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.

Toffee, I am so very very sorry.
No-one should have to go through this, least of all you and your DS.

He is blessed that he has you, and that you have given him such very prompt veterinary attention and TLC.
I truly truly hope that he will be with you for some while to come.

Unmumsnetty [hug]

Sorry - bit of a X post.

Toffee, I do think you will know if and when he starts to fail. I have been through this more times than I want to think about, as took on a lot of health issue cats, and oldies, in my time. Sometimes I have made the call a bit late, sometimes I have jumped a little early.
Of the two, I would always say that it is best to make the decision a day or two early than a let animals linger. It is kinder
BUT ... anyone who loves their cat as much as you do, will absolutely know. Just as you knew in your heart, this evening, that he really did have symptoms that needed urgent attention.

It may not be for a long while, and we will all be sending up hopes and crossing fingers for him.

I do think that, whatever level the test reveals, once the result is in you should telephone the breeder.

It's not Thursday, Toffee. The usual lots of love and treats for him and leave what may happen later in the week until the results of the tests are known. As I said, everything here crossed for him.

Mum and cozie - you are both such a comfort, particularly because you have, unfortunately for you, been through this all before.

I feel a bit calmer now, so I will just make sure we follow our usual routine, which is that DS1 and I watch some telly together after I have put DS2 to bed, whilst ToffeeKitten falls asleep on one or both of us.

I might suggest that DS1 sleeps downstairs with ToffeeKitten again. He likes it downstairs because it's cooler than his loft room when it gets humid. And he likes being near kitty, even though kitty seems to prefer his basket at night. But it might be good to have someone there to keep an eye on kitty, should he need it. And it will give DS1 extra time with him.

It will also give KS some comfort having a person near him. That may be a small thing but sometimes these small things matter when a cat isn't well.

Yes, it's all that matters to him, really. He just likes a familiar lap to doze on.

He is fast asleep in his basket at the moment and looking perfectly content.

I hope you, too, manage to get some sleep.

Sending you love and strength, and keeping fingers (and paws) crossed here for Thursday.

Thanks, MumnGran and Mimsy.

Kitty couldn't climb into his litter tray earlier and needed me to lift him in, so I have swapped it for the spare one with a lower side.

He and DS1 are sleeping together on a mattress downstairs tonight. They look very comfy.

Keep an eye on things a couple of times during the night if you can, eh?

Thinking of you all.

Oh Toffee... I'm so SO sorry.

I am not a "huggy" person but I really do wish I could give you a hug because it is just so grim. And the waiting time to fill your head with subjunctive horrors is another layer of awful. It makes me want to kick the Donkey Of Destiny very hard. While I'm wearing my pointe shoes.

Am keeping everything crossed that Kitten Strachey will, against all the odds, pull through. If he doesn't, at least he will have had a happy life: all that love & care & kindness your family have given him. Also, at least DS1 has psych support in place to help him process & cope with it.

Poor darling Kitten Of Many Names. Will be thinking of him - and all of the rest of your family of course.

Zebra - thank you. I also want to kick the Donkey of Destiny.

cozie - I didn't see your last message before I went to bed, but I did remove ToffeeKitten to his basket before I went up because he was looking a little squashed under DS1's arm and it looked as if he wouldn't be able to extricate himself.

During the night, he managed to use his litter tray twice, but he is no longer covering anything.

He returned to DS1 in the early hours and slept next to him.

This morning, he was very hungry. I fed him some beef Felix, but he was still asking for more, so I gave him a whole tin of Applaws chicken and pumpkin, which he ate. It was satisfying seeing him enjoying it so much.

He is, if anything, more unsteady on his legs. It is upsetting to see how quickly he is deteriorating.

He looked as if he needed to use the litter tray after breakfast, so I lifted him in and he just fell out before I could catch him . I hadn't realised he was even weaker this morning until that happened. The sides of this tray are lower than the other one, but it is smaller overall, which makes it harder for him to stand in it now his back legs aren't supporting him. I think I might need to get a large tray instead, so he doesn't have to climb into it and there is plenty of room. Meanwhile, I will need to support him when he uses it.

DS1 said, "I think he might have a disease", so I said yes, I thought so too. He didn't say anything else.

We are keeping him in the dining room today, so he can't hurt himself by trying to climb stairs or sofas. I expect he will spend most of his day on our laps anyway.

My dog was PTS after his back legs went. In his case, it was something to do with his spine. Years later, I saw that people had made wheelchairs for their dogs and felt a momentary pang that we hadn't thought of that, which is crazy, I know. But I have been trying to work out if we can keep ToffeeKitten alive even if he can't use his back legs. He is perfectly happy in himself, which makes it seem awful to be considering the possibility of ending his life if there is no hope for recovery.

What we all hope for, of course, is magic drugs that will restore the use of his back legs and keep him going for as long as possible. I don't know if that's likely though.

Toffee I just seen this again, I'm so sorry to read this, sounds like him and Ds are very close, so very sad.

I too am hoping the medication works for him. Have you let the breeder know?

I'm thinking positive thoughts for him - glad he is still eating x

Thanks, Diary. I have just emailed the breeder. She will be very upset, as she thought he was so much better now.

cozie - how is Seniorboy today? Forgive me for not asking earlier. Good luck with collecting the urine sample (am trying to imagine how on earth you do that!). And I hope the results come back soon, so you know what you're dealing with.

Yes, sorry Cozie, I did mean to ask yesterday, and offer sympathies. So hard as they age

Oh urine samples!! I used to lay down a full newspaper in the litter tray and let them wee on that then collect the wee from there. Although I did have to hover a bit.

I'm assuming kittenofmanynames is expensive pedigree? If he has and has health problems, I would usually gave given a buyer a choice of another kitten or some money back to help with vet expenses.

I just realised he is a Balinese, they have the most gorgeous eyes!!

Diary - yes, kitty is an expensive pedigree. And he does have beautiful eyes (pics on my profile). I chose a Balinese because they are meant to be good for people with cat allergy, like me. It's certainly worked - I don't even need to take my antihistimines. However, I am now besotted with the breed. I assumed a cat wouldn't be bothered about us, but this kitten is incredibly attached to us. If he is sitting on one lap and one of us sits next to him, he reaches out his paw to touch the other person. All he wants to do is be near us. It's incredibly sweet.

The breeder has already said that she will replace him if 'the worst happens' and we will definitely take her up on that offer.

But, of course, we don't want a new cat. We want this one .

I felt a little bit insensitive typing that, I don't know if I said but I used to breed cats so I like to see people are getting treated properly, that's very good of her, shows she is responsible breeder, he is just gorgeous, lets hope he is here for a good while yet!

Sorry to hear that his weakness has increased. Poor wee man. At least he's eating and happy.

Seniorboy still has a slightly stertorous breathing but no snottery sneezes thus far - so looking better. I'm now sitting here awaiting the first pee of the morning, with saucer ready. (I wait until he's settling on his tray and hold it underneath him. Works a treat if a little bit of a protracted process when he crosses his legs.)

Echoes WimpyMum ....in full.

Toffee, of course you only want him! There will be enough time to talk about options if the worst does happen.

Oh, I'm glad Seniorboy is a little better this morning, cozie. Am laughing at the vision of you sitting with the saucer poised - hope you don't have too long a wait).

Diary - you weren't insensitive at all, don't worry.

DS1 has worked out what's going on all out on his own, which is the right way for it to happen, rather than me having to break it to him. I have just answered his questions when he asks them. He said, "If anything happens to him, I'm never having another cat. Ever."

I have dealt with the litter issue. As even the low-rimmed tray was causing problems, I have put down an old plastic breadboard, on lots of newspaper, and tipped the litter on that. He tried to wee in the sitting room again, so I whisked him through to the kitchen and popped him onto the litter. Success!

We have been taking it in turns holding him on our laps. Frustratingly, he had a little burst of energy earlier and wouldn't stay seated, which meant we all had to hover nervously whilst he wobbled around. It was a great relief when he settled down again. At the moment, he is resting on my tummy whilst I type.

Hmm, don't know why that stray bracket sneaked in there, cozie.

Try a large baking tray with a teensy rim if you have one?

The only tray I have with a low rim is a muffin tray! I think this way will do for now. Will see how things go. Did you get the wee sample?