I need help figuring out on a failing kitten. She was a rescue at 1lb2oz. Vetted for uri, recovered, gained weight, normal on activity and eating. Took her in for Spay and first vaccines at 2lb 4oz this last Thursday. Came home lethargic but didn't worry until day of diarrhea and no appetite continued. Took to emergency vet Saturday and Sunday. Both days they hydrated and saw no concerns with surgery (no fever, redness at surgery site). Just thought she took longer to bounce back. Today minimal appetite and mostly lethargic. Going back to vet tomorrow but does anyone have any ideas. Vets tell me she will come around, I'm not seeing that! Anyone had a kitten take four or more days to recover?
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Grasping at straws
- Thread starter trena
- Start Date
I wonder if it's a reaction to the vaccines rather than an issue with the spay? Some cats actually cannot receive further vaccinations due to their terrible reactions to them. You might ask your Vet if it is possible this is what is happening to her and if there is anything that can be done.
Is she still having diarrhea? I'm thinking maybe you could give her pedialite via syringe or eyedropper just to try to keep her hydrated, and, of course, you need to make sure she eats, even if you have to force feed her, because nourishment is necessary in cats, always, but particularly in kittens. Maybe your Vet can give your some Hills A/D to feed her. And then perhaps you could add in a raw egg yolk to fortify it even more.
Is she still having diarrhea? I'm thinking maybe you could give her pedialite via syringe or eyedropper just to try to keep her hydrated, and, of course, you need to make sure she eats, even if you have to force feed her, because nourishment is necessary in cats, always, but particularly in kittens. Maybe your Vet can give your some Hills A/D to feed her. And then perhaps you could add in a raw egg yolk to fortify it even more.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Yes, I am thinking vaccines as well. She is slowly making progress. I just feel so bad. She was perfect, lovey and energetic, then the spay and vaccinations and in the tank. I feel so responsible that I let her down. How long do you think the effects of a vaccine reaction will last.
Please don't feel bad. You did the responsible thing. I doubt it's the vaccines, actually. They certainly can have side effects but rarely lasting more than 24-48 hours. It could just be the stress of the entire procedure that made her go off her food and water and just gotten her generally dehydrated and weak. Good job on taking her back to get some fluid and let's hope you'll see great improvement over the coming few days.
Please keep us posted and let us know how she's doing.
Please keep us posted and let us know how she's doing.
I've spayed many cats and have had a few take a long time to recover. My Chrissy was one, she refused to eat and drink for two days,ate very little for 4-5 days, and was VERY lethargic and weak for almost a week. Unlike neutering, spaying is a major surgery, I blame the anesthesia more, some cats just don't tolerate it as well. Such a little weight would be hard to calculate the exact right dose. As long as there is ANY improvement at all, such as drinking a little water on her own, and maybe lapping up a little tuna juice, she should keep on improving. Don't think they are all this way, the far majority of cats I've spayed have bounced back quickly after a couple of days of down time. Two days is the longest I've had a cat react to vaccinations, The next time she is due, ask the vet to administer benadryl before the shots, it helps tremendously. Reactions to vaccinations can make a cat weak and very sleepy. Keep us posted. I'll pray for your little girl, she is very lucky to have you there to care for her!
That's interesting. Do you mean topical or a shot of benadryl? I'm sure it would help abate side effects but wouldn't it also work against the vaccine's efficacy? I'm going to ask some friends (biologists & immunologists) about that, I'm curious now!
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2016
- Messages
- 2,401
- Purraise
- 163
How old is the kitten?
I expect they mean a shot of benadryl but lets find out!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
The dose was oral, they had tablets that they cut according to the dose they needed. They waited 15 minutes before giving the vaccination injections. The time before, my Casper had gotten very sleepy for two days after his shots, and developed a fever. Since he has been receiving the Benadryl before the injections, he has been fine. I would like to know if it could affect the vaccinations too, because I know they do this for humans too!
I'm so happy your little girl is improving, thank goodness! It has to be all those good vibes and prayers she received. Give her a kiss for me!
I'm glad she's doing better!
As for the benadryl, I am not aware of it being protocol for any human vaccines. I talked to one of my friend and she explains it works on a different system than that triggered by vaccines. She doesn't think it would affect the reaction to the vaccine, one way or the other. I'm not sure about cats, but in humans, most of the vaccines used today generate noticeable side effects in under a third of the people who are vaccinated. And the way you reacted once doesn't tell much about how you'll react to the next shot, so I guess the best thing you need is luck
On giving Benadryl for humans, I was talking about medications given that caused a reaction before. Injections and oral meds such as penicillin, and many other meds that can cause problems. Benadryl is often close by in case of a reaction to a first time given drug, or an Epi-pen. With so many combination drugs and names that are not familiar, like generics, if someone is allergic to anything, they should have both on hand. I will definitely ask my vet the next time in, his reasons for giving with vaccinations. I'm just glad to hear it couldn't hurt!
