My kitten is very sick- LONG- Final Update- he's gone

I don't post often, but my kitten Oreo could really use some prayers right now!! He is 8 months and we took him to the vet on Wednesday b/c he was lethargic, had diarrhea and wasn't eating much. They told us he has FIP, which is fatal, not curable or treatable. Fortunately, it almost impossible to diagnose, so there is a chance that this diagnosis is wrong. The vet proscribed antibiotics just in case it was something else, and also anti-diarrheal medication.

We were very happy this weekend b/c after two days of having to force-feed him, he started eating several times a day and yesterday he even played wth my son!!! He also looks much more alert than before. But, we noticed last night that he is walking funny, almost like his back legs are stiff or like he is weak. Also, he hasn't pooped in a couple of days. My husband stayed home from work to keep an eye on him and we're taking him back to the vet at 5 to see what they say. I am hoping he is just sore from the blood they drew from his hind leg, and constipated from the anti-diarrhea drugs.

Please pray that he is alright


Small Update: So we took him for a follow-up tonight and I REALLY have a problem with this vet!! He is 8 months old and the diagnosis she made is for a disease that can only truly be diagnosed through an autopsy. Clinical diagnosis can be made only by ruling out al other possibilities. But, she never really did much testing. She said that she couldn't tell if he went #2, and she stated that his hind legs must be going b/c of the virus. BUT, he only started walking funny after they drew blood from his hind leg. Of course, she said that was impossible. Also, I asked what kind of food we should be feeding him, and she said it didn't matter WTH??? Also, I asked if there were any vitamins or supplements for him, and she looked at me as if I had three heads for asking that question. She gave us cortisone pills in case he is in pain.
So, we are taking him for a second opinion b/c I feel like she has already written him off and is not willing to consider any other explanation for his symptoms. I'd hate to have her as MY doctor.
Thanks for reading, and for all the well-wishes. I'll keep updating.

SECOND UPDATE: Things went from bad to worse. Last night Oreo started circling, and his head is tilted to the left which was really scary. We're in North NJ and had to rush him to an emergency hospital. He was slightly dehydrated (which his own vet never bothered to check even though I asked about it) and they thought that the combo of the antibiotics and anti diarrhea pills could be making things worse. He also said it could very likely be FIP due to the quick onset of all these symptoms. They gave him fluids, and some vitamin shots and basically he can go either way.

I stayed up all last night with him and he's not peeing much and no number two. He's still circling but can turn his head to the right, at least a little bit. His walking has also gotten worse. He is eating and drinking, but not much. I took off from work today and for now, we are playing a waiting game. I can't bear to take him to yet another vet today; my poor baby has been through so much yesterday
I hate to say this, but I am losing hope

Final Update:
Well I made an appt w/ another vet for this afternoon. Unfortunately, by 12:30, he had taken a huge turn for the worse, couldn't even lift his head. I rushed him to the office and they basically told me that there was little chance of helping him- even if he made it through the night to get back some blood results, they felt he was too far gone. DH left work and met me and after going over all our options, we agreed it was best to end his suffering. This was the hardest decision we've ever had to make. it just broke our hearts b/c he was declining so fast and there was nothing that could be done to save him!!

Thank you all for your prayers, he is at peace now

Message edited 1/13/2009 11:35:00 PM.

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Prayers for Oreo!!!

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

My kitty had a funky period like that when she was young, maybe around 8 or 9 months old. We saw that she was lethargic, etc.

Took her to the vet, gave her XRays but could not find anything. They gave her IV fluids, kept her overnight, etc and after a couple of days of IV fluid she just got better.

They don't really know what happened, they just speculated that she stopped drinking or something deterred her from drinking, and then she got dehydrated, and the dehydration made her lethargic which made her not want to drink, and it was a vicious cycle. Now I monitor her water intake like a hawk.

She's OK now, just wanted to share and let you know I'll be thinking of your kitty!

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Poor little Oreo Me and Sushi pray for a good diagnosis and that she gets better soon

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Thank you all for your prayers, it really means alot to me!! I will update after his appointment this evening.

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

I'm so sorry for the little guy!

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG

So terrible but I am praying for a positive outcome. Please keep us posted

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Update

Praying for Oreo

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Update

if you need another vet, i can recommend my new vet. she only does cats. my gizmo was sick for a year and i finally switched vets and brought him to her....and so far so good! (fingers crossed)

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Update

def chang the vet!! thats horrible!

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Update

Yes- change vets. She sounds like an a-hole!
I swear- I once had a vet that seemed like he HATED animals.
He was so rude and had no patience at all.
I was thinking- why did you become a vet if you can't seem to stand animals?
It's like becoming a pediatrician and not liking children!

Good luck!

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

I'm so sorry...I hope the vet is able to help him.

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

I checked here hoping to hear good news. Your poor baby! I'm praying for a miracle

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

I'm so sorry I hope your baby gets better soon.

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

hope he gets better

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

OMG. Can you see another vet? Poor baby, many many prayers

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

I was so hoping for good Oreo news keep praying and dont give up hope

Re: My kitten is very sick- LONG- Second Update

i am so sorry. i can't imagine how you are feeling right now. i hope your kitty gets better.