finds what's wrong and she can be easily treated.
 
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gizzie

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Does anyone know how long does it take for a kitten to get over FICV? My vet said it depends on her keeping the temp down but he was really not sure how long it will take. All I want to know will she be able to live a happy long life with this Virus? I asked the vet if this was for sure FICV not FIP and he said it was "FICV". Do cats survive it and what is the life expectancy with this? Also since I have three more kittens at home what are the chances of them getting it? I have red that the biggest thing is to have their litter boxes clean and my vet told me that those kittens were already exposed to this virus and most likely they are ok.
 

sharky

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BIG
... I cant answer how long ... in dogs it can be a long haul
 

goldenkitty45

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I would ask these questions to your vet - I'm not familiar with FICV - but if its a virus, it could be passed on, I would think.
 
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gizzie

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The vet said it is enteric coronavirus not FIP. I am hoping we can get her out of this. I am not going to give up on her she is going to get a fair chance in life and hopefully with TLC and God's help she can get through this. There is a reason why this kitten endedup in my hands and I don't think it was for her to die. I am going to keep my hope and pray that she gets out of this and live a happy and long life.
 

jean44

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More healing vibes and positive thoughts to you and Twinkie. With your love and TLC she'll have the best chance possible.
 

libby74

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Gizzie, try doing a search for FECV on this site and on the web; I'm sure you'll find loads of info. Also, talk to your vet; write a list of questions so you don't forget anything. He sounds as if he's doing a good job taking care of Twinkie. Like you, I'd be concerned about my other babies, too. Get all the info you can from every source you can find.
Sending all the (((healing vibes))) I can to your precious girl.
 
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gizzie

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Thank you guys so much for the healing vibes please keep them coming Twinkie really really needs them. I spoke to my vet this morning and he said TWinkie can go home today but with a list of instructions. I am going to probably separate her for a while until she feels better. I am worried that Tweetie will pick on Twinkie and I won't be there to defend her. The boys really love her they would not hurt her but Tweetie is a little monster some times. Twinkie's temp is going down slowly but it's a huge thing for her right now. She came in with 106.3 temp and she is now at 104 so it's getting better. She probably has a long road for recovery but I am just thankful that she is doing a little better. I will write all my questions down for the vet to answer. I am still praying for my little Twinkie and hopping that she gets 100% better very soon. The vet tech said Twinkie even gained some weight since she has been at the clinic. She is eating not as much as she used to be she is interested in her food which more than I can ask for right now. Please keep those healing vibes coming they seem to be helping Twinkie.
 

shortstuff2309

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Oh my, I hope she gets better soon! I am definitely sending vibes to both you and your kitty!
 

sharky

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Sending BIG hugs and vibes for a quick and thourough recovery
 

cloud_shade

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I would definitely keep her separated. From the little bit I read last night, it sounds like FECV can be passed through the litterbox, so you'll want to have her confined to using a separate one from the other kitties.
 

lnbandcats

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Sending more positive vibes for your little Twinkie. Unfortunately I do have experience with FIP - in fact, that is how I came to TCS. It is a rare and random disease that mutates from the corona virus. My little Oliver was born to a feral mother. She and the kittens were trapped - Mom too feral, was spayed and released. She had three boys - I adopted the only kitten from the litter that developed FIP. Although it broke my heart when I had to have him put to sleep on 1/4/07, I have always believed that he found his way to me for a reason. He was truly a special boy. It sounds to me as if your vet is familiar with FIP and does not seem to be concerned that Twinkie has it. That is VERY reassuring news! Please keep us posted - and you sound like you will do a fabulous job nursing her back to health!
 
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gizzie

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Thank you everyone for all your vibes they seem to be working. Twinkie is now home and is eating well, seem to be herself and even spunky which she normally doesn't get. She has been overly affectionate I am assuming she is happy to be home. I had measured her temp and it's 102.3 which is way down from yesterday. At the vet she was at 104.2 before discharge but maybe with her being home it helps to lower the temp. I am giving her baby Aspirin once a day and some other med that helps her eat and digest. The vet said we need to get her where she will hold her own temp for 72 hours. He told me that the temp at home should be between 101.5 and 102. He said cats usually get 102 when they are excited and they are at the vet. So according to his standards Twinkie is running a small temp which sure beats 106.5 that she came to the vet with. I am so happy to have her home. All the other kittens have discovered that Twinkie is home and in another room so they sit by the door meow and stick their little paws under the door. This morning Twinkie has decided to escape the room as soon as I opened the door to come in to check on her. She climbed on her tree all the way to the top and now I cannot get her. We have a 75 inch climbing tree. Since I had to get to work I left my husband in charge to get Twinkie back into her room.

Before I brought Twinkie home I asked the vet if I am keeping her separated because of the other kittens and he said no it's because he wants her to rest and stay come. He said all other kittens have already been exposed to the virus and most likely I won't see the same reaction in the rest of the kittens as their immune system seems to be much stronger than Twinkie's. He also thinks since I got them from the barn and based on the description of their condition before I got them it's most likely all my kittens were exposed to this virus when they were born. Now that I know what this virus is and the symptoms I can totally see those cats at the barn being sick.
 
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