The results to Nose's autopsy were completely inconclusive. However i've made my own conclusion and our heartbreak has quickly turned to terror. I beleive it was/ is feline distemper, you were right, and the rest of our cats have been infected. The mother and another small kitten are shoing symptoms. The rest are all quarentined seperately. We've bleached the house from top to bottom, but the vets say there's nothing that can be done (same vets that had no clue what Nose had)
Is there ANYTHING that can be done? I'm making another appointment for some of the other cats to basically beg the vet to do something. I have a sinking feeling i'm going to fail though. I've been looking through every resource available, i get little bits here and there. Please let me know if you have any ideas or have gone through this sucessfully! I know some cats do make it. I can't stand to loose them like this, i'll do anything!
Results + a complete nightmare
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
Echo,
Just a few weeks ago, I adopted two kittens at a little over 9 weeks old. Just one day after I got them, one was showing some lethargy, but it was not until the next day I knew he was sick and took him to the ER (vomitting). It was distemper. The next day he was much worse, so I took him right back in and he stayed in for a week with constant IV fluids with dextrose, plus strong antibiotics (and lots of love by the techs). The other cat also became ill, although did not go as low, but also a week was what helped him through it. They are both thriving now, and as I type, they are running around like mad.
Has the mother ever been vaccinated? If so, she will most likely make it. What are her symptoms? Both of them, but the kitten especially, must be treated VERY AGGRESSIVELY, and without a moment to spare. This is the best hope. Keep an eye on the quarantined cats, and be sure to have vaccinations done as soon as possible. How old are they and how many do you have? The distemper vaccine is very effective, but in the case of my kittens, their first vaccination came too late to stop the infection.
I was terrified my older cat, Nina, would get it, even though she has been vaccinated for distemper. My fears were unfounded, as she's doing fine.
I know the fears you are having right now. I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is a horrible virus. You are in my thoughts...so sorry for your loss of Nose.
kk
Just a few weeks ago, I adopted two kittens at a little over 9 weeks old. Just one day after I got them, one was showing some lethargy, but it was not until the next day I knew he was sick and took him to the ER (vomitting). It was distemper. The next day he was much worse, so I took him right back in and he stayed in for a week with constant IV fluids with dextrose, plus strong antibiotics (and lots of love by the techs). The other cat also became ill, although did not go as low, but also a week was what helped him through it. They are both thriving now, and as I type, they are running around like mad.
Has the mother ever been vaccinated? If so, she will most likely make it. What are her symptoms? Both of them, but the kitten especially, must be treated VERY AGGRESSIVELY, and without a moment to spare. This is the best hope. Keep an eye on the quarantined cats, and be sure to have vaccinations done as soon as possible. How old are they and how many do you have? The distemper vaccine is very effective, but in the case of my kittens, their first vaccination came too late to stop the infection.
I was terrified my older cat, Nina, would get it, even though she has been vaccinated for distemper. My fears were unfounded, as she's doing fine.
I know the fears you are having right now. I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is a horrible virus. You are in my thoughts...so sorry for your loss of Nose.
kk
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
Echo, I'm very sorry you have to go through so much fear right after you lost Nose. As much as we are trying to help you here, you HAVE to have them all seen BY A NEW VET as the other one obviously wasn't very good. Call around, tell them your concerns and DON'T let them tell you not to worry and watch it only. As kk says, distemper has to be treated aggressively and NOW! You should not wait another minute but dedicate yourself to finding a vet or hospital that tells you to come right away with all of them. I don't know how many cats you have, I hope you can afford it, because if it is distemper it will indeed get expensive. Even the quarantine might not help as you will carry the virus in your clothes, on your skin etc.
I so hope it turns out not to be this disease, but you can't take chances. Get them to a vet right now. Don't wait! Good luck! I pray for you and them.
I so hope it turns out not to be this disease, but you can't take chances. Get them to a vet right now. Don't wait! Good luck! I pray for you and them.
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
If you are by chance, seeing a large animal practitioner, get your cats/kittens to a small animal vet or preferrably a feline-only vet RIGHT NOW. Distemper can be diagnosed with bloodwork and physical exam and symptoms.
The treatment is immediate 24-hour agressive care in the clinic, with continous IV fluid therapy and antibiotics, no food is given until diarrhea/vomiting subside.
You CANNOT treat this at home, your cats/kittens MUST be treated at a veterinary hospital, so get them to an ER vet immediately!
The treatment is immediate 24-hour agressive care in the clinic, with continous IV fluid therapy and antibiotics, no food is given until diarrhea/vomiting subside.
You CANNOT treat this at home, your cats/kittens MUST be treated at a veterinary hospital, so get them to an ER vet immediately!
..........Traci
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
Ok well, i did get to a new vet (one i'd heard good things about, a little on the kooky side) Anyway, he loaded our kitten up with everything he could think of, and as of now he doesn't beleive it is distemper. He says he saw a good deal of that about 30 years ago and knows it well. We're running blood work to see for sure. He's more worried about something called "Corona virus". I'm about to do some research on that now.
As for cross contamination: we know it's nearly impossible to avoid but we're doing everything possible. We're actually changing smocks before entering each room (i paint so i have plenty around) And we're using a 1-9 bleach solution to wash our hands and feet between so much as petting them. It's tiring let me tell you, and my skin is cracked as can be..but what can you do?
Anyway, i'm waiting on the blood results....thank you all so much for all your support. I know i'm new and none of you know me and i burst on the scene like a major drama queen so i really appreciate you all. I'll let you know what happens.
As for cross contamination: we know it's nearly impossible to avoid but we're doing everything possible. We're actually changing smocks before entering each room (i paint so i have plenty around) And we're using a 1-9 bleach solution to wash our hands and feet between so much as petting them. It's tiring let me tell you, and my skin is cracked as can be..but what can you do?
Anyway, i'm waiting on the blood results....thank you all so much for all your support. I know i'm new and none of you know me and i burst on the scene like a major drama queen so i really appreciate you all. I'll let you know what happens.
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
The bleach solution you're using is too strong...if you use too much of it or don't dilute it enough, it can irritate sensitive mucous membranes in cats and other pets...as well as your own.
A solution of 1:32 is best (1 part bleach to 32 parts water).
Inform your new vet about any of the following:
If any of the adult cats or kittens old enough have not been vaccinated
If any of the kittens/cats could have gotten into something like plants, chemicals, fertilizers, yard chemicals, mouse/rat poisoning, etc
If you applied any over-the-counter flea products to any of the kittens or cats
If any food you're feeding has been expired or rancid
Ask for a fecal exam to rule out parasites, giardia, coccidia, etc.
A solution of 1:32 is best (1 part bleach to 32 parts water).
Inform your new vet about any of the following:
If any of the adult cats or kittens old enough have not been vaccinated
If any of the kittens/cats could have gotten into something like plants, chemicals, fertilizers, yard chemicals, mouse/rat poisoning, etc
If you applied any over-the-counter flea products to any of the kittens or cats
If any food you're feeding has been expired or rancid
Ask for a fecal exam to rule out parasites, giardia, coccidia, etc.
..........Traci
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
I'm so glad you went to a new vet so quickly! Let's hope it's not distemper!
Don't worry about being dramatic! You're entitled to! You're going through a lot right now and we all have a lot of respect for people who are willing to do that for their animals!
Don't worry about being dramatic! You're entitled to! You're going through a lot right now and we all have a lot of respect for people who are willing to do that for their animals!
Re: Results + a complete nightmare
Traci- I know it sounds strong, but i read in more then one medical guide the only thing known to kill the distemper virus on inorganic surfaces was a bleach dilution of 1-9 I also informed the vet of this and he did agree. The surfaces were rinsed several times ofcoarse before we let anyone back into the area..same with our hands etc.
And don't worry, the vet has full records.
Thank you Ash, i appreciate it.
And don't worry, the vet has full records.
Thank you Ash, i appreciate it.