Hi all, this might get long, I'm sure you've seen it before, but apologies nonetheless.
I had 3 cats through the end of June. My eldest Meezer, 15 years, had to be put down because she had nasal lymphoma - we'd been told by many techs/vets/radiologists that it wasn't cancer. But her biopsies came back, sadly, as lymphoma. We started palliative care and when the time came we let her go.
I have a 12-year rescued Nebelung, and a 10-year old rescued Tux. All female. My Tux had a lot of health problems when I got her - ringworm, coccidiosis, respiratory problems, and tapeworms (she was a throwaway from someone, only 4 weeks old). Today she's happy, beautiful, and healthy. My other cat does just fine on her own, with only seasonal allergy problems that we stay on top of.
A few weeks after my Meezer's death, we took in a 3 week kitten, because as you all probably know, they leave such a huge hole in your heart. I wasn't looking to replace her as you can never replace a beloved animal, but I thought that she kitten would keep me busy and help my husband and I to heal.
Well, she started out life pretty badly, as another throwaway kitten. Her siblings are thriving, but she's been through a terrible flea infestation and some of the worst ringworm I have ever encountered. We have the ringworm under control in our home, but she lost all of her fur. It's growing back now. She is almost 8 wks and she's putting on weight, but she is still 1.5lbs, a little under what she should be at this point, but as long as she's putting on weight I am not fussing, Well, she contracted coccidiosis as well so she's been on two treatment cycles for that as well as itraconazole for the ringworm.
Last night when I came home from work she was very lethargic. Keep in mind she hasn't had kitten shots yet as she's just been through so much, they did not want to overwhlem her immune system. But I know her immune system is probably not up to par anyway because of how young she was when I took her. I knew she'd need a lot of attention and I was and still am prepared for that.
Well, I ended up taking her to the emergency vet's and her white blood cell count was very high (it's 33k when it should be 13k) last night. I knew she was running warm but her fever is down this morning. I admitted her for IV fluids because she us severely dehydrated even though she drinks water constantly and it's clear she has an infection somewhere in her tiny body. They are running broad spectrum antibiotics but they are unsure as to why she is remaining dehydrated even after IV fuids, but I'm guessing if she's severely dehydrated it may take a few days for her body to respond. Her liver function is not so hot right now either but even though she's on itraconazole, it may be playing a role. I'm hoping that will resolve and they do not seem as worried about that as they are the dehydration problem.
She's typically a fairly sweet, quiet kitten anyway. She likes to play play play and race around, sure, but she's just as happy lounging in your lap or on your chest. The vets and I talked about a range of problems, amongst them may be that the ringworm just overwhelmed her immune system. It was a REALLY terrible strain of ringworm - I have immune problems too and blistered severely. I had to be on a 10-day course of fluconazole at 200mg/pill because I also could not fight it off with just the usual OTC treatments.
I was allowed to visit and cuddle her today. She seemed much cooler and sleepy, but purred and purred when I held her and pet her. If she gets through tonight I know tomorrow will seem better and if she makes it through tomorrow then ultimately it will likely be alright. But I want to be realistic about this situation too, and I am so, so torn up about this, so soon after my Meezer. My mother's Meezer, with whom I was also close, also had to be put down due to systemic lymphoma yesterday. So it's been rough.
Losing this kitten will do a number on me if it happens. She's been such a fighter and I think she just needs rest and fluids. They are hand-feeding her and she is eating. She's always eating and I think that's always been in her favor.
Do you have any ideas for me or any directions to be pointed in? I have already done tons of reading on Calicivirus, Panleuk, renal failure, etc. The vet is pretty sure it's not Calicivuris or Panleuk. Maybe she is just overwhelmed by the anti-fungal. I think her little body is just overwhelmed, period. But she's been very playful up until this moment and my head is just spinning.
If you have any thoughts, opinions, or words of advice I would so love to hear them. I'm a very realistic person to so I know the situation could turn at any moment. That and she's having a hard time responding to the IV fluids has me concerned.
She has been dewormed by my regular vet. With the coccidiosis I figure it's hard for her to hold on to water right now too.
Thanks.
I had 3 cats through the end of June. My eldest Meezer, 15 years, had to be put down because she had nasal lymphoma - we'd been told by many techs/vets/radiologists that it wasn't cancer. But her biopsies came back, sadly, as lymphoma. We started palliative care and when the time came we let her go.
I have a 12-year rescued Nebelung, and a 10-year old rescued Tux. All female. My Tux had a lot of health problems when I got her - ringworm, coccidiosis, respiratory problems, and tapeworms (she was a throwaway from someone, only 4 weeks old). Today she's happy, beautiful, and healthy. My other cat does just fine on her own, with only seasonal allergy problems that we stay on top of.
A few weeks after my Meezer's death, we took in a 3 week kitten, because as you all probably know, they leave such a huge hole in your heart. I wasn't looking to replace her as you can never replace a beloved animal, but I thought that she kitten would keep me busy and help my husband and I to heal.
Well, she started out life pretty badly, as another throwaway kitten. Her siblings are thriving, but she's been through a terrible flea infestation and some of the worst ringworm I have ever encountered. We have the ringworm under control in our home, but she lost all of her fur. It's growing back now. She is almost 8 wks and she's putting on weight, but she is still 1.5lbs, a little under what she should be at this point, but as long as she's putting on weight I am not fussing, Well, she contracted coccidiosis as well so she's been on two treatment cycles for that as well as itraconazole for the ringworm.
Last night when I came home from work she was very lethargic. Keep in mind she hasn't had kitten shots yet as she's just been through so much, they did not want to overwhlem her immune system. But I know her immune system is probably not up to par anyway because of how young she was when I took her. I knew she'd need a lot of attention and I was and still am prepared for that.
Well, I ended up taking her to the emergency vet's and her white blood cell count was very high (it's 33k when it should be 13k) last night. I knew she was running warm but her fever is down this morning. I admitted her for IV fluids because she us severely dehydrated even though she drinks water constantly and it's clear she has an infection somewhere in her tiny body. They are running broad spectrum antibiotics but they are unsure as to why she is remaining dehydrated even after IV fuids, but I'm guessing if she's severely dehydrated it may take a few days for her body to respond. Her liver function is not so hot right now either but even though she's on itraconazole, it may be playing a role. I'm hoping that will resolve and they do not seem as worried about that as they are the dehydration problem.
She's typically a fairly sweet, quiet kitten anyway. She likes to play play play and race around, sure, but she's just as happy lounging in your lap or on your chest. The vets and I talked about a range of problems, amongst them may be that the ringworm just overwhelmed her immune system. It was a REALLY terrible strain of ringworm - I have immune problems too and blistered severely. I had to be on a 10-day course of fluconazole at 200mg/pill because I also could not fight it off with just the usual OTC treatments.
I was allowed to visit and cuddle her today. She seemed much cooler and sleepy, but purred and purred when I held her and pet her. If she gets through tonight I know tomorrow will seem better and if she makes it through tomorrow then ultimately it will likely be alright. But I want to be realistic about this situation too, and I am so, so torn up about this, so soon after my Meezer. My mother's Meezer, with whom I was also close, also had to be put down due to systemic lymphoma yesterday. So it's been rough.
Losing this kitten will do a number on me if it happens. She's been such a fighter and I think she just needs rest and fluids. They are hand-feeding her and she is eating. She's always eating and I think that's always been in her favor.
Do you have any ideas for me or any directions to be pointed in? I have already done tons of reading on Calicivirus, Panleuk, renal failure, etc. The vet is pretty sure it's not Calicivuris or Panleuk. Maybe she is just overwhelmed by the anti-fungal. I think her little body is just overwhelmed, period. But she's been very playful up until this moment and my head is just spinning.
If you have any thoughts, opinions, or words of advice I would so love to hear them. I'm a very realistic person to so I know the situation could turn at any moment. That and she's having a hard time responding to the IV fluids has me concerned.
She has been dewormed by my regular vet. With the coccidiosis I figure it's hard for her to hold on to water right now too.
Thanks.
And we need to get her finished with the ringworm. I'd hoped to stop bathing her but it looks like no internal meds for her, and more the ketonazole lotion and/or lime-sulpher dips.
