Please help as I am struggling to cope!

Mega vibes for you all. I really hope you'll be able to find a cause and treatment soon.

All my best wishes and prayers are for you and the kitties and for your continued strength through this ordeal.  It is so hard to wait for test results.  I hope the antibiotic can give your babies some relief and you also.  You have been through so much!!  

Thank you guys. They have started   Metronidazole today which I am glad about as I have read its one of the best for killing things but I am having a nightmare getting medication into them, through their mouth they spit out majority and I am clawed to death, through milk or food, they eat and drink around it, any ideas what I can do please? Its so so important they have their antibiotics at the very least especially waiting further test results. The anti diarrhea food I've no idea what the make is but it says on both the cans and dry food its to prevent diarrhea and treat diarrhea so I am happy with that. Yes I have every confidence in my vets, very close to them, my last vet was useless but when my rabbit developed a brain tumor her chances were extremely low.. they said i could wait and get her to a vet hospital 30 minutes away through ambulance where specialists were to do the operation but she may not survive till then or I could take a chance and put her into surgery straight away with them at theirs where they didn't even have the full tools and equipment, I trusted them with her life cause they are an amazing vet, and I said yes straight away, best decision I'd ever made, she recovered so quickly and was home the next day, I was so pleased, my baby has no eye but has had no health issues since and has since regained all her weight and thrived, this was a few weeks ago. They are amazing, they then admitted to me had I waited she most likely would not have made it, so I did the right thing putting my trust into them and I just wouldn't go with anyone else, always so thorough, caring, remember your name and the pets names every time. I have four pets and they know them all instantly and constantly ask about my rabbit by her name months later, its lovely. I really do trust them with my pets lives and I know no matter what happens they are under the best possible care with them so in for the best chance of recovery. They have warned me as Marla is only a little kitten, and she's had it so long, there is a small chance her guts may never recover but I am hoping for the best outcome and I know they will do all they can for her. The injections etc they gave them yesterday seems to have helped immensely already, still diarrhea but less often, so I have hope!! 

Pilling can truly be a nightmare. Its just a case of experimenting until you find what works for you. A little canned tuna can often do the trick - especially if you butter the pill thoroughly first to keep the nasty taste hidden until its too late! You might find these links helpful :-
[article="32724"]Pilling Cats Must Know Tips For Hiding Pills  [/article][article="22402"]How Can I Give A Pill To My Cat  [/article][thread="99055"]Pilling The Unpillable  [/thread]

Thank you so much, its liquid they have but tuna might do the trick, they aren't meant to have it due to stomach issues but its surely better to get their antibiotics into them! Its a week course until we find out root cause and id rather do what I can do try get those meds into them for time being as it could be part of the cure!

RCJ92 said:

Thank you so much, its liquid they have but tuna might do the trick, they aren't meant to have it due to stomach issues but its surely better to get their antibiotics into them! Its a week course until we find out root cause and id rather do what I can do try get those meds into them for time being as it could be part of the cure!

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Is the Metronidazole flavored liquid? You would not want to mix it with anything. It should be given by mouth. As I mentioned in my earlier post, it is extremely bitter. Even with piling - you must get that pill very far back with a water chaser. ( posted a link in my earlier post on the kind that I use. ) It can be a real bear to give but so important that they get the full medication for it to work properly. The liquid should be fairly easy to give. If you sit them in your lap and scruff them gently so their mouth's open up, then use the dropper to put it in the back of their throats. Not fun, I know. :shame: Sometimes, I prefer the pills because then I know they are getting the full medication and not spitting out the liquid. I am glad to hear they are on the Metronidazole though. :nod: Will really, really help them AND YOU.

I also will stay positive that Marla will completely recover. :nod: They are very resilient once you get to the root of the problem and solve it.

No its not flavored, my vet says its fine to mix with food etc so i am going to do that. I have already tried putting it down back of throat, and i ended up with blood being drawn and them spitting it out, so its not good for them and stress may cause more diarrhea, they need it down them whether it be through milk or food, just got to find a way. I prefer tablets too but cause Marla's so small they don't have a tablet for her size, so got the liquid so its cheaper overall. Thank you!

Just to update you all. I found a way to get their medication into them, I scruff them as their Mum's would, I thought I was scruffing them right but I wasn't, and then i tilt their heads back and I seem to have more control then and they fight less, Marvel still scratches but I manage to get it all into them without them spitting out etc, they have now had four successful doses, they are on high strength 2 times per day and i know they have definitely had all those four doses. I am now beginning to see their poos hardening, I don't know if its the anti diarrhea paste or food causing them to harden or the antibiotics but I have decided if these test results don't come back positive, I am going to go ahead with the blood tests and cameras just in case its not the antibiotics working but the treatment to prevent the diarrhea. I hope these tests come back with answers, but if they don't I want to be 100% certain because if the antibiotics haven't treated it and its a temporary fix the food and paste, it could come back again after if the new test results come back for nothing and if antibiotics are treating it, and the blood and cameras come back fine, then least i know and i can put my mind to rest and know they are well but i know i wont rest if i don't get all the tests done if these come back negative, i need to be certain, am I doing right thing? Bit of luck though the new test results will come back positive for something and we can get to bottom of this and know if antibiotics are curing something!

So great to hear they're doing better. I really hope its the antibiotics doing their job as well as the paste :cross: Its amazing how excited a formed poop can make you! :lol3: Here's hoping that they continue to improve

I do as well! Thank you! I know i was so so happy hahaha ive seen two like this now and of more normal colour, still slight blood and green tinge, but mostly a normal colour so fingers crossed, i am really hoping its the antibiotics and this is their road to recovery!!

Good news! I am so happy to hear that. And you are right - scruffing is the way to go! Once you have that knack, you can pill almost any cat, it calms them as they think it is their mother picking them up. But never pick up an older kitten or cat like that so that all its weight is on the scruff - do it with the cat on a table so it is supported or you may injure it. But the scruffing works equally well.

Still sending best wishes your way............sounds like you are having progress!

I'm so glad to hear they're improving!!! I was wondering about them just the other day. Metronidazole is truly a wonder drug sometimes. Fingers crossed that the improvement continues!!!

I had a Ragdoll who would get Diareaha. We put her on 'hills Science Diet SENSITIVE Stomach… 

Hope things are still firming up nicely

JennyR said:

And you are right - scruffing is the way to go! Once you have that knack, you can pill almost any cat, it calms them as they think it is their mother picking them up. But never pick up an older kitten or cat like that so that all its weight is on the scruff - do it with the cat on a table so it is supported or you may injure it. But the scruffing works equally well.

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SO HAPPY this is working as well. I never have a "major" problem getting a pill into a kitty with this method. I am lightening fast too :lol3: which helps as the cat doesn't know what just happened. I have had to do so many cats over the years - my own and shelter kitties - that you become quite adapt at getting it done quickly. It helps to have a really special treat ready afterwards! They start to expect it after their medications. Keep up the great work.

Columbine said:

Hope things are still firming up nicely

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AND - YES - for nice and firm poops. It is amazing how much that can mean to us and to THEM !!!

Love the latest update!!!!
Keep up the good work, Mom!!

I didn't get very good news today. My cats have cryptosporidia and another illness but can't remember the name of that one, most likely caused by the cryptosporidia. They said the harder poos they had in between the diarrhea/softer ones which they are still having was most likely due to the antibiotics triggering an anti-inflammatory response helping it temporarily but they said its not possible it cured this and they will still be unwell. The vets said this illness is rare and they have had to order in a medicine for them which they aren't usually licensed to have its that rare. They said its difficult to treat and they can't guarantee this medicine will cure them, I just have to keep everything crossed and hope for the best, going to start a new post to see if anyone can relate to this. I have now confined them to the spare room due to risk to spreading of humans, I feel cruel but I know I am doing the best I can for them right now. They have everything they need in their and I just have to keep clean and make sure I go in there to reassure them with lots of cuddles and kisses!!

In regards to scruffing, ,I am very careful always have been, I have been on my knees giving them medication and their paws never lift the ground. Thanks for the advice though

Oh no! I'm so, so sorry. I've never even heard of cryptosporidia. I really hope they can get through/over this. Mega vibes for you all