Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Gillian Harvey on October 03, 2007, 12:25:09 PM

Title: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 03, 2007, 12:25:09 PM: Elsa had been sneezing for a couple of days, then her eyes started running and nose became snotty, BUT she had still been eating well, although is frail looking and weighs under 2 kilos. So took her to the vet on Monday evening - purely for her runny nose and eyes. She was given antitbiotic injection as per usual! with tabs to follow up, but then before I knew it the vet was giving her another injection and told me it was a steroid and vitB! I don't know why she gave her steroids - I wouldnt have wanted it if she'd said before she was going to do it, what was the point? >:( Anyway - Elsa's hardly eaten anything since then, nothing this morning and seems much worse - thats AFTER a visit to the vets!!!

Then Jasper started sneezing, discharge from his nose, runny eyes and he wouldnt eat anything this morning, so he didnt have his fortekor. I've got an appointment for him this evening. This looks like cat flu, I had an outbreak 2-3 years ago when Gypsy was very ill, some of the others had minor symptoms.

I don't know how Elsa's going to get through this, given her age and frailty - and now not wanting to eat, yet she WAS eating before the medication - this is a complete nightmare, and now I'm worried about the kitten getting it. Elsa hasnt had boosters for a couple of years, but Jasper had his course of cat flu jabs before he came to me in March, but he looks just as bad as Elsa.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 03, 2007, 12:35:52 PM: Oh dear , I am sorry Gillian...................you dont think that the kitten could have carried it in do you?

I am sure you are trying all the usual things to tempt them to eat but possibly they cant smell the food if they are all bunged up.

Have you tried getting some ad diet from the vet its very smelly and tasty they tell me and you could put a bit on your finger and make em taste it and that should help.

Vets shouldnt do stuff without asking or telling you first grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on October 03, 2007, 12:40:59 PM: Is there any way you can isolate Elsa and Jasper from the other cats to prevent an outbreak in the house? If you can I'd isolate them and change clothes and disinfect hands before going from them to the others.

Isn't VitB the one they give to help increase appetite? It's not good it's had the opposite effect on little Elsa.

Best of luck for both of them, hope the vet visit goes well tonight :hug: How old is Elsa now?
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 03, 2007, 12:54:49 PM: Quote from: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 03, 2007, 12:35:52 PM
Oh dear , I am sorry Gillian...................you dont think that the kitten could have carried it in do you?

Have you tried getting some ad diet from the vet its very smelly and tasty they tell me and you could put a bit on your finger and make em taste it and that should help.

I'm not sure about the kitten carrying something in, I'm pretty sure Elsa was already doing the odd sneeze before she came, I didnt really think much of it at the time, cos they often sneeze! Yes, I'd forgotten about AD, I'll get some this evening when I go.

Quote from: Team Svartalfheims on October 03, 2007, 12:40:59 PM
Is there any way you can isolate Elsa and Jasper from the other cats to prevent an outbreak in the house?

Isn't VitB the one they give to help increase appetite?

How old is Elsa now?

Do you think I should still try and isolate? - its just that they've both already mixed with the others and Jasper shares a room with Zeta at nightime anyway - oh hec, hope she doesnt get it too.

Elsa's 20 now. Yes thats what I thought about the vitB increasing appetite - but suppose both the anitbiotics and steroids are suppressive - so have opposite effect I guess!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Mark on October 03, 2007, 13:24:40 PM: Poor Elsa & Jasper and poor you. I agree they should ~~get~~ agree it with you before doing anything even if its for the best. I also saw cans of something called liquivite in the vets today. It says its ideal for syringing but also cats that aren't hungry might lap it so good for hydration. It also has prebiotics, fish oil, EHA & EPA to boost the immune system and anti inflammatory, vitamins etc. Maybe worth a try? - I'm sure others are familiar with it but its the first time I'd heard of it.

http://www.liquivite.co.uk/

Hope it goes well :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Bazsmum on October 03, 2007, 13:38:21 PM: How awful for you...Sending positive vibes your way~~~~~ Hope the furbabes pick up soon :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Liz on October 03, 2007, 13:42:52 PM: When we had the stress induced cat flu in our mob after the move and mass breakout after moving last year we ended up feeding the oldies on kitten gloop - kitten food and evapourated milk as there is no chewing involved and after a 10 sec burst in the microwave the smell is intense and they loved it

We used Hilife kitten food in tuna flavour this had great results and can also be syringed if necessary - did that with our FIV Holly she would hiss and I would aim at that time!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Dawn F on October 03, 2007, 13:54:15 PM: good luck Gillian I hope you can get them to eat, I know when Oscar and Algie had a calici flare up two days after coming to live with us that was the worst thing, tuna in springwater did the trick in the end
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on October 03, 2007, 14:29:11 PM: Sorry to hear that Elsa and Jasper are poorly, Gillian. I hope it's not flu. Fingers crossed you can get Elsa to eat something. Definitely try the hills a/d.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: clarenmax on October 03, 2007, 14:33:51 PM: Sorry to hear they're poorly, sending very special head kisses from me and gentle headbutts from Max to aid their speedy recovery :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Millys Mum on October 03, 2007, 14:45:38 PM: I hope Elsa and Jasper get well soon. Steroids should increase her appetite too so odd shes not eating.
If its possible to isolate i would do as you dont want all of them down with the snots, think of your wall paper!

Fingers crossed for the vets tonight.

Keep an eye on elsa fluids if shes not eating and possibly running a temp?
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 03, 2007, 15:06:53 PM: Thanks guys :thanks:

Quote from: Mark on October 03, 2007, 13:24:40 PM
Poor Elsa & Jasper and poor you. I agree they should get with you before doing anything even if its for the best. I also saw cans of something called liquivite in the vets today. Maybe worth a try? - I'm sure others are familiar with it but its the first time I'd heard of it.

Ah yes Liquivite! thanks Mark - thats the other stuff I was trying to think of that was good for ill cats - I remember using it a while back for one of them (I got a tin from a cat show) - its good stuff too - all the things you mentioned and NO cereals! - gotta be good LOL! I can order from the website - but that'll take a few days. My vet doesnt stock it nor do any of the other 3 vets in town, typical!!

Quote from: Liz on October 03, 2007, 13:42:52 PM
When we had the stress induced cat flu in our mob after the move and mass breakout after moving last year we ended up feeding the oldies on kitten gloop - kitten food and evapourated milk

We used Hilife kitten food in tuna flavour this had great results and can also be syringed if necessary - did that with our FIV Holly she would hiss and I would aim at that time!

Haha, I like that Liz, the hissing and aiming!!

How many of yours got it? It must have been a nightmare - did they have antibiotics etc? Did you find it just kept going round and round re-infecting - or did it clear up ok?
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 03, 2007, 15:13:19 PM: Kocka wouldnt touch liquivite but would eat ad of my finger............a tin a day for about 3 yrs!

You can also syringe it I believe bu adding a bit of water butr when you stir it, it also thins.

Hope the dreaded lurgy goes as quick as it comes :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on October 03, 2007, 16:43:11 PM: Fingers crossed for them both, there's lots of tips on this site for convincing Elsa to eat http://www.felinecrf.org/persuading_cat_to_eat.htm
The boys send healing head kisses to them both :Luv:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: lucy on October 03, 2007, 19:47:05 PM: So sorry, hope they are on the mend soon. :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 04, 2007, 13:46:13 PM: Well, Jasper's went to the vets last night, vet just said 'upper respiratory infection' - unlikely to be cat flu - he said, because Jasper is vaccinated! ha, well that would explain why Gypsy was seriously ill with cat flu a few years ago, despite being vaccinated then LOL!

Vet was just about to give antibiotic injection, when he mentioned 'long acting' - I said no, not if its Convenia - so he gave him usual injection plus tabs. Don't these vets read the blinkin data sheets? >:( It says it shouldnt be used on cats with kidney failure >:( Then he wanted to give him a steroid injection because he's lost weight since his last weight in - what IS it with vets and steroids - I just took him because he has a respiratory infection!!!! I knew there was a reason why I prefer holistic treatments!

Jasper has eaten today, but Elsa still isnt eating - although she's had some Liquivite. She just can't afford to lose any more weight! :( This is just ridiculous - she WAS eating before she had those jabs - I'm very dissillusioned with veterinary treatments at the moment! >:(
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Dawn F on October 04, 2007, 14:01:31 PM: oscar and algie had upper tract infection as well but not sure if that was part of the calici or not, they had both been vaccinated by the blue cross where they came from but they still had a flare up though I'm not sure if calici is one of flu types the vaccines cover so i could be talking rubbish! anyway I hope they start to feel better soon and Elsa eats like I said before they wouldn't touch ad or anything it was only tinned tuna that got them to eat after two days
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Mark on October 04, 2007, 18:19:45 PM: You got hold of some Liquivite then Gillian? ;D

I know what you mean about vets and steroids. They seem to be the panacea as far as vets are concerned. Glad that they can be sorted. I will keep an eye on my vet re convenia as I know he has given clapton longlasting antibiotic jabs.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 04, 2007, 19:38:41 PM: Dawn you are right calici is one of the flu like ailments and aslo has symptoms of gingerviteous and conjuctivius and once cats have it , it flares up again every so often.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on October 04, 2007, 19:45:46 PM: Hope they are all feeling better soon.

Also, thats the problem with vacs, it doesnt stop them from getting Cat Flu but should stop it from being really bad. Its a shame that Elsa hasnt had hers for a couple of years

Sending them healing hugs xxx
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 04, 2007, 20:11:14 PM: Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on October 04, 2007, 19:45:46 PM
Also, thats the problem with vacs, it doesnt stop them from getting Cat Flu but should stop it from being really bad. Its a shame that Elsa hasnt had hers for a couple of years

I know that it won't prevent it, but it also doesnt guarantee they won't get it so bad - Gypsy was so seriously ill with it a few years ago (although vaxed) that I thought I was going to lose her, and Suzie was pretty bad too (also vaxed). Its why I've also lost faith in vax too.

Quote from: Mark on October 04, 2007, 18:19:45 PM
You got hold of some Liquivite then Gillian? ;D

Yep, had to go to the next town to me and get from a vet there - they could only let me have ONE of the small tins, cos they only had 2 tins left!! - nearly didnt give it to me because I wasnt registered with them for goodness sake!! :sigh:

Well on a positive note - Elsa DID eat a few bisucuits earlier on, and has eaten a little bit of turkey tonight :yayyy:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: smudgepickles on October 04, 2007, 23:12:24 PM: Hi Gillian

Hope Elsa and Jasper get well very soon...........Im sending them cyber kisses from me and head kisses and licks from all of my babies for a speedy recovery :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

xxxx

:G: :E: :T: :W: :E: :L: :L: :S: :O: :O: :N: :E: :L: :S: :A: :A: :N: :D: :J: :A: :S: :P: :E: :R:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 05, 2007, 00:03:21 AM: :thanks: thank you!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Dawn F on October 05, 2007, 14:55:42 PM: hi Gillian, hope Jasper and Elsa are picking up a bit
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 05, 2007, 15:07:45 PM: Quote from: Dawn F on October 05, 2007, 14:55:42 PM
hi Gillian, hope Jasper and Elsa are picking up a bit

Jasper is eating fine now, Elsa's still not eating enough, but topping up with liquivite and funnily enough - dry biscuits seems to be the preference at the moment!, but she's looking much brighter today. It seems to be worse in the evenings.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: alisonandarchie on October 05, 2007, 15:47:35 PM: Do hope your kits continue to improve, its so worrying when they are ill. :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 05, 2007, 19:00:19 PM: I hope Elsa gets her appetite back and that Jasper is feeling OK again :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 05, 2007, 20:24:52 PM: :thanks: - she's had some canned sardine tonight, and liquivite throughout the day, so getting better, still not eought food to feed a flea tho!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: CurlyCatz on October 05, 2007, 20:44:01 PM: Hope they get better soon gillian :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: berties mum on October 06, 2007, 19:53:41 PM: Thinking of you Gillian. Bertie had cat flu two years ago despite vax but survived - was nasty though, I really sympathise. :hug:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 07, 2007, 21:21:17 PM: Thanks guys!

Well, that Elsa - she just bounces back every time! She's eating normally now. I feed her on the worktop, one side of the sink - the other side of the sink is MY piece of worktop, I guard it with my life :evillaugh: When I'm dishing up their food, quick as a flash, this little paw will come into MY space, and nick some of the food I've already dished out. She wasnt even bothering to get up on the worktop this past week :( - but tonight - the beast is back! :yayyy: She also later managed to swipe most of the crisps I was having with my salad, AND managed to get into the jug of Liquivite I'd thought was safe with cling film over the top hmmm! ;D
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Schmew on October 07, 2007, 21:47:11 PM: Good news - really pleased they've got better!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: alisonandarchie on October 07, 2007, 22:17:39 PM: Wonderful news ;D
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Mark on October 07, 2007, 22:26:59 PM: Glad they have picked up :Luv: - They don't know what they put us through :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on October 07, 2007, 23:37:33 PM: Oh great :rofl: :rofl:

I have my piece of worktop too and they have theirs for getting on the windowsill ;D
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: clarenmax on October 08, 2007, 08:57:32 AM: Great news ;D
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on October 08, 2007, 22:45:51 PM: I'm so glad they both seem to be on the mend now ;D
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on October 12, 2007, 08:12:30 AM: i am so glad they seem to be doing better now. I am impressed Elsa likes Liquivite, I have never had any luck with getting cats to take that.
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: Gillian Harvey on October 12, 2007, 13:22:13 PM: Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on October 12, 2007, 08:12:30 AM
i am so glad they seem to be doing better now. I am impressed Elsa likes Liquivite, I have never had any luck with getting cats to take that.

Thanks Desley :thanks: - I'm constantly amazed by Elsa and how she just seems to bounce back! Yes, she loved the liquivite thankfully, cos its got good stuff in it, she's even having it as a little snack still, every now and then! Ben was off his food for a bit recently too - and liquivite got his appetite going again. Mind you Joe had a sniff at it - and you could almost see the look of disgust on his face LOL!
Title: Re: Elsa and Jasper very poorly
Post by: No Name on October 15, 2007, 00:05:15 AM: awwwww Gillian I am so sorry to hear this, I pray for you and the kits to be well soon :Luv:
Quote from: Gillian (Ambercat) on October 03, 2007, 12:25:09 PM
Elsa had been sneezing for a couple of days, then her eyes started running and nose became snotty, BUT she had still been eating well, although is frail looking and weighs under 2 kilos. So took her to the vet on Monday evening - purely for her runny nose and eyes. She was given antitbiotic injection as per usual! with tabs to follow up, but then before I knew it the vet was giving her another injection and told me it was a steroid and vitB! I don't know why she gave her steroids - I wouldnt have wanted it if she'd said before she was going to do it, what was the point? >:( Anyway - Elsa's hardly eaten anything since then, nothing this morning and seems much worse - thats AFTER a visit to the vets!!!

Then Jasper started sneezing, discharge from his nose, runny eyes and he wouldnt eat anything this morning, so he didnt have his fortekor. I've got an appointment for him this evening. This looks like cat flu, I had an outbreak 2-3 years ago when Gypsy was very ill, some of the others had minor symptoms.

I don't know how Elsa's going to get through this, given her age and frailty - and now not wanting to eat, yet she WAS eating before the medication - this is a complete nightmare, and now I'm worried about the kitten getting it. Elsa hasnt had boosters for a couple of years, but Jasper had his course of cat flu jabs before he came to me in March, but he looks just as bad as Elsa.