One kitten dead - - - - - - Is my Vet missing something?

[colin72]

Sorry this post is so long but I wanted to explain my situation and hopefully get your insight..........


I adopted two kittens from a Pet Store on 1/5. They came from a litter of 4 and had their first round of shots when I got them.

One of the kittens, Theo- the runt of the litter, died Saturday (1/22). Both kittens had been to the Vet two days prior. I had been worried about Theo and told the Vet that he wasn't very active and that he had increasingly been laying by the food/water dish. The Vet gave me special food to help him gain weight because he was very small. The Vet wanted to wait to give Theo his second round of shots until he gained more weight.

When Theo died, I of course became worried about the other kitten (Vincent). I called the Vet, told him about Theo and asked if Vincent should be tested for anything. I was told that Theo most likely did not have Feline Leukemia. The Vet said sometimes the runt simply doesn't develop properly. He said Vincent should be fine because he is eating, growing and very active.

Yesterday I stopped by the Pet Store where I originally got the kittens. One of Vincent and Theo's brothers was still there. The poor little guy was in a cage with a sign that said, "Not for Sale". The kitten looked very sick. His eyes and nose were watery/runny. It really broke my heart. I asked about the kitten and was told they believe he has Feline Distemper. They said he was going to have to be put to sleep.

So after seeing this, I again became worried that Vincent was going to become sick. I called my Vet and told the story of the kitten at the Pet Store again asking if Vincent needed to be tested for anything. I was told no, not at this point. The Vet believes that if Vincent was exposed to Feline Distemper, he has fought it off (Vincent has had two rounds of shots).

Can anyone tell me if my Vet should be doing something? Should I get a second opinion? This evening Vincent has sneezed a few times (no discharge) and his stool has been runny the past couple days. In fact, when he went in the litterbox an hour ago, I noticed a small amount of what appeared to be blood in the very runny stool.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Cleo]

Given the situation with the litter and your just cause for worry, get to another vet and be aggressive with your concerns.

My heart breaks and my anger flares over the animals in those cages, behind the glass, under artificial light with no where to run at these pet stores. Thank you for trying to give at least 2 kittens a better home. Hopefully Vincent will be okay, please keep us posted.

[Traci]

Please, get Vincent to a new vet IMMEDIATELY, get a snap FELV/FIV test done and a CBC. The CBC will help the vet determine if Vincent is positive for distemper.

The problem here is not knowing for certain if the kitten in the pet store actually has distemper or has a severe upper respiratory infection. The pet store owner needs to get the kitten to a vet immediately, tested and treated. If they never tested the kitten, they are only guessing at distemper. If the kitten is positive for distemper, he needs to be removed from the other pets in the pet store and hospitalized at the vet RIGHT NOW.

Distemper is highly contagious, and if the pet store kitten is positive, it would be in yours and Vincent's best interest to get him to a new vet or emergency vet facility immediately for treatment. Common distemper symptoms include lethargy, a crouched position, refusal to eat, bloody/watery diarrhea, severe dehydration. Treatment includes strict IV fluid therapy, and treatment of severe diarrhea.

Don't wait on this, get Vincent to a feline-only vet or emergency vet NOW. (TODAY!)

[flanders94]

I've seen feline distemper before, when I was young(about eight). It was at my grandparents farm where they had a lot of barn cats. The cats were feral(I think thats the word for wild). Almost all of them died from it, it was horrible. I'd take your cat to a different vet just to be sure. Its best for your cat and you.

[PepperD]

I would also go to your local Humane Society and report this pet store. Our local Wal-Mart (several years ago, when they sold pets other than just fish) was selling rabbits that were very sick...they had a severe case of diarrhea. One of the rabbits actually died while I was looking at them. I went to the store manager and complained and he said they were giving them pepto-bismol. There was no concern that their animals were dying in front of children. When I checked the next day and they still had the sick rabbits, I called the local Humane Society, who investigated. Wal-mart actually then went and got veterinary help for the rabbits.

If the petstore that is selling these sick kittens is not treating them, I would definitely report it. It should be their obligation to take care of any animals that they have and are selling. It makes me mad when people are willing to make a profit off of animals but are not willing to put some money into them to keep them healthy or get them healthy if they get sick.