Any Freeper Veternarians? Need Sick Viking Kitty Info (and prayers)

12 MAR 05 | dcbryan1

[DCBryan1]

Need Vet advice on sick freeper kitty.

[DCBryan1]

Yesterday (11 MAR 05) at 0800, I took all three (3) of my cats to the vet for their annual vaccinations. They received distemper, feline leukemia, and rabies, along with a dewormer since they are outside cats and had roundworm eggs in their stools.

All three cats made it home after the appointment, and they took off running for their hiding spots after being released from their pet taxis.....all but one.

Casey, my computer friend, she threw up, deficated and urinated inside of her pet taxi 20 mins after the vaccinations. I pulled her from the pet taxi (which was disgusting) and washed off her bottom in the sink. She was as limp as a wet noodle and had a high heart rate and was having breathing difficulty. I called the vet and rushed her back in at his request because he thinks she went into anaphylatic shock. She was given a cocktail of steroids, benadryl and some other kind of antihistamine (sp). She had a really hard day from 9am-midnight last night, and was not eating or drinking for 24 hours.

This morning, my vet called to me to see if she had eaten or drank any water, which she hadn't. He told me to meet him at the clinic for some intraveinous fluids and a cortizone shot. She was still limp, breathing heavily, and just plain exhausted. She urinated twice during the night, and threw up twice (not food, just bile I think).

Anyways, I just got back home from vet, who gave me the IV bag and some ultra-high calorie paste (nutrical) that I am to feed her every 8 hours. We did an xray and showed no fluid build up in the lungs or abdomen, but the blood test was less than satisfactory. Her kidney levels showed failure and liver numbers were higher than they should be. He didn't know if that was because of the vaccines, or something else, possibly something called F.I.V. some sort of wierd and hard to diagnose feline virus.

He said that she had a 25 percent chance of survival and said to give it until Mon, AM to see if she improves. He is the kind of vet that thinks that she needs a chance to see if she can pull through or not. She is 12.5 years old and weighs almost 7lbs.

I am wondering if there is any input that all the viking kitty owners or freeper vets/pet caretakers had that would help me. She crawled 4 feet out of her pet taxi a few mins ago and just collapsed, looking exhausted. I will feed and re-hydrate her sub-cutaneously (sp) at 9pm cst tonight.

Prayers for Casey and me would be appreciated as well as any advice. I have never had a sick kitty or had to bury one yet.

Thanks, Chris

[dandelion]

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty friend being ill. I don't have any experience with something like this, but it definitely sounds like a bad reaction to a vaccine or medication. Which dewormer did they receive?

I will pray for Casey. Poor kitty, may God heal your little computer friend...

[HairOfTheDog]

Sick kitty ping...

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to thank You that in Your hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Sustain this beloved pet, O God, that she might improve with the treatment that Chris is giving her. If there is someone who can offer help in this crisis, I pray that You will bring that one forward. We thank You for the care Chris has given to all of his furry friends ... strengthen him and Casey in their time of need. Our little ones are so precious, O God ... may Your healing hand rest mightily upon Casey. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[NautiNurse]

My heart goes out to you for having to watch your dear kitty suffer like that. If Casey was quite healthy prior to the vaccines, it is likely she had a serious reaction to them.

On the other hand, seven lbs is not much weight for a full grown cat.

Give the fluids, nutrition, and keep her away from the other cats in case this is a contagious problem, as well as to minimize stress for her. Follow up first thing Monday--although your worried veterinarian may call you first.

Good luck. Sick kitties can break your heart.

[mdittmar]

Lost one of mine of 16 years to CRF a few years back,sounds similiar.?

Prayers.

[dandelion]

Look here - I think it may be the dewormer. The keep symptom is liver and kidney failure...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1359&articleid=761

What is the name of the dewormer? I'll look it up for you...

[DCBryan1]

FreeRepublic is such a great place. When I face a problem, I know I can always count on freepers to help. What makes this case so sad is that she is my lap cat who just loves to give me company when I am on the computer. I have a bird feeder right by the computer that she enjoys.

Anyways, she was given Drontal dewormer. I don't know how many mg's but it is a tad smaller than a normal size aspirin pill.

Vet wants me to keep her hydrated and to force feed, but not to stress her out. She said that I should not be suprised if she passes away this weekend. (Fingers crossed)

[ExSoldier]

Oh God, my aching heart just shatters when I read this. I lost my boy Bandit at age 13 last October. He went into lIver failure and we had to put him down. Then two weeks ago, my wife and I went out for dinner and when we returned we found our beloved Lil' Kit cold and stiff on the floor. She looked as if she'd died in mid-step. We had both cremated and placed in a resting place with our first newfoundland dog to be placed in our caskets when the time comes.

If it's renal failure, you've just got to put them down. It's very painful for the cat. And at 12 years old it may be God's timing. I learned the hard way that our little family members depend on us for this last gift of peace. Think of the quality of life and the pain. Pooping and peeing on themselves is undignified. I wouldn't want to live like that, either. Keeping them hydrated is critical.

FIV IIRC is AIDS for cats. It is not communicable to people but is I think very contagious to other cats! I also think it is not curable and lethal. I'll send a prayer up for the kitty and for you for peace and courage.

It may help to think of the Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing--they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to DCBryan1

DCBryan1, My prayers go up for you and your Kitty. God's healing hand over your precious pet. Lord, please heal Casey. Give her strength to overcome her illness. Comfort her human. In Jesus' precious name. Amen

Pegita - thank you for the ping.

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Offering my prayers

[Bahbah]

The only thing I can offer are my hopes and good thoughts for you and the kitty. I so hope she gets better. I have 2 indoor cats but Victor is pretty wiley and often tries to sneak out. I glanced out of the window one morning and saw a little grey and white body in the street and almost threw up. It was NOT Victor. I know how worried you are.

[dandelion]

Drontal aka praziquantel

Praziquantal fact sheet"

---SNIP--- An increased incidence of adverse effects have been reported after using the injectable product. In dogs, pain at the injection site, vomiting, drowsiness and/or a staggering gait were reported from field trials with the drug. Some cats (9.4%) showed symptoms of diar­rhea, weakness, vomiting, salivation, sleepiness, transient anorexia and/or pain at the in­jection site. ---SNIP---

Drontal is metabolized through the liver. Side effects from overtoxicity can present as shock, which would explain the renal/hepatic failure.

It's not common at all in cats, but if she had any predisposition to liver/kidney problems, there are contraindications for this drug. It's about the only thing I can think of that would cause such a reaction in combination to the other drugs. Call your vet and tell him you think it's the drontal - see if he knows of a way to remedy overtoxicity with this drug...

[Ditter]

Prayers for your kitty and you. I had a dog that had a reaction to vaccines. He swelled up on the way home from the vets. I rushed him back and they gave the meds your kitty got and he got over it.

I am going thru something similar with my 1 1/2 yr old Jack Russell. Something toxic she ate in the yard not vaccines. Her liver numbers are horrible but it has been 2 weeks now we have been going thru this. She has been at deaths door several times and we still don't know if she can pull out of it.

I pray that your kitty can survive this.

[dandelion]

Oh, prayers for your poor fella as well! Jack Russells are like children - always into EVERYTHING! God bless him and heal him...

[CDHart]

It certainly sounds like a severe allergic reaction to something. Has she had those specific shots before? Although my RN daughter says you can develop an allergic reaction to anything at any time. I know how awful it can be to care for and watch a pet who is sick. You feel so helpless. May God give you peace and strength and watch over your kitty and restore her to health, in Jesus' name.

Carolyn

[trisham]

Prayers for Casey and me would be appreciated

***************

Done. Please keep us posted on Casey's progress.

[DCBryan1]

Ive been out in the yard raking leaves, trying to keep composure and get some anxiety burned off. I just picked her up and she seems a little brighter, yet she cant even stand up in the litter box....she just lays down and sighs like thats all the energy she has. Luckily, every 45 mins or so I peek in on her and she is moving around the bedroom switching positions. This is good because fluids cant build up in one area due to inactivity.

Will keep you all posted. It helps to keep me a little more sane.

Thanks for the prayers..I know that God cares for every living thing, even the smallest, and I do feel that your prayer(s) are helping Casey and I.

[CAluvdubya]

Prayers for Casey and you.

I had a German Shepard puppy that I was assured had already gotten all his shots. Not distemper as it turned out. He was very sick and the vet told us to take him home. That if he had asny chance of getting better, it would be at. He survivedand lived a long, healthy life. Hope you have the same outcome.