Looking for reassurance and advice

laurenfreda

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Hi guys,
I just posted in the 'new members' section of the forum but neglected to mention that my reason for joining the forum was not an all too pleasant reason. As can be read in the other thread, I recently adopted 2 kittens from a rescue centre.
Unfortunately, the kittens we brought home with us brought some uninvited stomach fauna with them.

Initially it was just one (Finley) that was showing symptoms - lethargy, loss of appetite, trouble going to the toilet and finally vomiting (the poor little guy =[ ) we took him to the vet as soon as they would let us through the door, and as it turned out he needed a 2 week course of antibiotics and a strict diet of plain roast chicken (haha doubt he has any complaints about that part!).

After only 2 days on antibiotics he improved tenfold, but we noticed that the second kitten (Pierre) was displaying the same symptoms of sickness so he was bundled off to the vet and given the same diagnosis.

In hindsight, we should have taken them both to vet at once. I feel terrible now thinking that the second kitten might have more difficulty recovering given that he started later.

Also, the vet advised we give him plain roast chicken too, but the little mite won't eat it. I will call the vet in the morning if he won't eat but I was wondering if in the meantime there might be a random chance that someone online has any ideas or suggestions of how I can feed him (he hasn't eaten since this morning almost 12 hours ago and even then it was only very little compared to usual. He has been drinking and going to the toilet).

I have at my disposal: Whiskas Dry kitten food, Science Diet dry kitten food and wet Whiskas kitten food (tender chicken loaf), as well as the plain roast chicken. We had been feeding them Science Diet, after buying the Whiskas food and then being told that Whiskas might not be suitable (so those are yet to be opened :p) up until they got sick and were advised to feed them roast chicken.

Is there a way I could make the roast chicken more tasty/enjoyable so that he might eat it?

I am probably over-reacting but I would much prefer that than to be sorry that I didn't do everything I could have.

Aaand as before, I am sorry for the essay!
Kind regards,
Lauren.
 

mrblanche

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What was the diagnosis, and what is the medicine you're giving them?

Those two things will make a big difference.
 
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laurenfreda

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Sorry! My bad, the most important part!
The diagnosis was a gut infection (bacterial) and they were prescribed metrogyl (an antibiotic - I don't know if they use the same drugs worldwide).
 

stephanietx

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Metrogyl is known as metronidazole here in the States and is often given for diarrhea.

Did you start them on a different food when you brought them home from the shelter or did you continue with what they were being fed? Sounds like something is upsetting their tummies and it could be related to a change in food or an intolerance to something in the new food.

I would offer the little guy some of each and see if he wants either one. LOL In situations like this I'd prefer them to eat SOMETHING rather than nothing. Do you have any dry kibble? That might work.

Also, what have you been feeding them? Simply changing food might work.

Have they been to the vet and been checked over for worms and all that stuff?
 
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laurenfreda

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We fed them Science Diet dry food from the start, which is the food they were given in the cat centre we adopted them from. We had intended on feeding them Whiskas but the lady at the cat centre advised us against it - which is what got me scared when the little tyke wouldn't eat his prescribed food. I don't wanna make him sick from a change of diet!

It is strange that the vet has prescribed medication commonly used for diarrhea when we never listed it as a symptom - in fact it was the opposite for Finley (the first kitten to get sick).

Niether of them have had diarrhea but I can understand how a bacterial infection would cause it, so yeah I guess it could be coincidental that they often use it to treat diarrhea. The vet clearly said (and it is written on the bottle) - gut antibiotic.

I will try him on a little of each food and see what happens. I just wanted to see if anyone knew why he was prescribed the chicken - I wish I had asked at the time I was at the vet GAH!
 

ldg

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Well, chicken is usually considered a bland food, easy on the digestive system. Funny about roasted chicken though, normally it's just plain, boiled chicken. For kitties with diarrhea, the boiled chicken mixed with a little boiled rice for a few days usually helps "reset" their systems. But as it's very bland, it's good for upset tummies, even if there's no diarrhea.

Also, the metro is an antibiotic - just one that doesn't kill the "good bacteria" in the gut, which is why it's often prescribed for bacterial infections affecting the GI system, especially diarrhea, but not only diarrhea.

Rescue kitties often need medical attention when they first come home. The stress of the shelter, the stress of being in new territory - this often results in some upset.


Given diarrhea wasn't a problem, and given eating IS so important, I think it'd be OK to feed them/him whatever food he's used to eating, if he'll eat it.
Obviously continue giving him the antibiotics.

I do agree with Stephanie - feed him what he'll eat, if you can figure out what that is.

Keep us posted, please!

for your babies!
 
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laurenfreda

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Okay, well I just got up to give Pierre his meds and then started the task of seeing what he would eat.
He snubbed the dry food (both Whiskas and Science Diet) and the chicken but had a bit of a munch on some of the wet Whiskas very slowly. All up he ate about 25g or so (about 0.9 oz I think). I sat there with him til he lost interest in the food and came up for a cuddle.
More bad news though, I am told that during the night he vomited a white vomit (my housemate woke up and told me this when I was feeding him) - this happened with Finley too but this was before he was on antibiotics and he is better now. Pierre has been on the antibiotics for less than 24 hours so am I safe to just wait and see?
 

ldg

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The wet food is good, as it helps hydrate him - even if it's just a little, it's better than nothing.


The white vomit is bile - it's an empty tummy, like when we have the dry heaves.


But yes, give the antibiotics a little bit more time to kick in. See how it goes today/tonight (I think you're about 3/4 of a day ahead of us there).

More vibes for your boy(s)!
 

GoldyCat

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If he won't eat the plain chicken, you might try pureed baby food. A single ingredient meat with no garlic or onions would be best. Start out with one or two teaspoons and give him a little more if he eats it all. You can refrigerate the rest so it doesn't go to waste, then warm it for the next feeding.

Healing for your babies. Hope they get better quickly.
 

feralvr

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Poor sweet kitties!!!! Love their names! Metronidazole is given frequently with the little shelter kittens. Mine were on that as well. I agree with above, feed the kittens what they will eat. Wet food and/or regular baby food from the grocery store, but only the pure meat like chicken, turkey. You could even try Fancy Feast kitten canned food and that might be better than the Whiskas canned and cats love Fancy Feast. Some other good wet foods are Wellness, Innova, Instinct, Holistic Select if you have a natural pet food store in your area.

The metro will get their systems back to normal and you could also add a probiotic in their food as well. for your boys.
 
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laurenfreda

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Good news everyone!
The antibiotics seem to be working! Haha I don't think I have ever been so glad to be meowed at for food. He is eating the roast chicken thank goodness! He has been drinking plenty too
he is still a bit sluggish but definitely perked up since this morning.
I just freaked out coz kittens are so tiny they seem so fragile and I hated seeing him sick.

Thanks for your concern and advice everyone. I will keep you posted.
 

mrblanche

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Your concern is not misplaced. Kittens can go badly wrong very quickly.

It's good to hear they're doing better now.
 

ldg

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Your concern is not misplaced. Kittens can go badly wrong very quickly.

It's good to hear they're doing better now.
SO glad the antibiotics kicked in!
Hope he makes a rapid recovery from here!
 

feralvr

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OH YAY
You are right to be concerned and take action quickly with kittens, or any cat for that matter. But kittens can go downhill very fast. Sooooooo glad to here this good news. For continued good progress
 
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laurenfreda

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Hi guys, just wanted to let you know that Pierre and Finley are both doing great, albeit naughty!
While I'm here, I don't suppose any of you have any advice on ensuring your kitten doesn't hate you for force feeding him pills. The vet showed me how to do the actual pill giving properly and his technique worked really well before the little tyke got stronger and sneakier.
Before I could just do it easily, now he struggles and spits it out and nashes his teeth

I give him his food after and coo and speak in soft tones and pet him but should I just give him space? I don't want him to see me as the witch that force feeds him...
 

ldg

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Yeah... pilling.


I'm not sure what the vet showed you, but here's what we do. We put food dish on floor, cat is eating. I have pill in hand, at the ready. I kneel (quickly) behind cat, sit my butt on my feet - knees on either side of kitty in a V. They're natural reaction is to back up - in the V they have no where to go. Hold head with the hand not holding the pill, push at the back of the mouth with forefinger to open it. Push pill over the hump of the toungue. They WILL try to squirm and move their head - so the tight V with your legs and a firm grip with your hand are important. Being quick is important. And kitty WILL bite down, but shouldn't break skin. It hurts - but goes away quickly.

Then you tell him WHAT a good boy he is - and let him get back to eating. That will ensure the pill goes down and doesn't get stuck.


It feels traumatic for both of you at first... but do it quickly and with confidence - and you'll get better at it pretty quickly. And he'll get over it.


The other alternative is to get a cat bag. Carolina posted a video of her using one in the Fur Pics forum. If you do an advanced search there with key words "cat bag" and threads started by Carolina, you should find it easily.
 

ldg

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OH! Or you could just try pill pockets! The trick to using them is to have several more treats at the ready - give them the pill in the pocket, and then put a treat down, so they gobble the pill pocket and then swallow it because they want the next treat. Some cats eat pill pockets no problem... others learn the trick and refuse. http://www.amazon.com/Greenies-Pill-.../dp/B000JOE224
 
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laurenfreda

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Well the vet showed me to hold him up to my chest (feet facing my chest) with my knees brought up against his back. Sort of hard to explain but me and my boyfriend have realised a team effort works wonders haha! He is actually getting used to taking them I think - gets it first or second go. Haha but I must admit I am counting down the days he has left on the antibiotics.
 
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