Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Smedley needs medical help


I have been emailing and stopping into the shelter over the past few weeks trying to get some help for Smedley.

The whole lot of kittens, and Snow, had horrific diarrhea over the weeks they have been here.  First it was near white, which all the websites say means excessive bacteria in the gut, then it was liquid and peeling paint off the walls with the stench, and tests on it showed something that looked like a thread worm, and later coccidia.  We treated with marquis paste and albon and we gave some strongid to take care of any rounds since those are uber common in kittens.  Some of the cats cleared up, some did not.  Sometimes ones that cleared up would start up again.. Another test showed negative and I wondered if they might not have the new parasite they just found, since they had all of the symptoms,  but that was summarily dismissed because they say it comes from cow urine.  I don't know where these kittens come from and have no idea if they even looked to see what their history was.  I do know Snow had another litter before she showed up here with her kittens.. but where she came from I do not know.  I also know she had some serious dietary indiscretion by what she vomited up a few days after being here.

A threadworm was discovered in Snow's stool.  No one knew how to treat it.  I kept asking, no answer was ever given. Panacur was given eventually but not after another stool sample was brought in and coccidia was found.  More marquis paste, more albon as well as probiotics, colloidal silver, and slippery elm bark as well as putting them on raw food. Issac Arnold put on weight. Health and vigor returned to everyone.

Everyone except Smedley. Well he had health and vigor, but Smed's stools went from nice looking to water to nice looking. He was pooping on the floor. His rear end would often be covered in in a foul smelling liquid and he left stains where ever he went (he wasn't alone in this but he kept it up the longest)  I finally took him in to the shelter to attempt to get a super fresh stool sample to test it to see what was going on.  He refused to give one.  I got the tylan powder.  His stools firmed up again.  I grabbed a piece of one and brought it in and was told once again they saw coccidia.

In the mean time his rear end went from normal looking to this..

10-8-13
10-22-13 (click to see enlarged images)

He HATES having his rear end looked at so this doesn't really represent what is going on there but it is close enough.  If I attempt to put anything soothing on it he flails and screams and claws and attempts to bite me - all which is so out of character for him.  I know he must be in unbearable pain.  The few times I was able to wipe it down (because it is often coated in a foul smelling liquid) I often see blood (and by wipe I mean touch a cloth to it).  He also constantly has his tail 'poofed', which to me is further evidence of how much pain he is in..

it isn't all that clear in this angle,
but the first bit up to where his ankle is is 'puffy'
When I contacted the shelter yesterday about how much pain he has, and how he really should be seen, I was emailed back reminding me he has coccidia and to keep him on the Albon for the full 14 days.  Well he has been on it since Friday, along with the Tylan (Tylosin) which he has been on longer..As you can tell his rear end is worse.  He growls at himself when he tries to groom down there.  They reminded me to bleach everything to keep him from reinfecting himself.  What I can't help but wonder if this coccidia is so darn contagious that he's re-infecting himself by being in the room with himself, why are the other three just fine? I have dealt with coccidia many many times; even had a set of kittens nearly die from it.  I've never seen it act like this..   I think there is something more going on here, and the only way to get him the help he needs is to turn him into the shelter.

At this point I do not know if I am going to get him back.  He and his siblings are all of weight.  If they intend to keep him until he is better, than there is no point in keeping Verona, Mishka and Issac Arnold.  At this point I intend to take Smed in this morning and then see what they have to say about it. I very much want to bring him back here and see him get well and give me a little more time to hopefully find someone who can not live without him and Issac Arnold..

Issac Arnold growling over his new prize
but chances are I will be returning the whole family... so this might very well be the last post about them.  My heart goes with them and they will live with in it for years to come.

Smed (laying down) Mishka, Issac Arnold and Verona

19 comments:

  1. I am sending loads and loads of purrs to Smed - I hate it when such a little kitten has to deal with so much pain! :-(

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  2. Poor little man, I hope that the medical guys can sort this out for him, he's such a sweet kitten who needs a break. So lucky to have you as a foster kitten mum. Best wishes.

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  3. Poor Smedley. That does look very raw and painful. I really hope the vet will be able to give him something that will help.

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  4. My heart just breaks seeing this knowing the discomfort he is in and my growing concern that the shelter may not do what is needed ... am I being paranoid?

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  5. Oh my goodness, the poor boy! That has to be so painful. I sure hope he can be treated pronto. No wonder he doesn't want to use the box.

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  6. It just breaks our hearts to see such a little one in so much pain. Sending lots of (((hugs))) and purrs his way.

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  7. Poor baby. I hope they're able to figure out what's going on with him and can get it fixed.

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  8. Oh poor babies esp you Smedley. We purr for you kitties.

    Hugs to your human mom.

    Emma and Buster

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  9. Oh poor little mite,I hope he gets to see a vet,I think you are right there maybe more going on,hope he gets well soon,xx Rachel

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  10. I sure hope thaypt little one gets some help.

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  11. Poor little Smedley!!! Hoping they actually THINK THROUGH what might be wrong with him instead of rushing him through the system....(not that they are, it's just that shelter vets are so BUSY).

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  12. Poor Smedley! Purrs to the little guy!

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  13. Poor little Smedley. We're purring for him to feel better. That looks so painful!

    It's sad to think you will have to say goodbye to the family this way. Will you be able to get updates on how Smed does once he gets more medical attention?

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  14. My heart is breaking for that poor little guy! I hope he heals up quickky. :(

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  15. That's heartbreaking. Poor little Smedley. WE are purring and praying that they will figure out how to treat him immediately.

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  16. Poor Smedley. We hope he gets better.

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  17. Awwww poor little sweetie!
    Sending lots of good thoughts!
    xo Catherine

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  18. We're really glad everyone is still with you. We think you have a better opportunity than anyone in getting Smedley up to par. Good luck. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  19. We is sending our purrs for little Smedley. We hopes he feels better furry soon. Poor baby!

    Sasha, Sami, & Saku

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