Billy is sick

My beautiful boy, Bill, got sick yesterday. He was lying on the couch in the living room (which nobody ever goes into), and didn't show up for breakfast in the morning. We didn't think too much of it, but a couple of hours later, I invited everyone to go outside to enjoy the warm sunshine. He was not interested in going, although normally he is wild to get outside. I checked on him, and he was acting very lethargic and had a little clear liquid coming from his nose. His eyes looked weird too. I called my husband to come look at him. He didn't seem to me to have a fever, since his ears were still cool, but he just was not behaving right. We took him to the emergency vet and he was running a 105 fever! The vet said he was only slightly dehydrated, and I hope that's because we caught it pretty early. The vet kept him overnight and wants to keep him again today, because his fever is not breaking. He's hooked up to an IV and is getting anti-inflammatories and antibiotics through the IV. They are treating him for a kidney infection. The x-rays show that one kidney is either missing or abnormally small and the other kidney is larger, maybe to compensate. His blood values are all very close to normal.

He's only five, and has been so very healthy every day of his life til now. Has anybody ever experienced anything like this? Please pray for him!

I have absolutely no experience with kidney problems, but I keep my fingers crossed for your Billy boy:)

Bless him! If its the same as human kidney defects, he might be ok?! My kid suffers from a kedney defect where her right kidney is enlarged and the tube which joins into it is very tight which causes quite alot of U.T.I's...but you get to know the signs and catch it in plenty of time. Here's hoping its the same in cats ! My fingers are crossed for you and your buddy and I hope he gets well soon xxx

I'm so sorry to hear about Billy.:( I dont' have any experience with kidney problems either but I'm sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts your way. I sure hope that Billy gets better soon. Please try to keep us updated.

Prayers for Billy. I know this must be so scary for all of you right now. Please keep us updated.

Prayers for Bill. Get well soon.

The emergency vet kept him over Sunday night too, then he had to leave, since they close during the day on weekdays. The vet thought that he'd be OK at home with monitoring by me. Now they think that it is an intestinal infection, since he contracted bloody diarrhea and is still spotting pure blood. The vet says this should end within 12 hours. He seems very bright and alert, but the poor baby is having little poops everywhere. Right now I have him in the bathroom with rugs and towels and his basket, sandbox, food and water. He REALLY wants to get out of there. The trouble is, he's ex-feral, and very shy about handling, so it's very difficult to fool with him sometimes, especially when he's wigged out. I will have to give him antibiotics by syringe, too!! He has let me wipe his little bottom and pick him up and carry him when I must, bless him.

He's always been my healthy one--my other three all have chronic stuff like asthma and food allergies. I never thought it would be my Billie that would get so sick. The good thing is that he's so much brighter and more active than he was on Saturday. I am beginning to think we might not lose him after all. I'm just like my dad, I can only imagine worst case scenarios when these things happen. Just a raging pessimist, I guess.

Thank you and bless you for your good wishes. It helps so much in troubles like this!

On no! Poor little Billy. :( I sure hope he gets better soon. Sounds really scary, but if the vet let you bring him home, it sounds like he might be over the worst of it - hopefully! Now that the emergency vet is closed, have you thought about taking him to your regular vet to get his opinion? Second opinions never hurt.

Get better soon sweetie!

Thank you, Tubby and Peanut's and Cracker Jack's Mom, for your kind wishes. Yes, I did call my Bill's regular vet on Monday and got some great advice. The vet tech there actually fostered and socialized Bill and has a great fondness for him. Bill is getting better and better, and purrs again when we pet him and arches up into our hands to meet our pets. Bless him, I thought I was going to lose him there for a while!

Yeah! That's wonderful news! Keep getting better Billy boy! :D

I'm so glad Billy is better.

I'm just posting to let you know my little RB tiger Quasar also had one tiny, malformed kidney. The vet wasn't sure if it was a birth defect or the result of abuse by her previous owners.

However, she did live a happy normal live until the age of 16.

Let us know how Billy is doing!

Thank you, AbbyMom, for the kidney story. I'm glad you had 16 years of love with your kitty. The vet thought that Billy's kidney situation was a birth thing, too, and that it really wouldn't cause a problem unless he did contract a kidney infection some day.

Bill is doing better day by day, but still isn't very active, nor is he eating or drinking much. I'm giving him a little water by syringe to rinse out the taste of the bitter antibiotic. When I pull up the scruff on his neck, it lies right back down, so I don't think he's dehydrated. His eyes are bright and he sleeps all stretched out and comfortable. He's scheduled to go in to his regular vet's for a checkup this weekend. Three more days of antibiotics!

Thanks for your concern about this sick little guy--PT people are so great to talk to, both when things are wonderful AND when things are scary!

How is Billy doing? I hope that his vet visit went well and he is on the road to recovery. Meds should be done by now, I hope they did the trick!