New kitten - possible parasite

[KittenHelp]

Hi Mumsnet - I'd really appreciate some advice please!

I'm about to adopt a kitten from a cat charity, however it has been delayed by a few days because the kitten has had diahorrea (sorry can't spell that word!).

I have spoken to the fosterer and they think it is a parasite/worm that hasn't been covered by the worming treatment they had last week. They have started the kitten on panacare (I think that's what it's called) and have said the poos seem to be getting a bit better, however the kitten hasn't pooped yet today so they can't tell if it has continued to improve.

I'm due to collect the kitten tomorrow and will give 2 more days of the panacare paste to finish the course, but I want to check if that's a really bad idea? Is it better to wait til the kitten is completely better before taking home?

The fosterer did say that if it doesn't get better and we have to take to the vet that they will pay, however it makes me quite nervous to essentially be adopting an unwell kitten.

Has anyone else been in the same boat? Or have any advice?

Thank you!!

Bump as it's pretty time critical! Thank you!

i can’t speak from experience but if you take the kitten tomorrow just be prepared to pay as once you have it the other party might get out of paying.

I would probably collect still but I don’t know enough about cats to know if this is safe. Do you have any other pets it could be passed on to?

enjoy the new kitten ♥️

Ah. There is another thread where the OP adopted a kitten with bad diarrhoea. It turned out to be worms and has taken a while to get rid of them.

My kitten turned out to have worms when I got her. The fosterer gave me some panacure but it wasn’t up to the job so the vet gave me something stronger. She’s the picture of health now.

I would not take the kitten until it is well.

Thank you, yes we are so excited so will be gutted if it doesn't go ahead tomorrow! Can't do any other days before Sunday and the fosterer is having to leave it alone so really want to get it home now.

No we don't have any other pets, but do have small children. Don't think it can be passed on to humans if it is a parasite I think?

The charity have said that if it does get worse then they will pay for vets, so we do have that as added security I suppose...

Ah thank you, I will try and find the thread.

I think it probably is quite common and I guess if it happens a lot then it might be ok to go ahead. At least we know what it (probably) is so are better prepared to deal with it.

Just doesn't sit right adopting a kitten that we know is a bit unwell, but don't want to delay it much longer either...

Thanks, yes I'm also inclined to agree but timing wise that will mean waiting until Sunday...not the end of the world though

This is the thread, but it is a little worrying to start with.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray/4970838-advice-needed-for-situation-with-poorly-cat?page=1

My advice would be to get the new kitty registered with a vet now and get them booked in for an initial check as soon as you can after you collect them.

(As for spelling diarrhoea- )

doesn’t
it
always
run
rather
horribly
over
each
ankle.

Small children, unknown parasite and sickly kitten really aren't a good mix.

Yes very good point. Think I need to wait until it settles down don't I...

Haha thanks!

I would, I know it's hard, but you need to be really sensible about this as there's a chance you could be taking on more than you expected.

Ah yeah that thread is mine! It's still on going OP. I would wait personally! I have soent a lot of money and time and we are on round 3 or 4 I have lost count of panacur now! He's much happier now though so I'm hoping we are near the end of it! It's been the cause of a lot of stress!

And to add to it. We have had him since august

Ah I just read the thread! You've really been through it, poor kitty and poor you. I am going to speak to the fosterer in the morning and make a new plan. A few days delay now won't hurt in the long run. Fosterer has just been in touch to say kittens just pood and it's looking better so fingers crossed it might be ok after all but we'll see in the morning!

Not to be disgusting. But I would want photo proof! I also found with the panacur that his poop would be more settled in the evening and more diarrheah in the day after the dose..I would actually wait until he's not on the panacur anymore and doing reliable poops. It's completely up to you and what you are comfortable with. I love my little boy. But if I could go back...would I do it all over again... not sure I would!

I have a stray coming to my door now. I've gone from no pets to random trying ti get into my house!

Also the fab ladies helped me on here. My vet was useless!

I really wouldn't take a poorly kitten.

Practically speaking you won't be covered by insurance as it's a pre-existing issue, so you'll have to pay out of pocket for all your vets bills.

But also, looking after a poorly baby animal is really draining. It's not just the physical side (cleaning up accidents, checking trays, making sure your kids can't get anywhere near, medicating an angry, hissy bundle of fluff) but also the emotional drain of worrying about them all the time.

Personally I would be inclined to look for a different kitten.

Thanks for your reply - yes I agree, it would be very tough. I am going to ask the fosterer to finish the course of panacare and wait for a good few days in a row of no loose stools before we bring kitten home. It's a shame as we were so excited for her arrival but too risky to take tomorrow I think 🙁

Hi Kittenhelp.
Would just like to agree with other posters, about not taking the kitten until it is well.2 years ago it happened to my cat.It was relentless.4 trips to the vet, worming which didnt help then Panacur.
He was using the litter tray 8-10 times a day, was such a mess, so that meant complete litter tray changes.
It was so awful and smelled toxic.
Poor cat I don't know how he survived.
He was the runs for 8 weeks, followed by cat flu.

Please dont take the cat - i dont want to scare you but i had an awful experience. I'd give it until at least Sunday to see if the kitten regains health and full strength.

The downside risks of taking this on with kids are high xx

Thanks for your reply - yes I agree, it would be very tough. I am going to ask the fosterer to finish the course of panacare and wait for a good few days in a row of no loose stools before we bring kitten home. It's a shame as we were so excited for her arrival but too risky to take tomorrow I think 🙁

Honestly, I wouldn't take her at all.

I know that sounds horrible but if this turns out not to be worms and something more dodgy, you will find yourself with a massive vets bill that's not covered by insurance as it's a pre-existing condition.

Rescues will soon be full of cats, none of which have this problem. I would do the right thing for your family and your sanity and wait.

I have to agree with Lifeis.
It's unbelievably stressful and expensive.
In hindsight, I wouldn't have taken my cat on had I known.
Anyway good luck with whatever you decide I hope she is better soon.

I simply wouldn't take any kitten or cat until it was fully well again. If it's like most charities you are also paying or donating for it