We lost our beloved cat in Nov last year to diabetes and sepsis (diabetes undiagnosed and sepsis at the same time) as a massive shock and we’ve really struggled losing him after having him from 8wks old to over 15years. Last week we decided to contact a rescue to enquire about a pair of kittens or young cats to adopt and the next day received a message saying they had a pair of boys for us to see. I went to see them on Friday, asked how healthy they were, what food etc and when they’d be ready to be told I could take them that day.
I brought them home, settled in but they wouldn’t eat, literally anything, we tried leaving out wet and dry, water bowl, the rescue said they didn’t know what they’d eaten as they just give whatever is donated. It was clear by yesterday morning (and 24hrs since they’d eaten) this might be more than the stress of the move so I called my vets who booked an appt later that day, in the meantime Ollie (b&w) had vomited, had diarrhoea and still not eating. Murphy (tabby) had had a little kitten milk and water. Vets immediately saw them and gave Ollie some glucose and fluids and then both some syringed food, gave us the can they had opened to carry on syringing in small amounts at home, said to give it 2 hours and if no improvement to take them to the vet hospital (35mim drive), so at 6 my husband and daughter took Ollie as he was clearly not improving and he didn’t make it. He died just as they arrived 😢
The vet highly suspects feline panleukopenia virus (fpv) and that his brother is likely to have it, and possibly mum. We’ve been feeding Murphy by syringe throughout the night and today but I think we’re losing him too as he’s very sleepy, refused his last syringe and his solid poo has gone to diarrhoea again. I’m absolutely devastated all over again, my children, crying happy tears on Friday are so upset.
Has anyone had any positive FPV stories? I know it’s unlikely for such little kittens (9wks) but I’m clutching at straws before I resign myself to the fact that these babies came only to us for a comfortable last few days. The rescue informed my husband today when he went to pick up some specialist food that they and mum were handed in by a family who had a cat to catch mice, got pregnant and then dumped them all with the rspca (or that’s who found them) They’d had a health check and given a place at the rescue and nothing to imply they were poorly, although first thing our vets asked was did the rescue inform me they were poorly. They say they had no idea and they seemed ok with them.
The rescue said she’d take Murphy back but she wouldn’t be able to nurse him so we’ve refused that as he is comfy with us and we are fighting as hard as we can for him, but if anyone has any tips, or anything I can hang a hope on. We fell for them as soon as we got them home, Friday they seemed very content with us, by Saturday Ollie particularly had rapidly deteriorated, Murphy picked up hugely, solid poos, taking his feeds, grooming himself, but I fear he’s going downhill now too.
Any advice? I’ve added a picture but this is my first actual post so not sure how this works!