You didn't stop the antibiotics after the third lot and her ear looked better? ,She's doing good! Still active and playing and eating and pooping! She's bossing my other two around a lot!
Though her ear is starting to worry me a lot :-(
I was holding her today and my arm knocked the bald patch around her ear and she SCREAMED. I looked in her ear and saw greenish/yellowish pus oozing out of it, it seemed to be very thick too. I pressed the bald-patch again and even MORE pus came out! She stopped yelking after a while and I cleaned it all up, and it was then that I realised that her ear had been swollen (it's much more obvious now because her skin has gone all flabby and loose, I don't know why I didn't notice this before!)
I'm really confused because I haven't missed a single dose of the antibiotics, but they've obviously not seemed to work much on her ear :-( Should I try and find a stronger antibiotic? Mum's adamant that we try a homeopathic remedy but I REALLY think we should take her to a vet. We're going to be taking her to the University either Friday (I have a paper tomorrow so I can't go then) or Tuesday (Mum's going to be away for the weekend, as usual). I'm voting for Friday, tbh.
Also, Mum says I should continue 'draining' the pus out by gently squeezing the swollen area, is this a good idea? I realised that before I did this the bald patch had been really swollen, I thought it just looked odd because she was bald! The infection also explains why her ear is so hot...
Another thing, does anyone have any reccomendations for an ear drop ointment? Anything that works for humans and cats too? Or anything that just works for cats (I'll see if we can get it in the pet shops over here, fingers crossed). I really really REALLY hope that the vet knows what he's talking about when I go to see him, if he doesn't then I don't know what to do :-( I really thought the Amoxicillin was working! The white pus had stopped with just 3 doses, but now this yellowy stuff has come and I'm really worried :-(
I suppose the fact that she's eating and acting normal is a good thing though, it shows that she's not too bothered by it. But I still want to make sure she's 100% better ASAP.
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Emergency! Sick kitten! Cannot see a Vet!
- Thread starter indie-n-button
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You didn't stop the antibiotics after the third lot and her ear looked better? ,
The pus draining is good! The antibiotics can't reach a closed abscess, so you need to keep it draining to help her heal. Wipe it out every day to remove the scab and let it drain. She should be feeling a lot better now!
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- #243
She's on Amoxicillin, we had to make our own suspension with a capsule and some bottled water (we make a new suspension every 2-3 days)
And yes she's gained weight! A /lot/ of weight, actually, I'd say she's getting on the chubby end of things. I've been increasing the doseage accordingly, too.
Good! I'm so glad that it's a good sign that it's draining! I always thought that the antibiotic just 'dried up' the pus and it just disappeared.
Yes we have piodine that I've been using (I dab it around the pus with a gauze) and that seems to keep it nice and soft and gets rid of any crusty pus around her ear, too. I'll loosen up the crusts every morning (I don't clean out her ears at night, just twice in the day)
Thankyou!!! :-) I'm really proud of myself (and of HER!!) for being able to help her as much as I have, it really shows me that I honestly REALLY want to be a vet :-)
Wow what a DIFFERENCE!
you did a fabulous job!!!!
So am I!! And thankyou for the link, I'll check it out :-)
Hi,so glad to hear that you found a vet you are comfortable trying! I really hope he/she is great. I just found this page on 1-800petmeds and it should give you an idea about what the vet should know and prescribe for her ear http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/treat-dog-cat-ear-infection-6.htm
It says that topical antibiotics can be used in the ear, but are not safe unless the eardrum is intact, so the doctor should be able to let you know. Also, I remember reading that when you have a suspension of antibiotics like you made, it is only good for 14 days. It might be gone before that, but just wanted to mention that in case you didn't know. She looks great and I think it helps her if you help her to get that pus out.
Yes I heard about that too (I had to do research on ear infections when I had Cipher), which was why I was a bit iffy about putting the piodine in her ear. But, she can hear alright with that ear, so I'm guessing that her eardrum is intact? None-the-less, I only put the piodine around her ear, not actually into the ear-canal, better to be safe! And thankyou :-) I'll make sure to keep draining it!
She is! She's such a little drama queen though and is ALWAYS hissing at my boys if they do something she doesn't like the look of, and she's the one that torments them in the first place! She's very supportive of this all :-) Although she isn't very fond of animals herself (she likes looking at them, but not so much touching them) and doesn't know much about vet care, she knows how much animals mean to me and does her best to help as much as she can :-)Awe, little Sparrow is looking so good! [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ You have done such a great job with your kitties with such limited vet assistance! Your mother seems wonderfully supportive and I am happy to hear that you will be seeing a vet (hopefully one you will like and approve of).
Love your updates! can you post some pics of all of your kitties?
And yes!! I'll add some pictures of them in another post!!
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- #244
And now I haven't stopped the antibiotics at all! I only accidentally gave her one dose half an hour late about 3 days ago? But that's it. Even when the absess stops leaking and the infection is gone, I'll continue with the antibiotics for another 2-3 days just to be on the safe side
She seems to be A LOT better! She's getting very fiesty too and will pounce and give us 'flying hugs' whenever we walk past her, it's so cute! When she runs too her tail gets bent to an angle and it gets SO fluffy! She sort of gallops too, which entertains Indie who starts racing with her around the house :-)
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- #245
Annnnd some pictures!
Here's Indie, my 2 y/o :-) He's a semi-feral that I rescued as a kitten from a park. He was sick when I got him too, and had really bad runs. He's my noodle-baby lmaooo
And then there's Butty, who is the SOFTEST cat I've ever come across! He still has his little kitten mewl, eventhough he's 1 years old. He's very heavy too and has lots of chub!
Here's Indie, my 2 y/o :-) He's a semi-feral that I rescued as a kitten from a park. He was sick when I got him too, and had really bad runs. He's my noodle-baby lmaooo
And then there's Butty, who is the SOFTEST cat I've ever come across! He still has his little kitten mewl, eventhough he's 1 years old. He's very heavy too and has lots of chub!
Great pix! And good news about Sparrow, too. Have you heard back from the vet yet? Can you phone the clinic? She should still get checked out.
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- #247
We /still/ have a black poop problem :-(
I won't be able to get to the vet until Tuesday -- and that's IF mum still agrees that we're going to be taking her. She's adamant that homeopathic medicine will work, and although I have nothing against homeopathic, I still think she should get checked by a professional rather than have my Mum calling up a homeopathic doctor and doing lots of guess-work and covering up the kittens symptoms :-/
Okay so every single poop that Sparrow's done since she was no longer constipated has been black, and they're progressively getting softer (at least, I think so). She doesn't strain in the litterbox and they aren't hard, they're like have lots of little lumps on them and then there's a long piece that ends in a point. They're soft and very sticky. She doesn't seem to be in any pain when I'm holding her or palpating her stomach, either, she just yelps every so often when she wants to be put down so she can go and play.
She's still active and running around and eating well and peeing well, it's just her poops that are worrying me :-(
I also found out a test that you can do to see if it IS blood? I soaked the stool in some warm water but the stool didn't turn red, it just turned like a greeny-brown colour. It broke up too and there was one long hair inside (it was hair, I think it might've been mine actually!) there were also these red bits in it too, that looked a little like, idk flesh? Could this just have been undigested food? It wasn't blood, because it was stick together like a very thin layer of chicken flesh, but it was darker - like a light red/dark pink kind of colour and it was slimy, as well. I read up on it and apparently black stool can be a side-effect of Amoxicillin. Because her behaviour is alright and this has already been occuring for a week, should I stop worrying, or should I contact a vet? I /think/ that before she started the antibiotics her poops were tan-coloured, but I can't remember very well. She did do about 2 tan poops the first few days she was here.
Other than that she's playing A LOT, eating fine, and her behaviour hasn't changed at all.
Another thing, she's developed a sausage shaped lump behind her infected ear. It's large and isn't present on her other ear, and its not on the flap it's on the actual part of her head, like on the back of her neck/ear region, should I get this checked out by the vet too? It's hard but moves when you squish it around and doesn't cause her any pain.
I won't be able to get to the vet until Tuesday -- and that's IF mum still agrees that we're going to be taking her. She's adamant that homeopathic medicine will work, and although I have nothing against homeopathic, I still think she should get checked by a professional rather than have my Mum calling up a homeopathic doctor and doing lots of guess-work and covering up the kittens symptoms :-/
Okay so every single poop that Sparrow's done since she was no longer constipated has been black, and they're progressively getting softer (at least, I think so). She doesn't strain in the litterbox and they aren't hard, they're like have lots of little lumps on them and then there's a long piece that ends in a point. They're soft and very sticky. She doesn't seem to be in any pain when I'm holding her or palpating her stomach, either, she just yelps every so often when she wants to be put down so she can go and play.
She's still active and running around and eating well and peeing well, it's just her poops that are worrying me :-(
I also found out a test that you can do to see if it IS blood? I soaked the stool in some warm water but the stool didn't turn red, it just turned like a greeny-brown colour. It broke up too and there was one long hair inside (it was hair, I think it might've been mine actually!) there were also these red bits in it too, that looked a little like, idk flesh? Could this just have been undigested food? It wasn't blood, because it was stick together like a very thin layer of chicken flesh, but it was darker - like a light red/dark pink kind of colour and it was slimy, as well. I read up on it and apparently black stool can be a side-effect of Amoxicillin. Because her behaviour is alright and this has already been occuring for a week, should I stop worrying, or should I contact a vet? I /think/ that before she started the antibiotics her poops were tan-coloured, but I can't remember very well. She did do about 2 tan poops the first few days she was here.
Other than that she's playing A LOT, eating fine, and her behaviour hasn't changed at all.
Another thing, she's developed a sausage shaped lump behind her infected ear. It's large and isn't present on her other ear, and its not on the flap it's on the actual part of her head, like on the back of her neck/ear region, should I get this checked out by the vet too? It's hard but moves when you squish it around and doesn't cause her any pain.
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- #248
Oh and also, I was wondering if the fact that she eats a lot of bloodied lungs etc. could contribute to the melena?
I really hate to go against your mom, and you have done wonderfully to bring her on so far, but all these things really, really need a vet. She may have another closed abscess, she may need a different antibiotic, a specialist who know cats must see her. Homeopathic medicine is probably not going to work at this point, if it ever does, and personally I am not a believer in it. Please do try and persuade your mom to get her there on Tuesday.
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- #250
I will do my best to get Mum to take her to the vet!! Hopefully she agrees with me :-( I'll tell her about all the horrible things that melena could be due to and hopefully she will agree.
Would an abssess be squishy, though? This is like, I'm not sure how to describe it, but?? Under her skin? And I can pul the skin around it and move the position, but it doesn't change shape and it doesn't bother her at all. The swelling that she had because of the pus would cause her to SCREAM and when I press this no pus comes out at all. I examined her other ear too, and there seems to be a little sausage shaped thing in the same position, but it's A LOT smaller and practically none-existent. Could it be a swollen lymph-node? I'll google into it and let the vet know on Tuesday (fingers crossed)
Also I found this link regarding the melena: http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_melena
She doesn't have any of the other symptoms (no vomiting, lethargy, pale gums, bloody urine etc.) BUT I saw that raw food could cause the blood, and because she gets the red lungs and tripe (I think it's called tripe??) which are caked in blood, I think that could be it. We've run out of organs though, and won't be getting any until Tuesday? So she's just on chicken thigh and breast and other bits for now. I think the melena is just because of the antibiotics (I researched into this and it's fairly common, apparently) and the bloody food. Still, what should I ask the vet to preform on Tuesday just to be on the safe side?
Would an abssess be squishy, though? This is like, I'm not sure how to describe it, but?? Under her skin? And I can pul the skin around it and move the position, but it doesn't change shape and it doesn't bother her at all. The swelling that she had because of the pus would cause her to SCREAM and when I press this no pus comes out at all. I examined her other ear too, and there seems to be a little sausage shaped thing in the same position, but it's A LOT smaller and practically none-existent. Could it be a swollen lymph-node? I'll google into it and let the vet know on Tuesday (fingers crossed)
Also I found this link regarding the melena: http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_melena
She doesn't have any of the other symptoms (no vomiting, lethargy, pale gums, bloody urine etc.) BUT I saw that raw food could cause the blood, and because she gets the red lungs and tripe (I think it's called tripe??) which are caked in blood, I think that could be it. We've run out of organs though, and won't be getting any until Tuesday? So she's just on chicken thigh and breast and other bits for now. I think the melena is just because of the antibiotics (I researched into this and it's fairly common, apparently) and the bloody food. Still, what should I ask the vet to preform on Tuesday just to be on the safe side?
I do agree with you that the dark stool is probably from the amoxicillin, and is not from blood. She may need more fluids in her diet while she is on the antibiotic. I think you will see the stool turn back to normal color after the round of amoxicillin is over.
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the fact that she is very active is really good. Sometimes the diet causes colors in the poo. I still think a vet is a good idea. If the kitten was lethargic then maybe mum would agree more. Is this why she doesn't want to go to the vet? I say keep doing what you are doing.
that lump may be an absess or a cyst. It will need to be drained either way. The vet would know more-if that's what it looks like. I still say hats off to you for doing this for the kitten. you are amazing
that lump may be an absess or a cyst. It will need to be drained either way. The vet would know more-if that's what it looks like. I still say hats off to you for doing this for the kitten. you are amazing
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What I have noticed that if u giving antibiotics just give them goat milk and lots of water if your cat is not drinking enough water give him with a syringe... just saying I have seen the difference I don't know if it helps.. try n let us know.
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- #254
Okay, thanks! If it /was/ internal bleeding, would there be any other signs to look out for? Oki, I'll start giving her a syringe of water every few hours (about 3ml every 2 hours, will that be enough?). She has water out all the time though, but her water-intake has decreased a lot since she first came. Maybe she was drinking a lot of water to begin with due to dehydration? Now she only laps at the water about 2-3 times a day.
Do you know WHY the antibiotics cause the stool to turn black? I've tried researching into it but found hardly anything :/
Oki, I hope she continues to be active! And yeah, that's why Mum's a bit iffy about taking her in, because there doesn't seem to be anything actually physically wrong with her. She's even more active than our other two! Mum comes back tonight though so hopefully I'll be able to pursuade her to take her in tomorrow.
Would abbesses be hard and painless, or slightly squishy? This is like pretty much rock hard and when you rub her skin over it it feels like it's got little ridges? I was thinking it could have something to do with a polyp? But I'm not sure, I don't have much experience with 'lumpy cats'! I'll continue squishing out pus though (eventhough now VERY little is coming out and she just gets annoyed at me for prodding at her) and I'll continue with the antibiotics.
And thankyou!! :-)
Oh and I also have some pictures of the 'lumps' that are in her ear? They don't seem to be getting bigger or anything but does anyone want to see them?
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First of all, your cats are all so pretty and cute!
About the little sausage shaped thing behind her ear-I wonder if it has anything to do with drainage? I don't know anything about that, but maybe the one with the infection is inflamed since you said you think she has one on the other side that is smaller. Just a thought.
I wouldn't worry too much about her stool, like others have said antibiotics take a toll, plus she eats raw food like you said. Maybe added powder probiotics would help her some if you have any available along with the yogurt.
As long as she is acting normal and eating, I also wouldn't worry about her drinking water. When I was researching cat nutrition I learned that cats get most of their water from their food, so I would say her drinking seems normal.
Good luck getting to the vet
About the little sausage shaped thing behind her ear-I wonder if it has anything to do with drainage? I don't know anything about that, but maybe the one with the infection is inflamed since you said you think she has one on the other side that is smaller. Just a thought.
I wouldn't worry too much about her stool, like others have said antibiotics take a toll, plus she eats raw food like you said. Maybe added powder probiotics would help her some if you have any available along with the yogurt.
As long as she is acting normal and eating, I also wouldn't worry about her drinking water. When I was researching cat nutrition I learned that cats get most of their water from their food, so I would say her drinking seems normal.
Good luck getting to the vet
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- #256
Thankyou!! :-)
First of all, your cats are all so pretty and cute!
About the little sausage shaped thing behind her ear-I wonder if it has anything to do with drainage? I don't know anything about that, but maybe the one with the infection is inflamed since you said you think she has one on the other side that is smaller. Just a thought.
I wouldn't worry too much about her stool, like others have said antibiotics take a toll, plus she eats raw food like you said. Maybe added powder probiotics would help her some if you have any available along with the yogurt.
As long as she is acting normal and eating, I also wouldn't worry about her drinking water. When I was researching cat nutrition I learned that cats get most of their water from their food, so I would say her drinking seems normal.
Good luck getting to the vet
Hmm I guess it could be that, seeing as there's one on the other side, too. It doesn't seem to be bothering her so hopefully it isn't anything too serious, and it will go away on it's own. I'll mention it to the vet (hopefully, he'll notice it himself during the exam!!) just in case, though.
Oki! As long as she's finally pooping now, there hasn't been another bout of constipation since the first time she got here :-) And I'll look into seeing if I can find any! She likes the yogurt a lot though, so if I can't find any I'll just increase the amount of yogurt she's getting every day and hopefully that'll make a difference :-) Also, could the reason why it's squishy be because of the milk? She's gone off of her milk a little (she used to drink A LOT when she first came here) and now seems to only drink it when it's been out for about 10-15 minutes, could it be that she doesn't like it cold?
Oh ye I remember reading that up somewhere too, another reason why I'm really iffy about feeding them kibble :-/ Oki! Thankyou!!
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- #257
Also this is a picture of her from today! She's wearing a little jumper that was originally for a teddy-bear to stop her from scratching at the fur around her neck :-) She seems to like it a lot and doesn't try and wriggle out of it or anything! I take it off her when it's peak-temperatures (around about noon) so she doesn't overheat, and I take it off when she's sleeping and at night too.
And here's a picture of the infected ear. Sorry it's a bit blurry, she was much more interested in going to chew on Indie's tail than have me look into her ear! (the abnormal lump is the one next to the largest lump and there's another smaller one underneath that that can't be seen very well)
And here's a picture of the infected ear. Sorry it's a bit blurry, she was much more interested in going to chew on Indie's tail than have me look into her ear! (the abnormal lump is the one next to the largest lump and there's another smaller one underneath that that can't be seen very well)
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she looks so ADORABLE! Does she sleep with you snuggled up? I still think she looks AMAZING! especially with all she was sick with.
Is she still on antibiotics=how many days are you doing them?
Her ear looks ok=its not red or enflamed-not sure what the lumps are. Too bad mum wont take her to the vet to get those ear lumps looked at, Would hate to have an infection inside those ears and not getting it resolved-but it doesn't look like infection to me-usually infected skin/areas are lumpy red enflamed and they scratch at it a lot.
Is she still on antibiotics=how many days are you doing them?
Her ear looks ok=its not red or enflamed-not sure what the lumps are. Too bad mum wont take her to the vet to get those ear lumps looked at, Would hate to have an infection inside those ears and not getting it resolved-but it doesn't look like infection to me-usually infected skin/areas are lumpy red enflamed and they scratch at it a lot.
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- #259
Haha she does, doesn't she? Her eyes are always so wide open and she's so curious :-) And yes she does! She likes to jump all over my bed and attack the sheets (and my feet!) when I get the bed ready, and then she snuggles up by my chest or by my face and yells at me until I stroke her so she falls asleep :-) Thankyou!!! It really is such a big improvement!!
Yes the antibiotics are still going on, I'm giving them twice a day and I think I'll continue them for another 10 days, or would it be better if I did it only for 7? Or maybe if I see if any more pus comes out when I squish her ear, and stop the antibiotics a few days after she doesn't have any pus? I'm not too sure.
Hm no, the lumps are the exact same colour as her skin and are attached to her skin too, would a polyp be attached to her skin as well or would that be easy to move around? It turns white and then turns pink again when you press it, just like her normal skin! I had a look at some ear-infections on the internets, and her's look nothing like that! She also doesn't have a head tilt or anything and her eyes respond well to light so I'm a little confused as to what the sausage-lump could be. Mum still isn't back yet, she's due tonight, so I'll talk with her about the vets tomorrow morning :-)
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I would consult with a vet about the length of antibiotic. More isn't necessarily better. In other words if 10 days makes her so much better, that doesn't mean 20 days will make her perfect. Too much antibiotic will destroy the intestinal flora and cause problems just like they do in humans (I would assume - but I'm not a vet). I think she needs a probiotic following the antibiotic. Vets are probably as clueless as human doctors regarding probiotics though.
By the way, she looks great! Good job!
By the way, she looks great! Good job!
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