Vet Techs Help If You Can

[ravenwoodglass]

My kitty Big Boy, (down to 20 lbs) went to the vet today because of a tooth infection. He will need surgery next Tues to remove the tooth, if he is still with us. He needed his rabies and distemper vaccines so we got them along with a strong antibiotic for the infection. A couple of hours after I got home the vet called. She had given him a dog parvo vaccine instead of the distemper. I have to bring him back early tommorrow morning for bloodwork and so they can 'flush' his system with saline. She said the drug may shut down his liver. I was of course in complete shock, we have so much bad going on right now, and I did not think to ask her whether I should skip the antibiotic in the am. I don't know if it is also metabolised by the liver so I am thinking we should skip. Has anyone out there had this experience before, the vet is hoping his huge size will somehow spare him but I don't know what to expect. I know she feels terrible and accidents happen but I wish I had asked her what his chances are. Could I wake up to a dead kitty tommorrow? Does anyone know?

[maryjk]

According to my sister, a vet tech:

She has seen this before and nothing bad happened. Some places wouldn't even tell you. She told me not to quote her, but she claimed his chances are, from the mess up, is almost 100%. (But don't quote her)

She did say that anything can happen since the cat already sick. Bad teeth are the downfall of a number of animals that she sees.

Let us know how he does.

[ravenwoodglass]

According to my sister, a vet tech:

She has seen this before and nothing bad happened. Some places wouldn't even tell you. She told me not to quote her, but she claimed his chances are, from the mess up, is almost 100%. (But don't quote her)

She did say that anything can happen since the cat already sick. Bad teeth are the downfall of a number of animals that she sees.

Let us know how he does.

Thanks I will sleep a bit better tonight. The other kitties reactions to him are a bit of a worry though. They are all very quiet and refused to eat after he left the bowl without eating anything. I know he is miserable though even if only from the toothache and not eating for a day and his antibiotic on an empty stomach. He knocked a canine tooth out of his gums once and we didn't even know it till I found it under a chest. I even know when it happened, he ran into a door, shook his head walked away and was back to eat before I finished putting the tinned stuff out. I thought he just bumped his head. Sorry I am nervous and rattling on. Thanks for your reply, I will let you what happens.

[maryjk]

They could be avoiding him because an infection smells.

I have had an infected tooth. I had a bad taste in my mouth until I got it fixed. It was horrible. So I can just imagine what the other cats think.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Just wanted to send my best wishes to your kitty!

I am also surprised that they gave him vaccines when he had an infection; that's the one time they hold off on vaccines for children (and you know how I feel about vaccines!!!!).

[jerseyangel]

Just popping in to see how you and the kitty did overnight.

[ravenwoodglass]

Hi and thanks for you all's concern.

He does not look real good right now. That could be due more to not having any food or water though as he is still gagging and pulling at his mouth when he tries to eat. He is VERY large and of course he may be diabetic and right now I am concerned about junk like ketosis.

He was born to a stray that I had adopted, she died a year later of a stroke. He was huge, her first born and was breech. He was a hard birth and 'stillborn' until I stimulated him and did a bit of kitty CPR. He has always been a big loveable dolt with just enough brain damage to make him the most obediant kitty in house. He has always seemed to think he is a dog and behaves like one. He is going back to the vet in an hour, hopefully we will be able to get things relieved for him.

I am always thankful for whatever time I have with either people or animals. I know I have no control over what is meant to be. But I do so hope that it is not his time yet. I will keep you posted. Thanks again everyone.

Krista

[angel-jd1]

I am always thankful for whatever time I have with either people or animals. I know I have no control over what is meant to be. But I do so hope that it is not his time yet. I will keep you posted. Thanks again everyone.

Krista

Krista-

Milo (my kitty) says to tell your big lug to get better quickly!!

-Jessica

[Phyllis28]

I am sorry to here that you cat is sick. I hope Big Boy gets well soon.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

{{{{sending more hugs and positive energy your kitty's way}}}}}}

[ravenwoodglass]

We got back from the vet a bit ago and she gave him an antibiotic shot and ran a blood panel along with some IV fluids. He is still refuseing to eat or drink and she called back and said the blood work was good except for a bit of a elevation to his protein levels so it is going to be okay to give him some pain meds. I'll be able to pick those up in an hour. If he is no better tommorrow they are going to move up his surgery day. I am hopeful that once the meds set in and he is over being angry with me for giving him them that he will eat. Life has thrown us one thing after another since last weekend, I sure do hope it settles soon. Thanks again for everyones thoughts and prayers.

Krista

[2kids4me]

I think the big concern is the infected tooth - the reason for the strong antibiotics is to treat/prevent a bone infection or blood infection. Once the bad tooth is out - Big Boy will feel much better.

I give credit to the vet for being honest about giving the dog vaccine. One poster said " lots of vets wouldnt say anything" - well shame on them. I have much more trust in someone who will own up to something.

When parvo first appeared in the 70's, I was working as a kennel girl. Before they developed the dog vaccine - we were vaccinating dogs with the feline distemper vaccine. The virus that causes feline distemper is very similar in structure to the virus that causes "parvo" in dogs. It was an attempt to provide at least partial protection - because when it first appeared - all dogs were dead within 24 - 36 hours - it was awful!! It is thought to be a mutated form of the feline distemper virus.....so....

I would not predict any harmful effect from a parvo dog vaccine given to a cat.

The only concern I would have - would be a "site reaction" - a swollen area at the site of the vaccine. If it occurs - you see it about 10 days - 3 weeks after the vaccine and it can take a month or more to disappear.

A caution for all dog owners - the only time I saw a fatality from vaccines was when a vet accidently administered a bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine as a shot when it was the one meant for intranasal use. There are two types of bordetella vaccine - one for intranasal and the other is an injection under the skin.

So I know I went on a bit of a lecture about viruses, just can't help myself - I like to edcuate pet owners...

Sandy

[jerseyangel]

Krista,

(I just will always think of you as Ravenwood ) It's been a trying time lately for you for sure. I'm encouraged for your kitty, though, and I'm so glad they got some fluids into him.

I hope the pain meds will help him get some sleep and feel better. That may help his appetite a bit, too.

Take care, and I too hope that things settle down for all of you

[Jestgar]

Krista,

I know what your going through. I hope your sweet boy feels better soon.

[nikki-uk]

He was born to a stray that I had adopted, she died a year later of a stroke. He was huge, her first born and was breech. He was a hard birth and 'stillborn' until I stimulated him and did a bit of kitty CPR. He has always been a big loveable dolt with just enough brain damage to make him the most obediant kitty in house. He has always seemed to think he is a dog and behaves like one. He is going back to the vet in an hour, hopefully we will be able to get things relieved for him.

Sending positive vibes for 'big boy'.

I lost my kitty last yr and he was just like your fella (huge, dopey, probably a bit brain damaged but oh so docile )

xxx

[ravenwoodglass]

I gave him the pain meds an hour or so ago but he still isn't interested in food. I do agree that at this point the infection is his worse problem. It actually was a shot for kennel cough not the parvo but the vet thinks everything is fine in respect to that but did mention checking the injection site.

I had found a stray dog back in 70's that did manage to survive parvo. It was horrible with bloody D that was more like hemmoraging. He was, we thought dieing and a vet let me come out to his house with this dog covered in blood and stink and tossed him on his families pingpong table. He gave him a couple shots and told us not to hope for much. He actually recovered and was one of the best dog 'boarders' I ever had.

[2kids4me]

I'm glad they did blood work...did he say if it was the intanasal form that was injected? If not, please check with the vet.

Thinking of you and your Big boy all day!

Try plain yogurt, ice cream, chicken broth, meat type baby food (chicken or beef), tuna juice, anything to get him interested.

Poor guy, did they move up his surgery?

Sandy

[Fiddle-Faddle]

How's he doing?????

[melrobsings]

My prayers are with you! I don't know what I would do without my cat!

[ravenwoodglass]

Morning all,

He seems to be a bit better although eating is still an issue. He did eat a small amount last night after the pain med but isn't as interested this morning. He seems to be drinking okay now so that is good. The pain med has worn off he seems brighter and much like himself. He is no longer drooling and has cleaned his face and paws so that is also a good sign. I hope that is the antibiotic kicking in and that it will get the infection controlled.

It was a real riot trying to nicely get this huge cat to open a hurting mouth for a pill. I tried it being nice sitting and holding him and got nowhere. I was just about to give up when I pulled him out of his hidey hole by the scruff of his neck got his front feet off the ground and when he opened his mouth to protest in went the baby food covered, spit out 8 times tablet. We didn't even try being nice this am just showed him the pill, told him he had no choice and grabbed the scuff. Got it in first try with only minimal dirty looks. I am hopeful he is on the mend.

I think I am going to look into pet insurance. This is the third very pricey surgery we have had to have done in less than 3 years. If anyone knows anything about this kind of insurance let me know what experiences you have had, good or bad, if you could.

Well I am off to drop the rest of the baby food off at the food pantry, (gosh that stuff is so nasty none of my animals would touch it!) and pick up some more Innova canned. Thanks again everyone for you concern, we are not out of the woods yet so if you can keep those positive thoughts heading his way it would be appretiated.

[jerseyangel]

I've been out all day and had to check and see if there was any news

Wow--that's so encouraging that he's drinking and washing. Both great signs! I'm keeping the positive thoughts coming your way.

[Teacher1958]

My vet told me about a technique for giving a pill to a cat that's worked well for me. First, make sure there's a bath towel in the laundry room near the washer or dryer and that the pill is closeby also. Take the cat in and wrap him in the bath towel like a papoose from the neck down so he can't struggle. Pry open his mouth and pop the pill in as far back as possible and then blow into his face, which will cause him to swallow. This has worked every time for me, and my cat is a complete psycho (God, I love her) and prone to some rather vicious attacks.

[ravenwoodglass]

My vet told me about a technique for giving a pill to a cat that's worked well for me. First, make sure there's a bath towel in the laundry room near the washer or dryer and that the pill is closeby also. Take the cat in and wrap him in the bath towel like a papoose from the neck down so he can't struggle. Pry open his mouth and pop the pill in as far back as possible and then blow into his face, which will cause him to swallow. This has worked every time for me, and my cat is a complete psycho (God, I love her) and prone to some rather vicious attacks.

I actually use that technique on my other smaller kitties, he hangs too far out of the towel. We call it the kitty tortilla. It does work real well for 'normal' sized kitties. This guy is twice the size of my pom-a-poo. The problem also, other than size and strength, was prying open his mouth which is excrutiatingly painful for him right now. The big guy made sure he didn't scratch me but it was quite distressing for him. The 'momma hold' while not appropriate for carrying a grown kitty does seem to make this one quite compliant though. It also causes the jaw to slacken a bit which helps a lot so I can open without pressure. It sounds more uncomfortable than it is and only takes a fraction of a second.

[confused]

I am glad things are looking up for your kitty. Keep us updated. You need to pic of him on your avatar.

paula

[ravenwoodglass]

Hello all,

Things are looking up today. I was in the kitchen tossing out a number of bowls of untouched canned food, baby food, yogurt etc. when I heard crunching and the big dolt was eating the crunchies I put out for the others, totally ignoring his buck twenty-five can of Innova. It seems the antibiotics are helping finally and on Tuesday we will go get those bad teeth pulled. Hopefully the other kitties will start to eat normally now also. I think they thought I had done something to the food, like 'hey shes trying to sneak meds in', who knows. But as soon as Big Boy would start gagging and refuse to eat they would all walk away too.

Anyway thanks for all your good wishes and prayers.

And to all that have pets check their teeth today, as soon as the big guy is done our whole kitty crew is going in for a cleaning. I just wish they didn't have to sedate them to do it but heck they have to use anesthetic on me too (novacaine) whenever I have mine cleaned. I wish many times I could just sleep for it also.