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Brennan | 2 years ago
Help! We Rescued A 4 Week Old Kitten And Immediately Noticed His Butt Area Was Different Than …

Help!
We rescued a 4 week old kitten and immediately noticed his butt area was different than we’ve ever seen but it did not seem to cause him any pain. Initially he was doing well until he began having diarrhea and mucus/blood in his stool. We brought him to the vet and turns out he had a parasite called Coccidia. It was treated with a 10 day oral medication and we believed everything would be fine afterwards.
After the diarrhea subsided he began to be constipated to the point we had to bring him back to vet twice within a week for him to be sedated and his bowels to be manually released. They have no idea what would cause this.
We went to a specialized vet clinic and they said they could dilate the anus/rectum to help him pass his stool (may not help or may have to constantly have redone) or do a exploratory surgery to see if any tissue or something is in the intestines and such that stops him from passing by himself.
Our personal vet clinic says his anus is abnormal which may mean that he lacks the muscles to be able to push out his own stool.

We have researched online and found a couple pictures of kittens after they have had a prolapsed rectum and they look similar and symptoms seem about the same. He just does not have anything coming out of him.

Does anyone have any advice or personal experience that can help us? The specialized vet says if we can’t figure out what is causing this it would be best to euthanize him so he does not suffer. We do not want to do that. He is the sweetest and most playful kitten.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that this requires a vet who can do a very thorough exam and maybe even try different diets to see if you can manage the colon to a point where this kitten can survive. I have seen a case like this in the past where a kitten had bilateral rectal hernias. This is essentially the colon or intestines slipping between the muscles of the anus. It was one of many issues this kitten had and ultimately we had to euthanize.

    I appreciate and applaud your trying to help. Please keep us posted.

    Very best of luck.

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Andrea | 2 years ago
Last Summer My Healthy, Energetic 6 Year Old Cat Stopped Eating, Became Lethargic. A Trip To The …

Last summer my healthy, energetic 6 year old cat stopped eating, became lethargic. A trip to the vet turned into a trip to emergency where he spent a day and a half. The dx was hepatic lipidosis – or at least that’s what was happening to him due to something else. He got better. Didn’t return to previous weight (which was okay – he was a couple pounds overweight at the time) but he was back to his happy self.

A couple of months ago, he dropped a bunch of weight, but was still eating. Off to the vet for a blood draw. Low RBC. A trip to the emergency, where he got a transfusion, an ultrasound, and a huge variety of in-depth blood tests to find out what was happening. My vet thought cancer, but the results weren’t showing cancer. The results weren’t showing much of anything. I had no diagnosis. He was placed on prenisolone and an antibiotic. He went for weekly bloodwork. No significant change – and then it was going down again (RBC). Off the antibiotic since it wasn’t doing anything.

We were going to start him on B12 (cobalquin) and then he took a turn for the worse. Hiding away, no eating, no moving. I used a syringe to feed him and still gave him his steroid. He hid in his cat condo, peed in there but wouldn’t move. I set up a temp litter box and feeding area by the condo, and slept on the floor with him. I didn’t expect him to live through the night. In the middle of the night he came out and sat on me. The next day he moved more. And then – he got better. Moving, eating, jumping. Except for being too thin, he was acting just like his normal self.

That was about a month ago and I have been working to give him calories to have him gain weight. A week ago – we’re slowing down again. Sleeping a lot, not eating at the food bowl. So, I have begun using syringe feeding with kitten food (for higher calories) and a calorie/vitamin supplement. He gets B12 and the prednisolone daily. I’m assuming he’s going through the lipidosis issue again, but now that I recognize it I can catch it early and get feedings going.

My questions – how often should I be syringe feeding? I know my cat will only tolerate so much before he gets irritated and walks away, but I can get 10-20 ml in him at one time. I understand a feeding tube would probably be easier, but this cat has been through a lot and I’m trying to make him comfortable and happy and relaxed.

What could be causing this? My vet has been great at trying to find solutions, the specialist/internist didn’t really have any other suggestions, and I’ve been trying to find anything online about illnesses that could cause this drop in health so quickly. (This is an indoor cat, and my other cat is fine.)

Thanks for any help!

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Cafer | 2 years ago
I Hope This Email Finds You Well. I Wanted To Provide You With An Update Regarding …

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to provide you with an update regarding my kitten’s condition and share the findings from another veterinaries opinion I sought.
As previously discussed, I took my kitten to two different veterinarians for examination and attached their report for your reference. They provided their own insights and suggestions for potential treatment.
Additionally, the second veterinarian suggested exploring the possibility of physical therapy (PT) as a potential avenue for helping my kitten. He mentioned that PT has shown positive outcomes in some cases of mobility issues in animals. I wanted to seek your professional opinion on this matter and discuss the feasibility and potential benefits of PT for my kitten’s condition.
I greatly value your expertise and I am seeking your guidance in determining the best course of action for my kitten’s well-being.

If you could kindly review the attached report and provide your thoughts I will be appreciated.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    In my experience these cases do best with at home physical therapy We make a detailed plan and recheck about every two weeks. You need to teach your kitten how to walk with some assistance from light splinting for support. I have a few videos on my YouTube channel that demonstrate this.

    Good luck. Ty for helping this little one.

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Cafer | 2 years ago
Kitten Legs Do Not Bend From The Joint

I am writing to seek guidance and assistance regarding a concern I have about my four-week-old kitten. Last week, I noticed that her legs do not bend from the joint, and I am unsure of what steps I should take to address this issue. While she can move her legs, she is unable to walk and instead crawls using her front legs. I believe this condition may have been present since birth, as there have been no accidents or injuries that could have caused it.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or assistance that you or anyone else could provide in helping my kitten. She is a Scottish kitten

Thank you in advance for your attention and support.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Your kitten should see a veterinarian for help. I cannot advise what to do until the kitten has an exam. In almost all cases it ir very hard to treat these guys as they have bones with open growth plates if it is a congenital defect she may learn to ambulate around her defect.
    I wish her well and I hope you can get to a vet soon

    1. Cafer Post author

      Thank you for your prompt response. I appreciate your willingness to assist with my kitten’s condition. I have scheduled an appointment for my kitten’s examination on Tuesday. I’ll keep you posted on the results afterward regarding the findings and any recommendations provided by the veterinarian.

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Stina | 2 years ago
My Cat Recent Started Taking A Pill. The First Couple Days Mixing In Food Worked But …

My cat recent started taking a pill. The first couple days mixing in food worked but now she takes a few licks and is done with it. There must be a taste because she is not having it. How else can I give it to her? We have tried wet cat food, tuna, like a purée kitten treat. She won’t touch it. Am I able to just kinda shove it down her throat? Would icing in a small bit of water and putting in a syringe work?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If your cat is going to be on this long term then I recommend you ask your vet to give you tips and a demonstration on how to pull your cat like the pros do.
    Otherwise you can try to crush and syringe it, but it still tastes bad and they are still going to hate it. I also fear that mixing it in food or food and syringing makes them adrift or adverse to their food which can make a sick cat even sicker.

    There is just no getting around learning how to pull your cat. There is a learning curve but eventually they figure out that it isn’t so bad and allow it without prejudice.

    1. Stina Post author

      This is for Mia, you are the vet actually. Any tips and tricks? I don’t want to traumatize her and make it worse but she needs to take it

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Jessica | 2 years ago
Please Help! I Have Never Owned A Cat Before, Actually I Am Allergic. The Universe Dropped …

Please help! I have never owned a cat before, actually I am allergic. The Universe dropped two kittens in my lap that the mother never returned for. On of the kittens dies. I had them before their eyes were open. Through some good people at my vet I was able to learn some things (the hard way) and able to raise the kitten off the bottle. I have the kitten and named her Luna. And to say the least Luna is a handful. She acts feral when new people are around or I take her to the vet. She attacks everything and she is rarely calm enough to love on. She has peed in my tub one time before a couple weeks ago but today she pooped and then hours later peed in my tub. The same day. Today actually. Please if anyone knows anything about bottle baby kittens or has any advice please help.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    Call recurses and vet offices and post something on social media to see if you can find anyone locally to help advise you. Also there are multiple resources on YouTube and Facebook for kitten experts. See if you can follow them. They have extensive articles and archives.

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Cheena | 2 years ago
Hi Everyone, It’s My First Time To Have A Pet Her Name Is Kumiko I …

Hi everyone,

It’s my first time to have a pet her name is Kumiko i got her when she was only 3month now she’s already 6months. When i got her her fur parents didn’t told me initially that her mother got her tail degloved. She was born inverted butt first so her mom accidentally degloved her tail. I have been treating her since then. Her tail will dry up and will last for 4-7days then the skin sheds and bleeds. She’s been wearing Elizabeth collar since then. I am getting desperate already. I consulted a Vet and now they are suggesting to have it amputated. There is no current infection but it doest heal properly. Hope someone can help me. I still don’t want her to get amputated.

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  1. Laura

    Unfortunately, amputation really needs to happen here. Please do this – your kitten is suffering otherwise.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello

    The tail is already missing the tip. We call this amputated. So I would say your cat already has an amputated tail but a little bit more needs to be removed so the tail can heal properly. It’s not a difficult or expensive surgery (probably $ 300-400) at my clinic. Once it heals she shouldn’t need the ecollar anymore.

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Jean | 2 years ago
Why Are The Majority Of Harford County Veterinarians Charging $400-$650 To Spay/neuter A Cat Or …

Why are the majority of Harford County veterinarians charging $400-$650 to spay/neuter a cat or kitten? Only a few offer under $200 surgeries for what is generally a very simple and quick procedure – I know, as I assist at low-cost spay/neuter clinics. Cecil County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County all offer the same procedure for less than half the going rate in Harford. Several local veterinarians, when clients balk at pricing, are referring them to rescue groups rather than offering a reasonable price for an operation that is ESSENTIAL to the animal’s well-being and longevity, not to mention eliminating unwanted litters.

What can Harford residents do to force changes to make our county more cat friendly and help owners wanting to do what’s right but not at unreasonable cost?

1 Response

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  1. Laura

    I’d guess the low cost clinics don’t do pre-op bloodwork? Furthermore, costs of everything have gone WAY up, and shelters/rescues are funded with donations and fundraising efforts while veterinarians have businesses to run and employees to pay.

    I find $400 to be quite fair. We paid around $700 for our Doberman’s spay about 6 years ago.

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Ren | 2 years ago
My 3 Yo Male Nuetered Tuxedo Cat Kenobi Was Diagnosed With FIC By The ER DVM Yesterday …

My 3 yo male nuetered tuxedo cat Kenobi was diagnosed with FIC by the ER DVM yesterday with no blockage. He is peeing just a dime size at a time. Should I also give him Apple Cider Vinegar as his PH was 7.0 ? Other than his urinary levels, red blood cells in his urine, struvite crystals, his blood work was good with no infection. The ER DVM gave him ; Buprenorphine, Prazosin, & Gabapentin. We have changed his food to all wet Royal Canin Urinary SO from mainly kibble with some wet. We think the stressor was the absence of our 19 yo tabby Tinkerbelle we had to help cross over 2 weeks ago. Should I get Kenobi a companion kitten to replace Tinkerbell? We also are buying a water foundation as he does not drink water enough.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I would ask your vet about the following;
    Giving sq fluids at home daily, adding a short course of a steroid and the latest opinion on prazosin’s efficacy. (I don’t use it).
    Also I don’t use vinegar.

    These are a matter of experience and preference. Therefore please ask your vet or find a feline only practitioner to help.

  2. Ren Post author

    Thank you for your reply. Ill ask but given this study I don’t see why she would.
    Summary
    CLINICAL RELEVANCE
    Prazosin administration increased the likelihood of rUO by 14 days; ongoing investigation of other therapies to decrease rUO in cats is warranted. Without specific indications, the use of prazosin for the prevention of rUO should be discouraged.
    Link
    https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/260/S2/javma.21.10.0469.xml
    He is doing better this AM and has had at least 2 large urine eliminations during the PM, one I would consider normal. the other the size of a gold ball ( litter clump) We administered 1/2 teaspoon of H2O and ACV orally x2 last night. 1x this am. along with prescribed meds. He is running around to get to food bowl , face rubbing, purring, jumping on the bed, acting like his old self . I plan to continue to water his wet food. He does not seem to drink well. We have bought a fountain to encourage water consumption. He likes to drink directly from the tap so maybe that will work.

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Woody | 2 years ago
5 Yr Old Rescue Cat Named Maew. She’s The Little Black Heart Of Our Family. Indoor/outdoor. Severe Mega Colon With Constipation/ostibation Related To …

5 Yr old rescue cat named Maew. Indoor/outdoor. Severe mega colon with constipation/ostibation related to nerve damage from having her tail removed by a dog when she was a kitten.

We have had her in and out of the vet many times for enemas and have done everything we can to keep her going. Laxatives, lots of exercise, diet changes We are out of options and considering colon surgery.

I need a magical diet/food remedy to help her mega colon issues. She actually did well for a few years on high fiber dry food. But that time is over and we are trying every food option to keep her hydrated and avoid colon issues.

We do regular manual palpitation also.

Help help help!

She’s always been there for us with an encouraging head boop and now we have to be there for her. We will never give up! She’s a survivor and deserves much more time with our family

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  1. Woody Post author

    We have been very diligent with miralax, lactalose, and such. We need some hippy-voodoo magic!

  2. Laura

    In all honesty, I’d keep her indoors due to the injury and the likelihood she’ll end up injured further, especially if she ends up separated from you by a well-meaning human thinking she’s a stray. I would also talk with your vet further about that surgery.