Hi,
me and my girlfriend just got two kittens from a private rescue centre. We originally wanted these white and tabby/grey ones but they wer'nt too bothered about us. Unfortunately (i use that term loosly), two other kittens chose us instead. They are Bear (all black male, very fluffy and very friendly, purrs like a tractor) and his big sister Bean (tortioseshell/white, very beautiful, likes being cuddled).

We have had them almost 2 days and Bear has a bit of diarrohea and one of his eyes is weepy whereas Bean has both eyes weepy (but not as bad as Bear), has diarrohea to a lesser extent and regularly sneezes. They were in this condition before we took them home.

I have taken them to the vets this morning who was concerned about them both. She seemed to think that they both had had cat flu hence the weeping eyes and sneezing and wanted me to keep a close eye on them. She gave me some eye drops which I have administered one dose of and she also wormed them as well as giving me some special food and advice to settle their stomachs. the vet also said they they should probably never be allowed to go outside in cold weather as their immune systems will always be low. One of the ladies at the vets also gave Bear a bit of a bath as he had a pooey bum!

I have brought them home to their room and put the heating on to keep them warm but am concerned. Unfortunately I am quite sensitive and am rather upset as they are such innocent little things and already i love them both to bits. They give lots of love and affection back and are very playful, especially bear (he's going to be a real handful ).

Anyway, I don't know why I am telling you this... Maybe there are other people out there who have been in the same situation and can give me some advice or maybe I just want someone to tell me they'll be alright as I am amass with worry.

__________________

www.saikousiameseandorientals.com

"Love a lot, trust just a few and always paddle your own canoe"
"Who is the greater fool - the fool themself or those that follow them"

Hi Saikou and thanks for responding.

The people at the rescue centre were very vague. we seem to think about 9 weeks although Bear is a lot smaller than bean (maybe they are not actually brother and sister afterall). They haven't been vaccinated yet.

They are full of life and are very playful and yes, are still eating (but not much) and drinking. i can hear them running around upstairs as i type. This is a great comfort to me although I realise things could change rapidly if they were to deterioriate. Thanks for the advice about the water. I hadnt been using pre-boiled salt water, just warm water from tap.

We have been feeding them the same as they were at the centre which is Iams kitten dried food and main brand kitten pouches. However they don't seem to want to eat the iams dried stuff at all even if i have put a bit of warm water with it. The vet advised me to cut the wet food completely for a bit as it wasnt helping with their stomachs but she did say the same as you regarding boiled white fish or chicken so I'll go and get some shortly. I have replaced the dried Iams with the stuff the vet gave me (royal canin) which they thankfully seem to love.

Hopefully as you say, in a few days they will start to improve. Its not easy not to worry but I'll try!

Yes, my friends keep asking for pics too. I just haven't had time to upload any yet although have taken lots. Bean is such a beautiful little thing. She is very symmetrical. She has ginger ears, black/brown "warpaint" under her eyes, white boots, a pink nose and a little ginger nib at the end of her tail (which Bear is fascinated with trying to catch). Bear isn't very photogenic as he is just a black mass of fluff with two eyes

When Marble was a little kitty she also had cat flu and I remember being so upset and panicky about it all but she was fine in no time and has been really healthy ever since!

Yes pics are a must!

__________________



"Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here we might as well dance."

hi
my cat fluffy had cat flu all his life because he came from a dite home and he lived untel he was 13 and had a nomal life but in the winter when his cat flu used to be bad and he was sneezeing and stuff i use to cuddle him to sleep but if your cats have it bad you should not let them out or other cats could catch it from them and become sick but im sure you and your cats will live a long and happy life together so good luck i hope this helps because i know how hard it is to love a cat and lose them

Hiya The poor babies The rescue doesnt sound very nice or helpful!!

It does sound like cat flu which coems out when stressed, only was to diagnose it is at the vets with eye/mouth swabs. Cants can live a normally life with it though and never show symptoms again!

Id take them to the vets Asap though. With the upset tum, this can happen when moving home, but after 3 days I would take them to the vets especially as you said they arent eating much either.

Hope it works out! Pics please!

__________________

Some of ours had cat flu last year and I never thought we were going to clear it, but we did with perseverence and they're all fine now

Fortunately it was calici which they can erradicate but it's difficult to contain and we've had to take lots of precautions and spend lots of money to try and prevent another outbreak.

The good thing is that cat flu of most types is not usually fatal nowadays.

__________________
http://www.elmstarbengals.co.uk



Our darling Foxy is now at Rainbow Bridge. R.I.P. little one, you'll always be loved.

__________________

www.saikousiameseandorientals.com

"Love a lot, trust just a few and always paddle your own canoe"
"Who is the greater fool - the fool themself or those that follow them"

A friend of mine bought some speical drop things for her cat as it had cat flu, she said that they really helped? You can buy then on ebay they are called 'pet alive'

Not sure if they might help the kits aswell?


Homeopathic Medicines for Your Pets - Dog and Cat Herbal Remedies and Health Care Advice

__________________

Hi all, thanks for your replies and advice. I will update you all later as I haven't the time now. Here are some pics in the meantime!

Bear and Bean pictures by Geezmothership - Photobucket

Paul