sick 11 week old kitten-please help

[ktny4283]

Hi,
I recently took in a barn kitten who is now about 11 weeks old. She was on Clavamox for two weeks for an upper respiratory infection that we finished up last Friday. She has been crazy playful since we brought her home 3 weeks ago but on Tuesday she suddenly started vomiting (only three times since then) and has lost all appetite, is lethargic, and just looks sad. We took her to the Veterinarian today because of her vomiting and she began foaming at the mouth this morning. He pretty much walked in and shined his doom on us, told us she had a severe upper respiratory infection and was critically ill. He gave us another Clavamox to try with A/D food to force feed her until next week when we bring her back in.

She has never really been able to breathe easily since we brought her home so he told us to use a humidifier although I'm not sure mine is all that effective. So we brought her into the bathroom and ran a really hot shower to steam everything up to try and break up the mucous she has in her chest..I hope this technique isn't harmful...please let me know if it is! It's what I do when I'm congested

My question is if anyone else has been through this and what are the success rates? Also, what does her respiratory infection have to do with her vomiting? She hasn't thrown up since this morning but still looks completely miserable and won't eat/drink on her own Can anyone shine any light? We don't want it to be too late when we bring her back to the Veterinarian next week. Thanks!!!

[wvliz]

I don't think the steam could hurt. It wouldn't be much different than using a vaporizer, right? Did it seem to help?

I also can't imagine what the U/R infection would have to do with the vomiting. Maybe get a second opinion from a different Veterinarian?

You might try getting a kitten milk replacer (like KMR, you can get this at pet stores) and try that as a supplement or as her only food if you can get the kitten to eat it. It would be easier to force feed with a medicine dropper than canned food if you can't get her to eat anything else. You definitely would want her to keep her strength up to fight off this infection.

Good luck, let us know how things go...

[ktny4283]

Thanks for your reply. Sadie seemed much better yesterday- used the litter box and ate and drank on her own. The steam seemed to help her breathe better...her breathing didn't sound so rattly afterwards so I'm going to continue doing that at least once a day. She threw up again this afternoon...I'm hoping it's because she ate too much too quickly?? She has a little frothiness around her mouth which started the night before we took her to the Veterinarian but hasn't been nearly as bad. Does anyone know what causes this? I'm just nervous the Veterinarian has missed something because he didn't really explain why she was throwing up. Since she started eating on her own (the wet and dry food) I don't think I need to get that KMR. I have a question about that though, I read that kittens who are older than 6 weeks and finished nursing they aren't supposed to drink milk as it is hard for them to digest? Thanks!!

[wvliz]

When she throws up, what does it look like? What color is it? Does it look like it has fur in it?

I have no idea what might be causing the frothiness.

If your veterinarian isn't willing to answer or dismisses your questions, you need to find a new one. Especially with a young pet, he or she should be eager to answer all of your questions about your pet's health. If you don't feel like you are getting as much out of your appointment as you could be, tell them to wait and answer your questions or find a new doctor.

Milk can be hard on cat's digestive systems, that is true. If she is eating and drinking enough on her own, I wouldn't use the KMR. KMR is good though for supplementing their nutrition if they are sick or using it for pregnant or nursing moms.

[ktny4283]

She hasn't thrown up in 3 days yay! When she was throwing up though it looked more like the wet food she was eating and I guess what we all throw up from our stomachs : / (brownish in color), no hair or anything like that...We are taking her back to the Veterinarian tomorrow so hopefully he will have a more positive attitude! Thank you for your help!