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

[MissingKittyCat]

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

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

[stareatthetvscreen]

ok might be worth a phone call though

[MissingKittyCat]

We tried the shelter lady. She was very businesslike, didn't take any responsibility. My mum rang her as I was too upset so I don't know the full conversation. I will try in the morning.

This is a nightmare.

[stareatthetvscreen]

hang on in there - its horrible i know.you are doing all you can.they do surprise you sometimes and turn corners.

[shaska]

Oh I'm so sorry, after all you've been through.

On the topic of home nursing, obviously with your homelife it's a huge challenge so that's one element. But I wanted to give you a bit of hope - I brought one home to nurse, partly financial reasons but also it was a bit of a 'done all we can' situation at the vets.

She rallied - I think me crawling around under the bed holding out microscopic bits of tuna fifty times a day and fretting about the optimal temperature of her water amused her so much she couldn't help but indulge me, even if it was just to see what foolishness I'd come up with next.

Liquids and foods can be syringed and it's not that hard once you get the hang of it.

It doesn't sound too awful from the sounds of her. Is there an option for her to come home on the IV and you take her in a couple of times a day to be checked? No idea if that's possible, they didn't do it for mine but I wondered.

Anyway, good luck! Rooting for you and wee Amber.

[cozietoesie]

I think it sounds hopeful, myself. They can suddenly improve - at that age that can fall ill quickly but recover quickly as Lone said. See what the situation is tomorrow morning (and try to get a shower and a lie-down tonight even if you can't sleep well.)

Tomorrow? Well it looks like bringing her home or taking her back to the shelter/getting help from them doesn't it? I'd take her home myself but maybe she'll have turned the corner by tomorrow morning and the decision will be clearer for you.

Good luck to her tonight.

[RedCheckedTablecloth]

Thinking of you both.

Kittens can be resilient little critters. Mine was on the point of the saloon of no return and came back to live another 12 years.

[cozietoesie]

Any news of the little girl this morning?

[isadorable]

I fostered kittens and the shelter I was doing it for had free vet care for them. I spent a lot of time nursing them and going back and forth. You could look after her at home if she doesn't need to be on fluids but fluids really help them got over things so if the vet says she needs them, can you see if they'll let you pay in installments or something? I know these things are horrendously expensive so I sympathise. Hope she had a good night.

[MissingKittyCat]

She's coming home. I don't want to take her back to the shelter.

I spoke to the lovely vet this morning. She said straight away that she doesn't think she'll die, she'd have died by now. They had two shelter kittens in last week who didn't make it, they died within 3 days of being brought home I STUPIDLY said "so she's a little fighter then" (I had just opened my eyes, I'm shattered, it just slipped out, I knew as I said it it was an awful thing to say) the vet said no, they must have had something different. Feel bad. That is tragic. My heart breaks for their owners.

Amber is bright. She's still being syringe fed two hourly, they are going to take her IV out this morning as they know finances are becoming an issue. I'm scared but hopeful. I haven't nursed a kitten for a decade, although that kitten is now a little lion, asleep on the bed, creaky but happy. Can I do this? I'm going to give it my best shot. The vet knows home life is going to make this hard, DD is at school today & tomorrow so I've cancelled everything else. Nights will be hard. The bank holiday weekend will be hard. I'm determined though, I will happily lose sleep and can ask for my mums help with DD. wish us luck! Lots of luck!

[cozietoesie]

All the luck to you!

I still think it sounds hopeful and - as I said before - raised spirits can do an awful lot for a cat. Much more than you would expect.

Is there any way, if the nights might be difficult, that you can pull her into bed to sleep with you? How's her toileting at the moment?

[MissingKittyCat]

She's using the tray from what they've told me. She refuses to use her own kitten tray at home, preferring to use Boycats big, lidded tray. The little bathroom is down the (long) hall, would take a lot out of her making the journey. We are in a bungalow so that helps. Think I might sleep on the sofa with her, that halves the distance, and put the kitten tray close.

What syringes do they use to feed? We have tonnes of enteral feeding syringes as DD has a gastrostomy, will they do it?

Should I invest in a thermometer so I can be aware of a creeping temp? Gosh I'm worried!

Here's to the raised spirits. I will pour so much love into her, she'll want to stay.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I wish you luck. what a lovely caring loving owner you sound.

medicine can do a lot but just sometimes the feeling of being safe and warm and loved at home and away from the stress of the vets can be that boost they need. Our cat was really poorly when we got her but vets decided that they'd done as much as they could and what she needed was to be in a home and to see if that would help. It did. She made it and we had her many years.

It's going to be hard but I've no doubt that you will do your absolute best and she has the best chance available to her to recover.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you all.

[MissingKittyCat]

That's the kind of happy ending I need right now Giles! I have been nursing a (sometimes) very sick little girl for almost eight years. She's stronger than ever. Touch wood. Yet I'm getting all het up about little kitten Amber. I can do this!

[MissingKittyCat]

Cozie have you done kitten/cat nursing round the clock like this? It'd be really nice if I had someone to ask if in doubt about anything.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

You can do it.

but I was just about to add a but and say that please please don't be too hard on yourself. You need to look after yourself too. and if just if you find its all too much please don't be afraid to say and take her to the vets again.

We all believe in you and we can already tell you have put in so much time and love. You mustn't think badly of yourself if things don't work out as you hoped. so please, don't feel bad.

my kitten wasn't really expected to survive. They were all almost surprised to see her when we took her back for her jabs. We had two weeks of having to syringe feed her some stuff dissolved in water. and she did live with some damage from her illness. but she was happy. Small stupid and with a sensitive stomach. but lived a happy life.

[shaska]

I've done it, for a cat not a kitten. I'm not a pro but do know a little bit and I'm sure others will be much more knowledgeable. Mine couldn't walk at first so was fairly kitten-esque in her weakness.

You can do it! You really can!

Definitely put the tray near her if you can. Would it be possible to set her up a little area? Ideally something contained so she can't hide if your back's turned, and in a quiet spot. Mine had a home under our bed with food, water and a tray all within a few steps - contrary to how cats normally like it but she was very weak. Also had a blanket under her in case she couldn't make it to the loo.

I bought a syringe from the pharmacy which I guess was a human one - plastic thingy, sounds like the ones you have might be fine.

The biggest faff was getting the food consistency for the syringe right - you want to mix a bit of water with a pate type food, and suck it up with the syringe. Too runny and it goes everywhere, too sticky and it blocks the syringe. Tiny bits often, with that. It would take me about half an hour to feed mine a whole syringe worth. Maybe ask the vet what amount she should be eating. A good test is to hold the syringe near her mouth and dribble a bit of food out of it - see if she'll lick it.

Also yes - don't beat yourself up! You're doing your absolute best and that's all you can hope to do.

[frostyfingers]

Oh poor you, what a horrible series of events. Your vet sounds lovely and I'm sure will be able to help you over the phone. I had a poorly pony last year and I was given the emergency number, told to call every 3 hours with an update and to call if anything at all changed. I was advised what was normal and what wasn't and that any variation warranted a call.

Maybe ask them to write instructions down for you, as it will be hard to take verbal information in (or at least it was for me), and don't be afraid to trust your instinct.

Fingers and toes tightly crossed for you all.

[RubbishMantra]

Ask the vet what size syringe to use, they'll probably give you a few. And as Shaska says, they'll be able to tell you how much to feed. Ask the vet to show you how to syringe feed. It goes in sideways, through a gap in the molars. That ensures it's not squirted down too quickly, and possibly getting into the airways. Hopefully she'll want to lick the food though.

Think of what you want to ask the vet, write it down. Then write down his answers. Because you'll be so overwhelmed at seeing her, you might forget what he tells you.

Oh, and some scales, so you can weigh her daily, and see how much weight she's putting on.

You are a very lovely and caring human. Wishing you and little Amber all the luck in the world.

[shaska]

Oh yes to what Mantra said about feeding at the side! I guess in a kitten it'll be a bit trickier, less room to manoeuvre but there's a handy wee gap just behind the front fang, where you can use the end of the syringe to gently lift the top lip and just go straight into the mouth - much less stressful than trying to come at it from the front. But yes do be careful about airway - I was really scared about that which is probably why it would take me half an hour to feed a syringe...

[MissingKittyCat]

My instinct has proven right so far (aside from yesterday's wallowing and certainty she was going to die, think I was trying to prevent another heartbreak) I am nervously excited. Have an apt at 5pm to collect her, they wanted to keep her for the day which is fine. They're going to provide syringes and enough food until Tuesday. I'd really like to switch out regular vet to them, do you think I'll be able to do that? I do hope so. She knows the place now, and I trust them.

Thanks everyone. You've been a huge support thus far. shaska, I will look at creating her an area somewhere. It's tricky with a boisterous 7 year old who has the run of the place (or the shuffle) and old BoyCat who has reclaimed our bedroom. Behind the sofa might be a good place for a kitty haven right now.

I will ask for written instructions, that's a great idea. Can't wait to see that little fluffball

[cozietoesie]

I was going to say that this would bond you very closely to little Amber but in fact it sounds as if you've already bonded closely already?

I've done long stretches of caring for a cat but I've perhaps been lucky because I work from home (so am around a lot), mainly from the computer (so can retire upstairs a lot) and I've had to do it for Siamese who love nothing better than cuddling up for a long snooze with people. Lucky as well in that urinary incontinence has never been an issue so far so I can take them to bed happily.

You'll do it - and if you're feeling lonely in the middle of the night, there's usually someone around on this board to talk to for some uplift. (There are people posting here from places other than the UK as well so we can get a fairly all-round sort of input if needed.)

Have you managed to get some food and rest yourself yet? Those are important. You'll be of no use to anyone else if you're falling apart physically and so drained with tiredness that you can't see straight.

[cozietoesie]

x post - but it all sounds positive.

[MissingKittyCat]

I introduced myself as 'Amber's Human' this morning. Took the vet about 30 seconds to understand! I should have just said mummy! I'm a few steps away from being as worried as I get about DD. I must really love our innocent baby kitten.

This mornings vet said Amber is living up to the 'naughty tortie' name. She hissed at her when she first went near! All she did was cuddle and play with us! Fiesty girl.

[cozietoesie]

I think vet staff must be pretty inured to calling out weird names in the surgery. (Pet names and owner surnames.) It does make me laugh (quietly) sometimes though.

'Fatchops Mackenzie' ?
'Mugglethump Beaton'?

You know the sort of thing.......

[MissingKittyCat]

cozie I'm going to have an easy day today. Do a couple of small jobs in the house and try for a nap. I cancelled everything that can wait, me, DD and Amber are the priority now. DP is fully supportive, he loves her to bits too. Could barely eat yesterday but will get back on track today.