Update on Danielle

vjoy

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The Vet called today with the results of Danielle's culture. The infection in her head is a STAFF infection. OY, OY, OY.....


He said that the antibiotic she is on is right for this. We go back to the Vet tomorrow for a checkup.

Now I am off to research staff infections in cats on the web. Sheesh.

Anyone have to deal with that?

Thanks.
 

hissy

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Yep, I have had to deal with one myself (on my leg) and a few on my kitties over the years. You want to wash your hands well, and it is staph infection, not staff infection if you are looking it up on the net.
It is extemely contagious so be careful when you pet her. Don't bathe it, it excels in moisture...
 
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vjoy

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Hissy, you mean a staph infecton in cats is contagious to HUMANS???????/ I thought when an animal has something, it cannot be transferred to humans, except ringworm.

The Vet did not tell us that....we have been petting her for 3 weeks, and we feel fine..ooh geez...

Am I gonna come down with something, even after 3 weeks?? She is also all over the apartment,.....

 

dodo

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Most microorganisms are species specific. Not all staph (Staphylococcus something; there should be a species name also) are zoonotic. Do you know the the species name of your cat's staph ?? There are different staphs actually..

There are 4 main zoonotic diseases which pass from cats to humans Vjoy: Bordetella, ringworm, rabies & toxoplasmosis.

Where in her head does she have an infection Vjoy ??
 
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vjoy

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Dodo


Mostly in her ears. She also has it in her eyes, and mouth. The Vet who called yesterday seemed most concerned about her ears. I will know more when we take her to the Vet tonight.

I don't belive it is ringworm or rabies. As far as the other two forms, I have no idea. But she has been slobbering all over me for 3 weeks, and I am okay, ..... didn't know she had Staph until yesterday when the culture came back, and hopefully by now the meds are killing the infection.


From what I understand Toxoplasmosis is only a danger to pregnant women??

Thanks Dodo
 

my3boys

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Val, I'm not sure you would necessarily know if you had a staph infection. I had one on my lung 3 years ago & didn't know I had it, found it on a chest xray. They removed part of my lung because of it. (for what thats worth) !! Now I imagine I have just frightened you more. Didn't mean to. Just saying that you may not always be aware of having one early.
 
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vjoy

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My3boys....


Sigh.



Sigh.


Well, I am going to call my doctor, explain the situation, and find out what if anything I should be looking for in myself or my husband if we turn up sick. Hopefully, the strain she has is NOT transferrable, (which I will find out tonight), and we are all okay.

Thanks.
 
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vjoy

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I now think my baby has a cold


The Vet will tell me tonight.

She has been sneezing A LOT, and when she is asleep, I can hear her stuffy nose. She has also been extra lethargic the last two days. But it is the sudden sneezing that concerns me.


Are colds dangerous to cats? Do cats get colds often?
 

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Vjoy,

Have you checked to see of there are any discolored or lesioned areas on the tongue? I'm no vet, but it does sound alot like the Calici virus... Keep us posted....

Ken
 
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vjoy

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Okay, Update from the Vet:

The Vet thinks Danielle is older than 5.
She still has ulcerated ears from the staph infection. She needs another week on meds.
She is missing a quarter of her teeth.
She goes on her thyroid meds tomorrow (tapozole), which the Doc says will become toxic within the next two years, so she will have to have surgery or iodine treatment eventually.

I am angry, horrified, numb, saddened, empty, and afraid to get more attached. I love her sooooo much.

They also took a FIV/FeLV test, because we can't trust the shelter anymore even though they said she was negative. I get the results Saturday.

There are a whole host of side effects from the tapozole, which she may or may not get.

She is suffering so much.... I can't take this. I am a basket case, and I know I am going to burst into tears soon. This is my first pet, we have had her 3 weeks, and this poor little girl is breaking my heart. She has no one to love her except hubby and me. Has she ever had anyone love her?????????????????
I don't know how to handle all this.

Sorry to vent. That is the update.
 

dodo

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Vjoy,

Don't worry, the staph in her ears, mouth etc. shouldn't be zoonotic (I am 90% sure).

Bordetella is also called cat scratch disease. When the cat scratches humans, the organims causes swollen lenfs & flu like symptoms. Antibiotics is used as a treatment (for humans).

Toxoplasmosis can be found in cat feces. But actually there is a more possibility to get toxoplasmosis by handling raw meat than from a cat ! Toxoplasmosis can be dangerous for the fetus of pregnant women & for the immunologically compromised people.

Staph probably is the reason for the cold in your cat; if she doesn't have any viruses ?? Sick cats will spread the bacteria so that's how other cats will get it. Good thing is they can be cured by antibiotics (bacterium that is) if they aren't extremely serious, whereas there are no treatments for viruses.

It seems like she's on lots of drugs. Did the vet suggest something to strengthen her immune system ??
 
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vjoy

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Seda, Thanks for your response


The Vet said she saw no signs of a cold. But she has been sneezing a lot the past two days, so I think it must be allergies.

I spoke to my INternist, who said not to worry about catching a staph infection from a cat.

The Vet said it was possible, but not to really worry about it.

As far as drugs, she is now on the eye cream for just a few more days. Her mouth is better. Her ears are still badly ulcerated inside, so she needs at least another week of Orbax (antibiotic pill), and her ear drops. She may need longer. Vet said it will be cured, we just don't know when.

Today she starts the Tapozole for thyroid. I have to watch her for side effects. I bring her back next week for a blood work up, which she will have to have a lot of now
to make sure her levels are okay, and that the Tapozole is not affecting her kidneys.
Eventually, she will need either Iodine treatment or surgery for the thyroid.


The Vet did not suggest anything to strenghten her immune system.

By the way, what is "zootonic"?
 
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vjoy

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AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, new update on Danielle.


Her ears are healing a bit, but now she has developed an upper respiratory infection. She has been sneezing and sniffling terribly. It started last week, but got better over the weekend, and we thought it was allergies. But it is back, and worse, so the Vet could see. Her eye is also getting worse again.


Now her meds are increased, ear drops, eye drops, nose drops, and oral pill.

The doc took her off the thyroid meds for 4 months, since Danielle has been having what could be a reaction to the meds, but it could also be her cold.

How much more does this poor kitty have to take? I asked the Doc how an indoor cat could develop an upper respiratory infection now?? She said, maybe she got it at the shelter, and it was incubating. Anyone ever hear of this??

Poor Danielle....The Doc said she is a mess, and this will take a loooooonnnngg time to heal.

I hope she DOES heal.
 

sandie

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I am sure she is going to be just fine after everything is cleared. Yes, she probably picked up the virus at the shelter. All of them have different incubation periods. As I said before, the stress of change and a new enviroment can supress the immune system and..poof you have a sick baby. Just hang in there and keep loving her as much as you do. I had 2 sick babies for 9 months. They had upper respitory infections for about 6 months and to top it off, they had ringworm so bad that it took 3 months to clear them up. They are 2 of the most healthy happy babies I could ever ask for now. Matter of fact, the one is the very first Grand Champion Munchkin ever in show.
 
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vjoy

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Thanks Sandie.

It is just sooo hard, this poor kitty comes to her new home and is bombarded with torture treatments. And now, her treatments are increased from 2 times a day to 4. OY OY..... I worry about her
mental state.

sigh.......

Thanks again.
 

jacquiefaith

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Val,

Your poor baby!!! I am so sorry for you both. Just keep giving her lots and lots of love because that's what she needs the most right now. Hang in there and keep us posted. I will be sure to pray for your baby!!


-Jacquie
 
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vjoy

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Thank you Jacquie,

Okay. My first mission alone failed dismally. :LOL:

Hubby has been helping me morning and evening administering meds. He holds her down, while I give her the meds.

Well......Her new eye drops have to go in 4 times a day. This means that twice (while he is at work) I must do it ALONE.....groan...

Well. Today was my first attempt to grab her by the scruff of the neck and hold her long enough to put in the drops. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That little mushy face squirmed, slithered, and took all of a milisecond to get away from me. Picture me on the floor, trying deperately to hold on to a cat that is trying desperately to get away from me, and you got the picture. Well...the eye drops went ungiven, and I am a very, very bad mommy with a very, very poor grip.


Sigh.....
 

studio224

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Originally posted by Vjoy

That little mushy face squirmed, slithered, and took all of a milisecond to get away from me. Picture me on the floor, trying deperately to hold on to a cat that is trying desperately to get away from me, and you got the picture.
Sigh.....
LOL! Val, you made me laugh. I can picture this situation so well since I have had to do the same thing to one of my cats... And boy... doesn't it seem that suddenly they have 8 paws and a million claws????

Be strong Val... sometimes it just take... time! Danielle will get better, I am sure of it. Try to play with her to compensate (is this an english word or one of my inventions?) for the medicine giving ordeal... There is nothing better then playing with a cat to aliviate the stress...

Anne-Claire
 
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vjoy

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Anne-Claire,,,,

thank you.


Unfortunately, since we started treament, Danielle has lost all interest in play. All I can do is cuddle her, if she will let me.

My husband she is scared of.... Now with me trying to attack her during the day, she will probably start staying away from me too.

I want to cuddle her, but if she runs under the bed or behind the wall unit, well.......... I can't show her how much I love her, and that breaks my heart.
 
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