Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

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MA
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Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

Post by MA »

Had to rush Noddy and her sisters to the vet this afternoon. Noddy began to go downhill yesterday. She quit eating, and started vomiting frothy emesis several times. I kept my eye on her and this morning after a rocky night vigil, she was hunched over and looking totally miserable. So off to the vet me and the triplets went.

The vet did the tests and they turned out negative, but he said because of their age the disease could be "cooking" inside of Noddy. She is not dehydrated thankfully and he gave her a shot for her nausea as well as an antibiotic. He also did a fecal and that's when he told me his suspicions.

She is back home with me, upstairs in isolation with her sisters and she is still vomiting and has diarrhea. He also found the kittens were loaded with parasites, so he said this might just be parasitic in nature.

I took her to the cat vet some distance from us, and the other vet had told me that they wormed the kittens in the first initial exam. But Dr. Lance told me there is no way they did, because the worms were so prevalent. They have tapes, rounds and flats........:(

I am up with her tonight, she still refuses to eat anything and I asked him if he wanted to keep her, but he said he has faith that I know what I am doing and he gave me his cell phone number "just in case." She is drinking water though, if I float an ice cube in it.

Any advice would be appreciated. Could this just be a bad worm infestation? I hope and pray it is, the alternative is unthinkable. I am monitoring her temperature and so far no fever is showing.
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Traci
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Re: Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

Post by Traci »

MA, are these your cats???

Depending on the parasite overload depends on the effectiveness of the initial treatment. Roundworms and hooks, for example, can necessitate two or three doses of deworming, so can't comment on the disagreement between the two vets. I can't imagine a vet saying he dewormed, and yet didn't, that's simple negligence, not to mention putting upon himself a bad reputation. Another concern is the actual lack of evidence of worms, nothing in the stool sample? No worms expelled during vomiting?

In any event, if one of the vet's suspected distemper, I'd be very very cautious and keep an eagle eye on all the cats, and of course, it's imperative they are seperated from any other cats. You know this lives in the environment, it is extremely hardy. In cats with an unknown history (strays, ferals, shelter environment, etc), one must always be careful when considering distemper. The continued vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, salivation, etc, can still be significant of distemper, and if your first kitty is as sick as you portray, I'm really surprised she ISN'T terribly dehydrated (excessive vomiting and diarrhea). Other signs to watch for are total disinterest or incapable of eating, fever, head hanging over water dish but not drinking, bloody/watery diarrhea, disorientation, recumbency (sternal position), seeking to withdraw, depression, the signs are obvious.

If she doesn't show signs of improvement within the next 8-12 hours, I wouldn't wait, get her (and siblings) to nearest ER for IV fluids and intensive care immediately.
..........Traci
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MA
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Re: Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

Post by MA »

Thanks Traci, these are the latest arrivals here, and yes they are in strict isolation. Trust me any danger and they will be at the nearest vet in under 20 minutes.....:(

And she is drinking a lot of water, still thank God, But again I am watching her for signs of dehydration (among other things)
The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
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kate & kobi
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Re: Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

Post by kate & kobi »

Oh MA, I'll be praying for your little ones tonight... I hope they'll be all right.
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MA
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Re: Vet suspects distemper in newest rescue

Post by MA »

Noddy had a rough night, passing such a load of worms. I haven't seen that many parasites in a very long time. She is eating, drinking and playing this morning but her bum is very sore from last night's activity.

I have bag balm and other soothing type ointments I could apply but right now I am just leaving her be. How one kitten could handle such a large amount of parasites is beyond me? If must have been that mom was infected heavily and the kittens got it from her? I haven't done any reading on flat worms, though I know about rounds and tapes, but geez she must be a pound lighter today! Thank God the vomiting stopped early this morning as well.
The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci
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