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The litter tray

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Original poster

Rescued Amber kitten is in animal hospital with an infection(?). We've only had her four days!

231 replies

MissingKittyCat · 28/04/2015 21:43

Think I'm going for the hat trick on threads in The Litter Tray.

I posted about my cat getting killed by the neighbours dog.
A week later I posted about our beautiful new rescue kitten.
Four days later, she's in animal hospital.

She went downhill fast today. Wouldn't play, constantly asleep, wasn't purring, didn't want to cuddle, wouldn't eat despite prompting. All she wanted to do was curl up in my cashmere cardigan and deep sleep.

I knew she wasn't right earlier but thought I was being paranoid and anxious due to my nana dying recently and kitty getting killed.

Realised my intuition was screaming and got her into the emergency vet who sent us to the animal hospital. She's dehydrated, has a very high temp and needs antibiotics and IV fluids. I got her there in time, she still had a bit of fight left in her. So relieved I didn't leave it until morning!

I'm terrified. The vet can't say if she'll be ok. She's all skin and bone really, she's tiny. The rescue lady said she was about 8 weeks but none of us agree. She said if anything was wrong to take her back to the shelter rather than the vet as the bills would be too high. I took her to the vet anyway. The insurance won't kick in for a couple of weeks so I am going to be hit hard but I just want her better Sad

I can't lose her too. Has anybody been through this? Please tell me she'll be alright.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 28/04/2015 21:49

No advice Missing but so sorry that little Amber is so poorly. Thoughts are with you, keep us posted Flowers

thecatneuterer · 28/04/2015 21:54

Oh good god. How awful for you! Poor little thing. I can't of course tell you she'll be ok, but you're giving her the best possible chance. Did the vet say what it could be? It doesn't sound like flu. What's her history?

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/04/2015 21:56

Oh no! Poor Amber. She wasn't found in the best of circumstances was she?.

All you can do now is wait for the antibiotics to work. At least she's in hospital and not still fending for herself.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 28/04/2015 22:08

We don't know her history unfortunately. All I know is she was found last week wandering in a field, she was very hungry. She's very thin. But a fluff ball! The shelter lady got her vet checked, all ok. Friday she came home, was mostly hidden. Saturday, lovely kitten. Playing and being gorgeous. We fell in love. Sunday/Monday much the same though reluctant to drink so I added water to her food. Today, refused water, even when rubbed on her gums. Slept all day. Even got up to watch DD getting ready for school but fell asleep sat up.

This morning I laid with her and she smelled different, I knew there was something wrong! Why did I talk myself out of it!!!

Just spoken to the vet, IV is in so that's a relief. She's had a small nibble of some food. We miss her! All I can think is the worst. Constant feeling of impending doom.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 28/04/2015 22:11

thecat there has been no sneezing or coughing so I don't think cat flu either. Vet couldn't say. She spotted the crusty stuff on her nose that has been there since we got her. I thought it was a scab but vet said dried nasal discharge.

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 28/04/2015 22:32

My posh arrogant boy gave dying a really good shot at a similar age. As a vet I had him hooked up to the I/vs in a crate by my bed and he went everywhere with him. Small kittens like small children get very sick very fast, but also bounce back quick. Eating is really, really good, posh arrogant boy didn't voluntarily eat ( he had to be syringe fed) for three days.
He is now a posh arrogant thoroughly unpleasant 8 year old.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 28/04/2015 23:10

Thank you lonecat, posh arrogant boy sounds great. I do hope I can share an ending as happy as yours. If I could go back, I'd be a vet!

OP posts:
Pipbin · 28/04/2015 23:13

Oh no. I do hope poor Amber is better soon.

cozietoesie · 28/04/2015 23:53

My fingers are crossed for the wee soul. When are you to get the next update?

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 29/04/2015 06:55

Next update will be in 10 minutes. I've been patiently waiting to call since 6am. Had a terrible night, hope she had much more sleep than me. Will keep you updated

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 29/04/2015 07:05

Here's being hopeful. As Lone said, eating even a morsel is very good - it shows that she hasn't given up so you may have got her there in time.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 29/04/2015 07:21

Vet update - she has had a couple of small meals. Been to the loo, normally, which is great. Her temp is still up but not quite as high as it was.

I asked if it was a 'run of the mill' infection or something more sinister, the vet said she was very sick, there's nothing 'run of the mill' about it, but that we all get poorly sometimes.

Still scared! The vet is fantastic and Amber is rallying, I'm trying to be optimistic.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 29/04/2015 07:32

Eating sounds really good, the times I've been really sick eating has been the last thing on my mind.

Sparklingbrook · 29/04/2015 07:43

Sending get well Amber vibes Missing. xx Flowers

QueenFuri · 29/04/2015 07:45

Hope Amber is OK and that she is home soon Thanks

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/04/2015 07:45

Oh how horrible for you Sad

really sorry for your losses. I really hope kitten is ok Flowers

cozietoesie · 29/04/2015 08:20

That all sounds very promising. Do they know how long she'll likely be in for?

GRW · 29/04/2015 08:42

I really hope she will continue to improve, and come home with you soon. She is a beautiful kitten.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 29/04/2015 08:46

No idea how long she'll be in for. I think another night at least. The cost is scaring me but I'd happily pay the bills to get our beautiful kitten well. She is fantastic. She made me smile again. It's been a shit year.

The super vet said we could nurse her at home at first. I started crying, told her I lost my beloved cat a mere 10 days ago, that we have a disabled daughter and all I've ever known is infections, temperatures and worry etc. she left the room to give antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids. Came back and said Amber had flipped at the fluids, she didn't want to push her and would keep her in after all. In all honesty, I think she was trying to do is a favour by taking the pressure off. DD was at respite last night, it was the only chance we had of a full nights sleep (didn't get much in the end).

I've scared myself with Google. What if it's something horrendous like FIP? Our old BoyCat seems ok but I'm watching him like a hawk. If she dies, it'll break me. If she gets better and comes home I'll be anxious she's going to get ill again. Couldn't afford it twice, can barely afford it once.

I need to get a grip I think. Sad

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 29/04/2015 08:55

Your vet sounds lovely.

I'm sure it was FIP they'd have mentioned it as a differential diagnosis. Stay off google though. No good comes from it.

Wishyouwould · 29/04/2015 09:25

Oh praying she is ok OP. Big hugs Flowers

hiddenhome · 29/04/2015 10:26

Oh, gosh, sorry she's so sick. Kitties are amazingly strong though. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for her.

PestoSwimissimos · 29/04/2015 10:45

Sending from blustery Brighton xxx

cozietoesie · 29/04/2015 10:52

I have this feeling that it's not something like FIP but just that she's been hit by a bug after her time on the loose and then a big change. Fingers staying crossed anyway - and I wouldn't worry overmuch about her fighting the fluid injection even if she did do that. In my experience that's feistiness and not too bad a sign.

Go get some rest if you can. (A cuppa and a sit down if you can't.)

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 29/04/2015 16:24

Amber has vomited today. They're having to syringe feed her. She's quiet. I don't think she's going to make it.

Waiting for the vet we met last night to start her shift so I can talk about what she thinks it is (I think FIP), I can't let her suffer.

OP posts: