Basil's First Vet Trip

[NoahsMommy]

Well, it's venting time....

I took Basil to his 2:00 vet appointment today...everything was fine, he likes the car, loves his carrier and layed there playing with my fingers while laying on his back. He did well in the exam room...doing his typical kitten stuff. The vet even stopped mid sentence to say "ahhhhhh" when Basil put his paws on my chest and rubbed his head against me.

So, off he goes to get blood tested, skin scraped (his ears had a little bit of scaley skin on them) and a fecal test. The vet comes back in and asks me if I want the "good" or "bad" news first. Well...our little Basil came with MANGE!!! This means that all three cats may have it!! So I had to go home and get Noah and Noel for their treatment...Noel had to have an exam because she hasn't been to this vet before (she is still on Banfield Insurance)...$239.00 later, we're all home and exhasted! Noah is hiding under the bed, Basil is sleeping in his room and Noel is my shadow.

When I called my husband, he said we should get a refund on Basil for having to spend and extra $60 on shots. What do you all think? I am going to call the person that we got Basil from to let her know the other kittens will have mange too.

[Lachesis]

Man I am sorry your kitten had Mange (what is it BTW??)

[sasvermont]

Ah, you did get caught in a bad situation. When kittens and animals in general, get exposed to the general pet population, they can catch just about anything. Your other cats may never have caught mange, but chances are they were exposed and would have been at risk, for sure.

I would chalk it up to experience. Basil and you had no control over this problem.

My kittens had Girardia when I got them. And I got them from a good breeder. She has no idea how they got it. Kittens are just so frail - and into everything!

I am so sorry to hear about this, but it is better to have caught it now. You may want to do some Internet searching on the subject. I think it is pretty common and for the most part, easily treated.

Keep us posted on that sweet Basil et al!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kelly, I'm so sorry to hear about Basil's mange. Is this similar to ringworm? At least it's treatable. Hopefully Noah and Noel won't get it. When I adopted Storm he had earmites, fleas, toxoplasmosis, an upper respiratory infection, and possibly other types of worms. He was out with the stray cats at the Humane Society. Luckily I didn't have any other cats at the time. Even though it sounds bad now, I'm sure that everything will work out. Storm's illness actually caused a very strong bond to form. I got Pepper when he was 9 weeks old from an organization called Care and he was at a Petco. He had fleas, roundworms, and toxoplasmosis. I was lucky with Sunny. All he has are food allergies. I think that most kittens have some kind of problem when you first get them. Good luck. Please keep us posted.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Poor Basil has mange.... sorry..
At least it is curable and you caught it early.
Basil sounds like a little angel... I wish I could meet him. His pictures and stories are always such happy ones... **HUGS to you Basil... you are one special kitty**

[Miss Meow]

Sorry to hear about the mange. Anything contagious is a right pain in the backside. I'd call Basil's previous home, at least to advise of the condition so they can do something about it quickly. If they are reasonable people, the very least they can do is pay your vet bills???

[yumyum6970]

aww poor basil. he is too cute to have mange

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I've heard of Mange too, but don't really know what it is. Sorry that poor, cute little Basil has it though. And hopefully the other two won't get it, but it sounds like it was caught early enough and treated so hopefully it won't be a problem. Head bumpies and scritchies to sweet little Basil to help him get better.

[wolflady]

Ahhhhh...poor little Basil!! How terrible! I'm so glad you were able to catch this early on...especially since Noah and Noel were exposed. Bless all their little hearts! Did they all have to get injections for treatment? Do you have to take all 3 of them back later for more treatment? I think it's a great idea that you're going to call the person you got Basil from, since all the kittens probably have it. Poor little things! Do let us know what happens. **hugs**

For anyone who may not know, Mange (called notoedric mange in cats, sarcoptic mange in dogs) is a skin condition caused by a parasite that burrows into the animal's skin and is contageous to other pets. It causes intense itchiness, especially affecting the ears, elbows, and face. People can pick up this disease from their pet and show symptoms of itching, but it goes away by itself in a short time and does not require treatment. However, animals do require a treatment to get rid of it.

[NoahsMommy]

Basil seems to be doing just fine...he's having a great time wandering around the apartment with his "protectors" (Noah or myself) close by to ward off Noel. All cats are doing just fine after their shots...no change at all.

Here is a link on what type of mange he had....they all got the injection treatment. Mange

On a good note, Basil's fecal test came back "healthy", still waiting for the blood work.

[NoahsMommy]

Just got a call from the vet...Basil is free and clear of leukemia!! YAY!!! But...the kitties are due back in two weeks for another shot!! Shhhhh...don't tell them!!

[wolflady]

YAY for Basil!!! I'm so glad that everyone's doing good!! Give them all some extra lovins and some treats!!

This must have been a chock to you !!!
But , with lots of love and adequate care , your cats will get better !!
Lets us know how they are coping !!! SUCCESS !!!

http://community.webshots.com/user/sydneybilliepets

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad that Basil's other tests came back fine and that he's doing well. Thanks for the update.

[lovemymaltese]

sorry to hear about the mange, I feel sorry for the little kittens.