Aa
Kitten stopped eating & drinking today
This is unbelievable- if you read my story before this, I recently lost my beloved cat to kidney failure-she was only 4 years old. My husband had said "no more" but lovingly gave in and allowed me to adopt a kitten who seemed happy, healthy and normal- until late yesterday. We've had her for only a week now and she suddenly went from being happy, playful, eating and running around to (what seems to be) limping and not eating. She seems to have rapid breathing. I am desperately trying to get her to drink water but she won't. I am taking her into the vet tomorrow morning as soon as it opens, but I fear the worse. Any suggestions? We did recently try and mix her science diet food with Wellness (because of her awful kitty farts) but now I am afraid I made her not want any food! I am beside myself in tears, losing two precious cats in such short of a time span is heartbreaking (and we've made sure there are no toxins or anything our pets can get into. We have a 10 year old cat who is happy & healthy and is doing well).
from what I read in a holistic book that I follow religiously it says 500mg for one week for a flare up and for long term maintenance not to exceed 250mgs.
What does your Vet recommend? he/they should be knowledgeable in this too...its something very commonly used.
What does your Vet recommend? he/they should be knowledgeable in this too...its something very commonly used.
Thanks!! I did find it on well.ca as well (from Now Foods). Is one week enough? I am finding conflicting things online about how long she should be on it....
it will either come in a powder or capsules that you can open and divide..into 500mg.
If you are ordering online, I am very satisfied with iherb.com and their shipments arrive quickly even for me up here in Canada.
you can go with the Now Foods or search in the other brands I named all are good.
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-L-Lysine-500-mg-250-Capsules/661?at=0
If you are ordering online, I am very satisfied with iherb.com and their shipments arrive quickly even for me up here in Canada.
you can go with the Now Foods or search in the other brands I named all are good.
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-L-Lysine-500-mg-250-Capsules/661?at=0
Thanks...should I be buying it in tablets? liquid form? I have found it online (one of the brands you mentioned)
L-lysine is an amino acid it's actually a HUMAN supplement, so YES just go to your vitamin store but be sure to ask for the brands I mentioned....good luck dear.
Is the L-lysine a vitamin that is found at any vitamin/health store? Or is this found at a special store for pets?
Oh yes...I agree with Opus. Since she will be a carrier for the rest of her life it is best that you supplement her diet with vitamins. Your other cat should also be given vitamins because, as you know this virus is highly contagious. We want kitties to be the strongest they can be!
Oh poor baby......calici virus is something the kitty can overcome but will be a carrier for life and symptoms can flare up during times of stress...IMO a change in diet will not cause calici virus or any other virus, this is something she acquired at the shelter.
Its good the Vet has put her on SubQ fluids.
Please also put her on L-lysine this is an amino acid that many Vets will prescribe but if yours doesn't than talk to him about it, its very important for her right now for her immune system.
I will give you a few names of the best brands for cats you can buy this at any Vitamin/heath supply store...give her 500mg a day for up to ONE WEEK(only a week, than even if symptoms still present dose will need to be cut down to a maintenance of 250mg for a short while longer)
-Now Foods powder
-Jarrow(capsules)
-Carlson Labs powder
-Source Naturals
this is common unfortunately and yes there have been many others on the forum wih this, is you'd like to do more reading/searching on the subject you can click on ARCHIVES, it can also be listed under 'cat flu'
Other google searches you can do 'lame kitten syndrome'
If I locate more info I will post it..............darn it this is awful news, for you just having lost a kitty and now be dealing with this, all my prayers to baby kitty and hugs to you dear..♥
Its good the Vet has put her on SubQ fluids.
Please also put her on L-lysine this is an amino acid that many Vets will prescribe but if yours doesn't than talk to him about it, its very important for her right now for her immune system.
I will give you a few names of the best brands for cats you can buy this at any Vitamin/heath supply store...give her 500mg a day for up to ONE WEEK(only a week, than even if symptoms still present dose will need to be cut down to a maintenance of 250mg for a short while longer)
-Now Foods powder
-Jarrow(capsules)
-Carlson Labs powder
-Source Naturals
this is common unfortunately and yes there have been many others on the forum wih this, is you'd like to do more reading/searching on the subject you can click on ARCHIVES, it can also be listed under 'cat flu'
Other google searches you can do 'lame kitten syndrome'
If I locate more info I will post it..............darn it this is awful news, for you just having lost a kitty and now be dealing with this, all my prayers to baby kitty and hugs to you dear..♥
Honey,
If the food caused her to go weak and sick then IMO you should just spoil her with what she likes. After all, Science Diet IS food and she needs to eat to be strong so her body can fight that virus. Yes, antibiotics won't kill the virus but good nutrition can help boost her defenses. I think you and the vet are on the right path as far as treatment goes. She can overcome this.
I have never owned a kitten with this virus but have heard of it quite a lot.
FCV is very contagious so keep her isolated. You don't want your other cat to get sick as well.
If the food caused her to go weak and sick then IMO you should just spoil her with what she likes. After all, Science Diet IS food and she needs to eat to be strong so her body can fight that virus. Yes, antibiotics won't kill the virus but good nutrition can help boost her defenses. I think you and the vet are on the right path as far as treatment goes. She can overcome this.
I have never owned a kitten with this virus but have heard of it quite a lot.
FCV is very contagious so keep her isolated. You don't want your other cat to get sick as well.
Ok, I did some research at home first and I found this: Feline calicivirus, which seems to match some of her symptoms. It was confirmed at the vet- she seems to have the virus which has led to her having temporary lameness in her legs, a fever and lack of appetite. She is going on antibiotics just in case, anti-inflammatory shot, SubQ fluids and we'll have to keep her well rested at home when she is back from the vet (she is still there now). It apparently is common when a cat is stressed (an adoption can cause this or even a switch to new food!). The rest of her blood work seemed ok, so hopefully we can get her on the mend very quickly. I feel AWFUL that she's sick. She's even had a vaccination for this (a month ago) but it seems to not have been able to prevent it. Has anyone else had a kitten with this?
Well there is no information on these foods being recalled. The lastest I've heard of and/or read about are Iams and Eukanuba Dry cat and dog foods.
Stay positive. She will get through this. Hang in there...
PK
Stay positive. She will get through this. Hang in there...
PK
Oh My! Poor kitty. How old is she? I hope you give us updates on her visit.
Hmm...sometimes, when cats are introduced new flavors they do not accept the change at first. But the no-drinking- part puzzles me. Makes me think she might be sick. When my cats do not like something they simply won't eat it but they, however, let me know they are hungry and want to eat. They also drink water. Of course, there is a limit, and like one of my cats, they could stop eating and drinking altogether after a certain period of time of not eating. Has she even asked for food at all?
So it could very well be she didn't like the change. Cats are fastidious creatures of habit. But, it could also be that she has health problems. Whatever the problem is your vet will tell you if she there is anything wrong with her. If the problem IS in fact the food then you can always work around that by switching back to her old diet so she can at least eat. Then go back to mixing the foods. But you should do so little by little. Put only a small amount and increase as you go.
Good lord. Poor kitty. Please let us know how she is doing.
I will look around and see if either Science Diet or Wellness has had any recalls!
Hmm...sometimes, when cats are introduced new flavors they do not accept the change at first. But the no-drinking- part puzzles me. Makes me think she might be sick. When my cats do not like something they simply won't eat it but they, however, let me know they are hungry and want to eat. They also drink water. Of course, there is a limit, and like one of my cats, they could stop eating and drinking altogether after a certain period of time of not eating. Has she even asked for food at all?
So it could very well be she didn't like the change. Cats are fastidious creatures of habit. But, it could also be that she has health problems. Whatever the problem is your vet will tell you if she there is anything wrong with her. If the problem IS in fact the food then you can always work around that by switching back to her old diet so she can at least eat. Then go back to mixing the foods. But you should do so little by little. Put only a small amount and increase as you go.
Good lord. Poor kitty. Please let us know how she is doing.
I will look around and see if either Science Diet or Wellness has had any recalls!
Well hon, don't panic yet.....see what the Vet has to say, you are doing the right thing to take her in.
it takes awhile to accept new foods, if she won't eat at a 50/50 mix than cut it way back and only add 1/4 teas. or less at a time of the wellness...its got to be slow, most cats are very particular about their food and don't like changes...but done slowly the get accustomed to the taste..BUT she has to DRINK!!!
If she's not doing this on her own be sure to get the Vet to show you how to syringe some into her.....
Lets hope for the best hon, I sure do hope theres nothing seriously wrong, please let us know ok........♥♥
it takes awhile to accept new foods, if she won't eat at a 50/50 mix than cut it way back and only add 1/4 teas. or less at a time of the wellness...its got to be slow, most cats are very particular about their food and don't like changes...but done slowly the get accustomed to the taste..BUT she has to DRINK!!!
If she's not doing this on her own be sure to get the Vet to show you how to syringe some into her.....
Lets hope for the best hon, I sure do hope theres nothing seriously wrong, please let us know ok........♥♥
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cats Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
