Baby Kitten with Severe PPDH

[catpack]

I previously posted about mixing KMR and Goat's milk for a kitten in our rescue we felt had a congenital/genetic issue. Well, this past Thursday she was diagnosed with a severe Peritoneal-Pericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia (PPDH).

Essentially, her intestines and liver are in her chest cavity, compromising her lungs. Intestines are also wrapped around her heart.

Baby is currently 20 days old (born 8/2) and weighs in at about 210g. We began tube feeding her on Thursday due to compression of her esophagus and treachea. She hates having the tube placed; but, is tolerating her feeding very well and there has been no regurgitation to date.

She is a very feisty little torti and is a fighter! She's had 3 episodes of breathing difficulty, the most recent being last night. I was able to get her to one of our E-clinics where she spent the night in oxygen. This morning she is much more alert and active and her breathing has improved a lot.

Her overall prognosis is not very good right now as she needs surgery to correct the problem. Ideally, we could get her to 8 weeks; but, the concern is that we might have to risk surgery or lose her to intestinal ishemia or another complication.

Has anyone else experienced this before? We have excellent vets caring for her and have access to a group of board certified surgery specialists. We are doing everything possible to give her a chance!

Baby is needing lots of prayers and good vibes right now!

(Also, she is in need of a very strong name. Suggestions welcomed!)

 

[paulthecat]

I will be praying for you and your little kitty! She made it this far she seems like a fighter.

 

[catpack]

Thank you paulthecat ! Yes, she is very much a fighter. Thus why I felt it was worth giving her a shot. If she were lethargic or having more serious respiratory issues, I certainly wouldn't continue along this path.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Isn't surgery really the only option?  Are they just waiting for her to get a little stronger, or older, or what?  It's not like this is going to fix itself, is it?

 

[catpack]

Yes, surgery is the only option.

There are several concerns regarding surgery, including her age/size. She is 3 weeks old as of today and weighs only 224g (she is about the size of a typical 5 day old.) She has gained 100+ g in the 12 days I have been providing 100% care for her. So, there is concern over if she will tolerate anesthesia and also if they can construct a breathing tube small enough to sustain her during surgery.

The other concern is whether she has enough tissue to close the hernia or whether an alternate material is needed. And whether she may need repeated surgeries as she grows.

None of the vets at our regular clinic are up for the task of attempting surgery on her.

We have a consultation with a board certified surgeon tomorrow. So am hoping to get some answers. Primarily how big she has to be to attempt surgery.

I am told I am in unchartered territory as most people who come across such a kitten euthanize because the odds are stacked against them. It's a lot of work caring for her. And, there is certainly the real chance that even if she can have surgery, she may not survive.

But, like I said earlier, she is a fighter! And, I feel I owe it to her to fight as long as there is some hope of a positive outcome.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

OK, I understand now.  Well, you could call her Xena, isn't that the Warrior Princess?  She was certainly a fighter!

 

[paulthecat]

How is your little kitty doing?

 

[catpack]

She is still fighting. We have finally reached the half pound mark (a 3 1/2 weeks old), which is great for her!

She had a rough night Tuesday as there was a shift in her intestines which put more pressure on her heart. We thought we were going to have to do semi-emergency surgery on her yesterday; but, she made some improvements and all were comfortable at putting it off for the time being.

Today we are meeting with the dr that will be doing her surgery. We know she will need surgery much sooner than later; but, it's so hard to know at what point to make the call.

Thank you for checking in. It is much appreciated!

 

[paulthecat]

How is your baby doing? I have been praying for you two every night

 

[catpack]

Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. They are very much appreciated!

I unfortunately lost the baby this past Thursday (which is why there hasn't been a more recent update.)

Her breathing continued to be labored, but had not gone into distress, though I feared this would be imminent (likely over the weekend). So, the decision was made to attempt surgery.

She made it all the way through surgery without much issue at all. But, as they were waking her up (she had even begun to breath on her own, though still asleep) her body simply crashed. The anesthesia was just too much for her little body to handle.

I don't regret trying to save her and, very likely would attempt the same thing again, should I ever be faced with it.

Here is a pic I took of baby Hope 2 days before her passing.

image.jpg

• catpack
• Sep 1, 2015

 

[paulthecat]

I am so sorry for your loss. But I want you to know that you are an amazing person to be willing to fight for that baby! She was a beautiful little kitty.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I, too, am sorry for your loss.  You ARE, indeed, an angel

Run free at the bridge

Hope

 

[betsygee]

I am very sorry to read this.  The TCS Team offers you our condolences.  Out of respect for your loss, we will close the thread now.  We invite you to post a tribute to your kitty here, if you'd like:  

http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge