HELP! I really need some advice/prayers

[joker98]

I know its long but please read it all the way through and let me know what you think I should do... I went and adopted another kitten this past Sunday. I took the kitty to my vet and found out a few things and here are the emails that I sent to the Rescue Shelter..


Hello,

My name is James and this past Sunday (Feb 1, 2004) I adopted an eight-week old kitten from the Petsmart at Arundel Mills. Cat ID# 12108. The volunteer did not have any information regarding the kitten. I first took the kitten to my veterinarian yesterday Monday (Feb 2, 2004) I mentioned to him that the kitten was not really eating and had vomited what little food he had taken in. He said it could be attributed to nerves, anxiety, or the fact that he had just been neutered on 1/29/04 and given medication. He said that if the vomiting continued to bring the kitten in for observation The vomiting continued and I took him back to the vet. The vet observed him all day and noticed the vomiting and the forcefulness of it and thought that it might be caused by some sort of obstruction. He then proceeded to do an X-ray. He found that there was a lot of gas in the intestines and he wanted to do some sort of barium type mixture to try and trace it through the digestive system and then take another X-ray. He has done the second set of X-rays and confirmed that there is an bstruction and now the kitten needs surgery. He informed me that the kitten should not have been adopted out in the condition that it is in right now. Whoever was acting as caretaker should have noticed the symptoms (not eating, vomiting, etc)I will not even mention the ear mites that kitten had. Which was not mentioned nor treated, which should have been done when the kitten was neutered 3 days prior, or at least notification should have some with the kitten. He estimates the surgery is going cost somewhere around $500. I have left two messages on your voice mail number (***) ***-**** regarding this kitten and have still received no reply. While I do not mind helping out with the surgery I do feel that your adoption agency should assist in this matter. My vet mentioned that you probably have some sort of agreement with your vet for reduced prices and what not. Unfortunately, no one has called me back and for the health of the kitten I am going to tell my vet to go ahead with the procedure. I would appreciate some response from your organization letting me know your feelings on this matter. It would truly be sad for this situation to mar the reputation of an organization that I have heard nothing but good things about. I would appreciate your assistance in this matter and I look forward to your timely reply.


I heard back from the Shelter the next day and they wanted to know what was going on. My vet had given him some laxatives and some stool softener and the kitten seemed to be doing better, but then he took a turn for the worse.. Therefore, I tried to call the Shelter again but no response, so I sent another email..


I spoke with a Ms. Aninew (sp?) this morning about the kitten and it appeared that he was doing better and had a small bowel movement. Unfortunately, I just received a call from my vet saying that he had vomited again and that the food he ate this morning was not passing through and there are no alternatives to the surgery, to remove the obstruction, at this point. He also left me with the impression that this needs to be done ASAP. I believe Ms. Aninew wanted to use the Lucky Ones vet so I would appreciate it if someone could please contact me soonest so we can get this kitten some medical attention.

Thanks,
James


So Tina from the shelter called me back and said that she had contacted her vet and he was willing to come back in and do the procedure. She came and picked up the kitten and the X-rays from my vet proceded to her Animal Hospital. After waiting several hours and not hearing anything I paged the Shelter's Vet. He calls me back and says that the X-rays he saw plus the X-rays that he took are inconclusive and they do not demand immediate surgery. I explain to him what has been happening and what he thinks the problem is and he says, "I don't know, but I don't think surgery is the best thing for this kitten right now". We (his office) hasn't seen the kitten throw up and he wants to find out if the kitten can be treated without surgery. I don't know what to do. My vet says surgery... theirs wants to do more observation... *sigh* I am so frustrated right now.. :( And all I want is my Dusty back happy and healthy...

[sqwelch]

Oh, what a sad story, I'm sorry but I don't have any advise but thought I had to post my best wishes for Dusty. I so hope this baby gets better soon.

Apart from the fact that this kitty is obviously very unwell, you mentioned that she had ear mites and that should of definately been picked up by the vet who saw her a couple of days beforehand. I don't want to worry you but this too me tells me that their vet probably isn't the best !!!

Fingers and paws crossed for Dusty, please get better and come home soon !!

[CatDad]

At this point the health and well being of Dusty is the most important, obviously. So everything I have is all dependent on the amount of time that Dusty has before a decision has to be reached. So having said all of that. I would first ask the 2 doctors to talk and let them see if they can come to a mutual conclusion on a course of treatment. They want to go in two differnet ways and you are not the person to argue either course. Maybe if they talk one of them will bring up something that the other had not thought of and a decision to go one way or the other can be reached. Perhaps even a totally new course of action, two heads are better then one theory. If that is not possible maybe a 3rd doctor needs to be involved. I know we are getting really pricey at this point.

Basically it sounds as if you and Dusty are caught in the middle and all you want is to find a resolution and get on with some treatment. If that means observation then that's fine, but then you are not being told two different things.

I wish I had some advice on what may be wrong with Dusty, but anything I said would be a total guess and not mean anything.

Don't feel alone, I am going through a mysterious illness with one of my fur kids. It started with alot of the same symptoms. My vet thinks it is IBD (inflammatory bowel disease ). However, at the moment she is doing fine. I have an appointment for a second opinion on Saturday.

Good luck, and I would really push to have the 2 vets talk.

Please let us know how it is going.

Prayers for a full and fast recovery for Dusty. Also some prayers of comfort for you.

[catcrazylady]

How sad for this poor kitten.http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/frown.gif I started volunteering at our local shelter two weeks ago. I'm certainly no expert and have very few days of experience, but I do know that all of the kittens/cats have their ears cleaned and checked before going out the door to petsmart. They are also wormed, and vaccinated. They come with two months worth of health insurance that has a $50 deductable and can be used at your own vet. Most of the petfinder websites I have seen offer this with their adoptions. In my few days of experience I also find it hard to believe that they did not know he was vomiting. I guess its possible that he was in a cage with several others and it somehow went unnoticed.
I would also be concerned as to whether this vet should be postponing surgery. Can you go and visit Dusty? Since you have gotten to know him you should be able to tell how he is feeling. Maybe you could make a decision after spending some time with him. Maybe you could make an appointment and meet the shelter vet and see if you are comfortable with his findings and see if you feel that he has the kittens best interest at heart.
It's such a shame that you did such a wonderful thing by adopting a shelter kitten and then had a bad experience. I hope that Dusty is ok and you can get the situation resolved soon. Please keep us posted.!!
There are a lot of people on here that deal with shelters and have for many years. I hope they can be of more help to you.

[rpcathouse]

James,
I am so sorry to hear about your new kitten. Do what your heart tells you to do with this furbaby. If you trust your vet, then do what your vet tells you. I trust my vet totally and will go with what he says. I once seen a new assoc. he hired, a young vet with very bad bedside manners. I disliked alot because the way he handled the cats and talk to me and let my vet know what I thought. Needless to say he was gone a short yome after that. You and vet have several things in common and that is the health and well being of you kitten. Don't wait long if you trust your vet, do what he says. The furbaby's life is in your hands and the vets.
Keep me posted on the kitten. I am outside of Annapolis. E-mail me if you want. My prays are with you and the kitten. Mega Glows to him.

Stella

[Corinna]

This is what I would do(I am a bit radical) got that kitty back to your vet! have the surgury ,have him save the obstruction and take it back to the stores vet. You have already bonded to this little guy , you may end up paying for the whole thing but it will be less expensive now (better out come for Dusty too) wait too long he could become a fatal case.
A threat also to go to the paper about store and Vet always gets some kind of action. But I would not leave him at their place they tend to think its theirs still. Had this happen to me once the chain pet store that is now out of business. Good luck. Keep us informed

[joker98]

It was a different vet that did the neutering and missed the ear mites but that whole situation speaks for itself. I called my vet this morning and they are tracking down the other doctor to find out what he thinks is going on and then they will let me know what course of action they think I should take. Worst case scenario I drive down to pick up my kitty and bring him to my vet but hopefully it won't come to that...

[CatDad]

I think that is good plan, it sounds like there is alot more going on and more vets involved then it first sounded like.

It sounds like your vet is the one to trust. Hopefully, you will have an answer in a short time.

Please let us know what is happening when you get a chance.

[rg_girlca]

Oh this is so sad. I feel so sorry for you having to go through this with your little one.
I'm glad to hear that the vets are going to speak with each other and I hope and pray they are able to help your kitten, like real soon.
By the way, have you picked out a name for him yet?

I am wishing you all the best and please keep us posted.

[smokey the elder]

What an irresponsible rescue group! I think there is a problem there. If it were my kitten I'd take him to my vet and get him healed, then deal with the shelter. I hope your kitty gets better.

[joker98]

I am going to go pick up Dusty (my 8 week old) today... He didn't need surgery. It turns out the vet that the rescue shelter took him to is top notch. He observed (really observed) Dusty and discovered it was not that he couldn't keep food down it was the kind of food. He seems to be having a problem with dry food at the moment. Right now they have him on some medication along with some chinese herbal remedy thing with wet food being fed to him via a syringe 3 times a day. There was no obstruction and no need to do surgery. This vet got ahold of the shelter and tracked down the other 2 kittens that were from the same litter and they had passed on :(. He doesn't know what it could have been, bacterial infection, distemper, who knows. He just told me that it looks like Dusty is past the critical point and as long as we can keep feeding him and he puts on some weight then everything should be good to go. I will be leaving in an hour to go get him and I am going to talk to this doctor about my vet. I have only been to my vet a couple of times but he had won my trust. But if he had done surgery, he wouldn't have found anything and then Dusty would have been trying to recoup from the operation as well as whatever the initial problem was. The odds wouldn't have been good. I will keep y'all posted one what happens and I will try and take some pictures and post them tomorrow. I have to admit when I first joined this forum and I was reading the extremes that people went through for their pets I was umm.. amused ;) but now I truly see. Here is an 8 week old kitten that I am willing to do anything for, no matter what. I just hope that everything turns out ok. Send up a prayer for Dusty.

[lizbud]

I have been reading throught the posts & must say I do feel
relieved about Dusty's situation. I'm so glad to hear that the
Shelter's Vet was a reputable person & also glad that Dusty
does not have to undergo surgery like this at such a tender
age. I'll be keeping you and Dusty in my thoughts & prayers.

I do hope Dusty continues to get better every day. Hey, he's a
baby & deserves to be feeling good enough to climb the drapes
if he wants to.:D

Really, I wish you the very best with Dusty & will look forward
to any updates.:)

[Steffi N]

I am very relieved to read that your little Dusty will not need surgery. I hope that with the food and medication that Dusty will be well soon. He is a very lucky little kitten to be adopted by someone who cares for him as much as you do. Please keep us posted on how he is doing.

[CatDad]

I am so glad to hear that Dusty will not have to have surgery.:)

Doctors deserve some repect, but that does not mean that they are always right.

That is why I get second opinions when there is time. You never know.

Sending prayers to Dusty for a fast and full recovery.:D

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that little Dusty doesn't need surgery. Prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please keep us updated.

[smokey the elder]

I'm glad Dusty doesn't need surgery. I'm surprised no one thought of a food intolerance. I've had a couple of fosters that had food intolerances, but not to that point.

Eat the RIGHT food and get well soon, Dusty!

[sqwelch]

I'm so glad to hear that Dusty is on the mend and cannot wait to see pics of this wee 8 week old cutie !!!

[catcrazylady]

Wonderful news that this little one does not need surgery!! It sounds like maybe the shelter vet turned out to be good after all!
Can't wait for pictures because Dusty has already captured our hearts.
I got tickled at your comment about the extremes some of us go to for our kitties. How long have you known Dusty? Not too long I would say so here is my prediction...two weeks from now you will be as bad as any PT'er!!!http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif We are glad to have you join the club!!
Saying prayers that little Dusty does well on the new food and you will have a happy, healthy baby home with you soon.
Keep us posted!!!

BTW-I would get a new vet!

[joker98]

Well, we are not out of the woods yet. Dusty is not eating on his own now and has lost a lot of weight. He can't even jump on the bed on his own. I had to make him a makeshift staircase with my suitcase. I have special food from the vet that I mix with water and squirt down his throat 3 times a day. Let me tell you, he does not like this at all. I won't even mention the medicine that I give him, and he has diarrea. Hopefully, he will come around and start eating on his own. I am really concerned about the dehydration though. . I think he caught a cold at the shelter as well because he is sneezing a lot now. While I was picking Dusty up another kitten from the same litter had been brought in with vomiting symptoms, but she was even smaller than he was. Hopefully he will pull through. Only time will tell now..

[sqwelch]

Any update on poor Dusty ???

[catcrazylady]

Prayers are on the way to poor little Dusty. I commend you for taking such wonderful care of a newly adopted baby. So many people would just return them to the shelter. Along with all the meds love is the best medicine. God bless you and Dusty.
Keep us posted.

[joker98]

It looks like we have rounded the corner. Last night I was fixing some food for Dallas (my calico) and Dusty actually showed some interest in eating her food. I made another plate for Dusty and he ate it on his own! This morning he practically mauls me at 2:30am to let me know that he is hungry. I actually had to take him off the counter while I fixed his food so I could get it out of the can before he ate it. He is eating on his own now. Not sneezing at all and very playful. I think the cold might have affected his appetite. The vet said its possible if he couldn't smell the food then he wouldn't want to eat it. Anyway, everything is going great. He still has these hacking/wheezing fits maybe once a day. I don't know what it is. Could it be hairballs? Is 8 weeks to young for that? Anyway, I know I have promised pics but I haven't loaded teh software yet. Thanks for all of your prayers and wishes.

[CatDad]

I am so happy to hear that dusty is getting better.:D:D:D

You vet is right if a cat cannot smell it's food it is likely that it will not eat. That is why a stuffed nose is so bad.

The coughing/hacking, does it sound more like sneezing or more like dusty may be trying to throw up?

If it is sneezing and he is not stuffed up, then it may be tha the gets into something that is dusty and he is just sneezing because of that. I do not know how young hairballls start, but I would imagine they can started as soon as they begin to groom themselves. Hopefully someone else will have better ideas.

Once again I am really glad that he is eating and seems to be doing better. I hope that is continues.:D

[kimlovescats]

Oh MY ... I am just reading this post for the first time, and what an emotional roller coaster you have been through!!! :eek: :(
I am so relieved to read that most recently Dusty seems to be doing great .... I hope and pray that he continues to improve and grow!!! Please do keep us posted, and we NEED PICTURES!!! ;)

[Steffi N]

I am happy that little Dusty is doing better and is eating heartily.
I hope this good news continues.

[sqwelch]

Way to go Dusty, I'm so relieved to hear you are on the mend. Here's hoping you get over the rest of the cold pretty soon too and meantime fill your boots with as many treats as you can ;)

[catcrazylady]

YIPPEE!!! It's about time the little one got a break!!! I'm so glad that Dusty is feeling better and eating like a little piggy!! This is the best news so far!!
Now...go load the software!!! We need pics of the baby we have been so worried about!:D :D :D :D http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

Thank you for taking such good care of Dusty! I hope you will be rewarded with many years of happiness together.

[joker98]

I posted some pics of Dusty :)

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43733