3mo kitten with pneumonia - Praying for Survival!

My husband and I adopted a 3mo old kitten from the humane society last week and she is such a lover! What drew us to her was that she purred so loudly that you could hear it from across the room. The humane society had already "fixed" her, gave the first of her vaccinations and did all the necessary de-worming prevention as standard care. While playing with her at the shelter, she did sneeze a few times, but nothing that alarmed anyone. The first night home she was very playful, ate well, used the litter box and slept with my husband all night. Rather I should say she slept and my husband was awake as Zoey's purring keep us both up.  We truly felt like we were so lucky in adopting such a loving kitten considering she was a stray!

Two days after getting her home, everything changed. She started sneezing more frequently and developed a cough. I took her to the vet who checked her out and said since she was still purring (yes, even at the vets) and since there was no snot or puss from her eyes/nose to just monitor her over the next several days. 4 days later, Zoey still had no drainage or puss however the cough was more present and she was not eating as much. Through all of this, our little baby still wanted to love on us but her purring was intermittent. We took her to the vet yesterday and they say she had a URI mostly in her head, but her lungs sounded clear.  They started her on Clavamox and nasal saline drops (which has to be the most difficult thing to try and do to a kitten!) and encouraged us to keep her drinking and eating as much as possible.  She ate when we got home but later in the evening  she refused to eat anymore.  We tried to give her fluids by syringe but I think my husband wore more water than actually got into Zoey. Last night we woke up to her labor breathing and she looked so weak. We rushed her to the vet this morning where they did an X-ray and said she has pneumonia in her right lung and her esophagus is inflamed from the infection. They are keeping her this afternoon to give her fluids and a nebulizer and told us that she is in really bad shape. I'm so afraid she's not going to make it. She's such a sweet kitty that in only a week my husband and I have become so attached. 

I know the odds are against us being that she's a kitten and there are so many unknowns, but I have to have faith that she will pull through. I guess my posting is more for comfort than questions. Please say a prayer for our precious little baby! 

Poor baby! I am hoping for a full recovery for poor Zoey. Good vibes for her. 

This is exactly what happened when we adopted our Hannah almost 10 years ago.  She was so sick she spent the first 4 days of her life with us at the vet's receiving IV nutrition, fluids, and meds.  It then took another good month for her to be completely over it.  She had some other issues going on as well, not just an URI.  Your baby is in the best place.  If possible, try calling and see if you can drop off a dirty towel or shirt with your scent on it to help her smell you.  That might help her stress level and comfort her. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the suggestions! We've been doing the steam from the shower and our vet gave us the Enisyl treats which Zoey wasn't interested in. Up until today she would eat the Fancy Feast with gravy and we added a little water for hydration. I did not know about the side effects of Clavamox and will definitely ask if that's why Zoey hasn't been eating. TY!

Update on Zoey today...our vet put Zoey in an oxygen cage all day today and switched her to IV fluids and IV Unisyn antibiotic. She gave her a few nebulizer treatments and was able to suction a lot of "snot" from her nose several times. Zoey hasn't eaten today which has me very concerned. I will definitely asked if that's due to her medication. The vet said Zoey was finally able to sleep a little this afternoon but every time they took her off of oxygen she started panting/breathing hard although not as bad as this morning. Since my vet doesn't have 24hr care she wanted us to bring Zoey to the emergency vet clinic in town for overnight observation, oxygen, fluids and antibiotics. Needless to say that's where we are now.

Zoey has proven she is a tremendous fighter and has a will to live! I just wish she would start eating so we can avoid a feeding tube. My question is has anyone had a positive outcome with a feeding tube on a kitten? We had to do that earlier this year for my 10yr old tabby and ended up losing him after 7 days. I don't know that we can go through that again as it was one of the most heart breaking experiences I've ever had with a beloved pet. Praying for Zoey to pull through this and start to feel better. [emoji]128554[/emoji][emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

A lot of times when a kitty gets fluids, they will include some kind of nutritional supplement.  Also, fluids can tend to make a cat feel "full", so their appetite is off.  Praying for your little girl to pull through.  I know how that feels.  It's been 10 years since we went through it with our girl, but when I think about it, it seems like yesterday.  Try to visit her daily while she's at the vet.  That was the only time my girl would eat well. 

@Zoe Zoe, how's your baby today?

Another update...Zoey spent Sunday night at the emergency clinic. I almost started crying when the vet told me Zoey ate some dry food around 2:30am. [emoji]128522[/emoji] She spent yesterday at our regular vet's office still in the oxygen cage with IV fluids and antibiotics. They said she ate a little more food and was grooming herself but still has a fever. They tried to take her out of oxygen and within 2 mins she starts to breathe rapidly they had to put her back. We're still waiting on the blood cultures to see if she's on the right meds. Right now she's on Unasyn every 8 hours but they mentioned switching her to Baytrill. She spent last night at the emergency clinic again for another overnight stay of oxygen, fluids and antibiotics. Unfortunately when I picked her up this morning to transfer her back to our regular vet she looks more lethargic than before and now has discharge from her left eye. The emergency vet said her fever went down to 100.1 around 2:00am but then spiked back up to 102.8 around 4:00am. Zoey's breathing through her nose (which is good) but still rapidly when taken out of oxygen. I'm trying to stay optimistic but the fever spike, left eye infection and her lethargy has me nervous. I'm struggling with trying to decide what's best for her. I don't want to give up if she's still fighting but I also don't want her to suffer if she's slowing dying. Any thoughts would be greatly welcomed. [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji][emoji]128554[/emoji]

Zoey Update...our vet started her on arithamycin today along with the Unasyn. Her fever has come down significantly and only spikes under exertion, which is mostly during exams. Her respiratory rate out of oxygen is still elevated but much lower than Saturday when this all started. Zoey ate a fair amount (for her size) today and actually gained .3oz from yesterday. Now she's weighing in at 3.4lbs. We did another X-ray today to check the progress of her pneumonia and the good news is the infection hasn't gotten worse but it doesn't show much improvement. I say good news because my husband and I both feel that with the new antibiotic Zoey may start to feel better. [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji] The best part of today is when I picked her up from the vet, they let me hold her and she actually started to purr! I never knew how much I loved the sound of a cat purring until today! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

So we're back at the emergency clinic for one more night of observation and possibly oxygen. I have to believe Zoey is fighting with everything she has, so I will do the same! My little munchkin is definitely a fighter! Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes!! Fingers crossed we continue to make progress. [emoji]128522[/emoji] [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

Zoe Zoe said:

Zoey Update...our vet started her on arithamycin today along with the Unasyn. Her fever has come down significantly and only spikes under exertion, which is mostly during exams. Her respiratory rate out of oxygen is still elevated but much lower than Saturday when this all started. Zoey ate a fair amount (for her size) today and actually gained .3oz from yesterday. Now she's weighing in at 3.4lbs. We did another X-ray today to check the progress of her pneumonia and the good news is the infection hasn't gotten worse but it doesn't show much improvement. I say good news because my husband and I both feel that with the new antibiotic Zoey may start to feel better. [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji] The best part of today is when I picked her up from the vet, they let me hold her and she actually started to purr! I never knew how much I loved the sound of a cat purring until today! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

So we're back at the emergency clinic for one more night of observation and possibly oxygen. I have to believe Zoey is fighting with everything she has, so I will do the same! My little munchkin is definitely a fighter! Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes!! Fingers crossed we continue to make progress. [emoji]128522[/emoji] [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

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I hope for a full recovery for her. Have you tried feeding her plain canned tuna in water? Something especially smelly might tempt her to eat. Could you also ask the Vet and see if they would let her have Orbax? Its stronger than Clavamox and more broad-spectrum. Its also a liquid, as I think Baytril only comes in tablets. It might very well be much easier to give a liquid medication than pills.

Thank you Nansiludie!  I will definitely ask my vet about Orbax. She started Zoey on azithromycin once a day today in addition to the Unasyn three times  a day.  I'm nervous about using Baytril since Zoey is only 3 mos old and still developing. We are still waiting on the culture from the lab to see what Zoey's infection is susceptible to but I'm glad to know there are other options before going straight to Baytril. 

My experience is that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.  I totally understand your concern and your fears.  I remember when we brought Hannah home, each morning I'd go in to check on her and spend some time with her, I thought I'd find her dead.  It's so scary when they are so tiny and so ill. 

Most likely, especially if she was malnourished when she was rescued, she's got a secondary infection.  She might even have something like psuedomonas.  Been there, done that!  I think that was the root of my Hannah's problems, but was undiagnosed for a couple of years when she had a flare up. 

My advice is to celebrate the small steps.  Grooming herself is a baby step.  That means she's feeling better.  Eating more is a baby step.  One baby step at a time.

stephanietx said:

 
My experience is that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.  I totally understand your concern and your fears.  I remember when we brought Hannah home, each morning I'd go in to check on her and spend some time with her, I thought I'd find her dead.  It's so scary when they are so tiny and so ill. 

Most likely, especially if she was malnourished when she was rescued, she's got a secondary infection.  She might even have something like psuedomonas.  Been there, done that!  I think that was the root of my Hannah's problems, but was undiagnosed for a couple of years when she had a flare up. 

My advice is to celebrate the small steps.  Grooming herself is a baby step.  That means she's feeling better.  Eating more is a baby step.  One baby step at a time.

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Thank you for the positive inspirations! You're so right...I truly believe that every small improvement should be celebrated.   I recognize pneumonia in cats is not good, but in kittens it can be very serious. Being only 3 mos. and 3 lbs Zoey is definitely giving it everything she has to beat this infection. The vet called me a few minutes ago and said Zoey ate a little more food and her temp has been stable around 101.2 for the past 3 hours. YEAH!!  I'm celebrating those little steps!!  Every step forward is a step in the right direction! 

Azithro is a strong antibiotic.  It's often used to treat stubborn URIs in kitties with herpes.  Glad to know her temp is holding steady AND that she's eating.  Are they feeding her Science Diet a/D?  That stuff is like kitty crack and is chock full of good nutrients for sick kitties.  We got Hannah when she was 7 mos (approx) and she only weighed 4 pounds.  The best thing for her body is rest and nutrition, along with the meds. 

How is Zoe doing? Continued improvement?  How's her breathing today?

I hope Zoey is feeling better!

Today's Zoey update is bittersweet. She's been home the past 2 evenings completely off oxygen. She no longer has an IV in and is eating and drinking on her own. Although small amounts, it's a step in the right direction. The down side is once they took her IV out they stopped her Unasyn and didn't restart the Clavamox (which I don't understand). She is still on the azithromycin daily. Her cough is starting to come back intermittently and she spiked a fever again the past two days. Yesterday was around 102.8 and today was 103.1.

So now the real concerning part...we finally got the long awaited culture results back. She has Bordetella, ecoli and strep. My heart just sank when the vet told me her prognosis. How on earth can such a little kitten get such a massive infection? They said the Clavamox will help with the ecoli and strep, and the azithromycin should help the Bordetella. "Should" being the operative word. Clinically Zoey looked more alert today, however she's sleeping more tonight but I think that may be because of the Clavamox. I guess now I'm wondering what are her changes of full recovery with all she's fighting in her tiny body? Her weight is still hovering around 3lbs and she's just a tiny kitten so I'm really nervous about using the fluoroquinolones. The vet talked to me about all the possible side effects and since she's still growing I just don't know if it's the right choice. Any suggestions are very much welcomed as I want Zoey to start feeling better. Praying for her every day! [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

The only one I've used is Cipro and had good success with that.  As long as her body weight can maintain and improve, she should be able to fight off everything.  She's VERY sick, though, as you know, and her little body is fighting for all its worth.  I think the bigger issue is how much she's loved.  I think that really determines how well a kitty does in overcoming illness.  Is she still on a/D?  That will help her pack on the pounds.  Also, look into starting her on a high quality probiotic and maybe even an omega-3 or vitamin.  We have given regular acidophilus.  That will help her tummy.  Clavamox is notorious for causing upset tummies and vomiting.  All of our kitties have been on Missing Link professional version since coming into our household and do well on it.

Here's a good article on supplements used by TCS members.  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/nutritional-supplements-for-cats-used-by-our-members

Remember, she's going to need time to heal and vigilance in watching her recovery.  Continue to monitor her temp and don't hesitate to get her to the vet or call the vet when you don't notice any improvement in a couple of days.  I was at the vet's office constantly, it seemed, when Hannah was so sick.  I got to know them on a first-name basis!  They even commented that I should be a medical foster home since I watched my kitties like a hawk. 

Do you have any pics of your sweetie to share?  I'd like to see a pic.

Thank you so much stephanietx! I will ask about everything you suggested. Zoey apparently is picky about her food. She's not a fan of wet food and right now is only eating Digestive Care Prescription Diet. I haven't tried the a/D with her but I'm willing to trying anything to help her gain weight. As it is my kitchen looks like a small pet store with several different kinds of food. Is there a specific type of a/D or is that the brand name? The good news is after she woke up tonight she both drank and ate and used the litter box. She followed me around the room and had to be right by me when I was sitting at my desk. I don't want her to over exert herself so I put her back in her bed so she could sleep again. I think rest is good for her considering she probably didn't get much while at the vet today.

Here are a few pictures of my precious Zoey. I wish I could attach a video because if you could hear her purr it would melt your heart as it does mine. [emoji]128149[/emoji]

Picture 1 - Zoey the day before she got very very sick.

Picture 2 - Zoey's first night back home.

Have you tried making her a bone broth? It is full of vitamins and nutrients, I know there is a link, ShadowsRescue used it for her kitty when she was ill. Let me see if I can find the link.

nansiludie said:

Have you tried making her a bone broth? It is full of vitamins and nutrients, I know there is a link, ShadowsRescue used it for her kitty when she was ill. Let me see if I can find the link.

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No I haven't. I've never heard of bone broth but I'll see if I can find the link as well. Thank you for the suggestions. My thought is if I can get her to eat and gain weight her strength will help her through this ordeal. [emoji]128591[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji] Thank you again!