New Kitties-Vaccine Reactions?

[Debo]

Hi, this is Deb, mom of Weenie and Boo, both of whom went to kitty heaven in the past year. I have not posted since April when we lost our Boo. This is the first time posting on the new site.

We have new kitties as of July 17th. Hootie and Cheech, 4 months old. They were shelter kitties and came complete with colds, no fleas though! They are litter mates, both male tabbies. Hootie is orange and white, long and lanky and Cheech is more of a two tone tan color, short and stout. Both beautiful, no doubt.

Colds were treated. Took them in today to have rabies, distemper vaccines. Eight hours later, they both have stinky gas and diarrhea. I was told to watch for swelling in the face, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Otherwise they are acting quite normal now. Slept most of the day, but jumping around now. Spoke with vet and they said come back in. Just wondering if this is cause for alarm??? Is it a common reaction?? Thanks for any info!

[kate & kobi]

Hi Debo, congratulations on your new additions!

I just wanted to point out a post that was made a couple of days ago about the same thing in case you hadn't seen it: http://www.cathelp-online.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=1696.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out okay with your little guys!

[Mona]

Congratulations on your kitties!!


Yes the sleeping is very normal, but I have not seen diarrhea only when a dewormer is given. Were they possibly dewormed?

Did you take them back to vet? Is the diarrhea gone now? If not watch for signs of dehydration, hopefully they are eating and drinking normally now.

Let us know updates ok.

Mona, Honeybun and Little Chloe

[Debo]

Help...took Cheech back to vet and he was given benadryl. Cheech has been trying to act normal, playing just a little and then gets pooped out. He is vomiting a clear fluid along with what he eats. He is eating and drinking but it comes right back up. He is a little guy but I think I can actually see a weight loss. I also noticed some stringy stuff in his vomit and I think it is the stuff used aroung the bottom of artifial plants. The vet examined him and said he did not think there was any obstruction. The stuff is now out of his reach. I want to call the vet back but I am really starting to question them. It may just be that I am impatient and expect them to be miracle workers. This is really getting the best of me.

[Traci]

Deb, how long has he been vomiting? You first mentioned diarrhea, but no vomiting. Is the diarrhea cleared now in both kittens?

Call back your vet and ask for an x-ray to determine if there is a blockage or inflammation in the intestines, if the string is bunching up, this is most likely why he is vomiting. When water is vomited also, this usually means there is a blockage. If your vet poo-pooh's the idea, then get Cheech to a new vet or ER vet immediately, better to play it safe.

As a side note, also check the food you're feeding, is it by chance expired?

[Guest]

First, thanks to all for your support and kitties are fine. I think mom is the one with the problem. A little over protective right now because of recent loss of kitties.

I don't know why both guys had diarrhea right after shots, but no more. The vomiting with Cheech started the evening after shots. Then benadryl was given and the vomiting continued. When I figured out that the stuff he was vomiting may be from the plant I moved the plant to a spare bedroom. The vomiting has ceased and little Cheech is happily playing with Hootie now.

I think I am just a classic example of a paranoid kitty mommy and sometimes honestly forget that vets are not miracle workers. I have a team of vets (two I use regularly) and I get mad at myself when I question them because MY expectations are unrealistic. They are truly dedicated doctors and I am thankful to have them.

I also checked their cat food and it is fresh. Feeding them Royal Canin Babycat dry food only, they are ready to graduate to the 4-12 months now! Is a diet of dry food only preferred to all can food or some of both???

Thanks for your time and concern. The kitties and I truly appreciate being able to look for support and/or advice from you all.

[Traci]

Deb, it's perfectly OK to be overly concerned, we'd worry if you weren't!

It sounds like the diarrhea and vomiting could have been from stress of the vet visit, and could have been a reaction to the vaccinations. Still don't know if the artificial plant was the culprit either, but in any event, Cheech seems to be doing much better, that's good news.

When considering dry vs canned, the best thing to do is go by your kitties' preferences. While you may hear horror stories about dry causing kidney failure or blocked urethras, there isn't much true evidence to support that. In those kitties diagnosed with kidney failure or who are not responding to certain diet or meds concerning urethral obstructions or FLUTD, then canned is preferred for those cases. But, each kitty is individual, each case varies.

If you want to feed both dry and canned, by all means, you should feel comfortable with your choices.