Nearly 3K so far - need advice - I'm desperate

My approx 9 mo old female kitten has been off & on Clavamox since October because of temperature spikes temps over 106. The longest time she has been well is 27 days & that was after Clavamox *and* Doxycycline (after Clavamox *only* it was generally 8 days until last Clavamox *only* series - then she relapsed after 4).

Indoor cat. Has been tested for FLV etc twice - all negative & she's had 4 blood tests (always w/in normal but "better" each time). Also fancy-schmancy urine test ("normal"). She *is* gaining weight tho she's only 6 lb (her brother is twice her size & weight).

When on antibiotics, she's lively and eats. Vets -who are also very concerned- keep prescribing Clavamox which I think no longer works on its own (as above). ANY opinions about DOXYCYCLINE,  BAYTRIL or CLINDAMYCIN? 

I am completely frustrated and running out of money. Vets now saying that spaying will either cure (hormones) or allow them to look at her innards.

Eating was an issue when her health first went to heck but I've figured out how to get her to eat: *heated* Gerber2 turkey or ham baby food, EVO Chicken & Turkey dry food, California Natural Chicken & Rice dry food, Friskies wet and people food (all of our cats have developed an obsession for Von's Black Forest ham & Costco cooked chickens. They also like steak.). 

Originally Posted by gussamor  

......Vets now saying that spaying will either cure (hormones) or allow them to look at her innards.....

..........ANY opinions about DOXYCYCLINE,  BAYTRIL or CLINDAMYCIN?

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Welcome to the forum, gussamor!

Any advice I would give is based on what I myself would do.

I would find a competent feline Veterinarian, and have your kitten assessed there bringing with you all the medical records from the current Vet........competent feline Vets are usually found at "cat-only" clinics, so you might want to start there and see if there's one nearby. You could also use this website to search for a feline practitioner http://www.catvets.com/cfpandpractitionersearch/ (use the bottom search area for a Vet, the top for a clinic) The fact that a Vet is a member of that organization is NOT in itself a guaranty of competency...but, it's a place to start.

Now, there'll be no opinions on those antibiotics......each of them is used commonly with cats, each has its own bacteria "specialty" - and, I certainly won't comment on 'Clavamox no longer working'....except to say that, BEFORE using any antibiotic, one should determine 1) that there IS bacterial infection present and 2) exactly WHICH bacteria is at play/present.

I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWING THAT CLINIC TO PERFORM ANY SPAY/EXPLORATORY OPERATION - and, the fact that they are even considering such when she is ill is preposterous. "Look at her innards"....indeed.

I agree.  I would definitely go to another Vet, as it's obvious the "same old treatment" isn't working.  Something is wrong, and it doesn't appear your current Vet is doing much to try to find out the problem.

You mentioned that the Vet is also very concerned, but what are they doing about it other than prescribing antibiotics?  Why are they doing that?  What do they suspect is wrong? 

for your little one

Thanks for input but my original posting was somewhat unfair to my Vet. They did want to do other testing (ultrasound, etc) after the first 2 events (one req'd emergency vet visit) but the total was already over $1500 (we live in a very pricey Vet area). Between IVs & medicine we could not afford such so the Vet said "Well she responds to antibiotics" & we continued upon that path. Obviously, that hasn't worked but she was well for 27 days after a combo of Doxycycline & Clavamox (instead of Clavamox only) so I think we have the wrong combo of antibiotics. THAT's why I was asking about Baytril & Clindamycin - I understand they attack other problems.

I took her to the vet today - she's completed another 18 days of Clavamox & is now on day 22 of Doxycycline. Still healthy. Paid another $700 for more tests. Husband out of town - he called me right before I took her to the vet & I told him I had plotted to do so right after he left. He laughed (very nice husband). 

What other tests did they do? I hope there was a blood panel. Does she have any other symptoms beyond not eating and a temperature? What are her stools like?

Clindamycin can cause really bad diarrhea and it tastes awful to cats, so if you do have to use it, you will want to also give your kitten pumpkin to keep her from having gushing water stools. Some of my cats allow me to mix it in their food while other kitties, I have to grab a finger-ful and wipe it off on their tongue. 

I have a kitty with feline aids that has chronic rhinitis. She has already had clavamox, clindamycin and doxycycline. The vet is talking about putting her on amoxycillin, if I am not mistaken. But, and this is in keeping with what the other poster said, first we are going to do a nasal flush and test her to determine what, if any, type of bacteria we are fighting. 

It would be extremely rare for your kitty to not respond to any antibiotic, but it is true that some kittens' immune systems are just not strong enough and need help to fight things off. It is more typical for kittens to have gastrointestinal problems like coccidia, giardia, campylobacter, i.e. microscopic parasites that healthier animals digestive systems' have no trouble overcoming. I did have a kitten who was weaker than her littermates and had all the above gastrointestinal issues that I just listed. She wasn't helped by clavamox, metronidazole, erythromycin etc. She finally responded to Xenaquin and was cured in a few days, after more than six months of meds and probiotics. Having said this, Xenaquin can cause issues with younger kittens and should only be given with extreme care.

It isn't a good thing to be treating your kitty with antibiotics until the vet really knows what is wrong. Keep a very close eye on her for other symptoms, especially litter box issues. With my kitten, her litter mates all were cured and they did not relapse even when sharing the box, altho I did separate her after a bit, just to be cautious. 

Dear Barb - thanks for info re: Xenaquin & letting me know that Clindamycin tastes terrible. I will ask the vets about Xenaquin though neither have been too receptive about my Baytril & Clindamycin suggestions thus far. Have her on Doxycyline ONLY right now after 18 days of Doxy & Clavamox. So far, 3 blood panels, complete urinalysis, standard fecal test. Now doing fancy-schmancy respiratory analysis & an expensive version of fecal analysis (both being sent to outside labs). Has had full Xrays twice - most recent was Monday (her innards are gorgeous). I'm reluctant to have her spayed as I think both the operation and wearing a "lampshade" for 10 days will stress her (100% indoor cat) but they say they could take tissue $ample$ while she's open. Bottom line - every test costs the world and since she *does* respond to anti-biotics before relapsing, it seems to me we just don't have the *right* antibiotics (or right combo). How do I convince them to add one to the arsenal right now while she's well? I don't want to go thru another terrifying relapse scenario ..... she crashes fast. BTW, she isn't loosing weight -she now weighs 6lb 5 oz-  but I've been doing special feeding (baby food, people food, whatever I can get her to eat). 

Suggestions? 

Ask-your-vet-to-test-for-Bartonella.They-have-to-specifically-test-for-that,its-a-blood-test,and-its-not-covered-under-the-normal-CBC-and-Wellness-blood-panels.

Bartonella-is-when-an-infection/issue,just-won't-go-away/respond-to-commonly-used-antibiotics,or,it-goes-away,but-keeps-coming-back.If-it-is-Bartonella,they-use-Baytril,its-a-stronger-antibiotic.

Went-this-route-once,kitty-found-a-chore-boy-under-the-bed,at-the-show-hotel,and-chewed-it-up.He-did-not-respond-to-any-of-the-commonly-used-antibiotics.My-vet-put-him-on-Baytril,and-it-worked.And,when-I-got-done-with-that-hotel,they-paid-his-vet-bill,$300.

If-the-CBC-and-Wellness-blood-panel,was-sent-to-Antech-or-Idexx,then-your-vet-needs-to-get-on-the-phone,with-the-Internal-Medicine-Specialist,and-get-them-involved,thats,what-they-are-there-for,and-your-vet-should-know-this.

Best-of-luck.

My kitty tested positive for Bartonella.  I had it done at her wellness exam.  It cost about $65 if I remember correctly.

We decided not to treat her at this point in time, after much research.  Apparently cats who exhibit no symptoms are not required to go through the 6 week regimen of antibiotics.  The CDC recommends it only if you have family members who have compromised immune systems, or very young or elderly people in the household.  

We have none of those, and our cat doesn't bite or scratch, ever.  

Additionally, the medication doesn't work all the time.  I think it was something like only 65% of cases respond well?  I may be incorrect but it was not a number which made me feel confident about treating her without need.

6 weeks of medication is a LOT of money to spend on a healthy cat. 

However, having said all that, should she ever become ill I'd have her treated in a heartbeat.

I had a friend that had a cat that was not spayed and she got real sick.  It was that she had an infection in her uterus.  That happens alot when cats are not fixed.  They spayed her and she is doing great.  Have they checked for that?

Gussamor is still alive. Current treatment cycle is 19 days on Clavamox & 57 days on Doxycycline (concurrent) but her temp is ramping up again (finally got paranoid enough to take it 1x a day around noon for past 22 days).  I'm afraid of having her spayed (100% indoors). 

We have been fighting this since last October. Any advice? Baytril is a no-go because of potential eye/retina problems. 

mindy10 said:

I had a friend that had a cat that was not spayed and she got real sick.  It was that she had an infection in her uterus.  That happens alot when cats are not fixed.  They spayed her and she is doing great.  Have they checked for that?

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Yes, did they check her for this condition.  I forget what the technical term is, but it is very dangerous.  Why don't you want to spay her, even though she is inside 100% of the time.  Isn't she pretty miserable when she goes into heat? 

Spaying not only prevents pregnancy, it reduces the risk of breast cancer and almost completely removes the risk of pyometra.  If she developed either condition she would have to have surgery, and if it was pyometra (the condition mentioned above) she would be very unwell so a much riskier procedure.  Some entire females also spray when calling (in heat) and most become desparate to get out.

Suggest you talk to your vet about this and see where the best place to work it into her treatment cycle is.

I find it hard to understand as a physician why they cannot id the specific bacteria. Can they not take a sample and grow it and that would tell them in a short while what is the etiology and main cause of the problems? Cats invthat regard are no different than humans -they have fifteenth blood types, temperatures, other medical & diagnostic measurements but IF an infection is the cause it can be found!! Slaying when she is so ill sounds like survey on an unstable (ie not well) patient so that is a concern but they shd test for pyometra asap!! Good luck!! I hope she will be OK!!

What symptoms does she present when she's off the meds other than fever?  It's not good for her to be on the meds for so long because she will develop an immunity to them.  I would also recommend a spay and a second opinion.  If she gets nasal discharge when you take her off the meds, the vet needs to do a culture and sensitivity test to determine what's going on and what will take care of it.  I have a cat who has herpes, but had a secondary psuedomonas infection which would cause her to have upper respiratory infections constantly.  We'd go to the vet, get meds, she'd get well then 2-3 weeks after stopping meds, she'd be sick again.  This went on for about 8 mons until we found a cat-only vet who looked at all her medical records (she was extremely ill when we adopted her) and recommended the c&s tests.  Two rounds of Zenequin and her infection was under control and the bacteria was down within normal range.

gussamor said:

Gussamor is still alive. Current treatment cycle is 19 days on Clavamox & 57 days on Doxycycline (concurrent) but her temp is ramping up again (finally got paranoid enough to take it 1x a day around noon for past 22 days).  I'm afraid of having her spayed (100% indoors). 

We have been fighting this since last October. Any advice? Baytril is a no-go because of potential eye/retina problems. 

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stephanietx said:

What symptoms does she present when she's off the meds other than fever?  It's not good for her to be on the meds for so long because she will develop an immunity to them.  I would also recommend a spay and a second opinion.  If she gets nasal discharge when you take her off the meds, the vet needs to do a culture and sensitivity test to determine what's going on and what will take care of it.  I have a cat who has herpes, but had a secondary psuedomonas infection which would cause her to have upper respiratory infections constantly.  We'd go to the vet, get meds, she'd get well then 2-3 weeks after stopping meds, she'd be sick again.  This went on for about 8 mons until we found a cat-only vet who looked at all her medical records (she was extremely ill when we adopted her) and recommended the c&s tests.  Two rounds of Zenequin and her infection was under control and the bacteria was down within normal range.

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Hun, I am sorry to say, but you NEED a second opinion! This plan is not working. You already did Clavamox/Doxy.... Didn't work - what makes you think it will work now? It didn't kill the bacteria then, it **is not the right antibiotic now**.
You did 22 days the first time, now you increased to 57..... ???
You need to go to a new vet - Long term antibiotics are not good for anyone, let alone to a little kitten.
If you continue to do the same thing, you will get the same results - time to change the plan :nod:

As for the spay, I myself would not put a health compromised cat like that through a surgery no matter what - I would wait for her to be healthy. None of my cats go under the knife when they have a high fever. I would never do that. They need to be healthy to recover..... Unless it is emergency surgery, not happening for me. Just my opinion FWIW. I would spay her as SOON as she is healthy though.

I really appreciate all advice. Gussie's now been on Doxyclycline for ~70 days (first 18 days were concurrent w/ Clavamox) & since Doxy needs to be administered w/ food, we've been going to the poorhouse buying her $9/lb Black Forest ham (she only likes the very thin shaved ham which I "pre-chew" in small bits). We've been taking her temp every day at ~ noon for the past 38 days and though it's been trending upward, she's never been over 102 (yet). I acknowledge she needs fixing soonest but I worry about the lampshade - I have enough problems getting her to eat AND she's constipated. We *try* to feed her at least 1 tsp pumpkin w/ a jar of turkey or ham Gerbers 2 baby food daily & she has full access to EVO/Calif Natural dry food (moi? *I* have gained 15 lbs since this circus started....utterly stressed). 

Does the lampshade REALLY need to be on for 10 days after fixing?

Did you ever get a 2nd opinion on what might be wrong with her?  I completely agree with Carolina that after ALL this time on the same meds with no results it's like kicking a dead horse .

Is she eating anything besides Black Forest ham and Gerbers 2 with a little pumpkin in it, because if she isn't, then she is not eating  a nutritionally complete diet for a cat.  When you first posted, she was eating EVO and California Naturals...isn't she still doing that along with the other stuff? 

As far as the "lampshade", it really depends on the cat.  Here's an amusing thread on that topic.  Perhaps it will help you with your stress   http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240538/cat-just-spayed-how-long-do-i-leave-cat-cone-on

I have NEVER left the cone collar on a cat that long. Only ONE cat had a cone collar at ALL and she was a FERAL the humane society did(..long story....they had her a few days and sent her home with it).

I have also let females go in days and males within a few hours of taking them home.

There are anti pain/lick topicals you can use around the area.  I have some small females.  boys are often bigger.

I would have her spayed ASAP and go from there.  

I also would go to another vet the next incident and just give them the file of tests run and symptoms.