New kittens, vomiting and coccidia

[GenCat]

She has’t thrown up but is refusing the RAWZ today. Went to the vet and got an appetite stimulant to see if that will help. She’s still getting that bloated look, really wondering why she seems to retain so much liquid in her stomach…

 

[Sarthur2]

If she’s eating a lot, it’s not uncommon for kitten tummies to look very round while they are little.

Wet FIP can cause a bloated belly, but I think you said earlier the vet does not think she has FIP.

 

[GenCat]

If she’s eating a lot, it’s not uncommon for kitten tummies to look very round while they are little.

Wet FIP can cause a bloated belly, but I think you said earlier the vet does not think she has FIP.

It's not that she's eating a lot in one meal and gets bloated then recovers after digesting/using the bathroom like her brother does, it looks like over 3-4 meals it builds up until she throws up mostly liquid at some point.

Yeah, tested negative for FIP and blood tests didn't show any signs of it either.

Debating if I should get a second opinion from a different vet tomorrow (well third opinion at this point). We're supposed to be getting a call from a GI specialist to get an appointment but haven't heard anything yet.

 

[Kwik]

It's not that she's eating a lot in one meal and gets bloated then recovers after digesting/using the bathroom like her brother does, it looks like over 3-4 meals it builds up until she throws up mostly liquid at some point.

Yeah, tested negative for FIP and blood tests didn't show any signs of it either.

Debating if I should get a second opinion from a different vet tomorrow (well third opinion at this point). We're supposed to be getting a call from a GI specialist to get an appointment but haven't heard anything yet.

Call the GI specialist,you never know whats going on or if someone was supposed to call and for some reason didn't,forgot,had the wrong number ( who knows?)

I'd be hounding them to get my appt.....give a try,I can't tell you how many times I've heard" I was just going to call you" or " been trying to reach you" meanwhile I was sitting by the phone waiting.

Personally if it were me I'd get to the GI Specialist rather than another (3rd) opinion..... this has to be very frustrating for you,I'm sorry you are going through all of this with this dear little baby.....I hope you can get in right away and get resolve for this issue

 

[GenCat]

Call the GI specialist,you never know whats going on or if someone was supposed to call and for some reason didn't,forgot,had the wrong number ( who knows?)

I'd be hounding them to get my appt.....give a try,I can't tell you how many times I've heard" I was just going to call you" or " been trying to reach you" meanwhile I was sitting by the phone waiting.

Personally if it were me I'd get to the GI Specialist rather than another (3rd) opinion..... this has to be very frustrating for you,I'm sorry you are going through all of this with this dear little baby.....I hope you can get in right away and get resolve for this issue

I kind of feel that way at the same time as I have a feeling the "specialists" near me might not be the greatest looking at reviews. I've seen some vets around that aren't specialist but are older gentlemen that I've heard have a lot of experience compared to the newer kiddos at my vet. Will still call the specialist today.

Thankfully LiLi perked up last night and it lasted into this afternoon, she is purring on my lap happily after her KMR meal (I had to take it away because she was going to drink till she horfed). She is sitting in the semi-comfortable cat loaf position which is better than the hunched cat loaf she's been for months.

I now suspect she had the perfect storm of issues which led to her not eating. Upper respiratory, medication and adult teeth coming in. If I couldn't smell my food, had someone shove a syringe down my throat AND my mouth hurt terribly I would want to sleep it away too.

I'm probably going to be on the couch with her all day because I feel a migraine coming on.

*horfed = what my husband and I call throwing up

 

[GenCat]

This is so stressful. Diarrhea has gotten worse and she started vomiting again too. She’s still active and happy most of the time, just slows down when she starts feeling ill until she throws up.

She still eats her daily calories but mostly in KMR and just some small nibbles of RAWZ rabbit or raw bison. I’ve started her on S. Boulardii for the diarrhea but so worried it may not help.

Calling the vet in an hour to pester about the specialist.

 

[Kwik]

This is so stressful. Diarrhea has gotten worse and she started vomiting again too. She’s still active and happy most of the time, just slows down when she starts feeling ill until she throws up.

She still eats her daily calories but mostly in KMR and just some small nibbles of RAWZ rabbit or raw bison. I’ve started her on S. Boulardii for the diarrhea but so worried it may not help.

Calling the vet in an hour to pester about the specialist.

How did you do with your call?

 

[GenCat]

How did you do with your call?

Got an appointment but it's two weeks from now. Turns out you were right in a way lol. The vet tech who was handling LiLi's medical records being sent over had covid and hadn't been back to work until today. She apologized profusely, but honestly I don't blame her at all and it's not like it would have helped my current issue of the URI/teething anyway.

I took the opportunity to quiz her on some questions I had (could it be pancreatitis, anything else I can do to keep her stable, etc). Most of what she said I already had figured out, but I did let them know I was ordering some more Cerenia and transdermal Mirataz to see if I can find a combination that works. Now that I know the disinterest in eating was more due to the URI than the Cerenia I thought I would give it another try alongside Mirataz this time. If nothing else they are supplies for my cat emergency kit.

She perked up a LOT today, she is now a screaming little monster who demands her food be served ten minutes ago lol Then she pigged out, started feeling ill and almost horfed on me. But she managed to keep it down and was ready for her next meal 4 hours later. Still having diarrhea, but we're working on that with S. Boulardii and some other fancy probiotics I bought because I started seeing a lot of people mention them. They're live ones so it was shipped with ice packs and I was panicked it might melt before I got home from work...then realize it was 30 degrees outside lol

 

[Kwik]

Got an appointment but it's two weeks from now. Turns out you were right in a way lol. The vet tech who was handling LiLi's medical records being sent over had covid and hadn't been back to work until today. She apologized profusely, but honestly I don't blame her at all and it's not like it would have helped my current issue of the URI/teething anyway.

I took the opportunity to quiz her on some questions I had (could it be pancreatitis, anything else I can do to keep her stable, etc). Most of what she said I already had figured out, but I did let them know I was ordering some more Cerenia and transdermal Mirataz to see if I can find a combination that works. Now that I know the disinterest in eating was more due to the URI than the Cerenia I thought I would give it another try alongside Mirataz this time. If nothing else they are supplies for my cat emergency kit.

She perked up a LOT today, she is now a screaming little monster who demands her food be served ten minutes ago lol Then she pigged out, started feeling ill and almost horfed on me. But she managed to keep it down and was ready for her next meal 4 hours later. Still having diarrhea, but we're working on that with S. Boulardii and some other fancy probiotics I bought because I started seeing a lot of people mention them. They're live ones so it was shipped with ice packs and I was panicked it might melt before I got home from work...then realize it was 30 degrees outside lol

Oh I'm so glad you have a set appt now- that's one stressor gone,waiting is not a virtue of mine,lol It's just so nerve wracking for people like you & I that are movers and shakers,never procrastinate

It's gonna be a long 2 wks,isn't it?I'll try to keep track so I don't start pestering you for updates every couple of days- lol

I'd imagine you'll be able to sustain her well with the 'recipe' you've got now- praying she does well and you stay sane!!

 

[GenCat]

Oh I'm so glad you have a set appt now- that's one stressor gone,waiting is not a virtue of mine,lol It's just so nerve wracking for people like you & I that are movers and shakers,never procrastinate

It's gonna be a long 2 wks,isn't it?I'll try to keep track so I don't start pestering you for updates every couple of days- lol

I'd imagine you'll be able to sustain her well with the 'recipe' you've got now- praying she does well and you stay sane!!

She's totally off the KMR now, she screamed till I gave her the RAWZ rabbit. Sadly that also means she's back to vomiting on schedule as well. I tried sneaking her 1/4 a cerenia in her late night snack but I think she caught me so not sure she ate enough to do anything. Thankfully even with the vomiting she's bounces back instantly again and wants to eat.

 

[Kwik]

Dehydration is such a concern on top of it all-you did mention she drinks and get alot of fluids,didn't you ,early on?

It's extremely frustrating because it's such a catch 22- vomiting and diarrhea can dehydrate and drinking can induce more vomiting - does she hold down broths and juices etc?

 

[Kwik]

Crazy stuff but when I was on chemo I constantly dehydrated and also needed blood transfusions like a car with a bad oil leak --- I used to say ' I've gotta go in for an oil change and my radiator needs fluid' lol

But my oncologist kept telling me ' you need to drink more water ' the more I drank the more I vomited- my heart breaks for this little itty bitty baby,it's exhausting - she is quite a little warrior- God Bless this baby- please Lord

 

[GenCat]

Dehydration is such a concern on top of it all-you did mention she drinks and get alot of fluids,didn't you ,early on?

It's extremely frustrating because it's such a catch 22- vomiting and diarrhea can dehydrate and drinking can induce more vomiting - does she hold down broths and juices etc?

While she was eating the KMR she didn’t drink as much, but now that she’s eating again I saw her drinking a lottt. No vomiting last night and very little bloating. Trying not to get too excited but she ate a whole bowl of food and ran around playing immediately after which is rare.

She doesn’t like broth at all lol I made a whole batch of beef bone broth and she wouldn’t try it even after smearing some on her mouth to get her to taste it. The big kids won‘t try it either.

I’m so sorry to hear you went through that, you would think intravenous fluids would be better at that point rather than you repeatedly vomiting it all up. Reminds me of having a hematoma and them pumping water and blood into me all night. Waking up the next day after surgery with 5 IVs and them asking to do a 6th for pain meds. I turned them down lol

 

[Sarthur2]

Sounds like the kitten is doing better today.

 

[GenCat]

She was back to only vomiting once a day and now we have 3+ in one day. She still has an appetite but not much. Still waiting for more medication to come tomorrow then I'll see how Cerenia (in gelatin caps so no taste) combined with Mirataz goes. The S. Boulardii got the diarrhea under control at least.

 

[GenCat]

Having a bad night. Was reading over her paperwork again and noticed that PSS (Portosystemic Shunt) is a possibility. Looking at chances of making it through a surgery for that is...really upsetting. Seeing her reactions to foods and how she acts I'm really horrified that it might actually be PSS.

Edit: Husband finished with school and calmed me down pointing out all the things that don't line about with PSS.

 

[Kwik]

Having a bad night. Was reading over her paperwork again and noticed that PSS (Portosystemic Shunt) is a possibility. Looking at chances of making it through a surgery for that is...really upsetting. Seeing her reactions to foods and how she acts I'm really horrified that it might actually be PSS.

Edit: Husband finished with school and calmed me down pointing out all the things that don't line about with PSS.

He's right,there are no other symptoms to indicate the diagnosis- her only issue is vomiting,no disorientation,hyperactivity,salivating ( to name but a few) pointing to that type of malformation

I will tell you way back when( seems like a lifetime ago) in Medical School when I was studying diseases and disorders I had every symptom indicating I had one rare disease or disorder,it was a time I could have easily become a hypochondriac,no kidding

Try,as hard as it may be to not project what it might possibly be and do your best to stay in the now or you will drive yourself mad about what might never be.... it's easier said than done to remain focused on the issue at hand but right now the " symptom" is the main priority to get under control and you have to take care of yourself or you'll be of no use to anyone if you fall to pieces

I'm glad you have such a great husband to support you and be the voice of reason,he is a Blessing....
One day at a time my friend,that's about all we can really do- get through each day and pray to find the answers

We are all here for you and I'm sure I'm not the only one praying or sending good vibes your way

 

[GenCat]

He's right,there are no other symptoms to indicate the diagnosis- her only issue is vomiting,no disorientation,hyperactivity,salivating ( to name but a few) pointing to that type of malformation

I will tell you way back when( seems like a lifetime ago) in Medical School when I was studying diseases and disorders I had every symptom indicating I had one rare disease or disorder,it was a time I could have easily become a hypochondriac,no kidding

Try,as hard as it may be to not project what it might possibly be and do your best to stay in the now or you will drive yourself mad about what might never be.... it's easier said than done to remain focused on the issue at hand but right now the " symptom" is the main priority to get under control and you have to take care of yourself or you'll be of no use to anyone if you fall to pieces

I'm glad you have such a great husband to support you and be the voice of reason,he is a Blessing....
One day at a time my friend,that's about all we can really do- get through each day and pray to find the answers

We are all here for you and I'm sure I'm not the only one praying or sending good vibes your way

Her vomiting increasing very suddenly panicked me that maybe I got something wrong and made her worse.

She does drool but it depends on what she's eaten and tends to be very space-y staring into the distance/barely reacting to us trying to get her attention. I just never noted it as anything other than her stomach feeling unwell so didn't mention it on here. She also seems to get this way more after high protein foods (beef and rabbit, turkey seemed to calm but not stop her feeling unwell after food). But then I saw a cat with PPS drooling like a fountain as well as my husband sending videos of actual absence seizures and was like oh that's a really extreme reaction.

I guess it's less hypochondria and more that doctors (both human and animal) have made me feel alone and isolated when it comes to diagnosis and treatment due to their words and actions. I'm really glad you brought it up because I don't think I've ever examined why I tend to over research medical stuff and reframe that in my mind as to what it is I'm looking for. I'm looking for knowledge so I can confidently work with my vet to find things they may have overlooked (because I am the one watching her behavior all day long) but there's no reason to panic over that, just do what I can to keep her stable and question things later.

 

[Kwik]

Her vomiting increasing very suddenly panicked me that maybe I got something wrong and made her worse.

She does drool but it depends on what she's eaten and tends to be very space-y staring into the distance/barely reacting to us trying to get her attention. I just never noted it as anything other than her stomach feeling unwell so didn't mention it on here. She also seems to get this way more after high protein foods (beef and rabbit, turkey seemed to calm but not stop her feeling unwell after food). But then I saw a cat with PPS drooling like a fountain as well as my husband sending videos of actual absence seizures and was like oh that's a really extreme reaction.

I guess it's less hypochondria and more that doctors (both human and animal) have made me feel alone and isolated when it comes to diagnosis and treatment due to their words and actions. I'm really glad you brought it up because I don't think I've ever examined why I tend to over research medical stuff and reframe that in my mind as to what it is I'm looking for. I'm looking for knowledge so I can confidently work with my vet to find things they may have overlooked (because I am the one watching her behavior all day long) but there's no reason to panic over that, just do what I can to keep her stable and question things later.

Yes,of course I care just as much about your well being as I do for all the furbabies- you are a lovely,delightful person who is doing the absolute BEST anyone in such a difficult position could do....

Knowledge is power,the more we learn the better we can understand and care for our beloved pets -I love when anyone is eager to soak up as much info as possible,those are the people I'd spend countless hours talking to and offering whatever I possibly could- sadly not everyone in the Medical Field will go the extra mile to educate their patients/patient care givers.....big part of why I left and took another direction,it was exhausting and taxing So my heart really goes out to you and I hope it somehow comforts you to know thst somebody cares- about you!

I cannot tell you how many disorders have like symptoms,it can be daunting when observing without being able to run specific tests - and how many times you cannot find what you are NOT looking for so your observations (& notes) are super important to inform the specialist what can't possibly be known in a brief visit-You might want to make a chart to note feeding( whst when) ,activity and reaction on a daily basis ( if you haven't already

Everytime I check in I'm hoping to hear good news,I'm counting on it and fervently praying that it will be so

 

[GenCat]

Yes,of course I care just as much about your well being as I do for all the furbabies- you are a lovely,delightful person who is doing the absolute BEST anyone in such a difficult position could do....

Knowledge is power,the more we learn the better we can understand and care for our beloved pets -I love when anyone is eager to soak up as much info as possible,those are the people I'd spend countless hours talking to and offering whatever I possibly could- sadly not everyone in the Medical Field will go the extra mile to educate their patients/patient care givers.....big part of why I left and took another direction,it was exhausting and taxing So my heart really goes out to you and I hope it somehow comforts you to know thst somebody cares- about you!

I cannot tell you how many disorders have like symptoms,it can be daunting when observing without being able to run specific tests - and how many times you cannot find what you are NOT looking for so your observations (& notes) are super important to inform the specialist what can't possibly be known in a brief visit-You might want to make a chart to note feeding( whst when) ,activity and reaction on a daily basis ( if you haven't already

Everytime I check in I'm hoping to hear good news,I'm counting on it and fervently praying that it will be so

Yeah that’s why I couldn’t go into the medical field. My husband keeps asking me if I would want to because I have some aptitude for it, but mentally I don’t think I could manage.

She already has a veryyyy long chart that I recently rewrote and condescend so it’s easier to read. Some days I just can’t handle writing down all the negatives that keep increasing though. Had to take a couple days off from charting because all it had was vomiting, diarrhea and very little attempts to eat. She perks right back up after she gets it out of her system though. Crazy little thing is chasing her tail in circles today going vrrrrr vrrr like a motor car lol

Thank you as always for your prayers