At my witts end - I'm really worried about my kitten.

Hey everyone.

Ares went back to the vet this morning as he started sneezing up a lot of blood (wasn't a nose bleed from the URI, this was a lot, and happened every time he sneezed.) Brought him in, Vet thinks it's coming from his lungs, so they did some xrays. After they were done, he looked them over with me and said everything looks fine, which means it has not turned into phenomia - thank goodness. This means, though, he has no idea why there is blood coming from his lungs (as he checked in his nose, no blockage or bleed, even checked his skull xray to make sure he didn't hurt his head at night while we were alseep.)

He thinks it may be lung worms, so he gave me a three day worm medication, and another antibiotic - as he is still weezing and sneezing. Seriously, this is his third antibiotic, he's already on his second round of Albon for parasites, and now he's on a de-wormer. The vet said if it's not worms, and he's still sneezing blood, that they will do some blood tests and send me to a specialist. He out right told me this kitten would be dead if I hadn't been so worried and lugging him in once or twice a week. I just don't know what to do though - should I get a second opinion? I'm lucky that the shelter I got him from is taking responsibility for his illness(most of the kittens had URI's and he got it from them), and are covering all vet bills - but only as long as I go to the vet they are associated with. He is very worried about Ares, letting me come in whenever I need and seeing him right away, but I'm just scared that he's not sure whats going on. Anyone have any advice? I'm really loosing it here.

Hey I'm really sorry to hear about your kitten!

I would definitely get a second opinion because one vet might recognize something that they had seen once that one vet has never seen, you know? If there is nothing physically wrong that the vet cant see it has to be something they're missing. Have they done a stool sample? It could be a serious allergy to something as well. What kind of food are you feeding him/her?

Good luck to you both!

Shade

I have no idea on the blood, and it is distressing to not know what's causing it. The recurring URIs sound like herpes flares, and supplementing with l-lysine may help. Most on here use the NOW brand pure l-lysine powder. I'm not sure what the dosage for a kitten is though. Many vibes for Ares to feel better soon.

xshadex said:

Hey I'm really sorry to hear about your kitten!

I would definitely get a second opinion because one vet might recognize something that they had seen once that one vet has never seen, you know? If there is nothing physically wrong that the vet cant see it has to be something they're missing. Have they done a stool sample? It could be a serious allergy to something as well. What kind of food are you feeding him/her?

Good luck to you both!

Shade

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Yeah, did a stool sample. Even got the expensive one that covers EVERYTHING possible. It cam back for coccidia, which we already knew he had and have been giving medication for. I'm alternating between Chicken soup for the kitten lovers soul and Wellness kitten food. He was on Iams in the shelter, and had no problem. So I don't think it's a grain allergy. I also have some NB limited dry food out for him to eat between feedings - I don't like giving him dry, but I want him to eat whenever he's hungry being sick and all.

If the lung worm meds don't work and nothing comes back on the blood test, I think I will go for a second opinion...I just hate to see my poor little guy so uncomfortable

Oh, I also have him on L-Lysine to help his immune system along with adding goats milk to his food as a probiotic (due to him taking so many antibiotics.)

Also, how would they test for herpes?

Ares said:

Also, how would they test for herpes?

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This will explain better than I can.   veterinaryvision.com/resources/learn-about-eye-diseases/feline-herpesvirus/

catspaw66 said:

This will explain better than I can.   veterinaryvision.com/resources/learn-about-eye-diseases/feline-herpesvirus/

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Thank you for the information, I'll have him tested when I can.

Shelter just called me, and after today's $200 bill, they will no longer be helping me pay - even though they gave him to me sick. I have no idea why his nose can be bleeding - could it just be from excessive sneezing? as his lungs looked fine?

Let me warn you the herpes tests are going to be very expensive. Most vets just use symptomatic diagnosis. I would just keep giving him the l-lysine.  Then later on, if you want to be sure, have the tests done.

When I read your post and you talked about his nose bleeds, I wanted to assure you it's pretty common when a cat/kitten has been sneezing for a period of time, they do get bleeding. I remember the first time I dealt with this years ago I was extremely worried, just like bloody poop.

But after so much dealing with uri cats, I now know it's simply very irritated membranes and will stop when he stops sneezing.

I have also used Little Noses spray, it's for babies/children and is only saline solution, harmless and can be used as often as you need. It helps clear their noses out. Its great for stuffy kitty noses too since when they can't smell they won't eat.

When I have kittens with uri's, I use the nose spray, have them on clavamox to guard against bacterial pneummonia, and feed Babycat by Royal Canin, which is excellent food for kittens, the best, AND has l-lysine added.

As for coccidia, Albon is the most commonly prescribed med, but since discovering ponazuril, my big bottle of Albon is sitting there not being used!

Albon only inhibits coccidia so eventually the kitty can fight it off, over time. They often get re-infected too.

Ponazuril on the other hand, actually kills the coccidia, and works fast!! Usually in a 3 day course, given just once a day.

Kicks butt!! Not all vets are up to date with this either. Ponazuril starts as Marquis paste, made for horses, and when mixed in a dilution of 5 parts paste to 12 parts water, works safely and super fast, knocking it out for good.

Might want to ask about getting this.

The vet would have to be one who carries the paste since it's $200.00 per tube, each tube is 127mls,  but the tube lasts for 2 years, so he can store it and when needed for a pet can squeeze out the amt needed and dilute with water.

He will still make a good amt this way!

Good luck.

Ask your vet to do a culture and sensitivity test of the nasal discharge.  The culture will tell your vet what kind of infection you're dealing with (viral or bacterial) and the sensitivity test will tell the vet which med will most effectively treat the infection.  Just treating with a new antibiotic isn't good.  You need get to the root cause of the problem.  I have a herpes kitty and we give her a daily dose of Claritin (generic), L-Lysine, and evening primrose oil with her food.  We feed her a strictly grain-free diet.  Boosting his nutrition is one of the best ways to help him be able to fight off the infection and stay healthy.