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The litter tray

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

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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:
Sparklingbrook · 01/05/2015 19:11

I am so sorry Missing. You did everything right and you could not have done more for her. Flowers

I hope that some good luck comes your way very soon. x

timtam23 · 01/05/2015 19:58

I am so very very sorry Missing. What awful news.Flowers
RIP Amber

hiddenhome · 01/05/2015 20:17

The shelter need to quarantine their new arrivals and have them checked over.

You should complain when you're ready.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 01/05/2015 20:27

She says she did hidden. Amber was in a cage in the side. Two cats were prowling all over (lovely cats but infection risk) and the cages were only a couple of steps away. She had two nursing queens in close proximity (different cages) when they should be in separate rooms. If they shared a tray, that's not quarantine is it. She said Amber was vet checked but I find that impossible to believe as there is no way she was 8, going on 9 weeks. She also wormed her with advocate. Which, even in its 'little cats' concentration is not supposed to be used on kittens under 9 weeks.

I am piecing things together in hindsight. I have had cats and kittens all my life, this has never happened to me or my family before. We've had 2 litters of kittens (about a decade ago now, different cats) and all cats were fine.

She obviously doesn't know the basics. We were sent away with an array of pouches of food. Some in gravy, all different brands, for adult cats. Even I know you keep food consistent, don't give kittens rich gravy etc. it's a shambles. And I'm angry.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 01/05/2015 20:37

Who licences rescues? Council?.

The RSPCA shut a local rescue down here for cruelty to animals.

I wonder if the other kittens who passed away were from the same rescue?.

BettyCatKitten · 01/05/2015 20:48

What a horrendous time you've hadFlowers
It does sound like the shelter were negligent. When your strong enough I would complain.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 01/05/2015 20:52

The vet isn't allowed to tell me I don't think. She tried to call me earlier but I missed it (the vet, not shelter) will discuss with her when she calls back.

There is a strong chance the shelter lady is on MN and even reading this thread. I hope she can understand my family's heartbreak. The only consolation here is that my daughter doesn't understand. She laughed at Amber and Amber was very brave in that she sat next to her and watched her play, cats don't normally do this for fear of being hit with a flying toy. I luckily don't have to deal with a heartbroken 7 year old. But she has to deal with a heartbroken, tearful, stressed mother who now worries that everyone will die and will struggle to trust a vet over a 'feeling' forever. Not forgetting that I'm also now skint. Thanks cat lady, thanks a lot.

We were trying to help. We tried to free up a shelter space and give a gorgeous kitten a loving home. Look where we've ended up. Somebody is at fault and it certainly isn't me. I was naive, she was irresponsible.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/05/2015 20:54

You were in NO way at fault. You wanted to take Amber home and love her.
As ever Sparkling speaks sense.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 02/05/2015 13:35

I am so sorry Missing. You and Amber have been badly let down by the rescue. The only consolation is that Amber knew love Thanks

Charis1 · 02/05/2015 16:56

This is so heart breaking, thank goodness the poor little thing had her few days of love and fun.

Charis1 · 03/05/2015 15:10

Missingkittykat I'm so sorry that Amber has died, but I am so glad she had so much love around her, and those few days of fun enjoying her home. I was thinking about whether there was a way to make a tiny donation towards the costs you incurred, obviously I understand the issues around poster passing money to each other.

How about if you put the vets name and address here, with that, and the name of the kitten, anyone who wanted to could contact him/her direct,

or, if you just PM the address to anyone who wants it. I do, although I can only make a tiny donation. Other cat lovers who appreciate how hard you tried, and how much it cost, may do to.

I really believe we will meet our loved animals again in the next world!

xx

Butterflywings168 · 03/05/2015 18:05

I remember your other thread - I'm so sorry Flowers

MNHQ
IonaMumsnet · 03/05/2015 19:49

Hi OP, We're so sorry to hear about Amber. How horrid for you.
We really hope we're not going to offend here, but because there has been a mention upthread from another poster of making donations, we just wanted to remind everyone that we do advise all our members that, although we're awed daily by the support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.
Condolences to you and your family, OP, from all at MNHQ.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 03/05/2015 22:41

Charis that is a very sweet idea/offer, I'm touched by your thoughtfulness. I have settled up with the vet so we don't owe anything. I wanted to draw a line so my heart can heal. It has wiped me out but we can pay the bills and we will ensure DD won't suffer. We have scaled back her upcoming Birthday plans but she will enjoy it just as much, possibly more, than a huge overwhelming fuss anyway! Me and DP will just have to majorly cut back. Your thoughts and kind words are enough.

If anybody does feel like they want to do anything, dropping some cat food into a local (reputable) shelter would be great. In memory of little kitten Amber. We miss her so much. It seems very unfair. I'm still struggling to understand how she was alive, breathing, purring, playing, then gone. Nothing.

It upsets me that the shelter woman isn't taking any responsibility. We warned her she needs to disinfect her shelter, she was adamant she didn't because it's fine. Obviously not. And she put our old cat at risk, I'm watching him like a hawk, following him to the loo, waking him up to make sure he'll purr... He must think I'm mad. I paid £80 for Amber, I think it would be only fair for her to give me that back, out of principle. But no. I'm going to have to take things further. Where do I start? RSPCA?

As opposed to the other day, I do keep getting pangs of one day in the future, hoping we can rescue another. We have a wonderful home to offer. BoyCat is still lonely. DD likes to watch playing cats. DP even made a kitten scratch post thing that never got played with Sad But because shelter woman's irresponsibility has cost us over £500 altogether and smashed my heart into pieces, I don't see how we could! I'm still angry, as you can see. And it's not about the money - I'd have paid double for her to live (somehow). It's just another factor that adds to the misery. We were trying to help, I never expected this outcome! She has more kittens advertised, they don't look well. I don't want another family, or kitten, to go through this Sad
I also have to find enough time to bleach and steam clean my entire house and shampoo all the carpets, just in case it was a virus like distemper, which is a nightmare to kill. I've already washed everything in sight at high temperature and sadly thrown all her toys/bowls away. I can't do most of it with DD in the house because bleach is bad for her lungs. It's never ending.

I just hope that beautiful little kitten of ours is at peace now. I'm glad she came to us, despite all this heartache.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 03/05/2015 23:05

She has acted irresponsibly. That's a heck of a lot of money Sad

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 03/05/2015 23:17

It's a depressing amount of money that compounds a depressing situation.

Most expensive kitten I've ever had Sad

Amber, and us, were let down.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 03/05/2015 23:20

I think she needs reporting to the RSPCA if she's selling sick kittens Sad

I don't know whether the local council require some sort of licensing system for animal rescue set ups, esp. If they're selling animals to the public.

hiddenhome · 03/05/2015 23:25

Some of these cat and animal rescuers are a bit strange and obsessed. I know a lady who's heart is in the right place, but her place is like a hoard and she has all kinds of animals who can't possibly be healthy and properly cared for. The rabbits were piled up in not very nice cages for example.

Sometimes, it's kinder to have sick animals put to sleep rather than try to save them and pass them on to unsuspecting people.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 03/05/2015 23:27

That is my plan hidden. Amber wasn't 8 weeks old either. She weighed 0.46kg, the size of a 5-6 week old. Every vet that saw her disagreed with the 8 week old estimation. I don't believe she was ever vet checked. I have learned so much this past week, I shouldn't have trusted her. £80 for nothing, reputable cat shelters would vaccinate, neuter, vet check and properly deworm/deflea for that. Plus a home check to ensure kittens safety. That's how it should be done.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 03/05/2015 23:29

Having heard her wriggle out of this situation, I'm beginning to wonder if her heart is in the right place or if she's in it for the money. I have warned local vets and the cats protection about her, they are horrified. That tells me all I need to know.

OP posts:
BeaufortBelle · 03/05/2015 23:32

I was so sorry to read Amber's story. Can I share something though that might be helpful to you and others in the future. Eight years ago when we got our kittens, (from an advert on the internet - I know but we went to see first and they were from a good home although I think the lady who sold them was breeding too often) I dovetailed a vet appointment with collection and bringing them home so they went to the vets first. The vet checked them over and provided worming/flea stuff, etc.. The vets also provided Pet Plan Insurance with 30 days free cover that could be cancelled at the end of the 30 days. Just a thought for next time OP - your little kitten would have been covered.

Original poster
MissingKittyCat · 03/05/2015 23:36

We had the 30 day free cover. The reference number the lady gave me didn't work (surprise surprise) but the man from pet plan gave it to us anyway and another month on top. The clause in any pet plan, free or not, is that they don't pay out during the 14 day cancellation period.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 03/05/2015 23:38

She sounds like a slippery customer. I think the RSPCA should investigate. She needs stopping.

Pipbin · 04/05/2015 08:48

If you have the strength then please persue some kind of investigation or prosecution by the RSPCA or Cats Protection.

cozietoesie · 04/05/2015 09:42

I seem to recall that issey's shelter in Yorkshire had a nasty bug a year or two back - parvo, I think. It can happen to the best of us but they took it so seriously that they bascially closed down operations until they felt they had it under control. There was no sweeping under the carpet there.

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