Poorly kitten with cat flu.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Our six-month-old Balinese kitten has a recurrence of cat flu again . He first had it a month ago. This time, he has a high temperature, an eye infection, the sneezes and is sleeping all the time. He is still eating and drinking, thank goodness, but he is very underweight.

If he gets another recurrence, the vet will check for other diseases.

I have come away from the vet with a bagful of medicines and a much depleted bank account.

The vet did reassure me that this wasn't life threatening. We are all besotted with this kitten, particularly my oldest son. The other day, DS1 fell asleep during the day and I found him and the kitten tucked up under the duvet, both heads on the pillow .

Has anyone else had a cat with cat flu? If so, did it keep coming back? Any tips?

Also, any tips on telling the breeder would be welcome. I chickened out of telling her the first time round, but I really feel I should this time. However, I don't know what to say without sounding as if I'm asking for a refund or blaming her in some way. Also, I'm not sure what she can do about it if her cats are carriers. Does it mean that she shouldn't be selling kittens, or is this just a risk you take when you buy a cat from a breeder?

Incidentally, the only reason we bought a pedigree was because I am allergic to cats and this was one of the few breeds that don't trigger my allergies. Am not particularly bothered whether I have a moggie or a pedigree, just don't want to spend my days sneezing and wheezing.

Yes, that's true about the tiled bathroom, but there is another online clip of a cat licking a normal wall (it's a bit blurry, which is why I didn't link to that one).

It's ok, we're all downstairs now and kitty is with us. If DS1 and kitty go upstairs later, DS1 is vigilant about stopping the licking and will bring him downstairs again if he won't stop. We are concerned about toxins in the paint.

I'll let you know what the vet says about it.

Good - I'm interested.

Best of luck.

Saw the vet. He is concerned because kitty has lost more weight and he thinks there may be something other than cat flu going on. He wants to test for liver/kidney issues, which will involve sedation and a blood test. We will sort out an appointment in the next couple of days.

He thinks the licking thing is to do with something kitty is not getting in his diet. He doesn't think it's spraying and says that because the kitten is so underweight and unwell, he wouldn't recommend having him neutered yet.

Poor kitty tried to jump up on the vet's lap and couldn't do it, so he fell awkwardly on the floor. It was so sad to see. He keeps trying to do kittenish things and not having the strength.

MumnGran - the Nutriplus gel arrived today, so I wiped it on his paws and he licked it all off. Thanks again for that recommendation.

DS1 remains blissfully oblivious of all this, and I intend to keep it that way. Hopefully, whatever is wrong can be sorted and we'll have a well kitten again.

Oh Dear. Get him in for the procedure as soon as possible then and keep us posted.

Good grief, your poor kitten.

I work in nursing homes, they use vitamin drinks there to support residents and it really works. I'm sure a lot of them would pass if it wasn't for good basic nursing.

Yes, I will, cozie.

Glad to hear that, Fluffy. I will keep on with the Nutriplan. It's meant to encourage appetite, as well as providing vitamines and minerals.

Well I'll be thinking of you all - so difficult for you, especially, to have all this trouble and yet to have to stay superficially calm and happy for DS1's sake.

vitamins, not vitamines, obviously.

Thanks, cozie. DS1 doesn't suspect a thing, thank goodness. The vet mentioned possible liver shunt and I have scared myself by googling it, but at least I know cats can live with it. No point in speculating at the moment.

If it's any help at all op our siamese was given a very poor prognosis by the vets as a kitten.after lots of tests and stays at a special hospital the vets didn't really come to any conclusions.he just grew and ate and got stronger.
Fingers crossed.

That's comforting to hear, out2lunch. Fingers crossed indeed.

He did manage to eat a little Applaws chicken this evening and came back for more - probably still only a third of a small tin, but better than nothing.

How is he this morning, Toffee?

Funnily enough, he's eating a little more. He ate about half a little tin of Applaws chicken last night and has eaten a bit more this morning. Then DH gave him some Felix and he ate some of that. So that is an improvement. Maybe he's just lost weight because he has cat flu and now he's beginning to feel better.

Anyway, we have booked him in for the sedation and blood test on Friday morning. Unfortunately, I don't think the insurance will cover it because the issue predates the official start of the insurance (there was a 14 day period after I took it out when they wouldn't cover any new illnesses. That ends today, but they're bound to say the blood test is related to his ongoing issues). It's like a big black hole of money. Obviously, we will pay what we need to to keep kitty well, but it's frustrating to be paying for insurance, then realise it won't pay up when we need it.

Anyway, I'm glad he's eating a little more. Also, DS1's first appointment with the psychologist to help with his OCD was this morning and that went well.

Oh ToffeeWhirl, am so sorry the Kitten Of Many Names is such a poorly little boy. Glad that you've been able to get so much good advice from people here though & also that DS1's no idea of how worried you are and/or how poorly his feline friend is.

Hopefully the Nutriplus gel will help with any possible nutritional deficiency. As Applaws is so beloved of the wee one would you think of trying Almo? It is a complete wet food (well, Almo actually don't think any cat should be fed only wet, but it is okay to do so unlike with the Applaws) so would be better in that sense & is a high quality not-full-of-gubbins one. Zooplus, MedicAnimal & Pet Supermarket all stock it & am sure plenty of other places do too. (My local independent petshop stocks it, so yours might?)

Am so SO pleased to hear that DS1 has some CBT lined up & I really REALLY hope that it helps him.

(Eek! Need to be going out NOW! Mnyarghkle!)

Glad you've seen some improvement, Toffee, modest though it is - and good news about DS1's good result with his appointment.

Toffee I should have added I had a cat with cat flu and whenever I started her on the l lysiene she only ever had one bad bout again. It is seriously good stuff.

I have yet to meet a cat who doesn't like applaws!

Zebra - you're right, he is a kitten of many names . The vet still calls him Snowy, but we call him Baby and that is the name he answers to. We really will give him a proper name one day.

Thanks for the tip about Almo wet food. That's a great idea.

Zebra and cozie - I feel hopeful about the CBT treatment. The psychologist is very experienced with OCD, particularly amongst children, and DS1 liked her, so that's half the battle.

Diary - I asked the vet about L Lysiene yesterday and he was all in favour. Will definitely get some.

ToffeeKitten is sleeping on his blanket now, but he has been back to his food bowl two or three times this morning, so that's hopeful.

What a wee fighter, eh?

Let's hope so, cozie.

He has slept in his basket most of the day, but I just brought him a bowl of wet food and he ate it, then used the litter tray. Then he went upstairs to see DS1.

He is leaving little clumps of hair on the floor behind him. Will mention it to the vet, as it doesn't look normal. Maybe it's a nutritional deficiency from not eating enough.

Have you tried a groom to see the extent of any problem ?

Oh - and have you moved him on to a complete wet kitten food? (I know he likes the Applaws wet (and that's better than nothing) but......)

No. Will have to hunt for the brush .

Well, he was eating biscuits and wet food until the last couple of days, but yes, he does seem to have stopped eating biscuits now. Agree I should try him on a complete wet food whilst he prefers it, eg. Almo. Although we are giving him Felix kitten wet pouches as well. Isn't that a complete food?

It is. If he's eating standard wet kitten food as well as the wet Applaws, that's OK. Other posters might have suggestions for some good brands to tempt his appetite.

Well done.

We are offering him anything and everything now. We just want him to eat! DH came back with all sorts of treats and several packets of kitten milk yesterday. I am also offering him Science Plan Healthy Development kitten biscuits and Royal Canin kitten pouches.

Good stuff. Remember to keep it to small amounts, regularly changed. (They like fresh and it dries up very quickly.) Cat food freezes beautifully by the way - if you want to avoid throwing away lots of expensive stuff which has gone off/dried up/you're not sure about.

I only leave wet food out in the bowl for about an hour, then throw it away - am a bit paranoid about germs growing on it.

Have ordered some mini chicken fillets in my online shopping order for today and am going to cook those for him. DH thinks we should cook some minced lamb too, as that would be fattening.

Thanks for the tip about freezing.

Well, ToffeeKitten was just asking me for food. He is now tucking into some more Applaws .

Forgive me posting here every time he eats, but am using this as a record for myself so I can inform the vet.