Sick kittens - anyone seen this before?

fostersrule

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
259
Purraise
64
So here is the situation. I am fostering a cat and her kittens. They were born at my house. About a week ago the mom started throwing up bile and foam. It went on for a couple days. She didn't want to eat. I took her to the vet and they have her vitamin B and fluids. She recovered within the next two days and is doing better than ever. Her two remaining kittens are now sick. Not eating or drinking and they've been throwing up bile and foam and have diarrhea. They're 8.5 weeks. One of them had only just started eating soft food. There are no plants or chemicals they could have gotten into in my foster room. They've been given fluids, vitamin B, anti-nausea, and marquis paste. They will be seeing a vet.
I am just wondering if anyone has seen this before? I can't figure out what's wrong.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
I dunno.  Maybe something the mom ate?   A plant or a poisoned mice?   I suppose the mom is going outside the kitten room?  Does she hunt?  Even inside only hunt?

I mean, such a poisong could perhaps proceed to the kittens, as they still nurse some.

Otherwise it could be some virus - they take some days to burst out...   This would explain why the kittens got the problems  a couple of days after mom.

  If so,  to try with L-Lysine cant hurt, may help.     L-lysine is one of the few things who do help against virus.   If you or your vet knows abouth others, try them by all means.

L-lysine is also totally harmless with normal dosages as far as I know, the the only cost involved is to buy it.

Good luck!   @fostersrule
 

conikat

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Messages
214
Purraise
35
Location
Colorado
I've seen this with one of my adults. He'd go through this for about a day, then be fine again. We never were able to determine what he'd eaten or gotten into, but the foaming was the terrible--and terrifying!
I hope your babies are better very soon! I always tried rinsing his mouth out as much as possible with just water. Worse, he always looked absolutely terrified while it was happening!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

fostersrule

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
259
Purraise
64
The mom is indoors only. No hunting. She only is in my foster room. She's pretty terrified of new things. She was either a stray or abused because she was very scared when I brought her home. She likes me now but hides under the covers when new people come in. We're working on it. It's definitely not any sort of poison. She wouldn't have had access to any. I make sure my kitten room is a safe environment. I've had quite a few cats and kittens come through and never once have had anything like this happen before. The vet said there was no blockage. I was worried she may have gotten over zealous and swallowed a mouse toy that she loves. The shelter pays for all veterinary costs so that won't be a problem at all. I'll ask about the l-lysine! They're going in tomorrow. He's not eating but he is nursing when mom let's him
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
. I'll ask about the l-lysine!
Ýou do it.

L-lysine is usually not prescribed by vets, but is sooner practicioners tip.   You can buy L-lysine OTC, probalby at the pharmacy, but also in the shops for "Healthy minded people" which also sells Joya shoes, vitamines, ecological nutrients,  herbs medicines and teas, and so on...
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
L-lysine is also available on Amazon.
I volunteer at a cat sanctuary with around 90 cats, ranging from feral cats to socialized cats, to FIV+ and FeLK+ cats (housed separately of course). They all get some wet food around noon (free fed dry otherwise), which has been mixed with L-lysine. The cats can tell time, waiting by the door for their treat of wet food + lysine.
It also comes in treat form.
 
Last edited:

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,584
Purraise
22,965
Location
Nebraska, USA
I get my L-lysine over the internet on Amazon. They like the 'treats' the best, the liquid and the paste was something I couldn't get them to take. Vets usually have it, but it is a lot more expensive. I hope you can find some to help! Since your cat was seen by a vet and was helped, I would bet it is a virus, especially since it is 'spreading'. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

fostersrule

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
259
Purraise
64
Just wanted to let you guys know that they went to the vet today. The kitten that was the most lethargic has perked up some. I have some medicine for them for them now.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

fostersrule

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
259
Purraise
64
I never really got a straight answer on that. They gave me some wet and dry food and metronidazole. Thankfully momma and babies recovered..just in time for a nasty cold to set in on mom and one of the babies. I have no idea what happened. Two of the 4 kittens were spayed and neutered and went to their new homes happy and healthy. I've received updates on them and they're doing well. The momma is back at the shelter and the one sick kitten I have is on amoxicillin and eye drops. He's doing much better now. It's the strangest thing though..of all the cats and kittens I've fostered I've never had anything like this happen before. The other kitten I have has a new home to go to once he's been neutered which is scheduled this week. I'm crossing my fingers he doesn't catch the cold. His mom and brother have had it for several days. He sleeps right next to his brother and so far he is fine.
 
Top