Topic: Newbie - I Would Really Appreciate Any Help With Sick Kitten (Read 10489 times)

Millys Mum · « **Reply #36 on:** June 26, 2008, 19:29:01 PM »

When you consider the cost of the equipment and the upkeep of it it doesnt surprise me, i hope they can find out whats up with her

beanie260904 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 25, 2008, 22:22:30 PM »

Yeah I know it is really expensive, but hopefully it is reflected in their treatment, and hopefully petplan will cover it as well, will have to wait and see

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #34 on:** June 25, 2008, 22:18:53 PM »

I know specialists are more expensive, but that still seems high - Tigers limp and stomach tests (including hospitalisation) came to just over £800. I dont know if I still have the breakdown, but she had x-rays, fluid tested, bloods and an ultrasound.

beanie260904 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 25, 2008, 22:12:34 PM »

The vet I am usually with is companion care which is probably average price, but the practice that quoted me these prices is Dick White who I have been told is a world class specialist so I guess its reflected in the prices (unfortunatley lol)

Mark · « **Reply #32 on:** June 25, 2008, 21:01:48 PM »

Which vet do you use?

I was quote for a surgical exploratory £150
GA is about £80 normally

All those figure seem very inflated. I expect a specialist to be more expensive but that is taking the p

beanie260904 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 25, 2008, 20:58:27 PM »

Hi, yeah they gave us a quote which was the following:
Consultation: £170
Hospitalisation: £120
X-rays (abnormality in paw): £400
tests and pathologies: £300
general anaesthetic: £350
Surgery: £1000 (gut biopsy)
Medication: £50
Total - £2390

They dont actually know what is wrong with her its a quote for all the tests and everything they are going to try

xxxx thanks for all your posts both me and bambi appreciate them xxxx

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #30 on:** June 25, 2008, 16:06:35 PM »

Best of luck with Petplan, hope you can get to the bottom of Bambi's problem

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #29 on:** June 24, 2008, 21:36:11 PM »

did they actually tell you what the £2300 was going to be for seeing as how they don't actually know what's wrong with her?? (or have I misread something! )

sending big hugs to Bambi....

Millys Mum · « **Reply #28 on:** June 21, 2008, 20:05:05 PM »

Good luck with petplan, if you didnt get told of any exclusions being put onto your policy when you took it out you should be ok

(they print any exclusions on the back of your certificate)

Give bambi a chin tickle from me

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #27 on:** June 21, 2008, 09:54:26 AM »

Fingers crossed for her.

beanie260904 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2008, 22:45:22 PM »

Thought I would just update everyone on Bambi, we got the blood test results back and they were negative, so our only option now is to be referred to a specialist called 'Dick White', I got a quote how much all her treatment is going to cost, as because of all these unexpected vet bills these last 3 months as well as being an at home university student I am feeling the pinch. They quoted me £2390 so I have sent Petplan a pre-authoisation form to find out where they will fund the treatment or not so fingers crossed.

x x x

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2008, 18:26:52 PM »

The pancreas test has to be sent to the USA so probably why it is expensive. Good luck with the results and hope little Beanie does ok

Millys Mum · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2008, 18:04:49 PM »

Good luck for the test results

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #23 on:** June 09, 2008, 16:41:24 PM »

good luck for the test results Beanie.... hopefully you will find some answers soon and a wee change in your luck!

How is the little one in herself at the mo? hope she is ok. Sending lots of positive thoughts and

to you both.

beanie260904 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 09, 2008, 16:33:36 PM »

Hi all,

I took Bambi to the vets today and I asked about the viruses you mentioned (trichomonas and coronvirus) and yes she has previously been tested for both twice, so still not sure...the vet said the only other thing he has not tested for has something to do with her pancreas, so he took a blood test and that is being sent off to the lab for analysis and will take 10 days, I could not believe how much this blood test cost, usually he charges about £25-£30 but this one cost £70! He also said if I decide to have the gut biopsy he will referee me to that specialist to have it done, as apparently my current vets will cut her open to do the procedure, but this specialist will not need to cut her open and will use a camera through her mouth so it is less invasive and has less risk. So we are now just going to wait for the test results and see what happens.

xxx

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2008, 11:14:29 AM »

They wouldn't necessarily cause the deformaties but wouldn't help as the trichomonas parasite drains the goodness from the cats and doesn't allow them to extract the goodness from the food so therefore they are not getting the nutrients they need. Very often even once the trichomonas is treated and gone it will leave very severe Irratable bowel which needs steroids to help straighten out. it is not a 'quick' fix and can take a few months to clear completely.

In breeding is highly likely and is not unheard of and would certainly be a big pointer towards such severe deformaties. Let us know how you get on with the tests and if you want any info from my own experiences with these conditions you are more than welcome to PM me or I'll reply to your messages here.

good luck with it all... I know how worrying it can be

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2008, 17:48:00 PM »

Well not to worry, I couldn't do it either! Hope it goes well

beanie260904 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:55:48 AM »

Hi, no unfortunatley its not, a few friends are doing it for me because I couldnt, i am hopeless with DIY.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:49:04 AM »

Hope the vet check goes ok. If it's Steve and Julian doing your cat proofing say hi from me (Chrissie) and Charlie

beanie260904 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:31:24 AM »

Hil all,

thank you for all your concerns about Bambi, she is still not well unfortunatley, but she seems heavier, she has an appointment to see the vet on Monday so when I see him I will enquire about all the illnesses you mentioned, and hopefully we might get some where. I have also added a picture of her on my display picture when posting so you can see her

She really is sweet. I have written to the GCCF about my concerns for this breeder so hopefully there might be some progress with the situation. Thanks for all your posts about Bambi and what you think the causes my be I will mention all of them to the vet and make sure they are checked for. I am still really bewildered by her right paw, as it is so much longer than the other one, if she is lying down you can not tell a difference but if you see her at a side angle or sitting down it looks like the left paw is 'normal' and the right is wearing a clown shoe, it is really hard to explain unless you see it for yourself, but could these illnesses you mentioned such as coronavirus or trichomonas cause this to happen? A friend of mine said it could be down to inbreeding and this could be why she didnt register her kittens???

Also I am currently having the secur-a-cat systom installed, not quite finished but nearly done, which means one less thing to worry about.

Hope all is well with everyone else

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2008, 19:43:41 PM »

hi there, and sorry to hear that you and Bambi are having such a difficult time.

Can I suggest that if he hasn't already and is running the test for Coronavirus antibodies... you also have him request a stool test for trichimonas.

Symptoms sound very similar, stunted growth in kittens, etc. I am also aware that it is rife in certain breed circles of which BSH seem to be one and it is a breed that we have run into many cases of Trichomonas over recent years. Mothers can be affected and then passed onto the kitten which can then cause problems for the kittens in growth, weight gain and can go until approx 12 weeks before showing any obvious symptoms such as the diahorea. It is also very commonly not picked up because it is not a routine test completed and because it can result in a positive count on the Coronavirus Titre (Antibody) Count so everyone just assumes it is this and starts banging on about FIP. (of which Coronavirus is not)

and then you end up not getting the root cause of the problem.

I would also be prone to running this test before any gut biopsy as it is a lot to put the little one through if not needed.

Keep us posted on progress and feel free to ask any questions, etc on the above either publicly or by PM.

Good luck Bambi and you.

hopefully you will find an answer soon.

Dawn F · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2008, 10:17:13 AM »

hope bambi is a little better, if this person doesn't believe in registering kittens with gccf perhaps she shouldn't be charging gccf prices

sheryl · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2008, 15:25:31 PM »

I was just thinking the same MM - she must be so tiny.

Wishing Bambi a speedy recovery xx

Millys Mum · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2008, 17:24:16 PM »

Shes 5 months old and weighs little over a kilo?

poor little cat

I hope you manage to sort her out soon

As your continuing your cover note without a break you should be safe

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2008, 10:48:55 AM »

I am sorry that you are having so many health issues, and sorry that you have found a poor breeder. One word of warning with the minced beef though is that it isn't a complete diet, and is lacking in certain nutrients that are vital for cats, so shouldnt be fed as a complete diet. You can get prescription diets online cheaper than the vets - my vets have just put the price up, so we were saving £2 a box by buying it online, so that might be something to look at - we use VetUK, as we have a charity link to it, there are about 4 charities on here that have a link to it, so you can help a charity out as well as saving money. Good luck with her, and good luck with the second opinion.

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2008, 10:04:04 AM »

I agree with Gillian ... about the registration of the kittens ... my two Abys were bought as pet only however they have full GCCF registration including family trees and pink transfer slips. This breeder needs reporting as I think there is something dodgy going on here.

Of course your main priority is Bambi's health and welfare at the moment.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2008, 06:56:32 AM »

Hi and welcome to Purrs

Can't offer you any advice but wanted to wish Bambi well and send her a

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:47:34 PM »

Quote from: beanie260904 on May 31, 2008, 23:23:04 PM

Yes both Bambi's parents were GCCF registered but she said she doesnt believe in registering the kittens, and as I was only after a house pet she said I did not need to, again

she has told me the extra lean beef mince (in small portion) works wonders for kittens, and that apparently pumpkin is also really good for them. I have been giving Bambi the mince and she does really like it but I have not been giving her much at all probably a very small portion once a week. I will give a try your idea of chicken/whitefish and rice/ potato, as you never know what might work.

Just wanted to say, whatever foods you do try, make sure you introduce anything new slowly, so as not to upset her digestion any more, and then stick to that for at least a week, so that you can tell if diet is making a difference or not

I would definitely take it up with the GCCF as she is registered with them, and I don't really understand why she doesnt register kittens, my persians I had as kittens were pet only, but were still registered by the breeder.

beanie260904 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:23:04 PM »

No he hasnt taken any x-rays, he is reluctant to as she is extremely fidgety and he thinks he might have to give her some sort of anesthetic to keep her still, but he does not want to as she is so tiny there is some risk, I think I will ring the vets tomorrow and perhaps ask to be referred to a specialist as she clearly is not getting any better.

Yes both Bambi's parents were GCCF registered but she said she doesnt believe in registering the kittens, and as I was only after a house pet she said I did not need to, again I should have perhaps seen the warning signs, but to be honest I just didnt think until she fell ill and then I started piecing it all together. Yes I will be writing to the GCCF to see if they can do anything about the situation. If any one has any advice on how to get the breeder to give me a partial refund or something to help with Bambi's costs (as I am a university student - living at home) I would really appreciate it.

I have been speaking to this lovely woman online whom breeds silver tabbies as I was originally contacting her about her kittens (before Bambi) and she had none left, she was so lovely that after Bambi fell ill I emailed her and asked for her advice, she has told me the extra lean beef mince (in small portion) works wonders for kittens, and that apparently pumpkin is also really good for them. I have been giving Bambi the mince and she does really like it but I have not been giving her much at all probably a very small portion once a week. I will give a try your idea of chicken/whitefish and rice/ potato, as you never know what might work.

As I was typing this 3 more of you replied so thank you all for your help and advice I will be sure to take note of it all. Also I am not sure if he tested for the coronavirus all he said was he tested for all the three potential life treatening ones, which are fatal and he tested for all the typical things like worms parasites etc, I will be sure to ask him though, so thank you.

Again thanks for all your help xx

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:17:18 PM »

Sorry to hear about Bambi, hope you can get her back to good health again. When you say she's been tested for viruses, do you know if the vet tested for coronavirus? as that can cause diarrhea and it can take an age to clear up.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:15:12 PM »

So sorry about the breeder some are just so bad and give the good ones bad names.

I dont know how petplan work when breeders etc give out this insurance but would have thought this should not be counted as a pre-existing condition.

Petplan if they will not cover the costs should stop allowing bad breeders to use them.

In the past when my cats have been ill . if its the same illness you should not have to go through the xcess thing again as its a continuing illness and the vet should have made that clear on the Forms. If its a continuing illness and Patplan have paid out it cannot then be classed as pre-existing condition, I would have thought!

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:13:36 PM »

Hi

to Purrs

Sorry to hear your little one is so poorly. I can't really offer any advice I'm afraid but you will get lost of good advice from this site, but like Gill says it's a bit late at night for many of the knowledgable kitten peeps to be around. Hopefully they will see this thread tomorrow.

Sending lots of positive vibes to Bambi

koscha (Ruth M) · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:08:07 PM »

Has the vet taken x-rays of her gut? My fathers cat had horrendous gut troubles from day one and it was only 6 months later after numerous courses of anti-inflammatories that the problem became apparant one day- She'd swallowed some string! It might be a good idea to try a 2nd vet if this ones confounded.....

What a disgusting woman that breeder is.....is she fully registered, if so a report to the governing councils is required me thinks

There are peeps on here who could advise you on how to approach the situation of getting some of your money back.
Have you tried her on a diet of chicken/whitefish and rice/potato? It's good for kittys with sensitive stomachs. My Z's had to have this several times as he's got various food intolerances.
Hope this is a help and that she gets better

,

to Purrs

beanie260904 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2008, 23:02:18 PM »

Thank you for your reply, yes I was planning on having Bambi seen by a specialist, however, I am an epileptic who can not drive so distance can be a bit of a problem. Yes, sorry I bought her from a breeder, I thought she was reputable as I had to pay £425 for her and I asked her loads of questions and saw both her parents etc (first time buying a kitten) however, I was wrong, I did not see the warning signs until it was too late. Bambi had two brothers there left over, one of which had a deformality, his eye socket was further back than it should have been (not massively, but noticable) the breeder told me it was due to the mother over grooming him, and it did happen sometimes, I thought she was the expert and did not really think anything of it.

I have contacted the breeder and she has been very abusive, after much threatening of court action the only response I have received off of her is a refund on return of the kitten, which is awful, as I would never do such a thing and to be honest she knows it, and thats the only reason she made the offer because she knew I would never except. I have been pestering her for atleast a partial refund as her vet bills have exceeded £250 so far to date, luckily I received some of the petplan 6 weeks free insurance but not all of it was covered, and currently I am paying out £55 a month for a special diet for her. I have insured her with petplan highest level of insurance once the 6 weeks free insurance run out so I am hoping after I exceed the excess again I might be allowed some of the money back but it all depends as technically this is a pre-existing condition.

Thank you for your response

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2008, 22:50:28 PM »

None of us are vets here and I would advise taking Bambi to another vet for a second opinion urgently.

You say you brought Bambi............do you mean you bought her and was it from a responsible breeder? If it was have you spoken to the breeder and were any of the other kittens ill or the mother and if so what has happened to them?

I wish Bambi lots of good wishes but this sounds like it may be a bit serious I think.

Its a bit late for those who know about kittens to be on now but we have some who are in rescue work and have had probs like this with sick kittens and maybe able to advise you

beanie260904 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2008, 22:43:55 PM »

Hi, I am new and could really do with some advice for my poorly kitten.

History: I brought Bambi on the Friday 21st March 08 she is a BSH, she had diarrhea as soon as I brought her home, I researched it online and found that kittens can get diarrhea when stressed and is perfectly normal for the first day or two, so I set up her area with all the things she needed and left her be to settle in. The diarrhea continued and come Sunday morning I found a mass of blood all over her stool. I was immediately taken back and telephoned my local emergency vets; I was told it was more than likely just something that upset her tummy, and to bring her down first thing Monday for an examination. On Monday she was examined and put on probiotic paste, since then she has been to the vets around 12 times, treated with various anti-inflamitories, probiotics, medicine, speciality foods including (royal canin sensitivity control, hills prescription diet etc), and she is still having diarrhea. She has been tested for all forms of worms and parasites numourous times and about 4 stool samples have been tested, she has also been tested for viruses, such as feline influenza etc the only step left is a gut biopsy, which I am reluctant to do, atleast until she is older as she is 19 – 20 weeks old, but looks about 8 weeks as she only weighs 2.8 lbs.

Although obviously Bambi still being ill is causing me great concern the reason I am posting this is a new problem I have noticed, and the vet seems, well, slightly bewildered by it, one of her paws is massively different in size to the other one, it is especially noticeable when she is sitting (not lying or walking) it looks like it is two sizes bigger than her other one, not just in width but in length as well, the vet said as she is not limping or anything it is most liking just an abnormality, but I am still really worried about it and wondered if anyone on here knows anything about similar symptoms.

Also Bambi is greatly underweight for her age and I am finding it difficult to get her to gain weight as she is fussy and she cannot have any food that will upset her digestive system, any ideas?

Thank you for all your help

Author Topic: Newbie - I Would Really Appreciate Any Help With Sick Kitten (Read 10489 times)