new kitten sick

darcya · Jul 21, 2013

So i just got my kitten yesterday and shortly after bringing her in the house i noticed a cough. Its not just a throat clearing cough, her whole body shakes and her stomach heaves.

She has also been sneezing and has goopy eyes, and that third eyelid thing, has showed up. She was playing this morning, but now she seems to have no energy.

She hasnt eaten since around nine thirty : seven hours.

She would also greet me with a meow and come to me when i entered the room, now she wont even get up.

So my question is, do i wait 24 hours and go to the vet that corresponds with the shelter she is from, because of compensation, and they pay up to 250 of the costs. Or do i take her to the emergency clinic? And risk the vet bill?

Im scared thats 24 hours away.

Oh and she has been itchy too.
Thanks.

ondine · Jul 21, 2013

I would take her ASAP. Those symptoms are serious. Definitely notify the shelter, though. They may have something spreading through and other cats are being affected.

Good luck!

darcya · Jul 21, 2013

Ondine said:
I would take her ASAP. Those symptoms are serious. Definitely notify the shelter, though. They may have something spreading through and other cats are being affected.

Good luck!

Thanks, i was thinking that, but hoping for the best. She was in foster care, but i will let them know.

ondine · Jul 21, 2013

The foster home needs to be notified, too, then. Poor thing, she sounds like she feels awful. And her not getting up really worries me.

Good luck!

darcya · Jul 21, 2013

We just got back from the emergency clinic.

They immediately looked at her breathing, and they said they didn't see anything wrong.

They also checked all of her vitals and whatnot.

The vet came back and told us that she thinks it's all stress related, because of the new home and whatnot.

However, they did find something wrong with her eyes and they gave us a gel to go into them.

I am so glad she is ok, and when we got home she went potty and ate right away, so everything looks good. We will have her wellness appointment tomorrow, where they do all the through stuff.

Anyway, better safe than sorry.!

(The price...

)

Thanks!

denice · Jul 21, 2013

Unfortunately emergency vet clinics are expensive. I have taken one of my cats to one of them here twice and it is sticker shock but sometimes they are necessary.

darcya · Jul 21, 2013

Denice said:
Unfortunately emergency vet clinics are expensive. I have taken one of my cats to one of them here twice and it is sticker shock but sometimes they are necessary.

No kidding!

We knew that going into it because my dogs have been before, but wow!

It was 90$ just for the exam. not to mention the meds cost!

ondine · Jul 21, 2013

Oh my! I can't believe there was nothing wrong with her breathing - her symptoms sounded bad. Any time the third eye is exposed, the cat is not feeling well, so I am glad you got something for her eye. I would still definitely tell the rescue.

Glad she's OK - she must be a sensitive soul to react so to her new home. She'll get used to everything soon, I hope, and not scare you so badly again!

ldg · Jul 21, 2013

Aw hun.... so they don't even think it's a URI? Honestly, that's what it sounded like it could be in your first thread about it (I mean, since things progressed from when you first posted). I'm so sorry. :hugs:

But you're right - better safe than sorry.

Of course any move is stressful - but she was running around playing. :rub:

I will say - it seems that is ALWAYS the way. You finally decide to rush to the vet (ER or otherwise, depending on when it's happening), and then you get home - and kitty eats.

Are you planning to feed her wet food? Or were you planning to keep her on kibble? Because the water in the canned foods will be good for her. I know she's drinking, but.... you've seen this site? http://www.catinfo.org

Also, since it's very likely the herpes virus (97% of cats are carriers, and stress can cause a flare-up), you might want to consider giving her 250mg of lysine in the morning and at night. Many cats will eat it just sprinkled on their canned food if you buy it loose (powdered) - but it is very salty tasting. The treats are more expensive, but also more palatable to the cat. I use these: Many use the viralyis, but these have more lysine per treat, so cost less to use.

stephanietx · Jul 21, 2013

Did they give her any nutrition via IV? I would be sure to syringe feed her and/or offer her smelly canned food warmed up as that enhances the aroma and entices them to eat. Add a bit of water to the food to help her get hydration, too. Keep her eyes clear with a warm cloth. Also, steam her in the bathroom. Get the bathroom nice and steamy and sit in there with her until the steam dissipates. Sounds like she's got some drainage if she's been coughing. Hope she's feeling better soon!!

darcya · Jul 21, 2013

LDG said:
Aw hun.... so they don't even think it's a URI? Honestly, that's what it sounded like it could be in your first thread about it (I mean, since things progressed from when you first posted). I'm so sorry.

But you're right - better safe than sorry.

Of course any move is stressful - but she was running around playing. :rub:

I will say - it seems that is ALWAYS the way. You finally decide to rush to the vet (ER or otherwise, depending on when it's happening), and then you get home - and kitty eats.

Are you planning to feed her wet food? Or were you planning to keep her on kibble? Because the water in the canned foods will be good for her. I know she's drinking, but.... you've seen this site? http://www.catinfo.org

Also, since it's very likely the herpes virus (97% of cats are carriers, and stress can cause a flare-up), you might want to consider giving her 250mg of lysine in the morning and at night. Many cats will eat it just sprinkled on their canned food if you buy it loose (powdered) - but it is very salty tasting. The treats are more expensive, but also more palatable to the cat. I use these: Many use the viralyis, but these have more lysine per treat, so cost less to use.

Her ER sheet said theythought a possible uri, but they never said anything or looked into it. She will see an animal hospital clinic tomorrow also because of possible fleas and she needs her wellness check up.

I do plan to feed all wet food, and maybe someday raw/homemade. Wet for sure though. Right now she will nibble onthe kibble and i found that warming up a plate of wet food makes her eat it. She gobbled it up!

Yes i have seen the site, i found it very useful,however i seem to never get all the info because there is so much there to read.

stephanietx said:
Did they give her any nutrition via IV? I would be sure to syringe feed her and/or offer her smelly canned food warmed up as that enhances the aroma and entices them to eat. Add a bit of water to the food to help her get hydration, too. Keep her eyes clear with a warm cloth. Also, steam her in the bathroom. Get the bathroom nice and steamy and sit in there with her until the steam dissipates. Sounds like she's got some drainage if she's been coughing. Hope she's feeling better soon!!

No. She has been eating fine and she did end up eating the canned food. She seems to be pretty hydrated also, but extra could never hurt right? They said it was a nervous thing, but that seems so odd to me because of the hacking and gagging.

darcya · Jul 22, 2013

I'm not sure if maybe they missed something, or it wasn't as bad, but she does sound kind of congested.

And she still has been coughing, I just hope she feels alright!

I'm sure it's just me being overly worried.

ondine · Jul 22, 2013

Did you get her to the clinic yet? I sure hope they do a thorough exam. Coughing is never good and with her other symptoms, she is definitely battling something. Keep us posted!

darcya · Jul 22, 2013

Yes.
We did take her.

The exam and medication was free because she was a rescue kitty.

She had fleas so they gave her a pill to knock them all out, and put her on frontline right away.

She also was finally given a antibiotic for her cough. Thank god! Was getting worried.

So in all she has a flea pill, frontline, an antibiotic, and a gel for her eyes.

Poor baby!

stephanietx · Jul 23, 2013

Good! Glad she's getting help for the cough as that was disturbing. Glad she also got de-flead and all that. How is she doing today?

darcya · Jul 23, 2013

stephanietx said:
Good! Glad she's getting help for the cough as that was disturbing. Glad she also got de-flead and all that. How is she doing today?

She still is coughing, but I can tell it's less and it sounds like whatever it is is breaking up.

Her flea medicine seemed to nip them in the butt and we washed all bedding, pillows, etc.

She was very sleepy today but still playful at times, eats normal, and is going to the bathroom, so I hope for the best!

Then after she gets healthy, we have to introduce her to our dogs... that's going to be interesting.

ldg · Jul 23, 2013

I'm so pleased she's on the mend! :clap:

Rescue kitty adoptions often need some health-related TLC at first, but it's all worth it! :hugs:

chloeg · Jul 23, 2013

hi hope ur little one is ok now.I just this morning noticed the same symtoms,minus the cough,with my newly adoped kitten.

reading this thread has been helpful to me.Im just waiting for the vet to open so I can take him for a check up.I hope he reacts

as well as your little one..

new kitten sick

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