Round Worms! URGENT/EMERGENCY

Penny is spending the night at my vet's office, free of charge! I'm so lucky to have this man as her vet. He seems to have an above and beyond doctor/patient interest in her. It helps me knowing he thinks she's extraordinarily special (and the fact that he's quite handsome doesn't hurt. ) Too bad he's married...I digress...sorry.

She spent the night with a towel-wrapped ice pack in her bed; she slept with her head on it. Sweet thing! This morning there was little improvement in her condition. I gave her 1ml of Clavamox, she barely ate her a/d, refused water and treats. She did sit up, and she was holding her head up more. After class this morning, I took her to see Dr. Baes. He reviewed all the work from the A.E.C. He took her temp and it was 104.5. He said he felt a stool when he took her temp, so that's a good thing. His TX plan is sub-q, IV fluids, and antibiotic by injection. They put her in the incubator, but they didn't turn it on. I assume the incubator is in a quieter part of the ward, away from the other animals.

When I went back at 4:00 to pick her up, Dr. Baes said that they got her temp down to 103, but it shot back up to 104. He thinks the antibiotic by injection is the way to go. He wanted me to bring her in for sub-q tomorrow, and further IV therapy. I told him I was in class all day tomorrow from 9-4 and it wasn't possible for me to do that. I also told him that I have 2 exams this week, and worrying about her is consuming my mental energy. I asked him what his DX and prognosis was. He said that she has a bacterial/viral infection of unknown origin (sound familiar Hissy?), but her prognosis is very good. He said the best thing to do is let it run its course. I told him how much I've spent on her and that my money tree is done picked clean. This sweetheart of a vet is treating her at a reduced cost! I about bursted into tears (but I waited until I got in the car!)

Dr. Baes just called to say she used the litter box, though no stool yet. And she ate. He sounded very excited. Since the clinic is closed for the evening, I took advantage of his undivided attention and asked specific questions about parasite infestation (he doesn't think that's her problem here, though there's proof of it because I saw it first hand.) There is no concern of infecting my other cats, whew! It can't possibly be heart worm because she's not old enough -- it takes over a year for heartworm to do it's thing, Penny is only 7-8 months. FIP/FELV, etc., are all negative and she's been vaccinated as it is. The only thing abnormal about her blood work is that her WBC are slightly elevated.

So far, it's good news for the home team. I feel quite relieved that she's getting the proper medical attention by people who truly care about the welfare of their patients! I don't have to fuss over her for the next day or two, so I can get my studying done!

Your vet kicks a@@!

Thanks Sicy, and yes, my vet rocks!

Though I should be studying for my accounting exam tomorrow, I can't help but to do research regarding parasitic infestations in felines. While I was surfing, I stumbled across the CDC site, specifically West Nile Virus. It never occurred to me that dogs and cats, though rare, are suseptible to this virus. The site indicates that some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms during the first week after infection-for the most part only showing a slight fever and slight lethargy. The CDC reports that there are verified cases of domestic mammal infection in Michigan this year, but there are no confirmed cases in my county. WNV is spreading in Michigan, and I'm not that far from the hot spots. I know it's a reach, but I think I'll run it by the vet.

I called Penny's vet, the handsome Doctor with the kind soul, this a.m. He said she ate more last night, and again this morning. Her temp is still at 103. He offered to keep her one more night and I thought that was a wonderful idea. It's best for her to continue IV therapy -- not only does it provide hydration, but it helps to keep her body temp down. After class this afternoon, I will visit and reassure her that she is indeed coming home.

It is a good idea with a cat who has this type of problem with high fevers to ask your vet to show you how to do sub cu fluids. Unless you have an aversion to needles, it is a procedure that can be done at home when needed and it is not that hard to do.

Your vet sounds wonderful! The problem with fevers is they could be caused by anything and everything. West Nile is a stretch, because it is not common (or hasn't been) in cats yet. The problem is that in order to find out what is causing the illness, all these tests have to be run and that is of course costing you money. Sometimes, after the last test has been run, you still don't know what is wrong! I would just take it one day at a time, take your cue from Penny and go from there.

Best of luck!

I just returned from visiting Miss. Penny. She looks much better. She was very glad to see me; she could hardly stand still. She sniffed my hair several times, and head-butted my nose a couple of times too. Her good eye looks bright again, and she keeps it wide open now. She nibbled at her a/d several times and used her litter pan while I was there. She purred. Haven't heard her purr in several days. She has a slight moist cough. And is weak and wobbly on her feet, but she's definately acting better. She showed an interest in her surroundings, looking out the cage door to see what was going on, and attempting to jump off the exam table.

I spoke to the vet for a few moments. Her temp is down to 102. He's giving her a mix of 2 anitbiotics by injection and wants her to continue receiving them for the next 5-6 days. He said he would show me how to do that when I pick her up tomorrow. I asked about the cough. He didn't think it was from fluid in the lungs, but that she could have a bit of pneumonia.

I'm glad she's feeling better

glad your cat is feeling better, if your kitty goes outside she or he should be wormed from the vet how ever often they say to keep this problem from happing, even inside cats can get worms. hope all stays well.

Dougbug, you're advice regarding de-worming is appreciated. What's ironic about this whole situation is that the vet isn't completely sure Penny's acute illness is caused by internal parasites. She's been de-wormed several times since my mother first found her, and again over the weekend by the ER vet. As Hissy pointed out, roundworm is persistent, but considering the number of times she's been treated, I am led to believe the parasite activity is minimal. We must remember that Penny is a special-needs stray, likely the off-spring of a feral. She was only 4wks when found; much too young to be away from her mother, what are the odds that she received all the antibodies she needed? She could easily have a number of non-specific immune disorders based on genetics alone. Additionally, she's been on an intensive course of anitbiotics for treatment of a necrotic eye since December. That alone could suppress her immune system. What might be a harmless virus or bacteria for an other wise healthy feline, could be a killer for her.

I could be way off base in my estimation of Penny's situation, if anyone thinks so, I would love to hear your ideas. I'm trying hard to understand everything about what is and what is not effecting Penny's good health.

Judging from the number of hits (280) this post received. I'm going to go ahead and post the latest on Penny.

She's home from the vet today, temp is normal, WBC are normal. She is very slow and deliberate when moving about, probably from the sub-q tx she received just prior to coming home. The fluid has accumulated in her front left leg, which must set her off-balance. I'm sure she's feeling nauseated, as she turned her nose up at a/d can, kitten, and adult chow. What has turned her on is adult l/d dry, and Iams canned for kittens. She's eaten about half a can since 11:30 this morning. She did have a couple of small chunks of ham, which she asked for when I made myself a sandwich. She shows an interest in her surroundings; moving from door to door so she can watch the outside. She even jumped up into the box window above the kitchen sink.

The vet confirmed today that this is NOT a case of parasitic overload. He remains firm that she had a bacterial or viral infection. She will continue with oral antibiotics 3x daily, and High Cal to supplement her dietary needs. I suspect by Sunday that she'll be back to her normal self.

I live in the country and have constant worm problems. None of them have ever caused the third eye problem.

Interesting about feeding Penny the grasshopper - where did you catch it, and could it have gotten into some bug spray? That will poison your cat as sure as anything. I no longer spray ANYTHING with yard poisonings.

Just a thought.

Penny caught the grasshopper on the deck. I've read that insects (inlcuding earthworms) can carry parasite eggs and deposit them in the soil. However, I don't believe she got infected by eating the grasshopper. She ate the thing late last week, and I believe the roundworm cycle is longer than a couple of days. I don't use pesticides or herbicides on my lawn or gardens, and neither do my neighbors. In fact, other than the immediate area around our respective homes, we allow our properties to grow wild. In doing so, we attract a large variety of wildlife; turkey, woodchuck, skunk, deer, pheasant, etc.

I don't think the third eye problem was caused by the parasite infection. Instead, it was caused by a body temp of 107.2. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but for the benefit of those who are new to the cat world...cats generally have a body temp of 101 to 102.5. A feline temp of 107.2 is equivalent to a human temp of 103 - 105. Temperature that high is a life-threatening situation for both man and beast!

Had I not taken Penny to the A.E.C., she most likely would have been dead by morning; and if not dead, then (neurologically) injured. It's quite possible Penny caught a mouse in the basement and was thusly infected by roundworm. Field mice, moles and voles are at a premium around here. Occasionally they make their way into the garage, and sometimes into the basement. My 16yo female catches a mouse in the basement every now and again, but she doesn't eat them. Instead, she brings them to me (usually still alive and kicking.) I don't use mouse traps or poisons in my basement, but now will find an alternative method for trapping mice inside the house.

Miss Penny is doing so much better. She races me to the kitchen!

In a way, this illness was a good thing. I didn't get Penny until she was 6-months old. About 10 days after I got her, she had her first heat. So, we didn't get much of a chance to bond. But this illness changed that. She looks at me differently now. I see a look of love and gratitude that wasn't there before.

People who say animals don't have souls don't know what the heck they're talking about.

Really glad to hear that Penny is doing much better!!