Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

shiatar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Subang Jaya

I just got two new kittens about 3 weeks ago. After a few days one of them started looking a little dull. He progressively got sicker and sicker and now he is practically anorexic. His symptoms are--
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Heavy breathing
Weak and tired but still drinking water (sikit)

I have been to my vet a few times already. The vet checked and he is clear from parasites as well as some other major cat diseases. Even my vet cannot figure out what is wrong with my kitten. Now I’m trying to force feed him fluids and some Prescription Diet i/d canned food.

Today I found something that looked like vomit (but semi-solid) and some litter in the drinking water which is weird. I’m assuming that it was vomited out since it is in the water bowl. I went online and read about clumping cat litter and its dangers and now I am worried.

Could that be what is making my kitten sick. And if so, how can I help him?

I cant bear to see him suffering so.

Please help me.

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 566 Location: Johor Bahru

what were the common cat diseases that your vet has tested against? and if all roads lead down a blind alley, any bloods taken for further lab test?

do be prepared for bad news (and also good) and a hefty bill for all the battery of tests!

shiatar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Subang Jaya

sorry, I haven't been online in a while. I cant remember what he was tested for but one of them was feline aids. the vet used a device to test the blood that is supposed to show dots on it if the cat has the disease. The kitten was clear of that and parasites.

I have been force feeding him for two weeks now and 2 days ago he started eating on his own.
I also changed the litter to the crystal type just in case.

yesterday he started having a good appetite and is eating everything like normal.

But he is still very weak and does not want to play. but he follows me around the room and wants affection. i think he is getting better but I'll have to wait and see how much better he will get.

I didn't think of it before, but his symptoms actually started when he got his vaccination. I though that he was just upset with getting a shot so I didn't think much of it. he got worse a few days after that, only then then I realised he was very sick.

could it be the vaccination that made him sick? because someone told me that their kittens died after being vaccinated. could it be that this kitten cannot tolerate the vaccine?

now I'm not sure about giving him vaccines in the future.

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 566 Location: Johor Bahru

vaccinations should not cause mortality, and i believe you should continue to vaccinate your kittens!

while vaccinations may cause fever and even lameness in young kittens, perhaps in many cases the kitten is already harbouring the disease and subsequent immunisation may cause adverse reactions! that is why we should check and examine each kitten before we even suggest immunisation.

shiatar · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Subang Jaya

good news,

my kitten is recovering well. he actually started playing today and has started eating on his own again

I went to see the vet again and spoke to him about the vaccination. He said the same thing you mentioned so I'm not worried to give his vaccination when he is due.

I am now using the crystal litter but we are still not sure if the litter had anything to do with my kitten being sick. I will probably never know what really caused all this but I am happy that he is recovering.

Thank you for your help.