Kitten stepped on!

DragonLady · Post by **DragonLady** » Wed May 28, 2003 5:22 pm

I have a 5 week kitten who's head was accidentally stepped on. He is making a slow but steady improvement. He is able to walk at this point but he walks in circles (to the right). I have been feeding with a syringe and he is eating well, however he hasn't had a bm in the last three days. His tummy isn't distended or feeling too full. I added some canned pumpkin to his food yesterday to try to get things started but nothing today. He stopped urinating yesterday as well. Perhaps he just isn't responding to the stimulation any more? He gets some cleaning from Mom and his siblings are sleeping with him at night. He can hear, but we aren't sure if he can see. His eyes were responding to light the day after the accident though. We are putting Terramycin ointment into his eyes as he had trouble closing them at first. He is also on Prednisone .25ML twice a day for swelling and Flagyl for a intestinal infection he had before the mishap. Any suggestions would be appreciated to keep him stimulated and to get the "potty" going again!

jason · Post by **jason** » Wed May 28, 2003 5:48 pm

perhaps i missed it while i was reading quickly (seems like an urgent issue), but is this kitty being seen by a vet?

not urinating is a very serious issue. if you have not been to a vet yet, log off from here and do so now.

also, if conditions are getting worse after a vet visit, the vet needs to be contacted immediately so that a new course of action can be taken.

DragonLady · Post by **DragonLady** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:00 pm

Yes he was seen by the vet within 7 minutes of the accident. He is due to go back tomorrow for a follow up. They didn't seem to be able to tell me anything conclusive... of course with any head injury each patient is different.

He has made tremendious strides from what he was like when we first brought him back home. He couldn't blink, lift his head, walk, or respond in any way. He was licking anything that came near his mouth so feeding wasn't too much of a problem.

He hasn't urinated since I bathed him yesterday afternoon, he was covered in urine and really had to be bathed. Today he just struggles to get away when I try to stimulate him. He is getting electrolites in his gruel of kitten colostrum and canned kitted food or baby food (chicken).

Any suggestions? I'm not sure what else to do to get him to potty.

Post by **Traci** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:05 pm

You are DragonLady from MA's (Hissy) board, right? Ahhhh, gothcha.

As for the constipation/not urinating, I have to agree with Jason, in a tiny kitten, this needs veterinary attention, three days is too long for a kitten at 5 weeks of age. Your vet can perform a kitten enema if necessary, and then you can continue at home by simply adding Laxatone to his food for a day or so until you're confident he is 'regular' again.

The urination may not be as concerning, ONLY because he may not be drinking enough or that he hasn't eaten his normal amounts during this recovery stage. However, due to the nature of the injury, I strongly recommend you call your vet about this promptly, this could be one of those neurological deficits I had MA mention to you. Let's hope that is not the case, but best to play it safe and rule it out.

I think I remember on MA's board you mentioned baby food, but ideally, he needs something more geared to growth. You can try any canned kitten growth formula, or ask your vet about Hill's Rx A/D on a temporary basis, just on the offchance he hasn't met his full nutritional needs during this stage of recovery. Directly after a trauma such as this, many cats and kittens do lose much of their vital nutrition, so getting that back is essential, for both nutritional support, good bowel function, and for healing. Also ask your vet if the flagyl may need to be lowered at this point in time. Could be causing GI tract upset.

Please call your vet and ask about a kitten enema, you really can't let this go past three days with constipation.

DragonLady · Post by **DragonLady** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:12 pm

I will call the vet today. I have also been adding nutri-cal to his food mixture. Hoping this will give him a nutritional boost. What ever he doesn't finish the other kittens are happy to lap up!

Post by **Traci** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:15 pm

Do call right away.....glad we're able to help, I've seen many kittens like Frankie, and just want to encourage you, every day with even the most slightest of improvements is an excellent sign........Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask questions...

DragonLady · Post by **DragonLady** » Wed May 28, 2003 6:18 pm

Thanks I have an appointment in 45 minutes! I'll update tomorrow! And Yes I'm from M.A. site

MA · Post by MA » Wed May 28, 2003 8:26 pm

Hi Teresa, glad you made it! Just a correction, it is not my site, I just help out there a lot.....

Praying for Frankie

DragonLady · Post by **DragonLady** » Wed May 28, 2003 9:39 pm

Just got back from the vet and everything is OK with Frankie. They want me to up his food intake and add some laxatone to "get him going" so to speak

His tummy isn't in any distress and the bladder isn't terribly full so no worry there. He has lost an ounce or two, but is strong and sure to gain it back as he becomes more aware. Thank you for all the advice!