My kitten is still not well

My poor Sierra. She has had the runs since I got her
a week ago. They did a stool check and it was fine.
I had to take her back in today. They put her on some new med
and also put on on a special food to help firm up her poo.
I feel bad for her, plus I am sick of the mess and poopy paws .
I hope she gets better soon. Nothing worse than trying to clean up
poopy paws

Aww, poor baby.
Did they give her de-worming medicine? Or did she not need it?
Have they ruled out the possibility of coccidia? Maybe you should try taking her to a different vet for a second opinion if she doesn't get better in the next 24 hours...

Yes she has been wormed twice.
Never mentioned Coccidia. She is acting fine and eating well
she just can't seem to get rid of the runs the poor baby.
Today she did see a different vet. Not sure how long you should
let this go if no improvment. Thanks for your reply.

You might try making some long-cooking white rice and boiling a boneless, skinless chicken breast - take about a half cup of the cooked rice and about half of the chicken breast and put it in the food processor or blender what-have-you to make a goopy little feast for your baby. Give it to her twice a day in small amounts. This will assist in binding her up a bit.

Thanks for the tip!
What are the signs of Coccidia?
Would that have shown up in her poop sample?

Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of cats, most commonly in kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g., change in ownership, other disease present).

In cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. I. felis and I. rivolta are the most common species found in cats. Regardless of which species is present we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a kitten ages it tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult it may carry coccidia in its intestines, shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.

A kitten is not born with the coccidia organisms in its intestine. However, once born, the kitten is frequently exposed to its mother's feces and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young kittens, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes this has severe effects.

From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most kittens who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of being spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected kitten is contagious to other kittens. It is a good idea to isolate those infected from those that are not if you have multiple cats in your home.

The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.

Most infected kittens are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.

Although many cases are mild it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young kittens.

It should be mentioned here that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy kitten to arrive at its new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the kitten has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then it had coccidia before it arrived. Remember the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the kitten has been with its new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home. Usually coccidia was present only to surface during the stressful period of the kitten adjusting to a new home.

Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the kitten's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of five or more days are usually required.

Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.

Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a cat, for instance, can infect the cat. Therefore, insect and rodent control are very important in preventing coccidiosis.

The coccidia species of cats do not infect humans.

Hope this helps.

~gf~

Wow thanks for all that info!!
The kitten I have is from a shelter I work at.
Sierra and her siblings were found in a dumpster when they
were about 2 days old. None of her siblings are sick
and they were not with any other cats. Just each other in the cage.