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2 mo old kitten not eating, very lethargic and was vomitting
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caitjack1992 posted:
Me and my mom just found this stray little kitten in someone's yard(we asked them if they were taking care of her and they responded with im trying to get rid of her, which is what i took as they werent feeding her any longer) She weighs 1.5 pounds and tested negative for AIDS, parasites and leukemia. She very lethargic, isnt eating and was vomitting yesterday(3x yesterday, once this morning) we took her to the vet and he gave her fluids under the skin along with vitamins and something for the vomitting (she hasnt done it since this morning) she also got a vaccine yesterday, im not sure for what and advantage flea medication as she had a mild case of the fleas. The vet gave us a high calorie cat food, recovery something, its pink mush, today and told me to feed her with a syringe and give her water. I spoke to a friend of mine who works as a vet tech in an animal hospital and she said it sounds like it could be liver failure, but i dont know why my vet would just tell me to keep feeding her when if its liver failure, she shouldnt be eating and should be in the hospital. I know ive only had her for a few days but ive fallen madly in love with this little angel and i will be devastated if something happens to her. Someone please help me.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:2 mo old kitten not eating, very lethargic and was vomittingMe and my mom just found this stray little kitten in someone's yard(we asked them if they were taking care of her and they responded with im trying to get rid of her, which is what i took as they werent feeding her any longer) She weighs 1.5 pounds and tested negative for AIDS, parasites and leukemia. She very lethargic, isnt eating and was vomitting yesterday(3x yesterday, once this morning) we took her to the vet and he gave her fluids under the skin along with vitamins and something for the vomitting (she hasnt done it since this morning) she also got a vaccine yesterday, im not sure for what and advantage flea medication as she had a mild case of the fleas. The vet gave us a high calorie cat food, recovery something, its pink mush, today and told me to feed her with a syringe and give her water. I spoke to a friend of mine who works as a vet tech in an animal hospital and she said it sounds like it could be liver failure, but i dont know why my vet would just tell me to keep feeding her when if its liver failure, she shouldnt be eating and should be in the hospital. I know ive only had her for a few days but ive fallen madly in love with this little angel and i will be devastated if something happens to her. Someone please help me.
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Rohvannyn responded:
As I understand it, and the doc can jump in whenever, but liver failure can happen when cats have been fasting too long. With all those tests I would think liver failure would have been ruled out. Other than lots of love and tender care, maybe a quick call back to the vet is in order. Cats can be amazingly tough.

I once found a stray kitten who was heavily infested with fleas and starving, and later found to have had a broken leg, who mostly cured herself when she was just given a chance to be warm and clean and fed properly. We didn't know her leg was broken then, she wouldn't let us look at it and we were barely scraping by ourselves. She couldn't keep herself warm, so we had to hold her pretty much round the clock when she was awake, taking turns. "Honey, I'm home. I'll take the kitten for a while." She grew out of it. Her will to live was strong. Anyway, she's fat and sassy and is the kitty you see in my profile pic.

I'm sure your vet wouldn't mind you calling with a question. Good luck with your new friend.
Report This| Share this:2 mo old kitten not eating, very lethargic and was vomittingAs I understand it, and the doc can jump in whenever, but liver failure can happen when cats have been fasting too long. With all those tests I would think liver failure would have been ruled out. Other than lots of love and tender care, maybe a quick call back to the vet is in order. Cats can be amazingly tough. <br /> <br />I once found a stray kitten who was heavily infested with fleas and starving, and later found to have had a broken leg, who mostly cured herself when she was just given a chance to be warm and clean and fed properly. We didn't know her leg was broken then, she wouldn't let us look at it and we were barely scraping by ourselves. She couldn't keep herself warm, so we had to hold her pretty much round the clock when she was awake, taking turns. "Honey, I'm home. I'll take the kitten for a while." She grew out of it. Her will to live was strong. Anyway, she's fat and sassy and is the kitty you see in my profile pic.<br /> <br />I'm sure your vet wouldn't mind you calling with a question. Good luck with your new friend.
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AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP responded:
While your kitten's problem could be liver disease, that's a long shot. The most common reason a kitten isn't doing well is dehydration, so it's good your veterinarian gave her fluids, but she'll get dehydrated again if she's not eating. It's also important that her blood sugar stays normal, which it will if she eats. Finally, keeping her warm is also important.

So, if she's not eating, she needs further medical attention. Please have your veterinarian take another look at her. She may need lab tests to see what's wrong with her (that's how liver and other diseases are diagnosed.) In the short term, it may help to bottle feed her. Nursing bottles and Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) are available at most pet stores.

Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice
Report This| Share this:2 mo old kitten not eating, very lethargic and was vomittingWhile your kitten's problem could be liver disease, that's a long shot. The most common reason a kitten isn't doing well is dehydration, so it's good your veterinarian gave her fluids, but she'll get dehydrated again if she's not eating. It's also important that her blood sugar stays normal, which it will if she eats. Finally, keeping her warm is also important.<br /> <br />So, if she's not eating, she needs further medical attention. Please have your veterinarian take another look at her. She may need lab tests to see what's wrong with her (that's how liver and other diseases are diagnosed.) In the short term, it may help to bottle feed her. Nursing bottles and Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) are available at most pet stores.<br /> <br />Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP<br />The Cat Doctor<br />Board Certified in Feline Practice
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