I have a sick kitten...

My kitten who we just rescued from the pet shelter is sick. She has a really runny nose that is making it hard for her to breath through her nose (she actually has to open her mouth to breathe every once in a while), she is very sluggish and has lost all the playfulness she had no less then a week ago, and has been barely eating or drinking unless she's force fed with a dropper we got from the vet (she is on an antibiotic that im giving her with the dropper, but im still worried). Yesterday she was coughing and sneezing a lot and really hard too. When we took her to the vet yesterday he said she had a 104 degree fever. He also said that whatever she has started as a virus. Ive been trying to get her to eat but the most she got down was a few droppers full of milk and a few full of water, and yesterday, a few pieces of food and a little bit of water she ate by herself. I also have another cat so should i keep him away from my kitten? Should I throw away the cat carrier he likes to sleep in that the kitten's been sleeping in since she got sick? Is my kitten going to be sick like this for life, because one of the viruses i noted she might have said that she would exhibit symtoms (symptoms) of the virus everytime she got stressed for the rest of her life. Also i dont think my other cat has had some of his shots, so is he going to be okay? Is there anything else i can do for my sick kitten? Is she going to be okay?

[Piparskeggr]

One of the things you can do to help kitty, which my wife and I did for one of ours who had a long term illness...learn how to give her subcutaneous fluids.

Our vet was glad to show us.  He supplied us with the proper IV set up.  The loose skin between the shoulders is the best site to place the needle to give kitty some fluid replenishment under the skin, which her body will then absorb.

As for the long term outlook, I don't know, but try your best for her and hold onto that knowledge.

[Jade59]

It would be best to keep your kitties separated until you find out exactly what is wrong with your kitten.  You probably don't have to go so far as to throw away your carrier, but go ahead and clean it real well with dish soap.  

I think what you may be talking about is the herpes virus, and no, your kitty will not always be this ill if it is indeed, herpes.  Did your vet do any blood work?  Herpes is Very contagious which is why, until you find out for sure, your cats should eat from separate bowls and even use separate litter boxes, I would think.  

If this IS herpes, your kitty will be okay, but you are right.  Under stressful conditions, your kitty may have a "flare-up", but with the proper supplements, you may be able to keep the virus under control.  Your kitty may just have an URI, so lets not panic just yet until you know for sure.

You should get your other cat in for his shots and have them Both tested for herpes if this hasn't been done already.  

Keep us posted, okay?

[opus88]

I'm so sorry for poor little guys problems...not easy to watch our little ones when they are so sick and we don't know how to help..
I can't add much to the good advice you have been given.
Just 2 things I would like to suggest, pedialyte (sorry for bad spelling)...they have it for cats, but I 've also used the baby plain with no flavor and had good results...this will keep baby hydrated if he is peeing and not drinking he will soon become very dehydrated and this is a serious issue.
Kitties will NOT eat or drink when they cannot smell no matter how hungry or thirsty they are!...they will go to the dish and turn away, so being that he is so stuffed up is one of the reasons of not eating..
you are doing a good job...don't give up. do keep the cats separated and do vaccinate your other kitty.
best of luck

[opus88]

hi...just after I posted I saw to the right of this screen under MOST VIEWED HEALTH PAGES...its in a box to the right of this screen...highlighted in blue.
under that there is the subject you need with lots of info for you.

click on 'syringe/force feeding for cats'

there is some very good suggestions there!!!

[Shade1313]

thank you for your support guys....the kitten passed away last night at 3...i dont know what happened...she just stopped breathing

[Jade59]

Oh no, I'm so sorry!

It would be wise to have your other kitty checked by your vet in case it was something contagious seeing as you said your kitty hadn't had all his shots.  

[opus88]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this....poor baby must have been very ill and it was just to late to intervene....you got kitty out of a cage to a nice home and medical care...and thats wonderful that she had someone to love her in her last days!!!
all the best.