Olivia is sick..very upset here....

Maybe she's not up yet.

Or maybe she's taking Olivia to the vet.

Good luck, and let us know how she's doing this morning!

Ok...made it to the vet first thing this morning after a sleepless night! Olivia has been diagnosed with an intestinal bacterial infection. She is on antibiotics, as are the other kittens. The vet reassured me that they would be ok...the other 4 appear healthy but with them all sharing the litter tray it is likely that they have contracted the same infection. Tests for Gardia and the major cat illnesses came back negative.

Olivia...the little madam...would not eat or drink yesterday. I tried to get her to eat something this morning but she refused. However, at the vet she dived into a bowl of food and water (the same food as I feed her at home....Royal Canin Babycat!). I am so happy she is eating at least.

Olivia has been treated for worms last week. However, I went armed with stool samples from 3 of the kittens (yes had fun collecting that last night), roundworm was found in all three samples.

All 7 cats are on a 3 day worming treatment.

I am glad to report that this afternoon, Olivia was drinking water voluntarily and about 20 minutes ago she ate a small bit of food.

Her third eyelid has disappeared and she is less lethargic than yesterday.

I called my friend who gave me Olivia and Olivia's brother is going through the same thing.

I am to take all 5 cats back to the vet next week for a check up and the original 4 are going to get their shots.

Why I have taken a while to post is because after the kittens were seen (that took quite a while), he told me to bring the 2 adult cats in too to be seen.

The once we got home...I was so tired...I crashed for a few hours!

Thanks for your support guys. I was so panicky last night.

Olivia is not back to her usual self, still a bit lethargic....but she is eating and drinking.

that's great news minxie! i'm so glad she's started to pick up again. How typical that she ate at the vet though lol.

I had a sneaking suspicion that it was some type of tummy thing. It always appears worse than it actually is, I'd say. Well, I'm happy to hear that all is gradually going back to normal, and that Olivia and the rest of your cats are being treated, and that everything will level out!

We're all thinking about you! Now go pour a glass of wine, and soak in the tub for 2 hours!!! Do something for YOU!!!

glad to hear Olivia is doing better. I know the english, have a cupper and get some rest. I hope you all feel better in the morning.

Just caught up on this thread with Olivia.......will keep her in my thoughts...........keep the faith!!

Good for you on catching it so early! She will be right as rain before you know it!

I'm so happy that Olivia is doing better. {{{{{Sending Get Well Vibes}}}}} to Olivia.

Thanks guys for your concern and advice! Olivia still has the diahrrea, third eyelid showing again and is a little lethargic...but is in a much better place than last night! She is eating and drinking. Vet said the antibitoics should kick in quickly and by Monday she should be back to normal.

One of the 5 vomitted last night...discovered the lovely surprise this afternoon on my nice new marble tiles. But there has been no sign of vomitting since - the antibiotics and/or worming tablets are doing there job

I have had the cuppa tea that you recommended and feeling much more relieved. I was so worried as I have lost 2 kittens a few years ago from a condition they had from birth and just did not want to go through that again.

At the vets this morning, the 3 boys were so well behaved. However, Olivia tried to bite the vet on a few occasions when he tried to take her temperature and little Amelia gave the vet a stool sample there and then.

Originally Posted by minxie

Olivia tried to bite the vet on a few occasions when he tried to take her temperature and little Amelia gave the vet a stool sample there and then.

Click to expand...

Aww. I'm glad you were able to get them to the vet, & find out what was wrong. Keep getting better, Olivia!

Pets can be so unpredictable at the vet's...mine have done some choice things one their visits. Luckily my vet is forgiving.

I know everything will be fine with Olivia and her feline family. Just keep in touch with the vet, and if it starts to go downhill again, let him/her know ASAP.

So glad Olivia is diagnosed and on the mend. And that her littermates will be saved the same illness. I know how worrying it can be when you see them go downhill, and you know how quickly they can fade. here's hoping you are enjoying hte weekend now, a little more relaxed.

Its so sweet - the vet called to ask after Olivia

She seems perkier today Not eating much, but enough and she's drinking water.

I gave her a good grooming this morning and she was purring away

Way to go Olivia....

What a nice vet making "house calls"!!! I wish mine would do that!

Here's to a speedy recovery!!!! Olivia is such a gorgeous kitten.

Ahhh....typed a long post and then lost it....Ok I'll re-type it again.....here goes..

1) The poop samples I took to the vet only showed an indication of mild roundworm

2) Vet called again this afternoon as his colleague had run tests on a 2nd poop sample taken at the vet yesterday. Bad news...alll 5 have Giardia. Olivia has it worse. As well as the amoxcycillin injection yesterday, I have to syringe metronidazole down their little throats...wish me luck with that!

3) Vet is concerned about Olivia's third eyelid showing and worried me like crazy by saying it could be a sign of respiratory illness. Ok I didn't want to tell the man how to do his job but I've read on this forum and the net that its is a sign of general illness in cats and cats with Giardia can get it. I told him this and he seemed to 'fob off' my attempt at knowing about cat health. If anyone who reads this has had a kitten with Giardia and the third eyelid showing, please could they post a reply here or pm me. I would be so grateful.

4) We are off to the vet tomorrow for another antibiotic injection and check up.

5) I have turned into Mrs Doubtfire and I am boiling litter trays, using antibacterial cat litter (is this ok for kittens? The trays do smell a hell of a lot cleaner!), steam cleaning any places where they sleep, litter trays, feeding equipment and the carpet of their little nursery room (well computer room with a cat tree and cat litter trays in it). Is their anything else I can do to stop the spread of this nasty Giardia, in a multi indoor cat household? I'll do some research on the net about it too.

Thanks in advance for any responses....I feel with knowing other people's experiences and knowledge, I am less panicky and a bit more proactive.

Ps - MODS - is this ok in this forum or does it need to be in the Health forum?

Poor you, poor kittens. Hope they all get better soon.
Anne

HI Minxie!! Sorry to hear whats been going on , hope they are doing ok.
How did they all catch gardia??

Lucyloo - Hi! The original 4 (Tinkerbelle's babies were fine). The new addition Olivia brought her gorgeous face and a dose of giardia with her!

They have been really lively today and I treated them with boiled chicken - they loved it! Their poop has been solid to half solid/half mushy today...which is an improvement on diahrrea. Off to the vet later for a 6.30pm appointment..vet wants to see an improvement in them or we need to revise the medication. I think he'll see an improvement...I definitely do.

Keep you posted.

Hugs to Tinkerbelle, Sacha and her litter mates.

By the way - if any of you have a problem with stinky litter trays - I can really recommend sophisticat antibacterial litter (sold in UK...not sure if its a US product also?)..its been a godsend this week!

Olivias mum must have had it then!!! oh well at least they are being treated.