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.

[MissingKittyCat]

She went back in looking worse than she did in the first place. One step forward, seven back.

Now they've got to cannulate her poor skinny leg again. Ouch.

If she goes tonight, I'll be devastated but glad she didn't die alone, starving, in a field, without a family.

[stareatthetvscreen]

you did the right thing taking her back x

keeping everything crossed for you

she is in the best place - try and rest for when she needs you again

[Leeloo01]

I am so sorry for you and your kitty.
When my dog had bouts like this (vomiting and diarrhea and no interest in food) I managed to nurse her back using the wonderful product Lectade. its powder that you disolve in water and it replaces the elecrolytes lost from V&D. Its AMAZING stuff.
You mix it up and syringe small amounts regularly into their mouth. Not right down the throat but just at the edges so they lick it. My dog loved the taste of it. Very good for home treatment!!
I kind of think though that Amber could use a drip right now as she is losing lots of fluids/electrolytes. I think i would be inclined to use an emergency vet tonight if possible to et her fluids up. I have no medical experience though - just my experiences with my dog who had frequent episodes like this.
Good luck - sounds like you are being very loving - I am sure she appreciates it,
sorry if I've said anything thats been said before - didnt read every post as wanted to tell you about the Lectade asap as its SOOOOO good. Cant recommend it enough. Your vet will have the sachets so you can buy from them.
If you absolutely cant do emergency vet tonight then syringe with water and salt and sugar little and often will help. A google search should help with kitten quantities.

[Ohmymg]

I've had a little cry reading this, you and your family sound awesome op.

Sending lots of strength and keeping everything crossed for you all

[Leeloo01]

That'll teach me to write my message too fast! Sorry just saw that your kitty is back in the vets. So pleased that she is getting her fluids back. She will be feeling stronger soon. Well done you for being so caring. Get some Lectade for when she comes back home. You sound like such a lovely person - hope you get some rest now.

[MissingKittyCat]

leeloo she is at the vet. And she'll stay there as long as she needs which I think will be longer than 2 nights. I don't know how yet but I will find the money. I really need to try and sleep. If I'm not careful my DDs care is going to be affected and I really, really can't deal with her getting sick too. I need to get back on form.

[Leeloo01]

Yes sorry - I saw she was back at the vets after I posted (me posting too fast) My vet let me pay in instalments which helped me.
You are doing so well! There should be more caring people like you in the world. You will feel brighter tomorrow after a sleep - sending good wishes to you and Amber

[cozietoesie]

Yes - you need to get back on form so take advantage of these few hours.

Thinking of you.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Have you considered a crowdfunding appeal? There might be a few MNers willing to contribute.

[MissingKittyCat]

What is a crowdfunding appeal hirples?

The vet called. Amber is settled, a little brighter, they've stopped the vomiting. She said it was extremely bad luck that the virus flaired as she came home, it wasn't because we brought her back. Her temp had spiked, that's why she declined so fast. Very typical of a bi-phasic virus apparently. My DD has had bi-phasic pneumonia but I had no idea cats could get poorly like this! Poor little baby Amber.

I'm so tired. I've woken up despondent. And my throat is swollen. What a week.

[Fluffycloudland77]

What a week indeed.

It's no ones business how much it costs anyway. I just wouldn't say.

I'd ask to pay in instalments though.

[HemanOrSheRa]

Glad to see Amber is improved this morning Missing. Sorry you are feeling unwell, though hardly surprising after the stress you have been under. Take care of yourself .

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Sorry to hear she had to go back

the vets right it's nothing to do with bringing her home you did a lovely thing trying to care for her at home. Please look after yourself today. You matter too in all this so don't push yourself too hard.

sending healing vibes to your beautiful kitten x

[BettyCatKitten]

Keeping everything crossed for Amber and you

[PestoSwimissimos]

Morning lovely cat-caring person

I'm sorry to hear Amber is still not well, but good for you, taking her back to the vets last night. Hopefully they will keep her hydrated & comfortable and she will slowly get the strength to make a good recovery.

We are all rooting for her (and you!)

and breathe xxx

[MissingKittyCat]

I can't help but look at our old BoyCat with suspicion. He frequently has a brown discharge from his eyes and nose. The last vet he saw said it was harmless, a complication of being a runt all those years ago. No clinical signs of illness. He eats and sleeps and enjoys being stroked. His fur looks great now I've started grooming him. Last time he went they just cut his nails as he doesn't go out to file them on trees!

He's not unwell. But he could be a carrier couldn't he? Our other cat was always great health wise though. Just a bit crazy. And clearly silly when it comes to dogs gardens.

I could quite happily crawl back into bed and sleep until Monday! Alas, no such luck.

Keep the positive healing vibes coming our way.

Will buy a euro millions ticket. We don't need millions, just enough for the vet would make me happy right now!

I like to think every human would do this for another life. Especially the underdog (or undercat).

Maybe it'll be like that video floating around on Facebook where the young Chinese boy becomes a doctor, and remembering a good deed done when he was young, pays off the good Samaritan's lifesaving medical bill. Maybe when I'm old and falling apart, struggling to be a carer, 50 cats will turn up to help!

[shaska]

If it makes you feel better to know you're not alone in your financial madness I did exactly the same thing. Horrendously poorly cat, not insured, and the prospect of massive bills. DH and I went to a coffee shop for the bleakest chat ever. We agreed that we would give her two nights but after that we would either hope to be able to bring her home or otherwise have to pts as it just wasn't doable financially.

After the second night she was still no better. But I still remember being at the vets on the third day and him asking what we wanted to do and both of us saying without hesitation 'well she'll have to stay with you, just do whatever you can'.

It took us the best part of a year to get back to stable financial ground - but I'd still do it again. That said, if you do have to make a hard decision at some point then please don't feel bad. You've done so much, and sometimes the money just isn't there.

One of my cats was apparently turned over to the rescue because her family couldn't afford her bills after an accident. I think of them often, because she's the loveliest cat I've ever met, and someone must've loved her and treated her really well for her to be that way. So it doesn't mean you're evil, to not be able to afford it - it's just the way it is, sometimes.

I don't know about BoyCat - someone on here has a cat with residual cat flu so they might know more about carrying things - but it doesn't sound as though she has cat flu, and if it's a virus then it probably could've come from anywhere.

[MissingKittyCat]

The vet called.

Amber passed away in her cage some time before her 9.10am check. It doesn't look like there was a major incident, she was peaceful.

I'm not surprised, I felt this was coming, but I am heartbroken. Poor little soul.

If it comes in threes, that has to be my three. I think I'll get ready and go and see her. Say goodbye.

There will be no more cats. I can't do this again. Just BoyCat. Who will probably outlive me.

Thank you for all your advice.

May Amber Bambi, the loveliest, prettiest kitten, rest in peace with my other sorely missed fur babies x x x

[cozietoesie]

Oh Dear. I'm so very sorry, Missing.

[MissingKittyCat]

So am I cozie, so am I.

My nan disliked cats, she wouldn't hurt them, but she didn't like them. And now two have followed her.

She probably should have died in the first 24hours, but she was a tough little ball of fur. She was so fantastic last Saturday, I can't believe this outcome. Just can't believe it.

[HemanOrSheRa]

Oh no. So sorry Missing .

[shaska]

Oh no. I'm so, so sorry.
What an awful series of events for you.
Be kind to yourself, thoughts are with you.

[cozietoesie]

It's difficult to take in - what was a living, breathing entity is now an empty space. Very hard to comprehend.

If you or your Mum are up to it, maybe phone the shelter to let them know in case any other kits are showing signs of illness?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'm so very sorry Missing

I don't think I've ever seen such a run of bad luck with cats.

She really battled on too.

[cozietoesie]

By the way, I know I may joke about it on occasion but don't get hung up on thoughts of '3' even though you've had a hellish time recently with these losses.