GI issues 4 month old kitten

mrsgreenjeens

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Did you mention you suspicions about the vaccine to the specialist? What did they say?

I totally agree that 5 months is plenty old to be spayed. Many kittens are spayed as young as 8 weeks if they are at shelters! Plus I agree why put her through surgery any more than absolutely necessary.

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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Linsey

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I don't know if it is a common problem with the British Shorthair breed in particular, but I do know that cats with a higher level of inbreeding can tend to have digestive and immune system issues. Did both cats come from the same breeder? Have you talked with your cat's breeder about the problems you are having?
Auggie is from a different breeder and I have kept this new breeder in the loop on everything that’s been happening. She says none of her other cats or kittens have had any similar symptoms. And she said the swollen/distended belly was not present when she had her 12 week vaccines on 11/10.

I was able to move the surgery up so now it’s this Monday, 1/11. Hopefully the biopsy comes back before the end of the week. Praying and summoning all the positive energy and luck the universe has to offer that it’s just a flook that has thrown everyone off and it’s something easy and curable. Hoping lightning strikes twice I guess. When I got the call that Oscar didn’t have any cancer whatsoever, that was one of the happiest most miraculous moments in my 45 years.

:vibes::worship::vibes::worship:
 
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Linsey

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Did you mention you suspicions about the vaccine to the specialist? What did they say?

I totally agree that 5 months is plenty old to be spayed. Many kittens are spayed as young as 8 weeks if they are at shelters! Plus I agree why put her through surgery any more than absolutely necessary.

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
I did tell vets my vaccine theory. They said it would be uncommon, but not out of the realm of possibilitits. They also said nothing is common about her case tho As she’s not presenting with any of the top three culprits like they typically see. Symptoms, blood work, tests, scans don’t align with anything on the nose. But I guess thats why all three are so hard to diagnose without a biopsy. I just need another miracle.
 

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I have a 4 month old now and within a week of getting him (he was from a feral colony), he got a upper respiratory infection, stopped eating, and had the stinkiest gas ever. After a lot of back and forth at the vet, medicines and shots, I started him on Slippery Elm Bark. He has less stinky gas now, gets liquid syringe fed everyday, and his appetite is back to normal. It may be a totally different case than yours but I thought I'd throw it out there. He is still on 2.5 ml of Slippery Elm Bark and S. Boulardii everyday even though he is not sick anymore. Sending you strength as you go through this.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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So glad you were able to get the surgery moved up. We'll be anxiously awaiting results right along with you and also hoping for that miracle. Until then, thinking only good thoughts :hugs:
 
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Linsey

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Have been talking with FIP warriors group and now wondering if we should NOT do surgery tomorrow and try the FIP treatment first. If she gets better in a week, it was FIP. Otherwise the treatment won’t do any harm. The surgery on sick cat with FIP, might be risky. Ugh!!! Going to text vet today - been up since 4:30am agonizing and digesting all the internet has to offer on FIP and the treatment.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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What did you decide? Did ANY of her blood tests indicate FIP? I know nothing is definitive, but certain of the items lean that way if it IS FIP. Was thinking of you this morning wondering how the surgery was going when I saw your post from yesterday.

:vibes:
 
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Linsey

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What did you decide? Did ANY of her blood tests indicate FIP? I know nothing is definitive, but certain of the items lean that way if it IS FIP. Was thinking of you this morning wondering how the surgery was going when I saw your post from yesterday.

:vibes:
She had surgery this morning, biopsy and spaying. It went well but was a bit more involved due to her intestines being so inflamed so her incision is larger. But she woke up feisty which vet says is a good sign. They biopsied 4 areas and will take 7-10 days for results - ARG!!! We brought her home and she has eaten, peed and been walking around. She‘ got the worst cone of shame and is really struggling with it. I ordered a little kitten onesie, be here tomorrow night - hopefully that will make things easier on her. She’s trying to sleep sitting up, she can’t get comfortable, seems fairly sore and won’t lay on either side. She exhausted and I feel so bad for her. We’ve got 7-10 days of healing, this while waiting on results is going to be the loooooooooongest 7-10 days ever.

asked if after looking at everything, if is swayed their opinion on diagnosis, but no. So frustrating!! Her blood work is not aligning with anything. But FIP warriors said dry FIP typically doesn’t present in blood work. And if it’s FIP, vets think it’s dry form. somedays I’m sure it’s FIP, other I’m sure it’s lymphoma and every once in a while I get my hopes up about all being immune reaction to vaccine.

I am beyond stressed out and probably won’t sleep tonight. I’ve got a little air mattress in the bathroom so I can sleep with her and keep an eye on her. Vet said her stomach, all the way down to her small intestines, don’t look right, and she’s not seen it in any other kitty. She took pics to share with specialist so maybe he’ll have an opinion that sways the diagnosis.

I absolutely hate all this and can’t believe we’re going through all this medical trauma again. Also pissed at breeder bc she clearly sold us a sick kitty after I told all about Oscar and health was my #1 priority. I don’t think it was intentional but we will be having more conversations once we have a diagnosis. my anxiety, depression and stress is through the roof.

here’s a picture of her from this past weekend. She’s soooo adorable and so sweet, its so unfair.
 

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stephanietx

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Just wanted to pop in and tell you to keep your head up. Hope your girl is recovering well from her spay.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Oh my goodness, she is absolutely gorgeous :loveeyes: !!!! What a sweetheart.

Has the onesie arrived yet? Hoping that really helps. There are also those new blow up "cones" now that look so much more comfy, if she needs it. Hoping the recovery isn't too bad and that you can get some GOOD answers asap (seven vs the ten days). Fingers crossed that it's something that can be controlled, if not cured. I know this has got to be so stressful on both of you (you mainly - she doesn't really know anything is wrong, only maybe that she hurts sometimes :frown: ) Deep breaths, and keep doing what you're doing. Love her and spoil her and we will all hope for the best :hugs:

Please continue to give up updates as she recovers from her surgery, even if you don't have updates from the Vet yet. We worry about all the kitties here on TCS as if they were our own.
 
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Linsey

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I have been up for nearly 36 hours. Husband taking night shift tonight, thank goodness. she’s doing better in the onesie, that cone was awful she barely slept last night and only starting sleeping this afternoon. Got her outta the cone and into the onesie which she did not like but then she laid down and absolutely crashed. She seems to be doing ok, eating, peeing, walking around, sleeping And she just attacked my hubs toes under the blanket. 💕 Had a quick follow up at vet this morning: temp check, incision check - all good. hopefully everything is healing correctly 🙏🙏🙏 and she gets strong enough to fight whatever is next.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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So glad the onesie is working :) Playing with wiggling toes is good. EATING is great!

Has the specialist seen the pictures yet? If they aren't familiar with what they are seeing, perhaps your Vet or the specialist can reach out the the nearest Veterinary School to see if they'll take a look. They can be a great resource to Vets.
 
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Linsey

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Still no results from biopsy, but thought I’d give an update. Auggie has gotten better every day, honestly by Wednesday she seemed to be mostly back to herself. She is still on the zofran and mirataz and has also been on amoxicillin again 2x/day. No more pain meds. was worried the amoxicillin would set us back on diarrhea and intense gas but that hasn’t been the case. Her poops (3 since surgery) have all looked pretty darn good for her - logs, scant to no blood, dark brown. She has not thrown up since Monday (touch wood) Has eaten everything we’ve given her (baby food and EN purina) with supplemental vitamins, fish oil and probiotic. and her energy levels have been good - wants to run and play and attacks everythin, but we’re keeping her in our bathroom to minimize activity, she hates it and wants out so bad. She got out the other day and immediately ran all over the house and jumped on the bed - I almost had a heart attack. But all good with her incision. She is getting lots of sleep, bathing herself and is perky and alert. it’s almost like she’s a normal kitty, except for the meds and the fact that she’s still skinny with oversized belly.

the onesie has been great, but she doesn’t Like her front legs in the front arm holes and wiggles them out threw the neck hole. The neck is not tight, so we just let her be, even though it looks kinda funny. See pic below.

Been researching/googling metabolic disorders and immune mediated diseases And I think I’ve read the whole internet on FIP, intestinal lymphoma and histoplasmosis. I‘ve diagnosed her 100 times - every day or two I’m sure it’s this or that, so basically I’m nowhere. I just keep thinking someone will post a story EXACTLY like hers and I’ll have an answer, but no.

So we wait. Hoping that the results come in earlier next week, but could be as late as Friday, ugh.
 

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mrsgreenjeens

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Thanks for the update. That's so funny about the onesie. She's a clever one, figuring out how to get her arms out :lol:

Glad she's doing well, eating well, etc. My advise, although easier said than done: STOP Googling. Wait for the biopsy results and THEN take it from there. If nothing is cut and dried, have your Vet(s) consult with the nearest Vet School for assistance. Insist on it if you need to. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure this out :alright:
 
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Linsey

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Just got biopsy results - not FIP!
Not lymphoma!
And not histoplasmosis either!

Diagnosis is IBD. I asked if it was 100% definitive that it was not the above three and answer is yes. Biopsies from four areas, pathologist, 2 vets and 1 internal medicine specialist all agree. We start prednisolone tonight.

I am convinced she is too young to have IBD and really believe the vaccines caused an immune-mediated inflamatory response, same as with Oscar, but the inflammation manifestEd in his joints causing poly arthritis. Also convinced that after a 4-6 months on pred, we can tapper off and it’ll never come back, just like with Oscar. Maybe the British Shorthair breed just does not react well to vaccination??? Hence she is not getting vaccines ever again, sorry if that makes me a crazy anti vaccine person but fool me once...

Now if it is true IBD, I know that’s not an easy road, but I’ll take over the other options. And will get her on the right diet, supplements and lowest dose of pred possible. I’m glad she likes fish oil!!

A huge weight has been lifted and now we have a treatment plan. I am so relieved and so excited for her to start thriving and feeling better. Vet wants her to finish a 30 day course on the amoxicillin and tapper off the mirataz and zofran.
thanks so much for all the support - listening to me vent and speculate! I’ll update with progress but feel like this particular roller coaster has ended, thank gawd!

All the good vibes and well wishes worked!!!!! Thank you thank you! :lovecat:
 

mrsgreenjeens

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:clap::clap::cheerleader::cheerleader::clap2::clap2: Woohoo! This is spectacular news!!!!!! Well, NOT that she may have IBD, but that she doesn't have any of the other items.

My daugher-in-law has two British Shorthairs, so I'll try to remember to ask her if they have had any issues with vaccines.

Please continue to keep us posted on how she's doing with her new routine.
 
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Linsey

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I adopted a kitten 7 years ago that had similar symptoms. It was Coccidia. Hopefully they tested her for that?!
She had several fecal tests including GI PCR Panel that all came back negative. They did so many tests, I’m sure that was in the mix and ruled out. She’s also on amoxicillin for 30 days now so if there is anything like that, hopefully that’ll kill it.

She is doing great btw, was able to stop the mirataz and zofran Since her appetite and energy have been so good! I know part of that is from the pred, but she needs to gain some weight so happy she’s eating so much. Trying to do many small portions every 2 hours so she doesn‘t overeat and overload her system that’s trying to heal. havent noticed a big change in her belly/inflammation yet but vet said it would take time. im just very impatient.
 

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She had several fecal tests including GI PCR Panel that all came back negative. They did so many tests, I’m sure that was in the mix and ruled out. She’s also on amoxicillin for 30 days now so if there is anything like that, hopefully that’ll kill it.

She is doing great btw, was able to stop the mirataz and zofran Since her appetite and energy have been so good! I know part of that is from the pred, but she needs to gain some weight so happy she’s eating so much. Trying to do many small portions every 2 hours so she doesn‘t overeat and overload her system that’s trying to heal. havent noticed a big change in her belly/inflammation yet but vet said it would take time. im just very impatient.
Glad to hear she's doing better!!

Just in case, or just for information purposes, here's a link for it....
Coccidiosis in Cats
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Just checking in to see how Auggie is doing. Hoping she's still doing great.
 
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