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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

MNHQ have commented on this thread

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

MNHQ have commented on this thread

The litter tray

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

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

OP posts:

Report

cozietoesie · 30/04/2015 20:52

I'm ambivalent about ham. On the one hand, it's got a lot of sodium in it and is not nutritionally balanced but on the other hand it's tasty and gets calories into them at a time when they might need them - and I know that Seniorboy lived on it for a good few weeks when my Mom died. (Although he'll only eat the real cheap stuff now. Beats me.)

On balance, I think I'd try to offer her some calories of whatever description if they're tasty and as long as they wouldn't be actively bad for her. Fairly bland is probably better (although definitely no lactose-containing products) but Hey Ho.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/04/2015 20:57

True, calories are good.

MissingKittyCat · 30/04/2015 21:04

It's all gone a bit wrong. She's vomited again and had a loose BM. I've spoken to the vet who obviously advised me to take her back for IV fluids. If not, to leave her for a couple of hours and try water.

What do I do? Start the vet bill from scratch or potentially find her dead in the morning? I hate this situation!

She's so adorable, she even walks to the litter tray to vomit. The vet can't understand why this is happening, she was sure she was on the mend. What did I do wrong???

OP posts:

MissingKittyCat · 30/04/2015 21:06

She won't take chicken. I think she knows that if she eats it, she'll vomit.

OP posts:

Madbengalmum · 30/04/2015 21:09

Have you tried tuna, rinsed with water, not in brine.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/04/2015 21:10

Leave it a couple of hours then try plain water.

When humans are ill they vomit and have loose Bm and it's the body's way of eliminating infection.

You haven't done anything wrong, you just need to get her through the night.

BeaufortBelle · 30/04/2015 21:15

Oh love, I have no advice. Can you contact Blue Cross who might be able to help charitably, or call the Celia Hammond charity to see if they can give advice.

Just give her water. If she's unwell, she won't want food. Water and see how she is in the morning?

hiddenhome · 30/04/2015 21:47

This is so worrying for you

Could you try syringing some sugary water into her with a tiny bit of salt?

cozietoesie · 30/04/2015 21:52

Put some music on, keep her warm and see if you can get some lukewarm water into her. Not a lot more you can do if you have no money left - just lots of love.

And try to rest yourself - actually sit down rather than pacing and poking.

(In fact, put on a movie and watch it as a distraction rather than music. You wandering around in a state is going to communicate to her. You need to be a still centre of calm and smiles for her.)

cozietoesie · 30/04/2015 21:54

PS - if you just can't settle, have a glass of if you're allowed it. It's for her sake and not yours.

timtam23 · 30/04/2015 22:03

Oh missing, this is so worrying, I am really sorry.

Would it be less worrying for you if she was back with the vet overnight?

I'm assuming the vet knows about the financial worries? Would they be willing to do a payment plan for you so that you could repay a bit at a time - and try some supportive treatment, keep the IV going for a bit longer maybe?

Fingers crossed for the wee mite.

stareatthetvscreen · 30/04/2015 22:19

oh yes stay as calm as you can, they def pick up on stress.

RubbishMantra · 30/04/2015 22:33

Oh, Missing, first thing I did when I got into bed just now was check in to see how you're both doing.

You're doing great with her. So try to keep calm and trust yourself.

Great big hugs and healing to Amber.

cozietoesie · 30/04/2015 22:33

There will likely be someone around here in the early hours as well if you need to hold hands.

hiddenhome · 30/04/2015 22:52

She will know that you're trying to help her and she will appreciate it in her own kitty way. Cats are very wise and knowing creatures. They know who's on their side.

CtrlAltDelicious · 30/04/2015 23:01

You've done nothing wrong and she KNOWS she's being loved and looked after. I'd try and syringe her a few drops of water at an appropriate time. How much is a vet overnight stay if you don't mind me asking?

MissingKittyCat · 30/04/2015 23:01

I've taken her back to the vet. I can't put a price on her life, I just can't. The vet is convinced she won't die, she said she'd have gone by now, she explained she understands our circumstances and she wouldn't treat her if she thought it was hopeless. She says it's probably viral and she's had a flair. She's flummoxed as to why she's gone downhill so fast. Amber ended up in the tray, vomiting and diarrhoea at the same time.

A vast majority of people will think me foolish, throwing money away on a runt kitten we've had for two minutes but I can't come this far and then have her put down or let her die in my bedroom, unable to even make it to her litter tray. No. I will just have to sacrifice anything for myself for the foreseeable.

If at any point I think she's had enough or it isn't fair, I will let her go.

I was expecting to get to the vet and her have dies in the cat bag but I am a bit sensitive about death at the moment.

She's a lovely kitten. She deserves a lovely life.

Thank you for all your well wishes.

OP posts:

MissingKittyCat · 30/04/2015 23:03

Vet overnight is £150. The consultation we just had is £50. She will be in another night after this at the very least so I'm looking at another £300. Probably more.

It looks foolish typing it! But my heart is shouting louder than my brain right now.

Feel beyond deflated and spent of all emotion.

OP posts:

shaska · 30/04/2015 23:04

I'll be here for a while if you need a hand to hold - don't panic. If she does go in the night it won't be because of anything you did.

MissingKittyCat · 30/04/2015 23:05

Should have left her in there! So angry at myself. The vet apologised for letting her home as I apologised for taking her home. Disaster.

OP posts:

shaska · 30/04/2015 23:05

Crosspost - oh you're so sweet, no I don't think you're foolish at all, completely understand.

The very kindest of thoughts your way. Try to get some rest and not to worry.

shaska · 30/04/2015 23:06

Not a disaster! A hiccup is all, don't beat yourself up.

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hiddenhome · 30/04/2015 23:07

Rotten virus needs to get through her system quickly. Once she turns the corner she'll gain strength.

cozietoesie · 30/04/2015 23:10

Ouch - vomiting and diarrhoea in the tray at the same time? You're not foolish at all.

Now go and get some rest - she's being looked after and in a good place right now.

BettyCatKitten · 30/04/2015 23:11

Yes, well done for keep going with your kitten.
Mine came from the vets, with a myriad of problems, she is small for her age, but other than that she is fine.
I'm rooting for you and your kitty.

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