This COCCIDIA is killing us!!!!!

big-cat-fan · Apr 30, 2005

My new kitten (which I bought from a pet store) (BIG MISTAKE) started getting blood in his poop the next day. I took him to the vet and they ran some tests and said it is COCCIDIA. He said it the worst case of it he has ever seen.
On April 16th he put Garfield on ALBON antibiotic. .25 cc's a day. I took him back in today because he has extremly watery stool. Less blood but still very watery stool. He took another stool sample and even let me see the results. It was terrible. The whole plastic film under the microscope or whatever it is was filled with Coccidia eggs. He said it has not gotten better since starting ALBON. So he gave him a ALBON shot. And told me to continue the oral ALBON but up it to .50 cc.
Does anyone thin this will help this poor baby????
I have to bath him almost everyday b/c he the hair around his butt and all down his legs gets full of poop!!!
Also when he has to go .... he has to go. He will go anywhere.
Any advice???????

wellingtoncats · Apr 30, 2005

Sorry I have no advice for you but Garfield is in my thoughts!

big-cat-fan · Apr 30, 2005

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Sorry I have no advice for you but Garfield is in my thoughts!

Awww, thank you so much!!!! It helps me to know that he is in your thoughts!!!

loveourkitties · Apr 30, 2005

You poor thing. I appreciate your drive to help him. I had a kitten like that once too. Unfortunately he didn't make it due to poor nutrition, we had to feed him through a syringe every few hours. But even that wasn't enough, his blood sugar bottomed out and he was permanently brain damaged and had to be put down. :Make sure you watch for signs of that such as stiff muscles. Good luck I will pray for you!

big-cat-fan · Apr 30, 2005

Originally Posted by loveourkitties

You poor thing. I appreciate your drive to help him. I had a kitten like that once too. Unfortunately he didn't make it due to poor nutrition, we had to feed him through a syringe every few hours. But even that wasn't enough, his blood sugar bottomed out and he was permanently brain damaged and had to be put down. :Make sure you watch for signs of that such as stiff muscles. Good luck I will pray for you!

Thank you so much.
We already love him so much. And it is the only option I have .... to fight for him to be normal and healthy as soon as possible. Thank you for your thoughts. It helps get through the tough days.

talon · Apr 30, 2005

Wow, rough time for kitty! Being sick and being isolated from your other kitties, hang in there!

momofmany · Apr 30, 2005

Coccidia has developed a resistance to Albon and there are cases these days where it doesn't work that well. There is a drug available outside the U.S. that works better than Albon but vets are not allowed to prescribe it. When I had a bad case of Coccidia in 2 of my kittens, I got the drug from the Humane Society. Sorry, can't remember the name of it right now. It has the nastiest flavor of any drug, and unless you mix it with canned food juice, they only spit it up. But it cleared it up when Albon failed.

Talk to your vet - my experience was last year and it may be on the market these days. I believe it is made in Australia.

big-cat-fan · Apr 30, 2005

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Coccidia has developed a resistance to Albon and there are cases these days where it doesn't work that well. There is a drug available outside the U.S. that works better than Albon but vets are not allowed to prescribe it. When I had a bad case of Coccidia in 2 of my kittens, I got the drug from the Humane Society. Sorry, can't remember the name of it right now. It has the nastiest flavor of any drug, and unless you mix it with canned food juice, they only spit it up. But it cleared it up when Albon failed.

Talk to your vet - my experience was last year and it may be on the market these days. I believe it is made in Australia.

Wow!! This may be an answer to all my prayers for Garfield!!! Thank you so much. I will call him first thing Monday morning.
P.S. The vet did say if he still had runny stool on Tuesday.. to bring him back in and he would try a different medicine. I wonder what he has in mind.

Thanks again!!!

hissy · Apr 30, 2005

I know when I had a litter of kitten a few years ago they all had this for awhile. I finally started adding GSE (grapefruit seed extract to their bottles) about 5 drops her feeding. It really did turn the trick better than the meds the vet had prescribed. It takes so much out of them, they become weak and dehydrated- you can buy GSE over the internet or at a good health food store.

stephenq · May 1, 2005

I'd keep her in a small room like the bathroom with a warm bed, maybe lined with disposable wee wee pads, and near the litter box as well. If she is weak you may want to make an "easy-entry" litter box like a small foil roasting pan with low sides, but regardless there is no reason to give her the run of your house while she's ill. She needs to conserve what energy she has as well.

Coccidia can be very dangerous in cats and especially kittens as it actually destroys the lining of the cat's intestine, and if untreated, or if the treatment is unsucessful can be fatal. Push for aggressive treatment,and keep fluids moving through her system so she doesn't get dehydrated. You might even want to ask your vet how to do IV hydration - its not hard if someone holds the kitten for you. You inject the fuids under the skin and the water gets absorbed. You vet could send you home with an IV bag etc.

You can also check your kitten for hydration by pulling the skin of her neck away from her body by pinching the skin between your thumb and first finger. Pull the skin until reasonably tight then let go. It should snap back like a rubber band. If it sinks slowly she's dehydrated. If it doesn't sink back all the way she is very dehydrated and needs IV hydration.

Some people mistakenly think that a cat with diarrhea should not get more water into their system, and should avoid wet food etc as if the water was contributing to the problem. It isn't. The opposite is true, the cat needs more water to fight dehydration. The advantage to iv hydration is the water bypasses the intestines entirely and is obsorbed directly into the cats system.

Note that Coccidia meds do not actually kills the parasite but instead prevent it from replicating. Ultimately its the cat's own immune system which has to kill the coccidia - and in a young kitten with an immature immunse system and weak on top of that may find this difficult. Keep treating her, and I hope it turns out ok.

big-cat-fan · May 1, 2005

Originally Posted by hissy

I know when I had a litter of kitten a few years ago they all had this for awhile. I finally started adding GSE (grapefruit seed extract to their bottles) about 5 drops her feeding. It really did turn the trick better than the meds the vet had prescribed. It takes so much out of them, they become weak and dehydrated- you can buy GSE over the internet or at a good health food store.

I am willing to try anything!!
Can you tell me how I would have to give it to him if he already eats solid food?
Thanks!!

big-cat-fan · May 1, 2005

Originally Posted by stephenq

I'd keep her in a small room like the bathroom with a warm bed, maybe lined with disposable wee wee pads, and near the litter box as well. If she is weak you may want to make an "easy-entry" litter box like a small foil roasting pan with low sides, but regardless there is no reason to give her the run of your house while she's ill. She needs to conserve what energy she has as well.

Coccidia can be very dangerous in cats and especially kittens as it actually destroys the lining of the cat's intestine, and if untreated, or if the treatment is unsucessful can be fatal. Push for aggressive treatment,and keep fluids moving through her system so she doesn't get dehydrated. You might even want to ask your vet how to do IV hydration - its not hard if someone holds the kitten for you. You inject the fuids under the skin and the water gets absorbed. You vet could send you home with an IV bag etc.

You can also check your kitten for hydration by pulling the skin of her neck away from her body by pinching the skin between your thumb and first finger. Pull the skin until reasonably tight then let go. It should snap back like a rubber band. If it sinks slowly she's dehydrated. If it doesn't sink back all the way she is very dehydrated and needs IV hydration.

Some people mistakenly think that a cat with diarrhea should not get more water into their system, and should avoid wet food etc as if the water was contributing to the problem. It isn't. The opposite is true, the cat needs more water to fight dehydration. The advantage to iv hydration is the water bypasses the intestines entirely and is obsorbed directly into the cats system.

Note that Coccidia meds do not actually kills the parasite but instead prevent it from replicating. Ultimately its the cat's own immune system which has to kill the coccidia - and in a young kitten with an immature immunse system and weak on top of that may find this difficult. Keep treating her, and I hope it turns out ok.

Garfield has always been so full of energy!!!He has never been weak at all.
Thats what puzzles me. Everyone tells me that he should be weak. But he isnt. And witht he vet telling me it is the worst case of coccidia he has ever seen.... it really puzzles me!!
Like the vet asked me "Have you seen that cat fly" LOL
Referring to his unusal ways of getting rid of some of that energy!!! LOL

He does seem to be getting thinner since I first bought him. But he is also getting longer.
He has also always drank ALOT of water. And eaten very well. It is like he isnt sick at all except for his Pooping problems. And of course I KNOW he is sick b/c I saw the plasic plate under the microscope yesturday.
What do ya'll think about this?

big-cat-fan · May 1, 2005

Guess what everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I probably am jinxing myself and Garfield... but I do not think he has had runny poo all day today.

He now covers it with his clumping litter so I can not tell by looking at it. But he has always had alot of accidents in the house b/c it was so bad. And he also had alot of poo on the hair around his little rear. So i had to bath his rear everyday just about.
But he has had neither of these problems all day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to catch him going potty so I can see for myself.

I will let yall know soon.

For those of you who have read my threads .. I am still having some problems w/ my pregnant kitty LILO.

big-cat-fan · May 1, 2005

Guess what everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did see Garfield poop a little earlier and it is still a little soft.... but nothing like it was!!!!! YEA

The ALBON shot he received yesturday must have really helped.

I know it will take a little more time for him to fully recover but now I have hope that he will be a happy healthy kitten.

By the way: Please let me know what ya'll think of what I have done..... I took all of the receipts (what I payed for all of Garfields care due to COCCIDIA) over to the pet store where I bought him and I told her I wanted all of my money back. She of course refused but I talked her into paying for the Albon oral and an eye cream. Which totaled about $30.00. All together I have spent around $200.00!!! I feel as though she is responsible b/c I bought him sick from her (of course I didnt know he was sick till I got him home and he pooped blood). Should I take the receipt for the ALBON shot (from yesturday) to her as well? Or should I just let well enough alone?

stephenq · May 1, 2005

I'm thrilled he's doing better, and I am very happy for you! I don't know what the pet store owes you - it may depend on what they agreed to in any contract they gave you, but i'd be glad he's doing better.

If I could wave a wand I'd outlaw the sale of cats and dogs through pet stores nationwide.

big-cat-fan · May 1, 2005

Originally Posted by stephenq

I'm thrilled he's doing better, and I am very happy for you! I don't know what the pet store owes you - it may depend on what they agreed to in any contract they gave you, but i'd be glad he's doing better.

If I could wave a wand I'd outlaw the sale of cats and dogs through pet stores nationwide.

You are right!! And that is what I thought ... that I should just be happy he is better. But everyone is so upset at what has happened here I guess they just want her to pay.
And I agree with you about outlawing the sell of cats and dogs in pet stores. After I brought the other receipts to her .. I found out that he came from Chicago!!!!! That is a good 10 hour drive from us!!! I then new why he freaked out when I put him in his carrier to bring him to the vets office!!! It is just so sad. But I believe he was sent to me sick b/c God knew I would take care of him. Not many people care for sick animals.I do not pat myself on the back at all. Ac-tu-ally I feel bad when I look at him sometimes b/c I got so agitated w/ him sometimes ... pooping everywhere!! But I know it is not his fault and I never punished him ... (i do not believe in that) I just only would think to myself " what have I done"???

But I know he was sent to us for a reason!!
And we love him w/ all of our hearts!!!!!!!! I would never change a thing!!

esrgirl · May 1, 2005

Big-Cat-Fan, I am just so glad that you bought this little kitty over someone else. Who knows if another person would be as caring and loving as you are to this little cutie. He probably wouldn't have stood much of a chance with anyone else.

loveysmummy · May 2, 2005

Did you sign any kind of contract with guarantee or anytjhing?
Out of principle, I would march in there with all receipts saying there are possibly more to come, and speak loudly.. Go at the busiest time of day! You might make others think twice about purchasing from them at the very least.
So glad to hear lil Garfield might be feeling better..

big-cat-fan · May 2, 2005

Originally Posted by esrgirl

Big-Cat-Fan, I am just so glad that you bought this little kitty over someone else. Who knows if another person would be as caring and loving as you are to this little cutie. He probably wouldn't have stood much of a chance with anyone else.

Thank you so much for your kind words!!

I know what you mean. I see animals (not just cats) as living,breathing animals just like us. Only they are helpless when it comes to things like this.
I could not just stand back and watch this sickness tear him apart until it killed him. I mean have you seen that little face???? LOL
But really, what are a few dollars to pay for medicine and extra time cleaning up cat poop off the floor when I know in the end I saved him. And all of those laughs he has given us so far!!! Many more of those to come!!

big-cat-fan · May 2, 2005

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Did you sign any kind of contract with guarantee or anytjhing?
Out of principle, I would march in there with all receipts saying there are possibly more to come, and speak loudly.. Go at the busiest time of day! You might make others think twice about purchasing from them at the very least.
So glad to hear lil Garfield might be feeling better..

No, I did not sign anything. Actaully after we payed for him she told me that there was only a 48 hour health gurantee!!!
I should have known then.
But when I went back to give her the receipts she told me "Well it says here in the paper you received"... and I interupted her by saying" I never received one of those papers". I am not very good at confronting people. It's not in my blood... hehe
But it has just hurt me in the pocket book ... ya know?
You seem to know how to do it right.... how bout you come with me??? LOL

This COCCIDIA is killing us!!!!!

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