Kitten not good

mhoock

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Ok so a kitten was rescued about 3.5 weeks ago. He had a ball of feces around his rectum (he is long hair) and there were maggots. The vet cleaned him up and it looked good, no sign the maggots were able to do any internal damage. He didn't have control over his bowels at first but now does. HOWEVER, he had 3 shots of penicillin at the vets while hospitalized for the maggots and then was on clavamox twice a day for 11 days but he still had a fever. We did blood work. Everything looks ok. He did have a high titer on both coro virus and toxoplasmosis. I know that these are both usually carried by most cats anyway but since he has the fever still it is important to know. Neg on both leukemia and fiv. his liver function is fine BUT shows signs of death, whether or not this is a factor in everything is unknown. We are hoping for toxoplasmosis because it is the only treatable option. He is having balance issues (signs of neurologic disturbance). Just last night he seemed not to be able to eat. He kept going for the chicken but couldn't seem to open his own mouth. I forced fed him last night and this morning.

So what else could it be:

temp 104.5, for quite some time although we are providing a shot to help lower it and he is on 2 antibiotics one for liver, metronidazole, and one for toxo,   Zithromax at double dose

neurological signs

not gaining weight

solid stool until last night when he had loose stool

wanting to eat but seems unable to do so
 
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mhoock

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he is about 3 weeks old, his sisters were also caught and they weigh over 3.5lbs and he is still under 2lbs
 

tulosai

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Oh gosh, i am so sorry to hear he is that young.  It is such a hard age for them to be trying to fight anything off.

I have no advice on what is wrong with him specifically but I have lots of advice on little kittens who are not thriving.  First at 3 weeks I am not sure what you mean by balance issues but that may just be him being a teeny kitten and could be something way less nefarious than neurological issues.  It is a good sign that he's moving around or trying to.

The number one thing, even though he has a fever, is to make sure he is kept warm.  Is mom in the picture or not? If not, you should be feeding him very frequently.  If he is losing weight at this age it's a bad sign.  You should be trying to feed him every 4 hours at a minimum.  I know that's a lot. 

You say he has control over his bowels now but I am not sure what you mean? Are you still needing to stimulate him for him to go to the bathroom or has he started to do that on his own? Many kittens at this age still need help. 

If he seems to be fading, some glucose applied directly on the gums can help. In a true pinch some plain white sugar can work the same way, but it takes longer to absorb and so is not ideal, especially in a crisis.  

Otherwise just keep working with the vet and above all try to keep him warm and gaining weight.

Good luck- it is such a rough age 
 

catwoman707

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Okay so first of all we need to get a correct age here. You stated he was rescued 3 1/2 weeks ago but then said he is 3 weeks old. If his sibs are 3 1/2 lbs then they must be at least 12-14 weeks. Kittens normally reach 2 lbs at 9 weeks or so old.

Next, he does show signs of toxoplasmosis, but I also think of FIP as a possiblity.

What is the antibiotics he is on, clindamycin??

Has the vet done tests that you can give us results in?
 

catwoman707

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I need more clear history too, his accurate age, his history and whether he has been sick or not ever, what the vet said caused the maggots, etc. as well as all treatments, and how long he was in the hospital and how long he has been out, everything.

We can not substitute a vets care but may be able to give our thoughts about what's going on.

Are you waiting for some test results? If so what are they?
 

cprcheetah

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What neurological signs is he showing?  Has he been showing them the whole time you've had him or are they recent?
 
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mhoock

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Ok sorry for the confusion lol he was 3 MONTHS- 4MONTHS. I mistyped that. He was behind his sisters for sure. THey were double his size. He did not make it. We did do an autopsy and found plaque pointing to FIP as well as possible birth defects with his liver, by the looks of it he had liver shunts.

He is at peace now with lots of other kitties getting to run around and play. I know he is always full and happy now. He is no longer sick.

Rest in peace my little man, love you Tony with all my heart.
 

catwoman707

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Mhoock, I am so very sorry for your losing this little one. Very sad :(

I've been waiting to hear from you with some details. I mentioned FIP as a possibilty but it being fatal wasn't trying to really point to that, although I highly suspected it.

The liver shunt would also explain the small size.

RIP little Tony, you touched some hearts here in this world.
 
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