My poor kitten is going downhill - scared

[tortietimestwo]

Hi

I've already posted another thread about my two little torties (10 months) who are very shy and have been hiding a lot. We got them from a lovely local shelter nearly 2 weeks ago and they've been fixed, flead, vaccinated and wormed on schedule.

As far as we can see they've been eating, drinking, grooming and using their litter trays. They were starting to settle in and come out around us a bit, but had to go to vets last Friday for weepy eyes and have been having twice daily eye drops since. Eyes were looking brighter and I thought all was good, but the littlest one seems to have gone downhill in the last day or so. She's not eaten at all, had diarrhoea on carpet, barely drank and was super listless.

We got her to vet this morning, who gave her an antibiotic/anti-inflammatory shot. He said it could be cat flu that's dragging on a bit. He also weighed her and said she's 1.2kg and should be 2kg so she's underweight, although I was told she has always been very slight.

We've had her on wet food that we know from the shelter she liked and she's been ok with it, but now she's not touching it. As they're still hiding a bit, he told us to move her into the bathroom so we can keep an eye on her. I'm just really hoping she picks up and starts eating, I'm going to try her on some cooked chicken as well.

Just a bit beside myself about her and could do with a hand hold! I really want her to be ok.

Here she is:

Great update! That was smart with the mackerel in oil. I second the motion, you really are a great cat mum/nurse/general slave. You seem to be thinking things through practically and scientifically and keeping the vet involved and being sensitive to their needs - couldn't do better!

And you are going to be so bonded with her after all this...

Yes, we have had the 'poo in the carrier on the way to the vet', @lifebeginsaftercoffee ... preceded by a warning wail, then gagging and crying (us) because we were afraid to open the windows in case he escaped...

@Compash two of mine have needed baths after the vet as they'd peed/pooed in the carrier and sat in it 😭

One was incredibly traumatised (it needed three adults to get him clean) whereas the other just sat in the sink and let me get on with it, lol. Weirdo!

Isn't it amazing how it can take three adults to deal with one tiny, determined cat, @lifebeginsaftercoffee ?! We got away with sponging his tail off as he made general 'my sad life' mutterings...

My DDad worked on farms and had been attacked by just about every animal you could think of from cattle to cockerels, but cats were the only ones he feared/respected...

And that's before you even get to the psychological manipulation and mind control... 😼

They're surprisingly strong aren't they

He only weighed about 3kg too!

Oh bless you @lifebeginsaftercoffee they do now how to traumatise us with a terrible poo. The smell was horrific when I went into the bathroom but I was so pleased hahaha.

@Compash Thank you so much, you've been so lovely on the other thread as well. I'm actually a first time cat owner hence all the anxiety! My DH has had cats before though (they're 15 now and they live at his mum's as he was renting for ages and couldn't have them with them). But they've always been very chill so these nervy, hidey shy cats aren't something he's used to. We're getting through it as a team though and they really are lovely.

Love the anecdote about your dad btw 😂 cats are so determined, I normally can't manage the eye drops without my DH to hold them as even little is a feisty bugger;

Hopefully by tomorrow we can move her back downstairs with her little friend. I'd quite like to open the door and introduce the dining room/kitchen next so they have a bit more space but must cat proof some gaps first!

Btw, little is called Ariana and crazy eyed skittish kitty is Artemis, here she is below:

Honestly @tortietimestwo it was horrendous. He'd sat in it and kind of rolled around so his entire back end was absolutely caked in it - it smelled awful. Two of us kind of had to wrap him in a towel while wearing gardening gloves while the other tried their best to wash him.

His sister was also used as the "poster girl" at our local vets for what to do with difficult cats who wouldn't take tablets, lol.

@lifebeginsaftercoffee 🤮 The towel and gardening gloves is the way! We tried a towel with ours for eye drops but they just shot out of it - so now my DH wears gardening gloves, we trap them in the soft cat igloo bed, then pull it down so their face is exposed, he holds their head still and I do the drops. Hopefully when they're more relaxed with us we won't need to do that. I do feel a bit bad but the scratches and bites on his arms from the first time we tried have made us exercise caution!

As tiny is getting more trusting, I can sometimes sneak her drops in after a nice stroke or two without doing that.

Hopefully you'll get there! Two of mine are on daily medication and they just sit there and take it little weirdos, but when our kitten needed ear drops it was a real battle - I had to burrito him and clamp him between my legs so only his head was showing, haha.

That's another good update, OP.

Lovely update and what beauties they both are.

Really glad to read the updates @tortietimestwo
I have a white tortie who is full of tortitude!
Our tux is on the mend. It turned out to be toxoplasmosis, the poor cat. We are having to be very careful with litter trays! He woke me at 7 shouting for breakfast, such a difference from last week!

Madam is perky this morning and waves a paw at all her friends here. She's been miaowing for food and treats and rubbing up against us.

Oh @Heronatemygoldfish poor boy I hope you are all ok and he's starting to feel better. Shouting for breakfast sounds like an excellent kind!

*excellent sign

Little poppet.

Oh what a little love she is. So glad she seems to be turning the corner.

@tortietimestwo

Even though lots of posters have agreed you are a brilliant CatMum (which you are) that photo proves you are being JUDGED
By the highest order that is a recuperating little tortoiseshell cat -feel the wrath ,

" Sooooo what do you think you can do to make it up to me?"

@70isaLimitNotaTarget Absolutely 🤣🤣🤣 that little tortie face, I felt the judgement.

WHERE ARE MY TREATS

Thought I'd come back with an update:

Vet saw her this morning and is happy with how she's doing - she's put on 350g so suggests her weight is going in the right direction, and her eyes are nice and bright.

We moved her back downstairs with the other kitty last night and they've now slowly started to explore the kitchen/dining room area as well. Also, she started to play last night for the first time - batted at and grabbed a feather stick toy I waved at her, and was playing with the tinkly balls on the cat tree. So sweet.

A bit less cuddly and receptive to petting now she's got her friend back, but I think she's excited to be back and I'm sure will settle down soon. They are both out and about a lot now and hiding less which is great.

I'm so glad to read that.
I was quite worried when the thread started. Things could easily have gone the other way, OP.

A happy ending!

Aw, how lovely! I'm was surprised to read that you're a first time cat mum as you sound really experienced and doing all the right things.

I am so happy to read that. X

Aww what a lovely update, I'm so pleased for you all!

Oh what good news! You are a brilliant, natural, first-time mum!
Please carry on with the updates, I am looking forward to a picture of a barrel -shaped Tortie kitty dozing on your lap/playing with toys 😻

Super news. You’ve worked so hard to bring her back to health, OP. Congratulations and well done!