Help, what could they have?

kat_krazy · Apr 11, 2006

I have two sick kittens. One was very sick and put on meds for worms and parasites. He has finished his meds but still has diarrhea, although not as runny. The other was fine until recently she also starts getting diarrhea. She is lethargic and her third eyelid is showing (apparently a sign of illness). She was at a vet today for her booster shot and the vet didn't think anything seemed that wrong with her. I take her home and she had bad diarrhea which I just took in and it tested negative for worms or parasites. I am taking her in tomorrow to see the vet but since the vet couldn't figure out what was wrong with Bojee, how will she figure out what is wrong with Meeka?

So I was hoping somebody here might have had similar experience, or know what else could cause diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy in kittens other than worms or parasites? I am starting to feel very discouraged it was bad enough with one sick kitten, and the meds haven't helped yet so it's likely not parasites or worms otherwise shouldn't at least the boy be better after being on all the meds?

sharky · Apr 11, 2006

You dont mention age of kitens ... but my advise is a vet visit

miss mew · Apr 11, 2006

It sounds like a second vet visit is in order...perhaps to get a second opinion. Little kittens can dehydrate very quickly.

kat_krazy · Apr 11, 2006

I'm going to the vet tomorrow morning (I said this in my first post) but I'm wondering if anyone knew what else could cause this so I can go in more researched and with a better idea of what I want tested? I was just reading about leukemia which can apparently cause diarrhea, does anyone have any experience with this?

kat_krazy · Apr 11, 2006

I forgot to meniton the age of Bojee is 9 weeks, Meeka is about 12-14 weeks (dob unknown).

momof3rugratz · Apr 11, 2006

They are young. I think a vet visit is in deed needed. A stool sample might work If you can get it from them.

kat_krazy · Apr 11, 2006

i don't think i am getting my question across here lol. as i said in my first post i have a vet appointment for tomorrow 11am. i took in a stool sample today which turned back negative. Bojee also had a stool analysis last week which was also negative.

so apart from going to the vet and getting stool samples for parasites (both of which have been done) does anyone know any viruses that could cause diarrhea and vomiting?

eupnea · Apr 11, 2006

it could be any number of things, honestly.

no one here is going to be able to "diagnose" your kitty without actually being there.

momof3rugratz · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by kat_krazy

i don't think i am getting my question across here lol. as i said in my first post i have a vet appointment for tomorrow 11am. i took in a stool sample today which turned back negative. Bojee also had a stool analysis last week which was also negative.

so apart from going to the vet and getting stool samples for parasites (both of which have been done) does anyone know any viruses that could cause diarrhea and vomiting?

All I was suggesting was basically do it all over again just in case they ask for another. You where going to the vet again right. There is nothing else to say because Diarrhea can be because of a lot of different things. Sorry

kat_krazy · Apr 11, 2006

eupnea- I'm not asking anyone to diagnose my kittens, I just thought that being a cat forum some people may have better knowledge of the possibilities than myself.

I actually can't find that much that can cause diarrhea other than parasites and worms, which is why I posted here to see if anyone has any other ideas

I have noticed a few sites mention diarrhea as a symptom of leukemia, which is why I wanted to know if anyone knows about leukemia. I will go to vet after vet until I find out what's wrong, I was just hoping for someone to help give me some ideas of what to expect.

I am exhausted taking care of sick kittens and killing myself with worry I was just looking for some words of wisdom or even just similar experiences or reassurance from the people here. I pay $50 each time I go into the vet, the visits are short, and I want to be as well educated on all possibilities as possible so I can get as much out of the visit as possible, without asking her to explain everything to me. I have been searching possibilites on the internet for the past two hours my eyes hurt and I just thought I'd try here to see if anyone has any other ideas. I guess not so I will continue my search.

momof3rugratz · Apr 11, 2006

Did they eat some food that wasn't agreeable.

beckiboo · Apr 11, 2006

I would highly doubt leukemia, especially in two kittens. Much more likely to be something contagious, like distemper. Or even more likely, the worm medicine could be causing the diarrhea as the kittens pass the worms. Generally, you would give them two treatments, to kill the worms and the new baby worms that hatch inside the cats. The vet can advise on dosing and time between wormings.

And just a reminder, this is a message board, so you don't always get a real quick response. And we often get posters who never seem to want to take a kitty to the vet...so we often strongly encourage vet visits, even if the cats have seen one vet.

yosemite · Apr 11, 2006

Originally Posted by kat_krazy

eupnea- I'm not asking anyone to diagnose my kittens, I just thought that being a cat forum some people may have better knowledge of the possibilities than myself.

I actually can't find that much that can cause diarrhea other than parasites and worms, which is why I posted here to see if anyone has any other ideas

I have noticed a few sites mention diarrhea as a symptom of leukemia, which is why I wanted to know if anyone knows about leukemia. I will go to vet after vet until I find out what's wrong, I was just hoping for someone to help give me some ideas of what to expect.

I am exhausted taking care of sick kittens and killing myself with worry I was just looking for some words of wisdom or even just similar experiences or reassurance from the people here. I pay $50 each time I go into the vet, the visits are short, and I want to be as well educated on all possibilities as possible so I can get as much out of the visit as possible, without asking her to explain everything to me. I have been searching possibilites on the internet for the past two hours my eyes hurt and I just thought I'd try here to see if anyone has any other ideas. I guess not so I will continue my search.

Hi kat krazy - there are more things than worms and parasites that can cause diarrhea in your kitties. If you've already seen this vet and he/she hasn't come up with a diagnosis yet, he shouldn't be charging you again for your visits IMO. If you are dissatisfied with this vet (and I know I would be), try getting a second opinion from another vet. Also if you are paying $50 for every visit, then you should expect her to explain everything to you. I also doubt if your babies have leukemia.

All any of us here can do is GUESS what might be the problem and that is why everyone suggests the vet. They are the ones that need to run the tests and check the result to try to find out what the problem is.

One question I have is, have you recently changed their food at all? That can also cause diarrhea. Are you giving them any cows milk? That can cause diarrhea since cats are often lactose intolerant and should not be given cow milk. You can buy cat milk at your pet store or goat milk is also OK.

Please don't be discouraged with us, we are only trying to help. Please post and let us know how you make out with these babies.

hissy · Apr 11, 2006

Causes of diarrhea in kittens- worms- giardia, coccidia, a virus, drinking cow's milk, eating the wrong foods, could be something in the water. I would give the kittens pedialyte because your worse enemy right now is dehydration. Lightly pinch the kitten's scruff of the neck and release the neck. The skin should fold down in seconds, if it doesn't then get the kitten(s) to the vet quickly they need subcu fluids. It also depends on the color of the diarrhea and if there are blood streaks in it.

familytimerags · Apr 11, 2006

I was also thinking by the age, that it could be a change it diet. If they found both fecal exams to be negative, and the diarrhea is still continuing, then going ahead and treating for any parasite may be needed. Giardia is sometimes hard to find on fecal exam, so they will probably use a wormer.
It could be an allergy to a food product, one of our kittens was recently diagnosed with IBD, and a prescription diet was needed to resolve the diarrhea.
Also, sometimes when there is signifigant stress to the intestines, it can continue causing problems, you may have to stop food for 24 hours, continue giving water, and then begin a canned food such as Hills A/D for the first few meals, it is supposed to be very easy on the digestive tract.
You are doing the right thing, by going back to the vet. It took me 3 visits of many tests, before the doctor couldn't find anything, and ended up ruling it IBD. It can be very frustrating in the mean time. The kittens are still young, so continue checking for dehydration.
I hope that your vet appointment tomorrow brings better news.

familytimerags · Apr 11, 2006

I know everyone has said that they would be fairly certain that leukemia could be ruled out, I was curious of why that would be.
I may have missed if these were outside kittens, or indoor kittens, or where they came from. Of course outdoor kittens would be at more of a risk, so if the poster is sure that they haven't had a chance of being exposed by their mother at birth, or had access to the outdoors, I would also say that exposure to leukemia would be unlikely. Kittens and older cats are at more of a risk, I thought, and since it is highly contagious, I could see 2 kittens sharing a litter box, being able to be both infected.
This is just what I thought, I love learning, and would love to know more.
I also don't want to scare the original poster, by any means.

Have these kittens been vaccinated for felv? If not, a simple test should be able to give accurate results. It is just $12 from our vet, I don't know if other vets are that reasonable.
Again, I hope they start feeling better soon.

Help, what could they have?

kat_krazy

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sharky

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miss mew

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kat_krazy

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eupnea

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