Home with pneumonia :(

[Spoon&Sphynx]

I finally brought my new kitten, Darwin, home this morning. He was a surprise gift for my boyfriend, and the whole reveal went flawlessly. We were so excited. I knew Darwin had a bit of a cold, and he seemed pretty sick when I picked him up. Luckily, I had already set up a vet appointment for later this afternoon. After only having him for 4 hours, we took him to the vet and were told he has pneumonia and might not make it. The vet gave him several treatments while there and some to continue at home. She said if he hasnt improved by Monday, she wants to admit him. My heart is broken and all the fun of the surprise is gone. Please send healing thoughts his way. He's such a small, fragile little guy who has already stolen our hearts in just a few hours.

Any advice is much appreciated <3

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@Spoon&Sphynx
Lair Prayers are sent. I am sick to my stomach for you. Did you contact the breeder already to keep them in the loop? I hope they are being supportive. You know you have the entire Lair pulling for your boy.


Patti

 

[Caloci]

I am so sorry your little man is ill. Most breeders require a vet check within X amount of time. I would let her know. Most good breeders would reimburse you for the vet cost seeing as how he was sick when you got him. My little guy was fine when he left the breeders house, but developed a respiratory infection the same day. Anything worse than that and I think the breeder should be on the hook. Assuming your breeder actually has a health guarantee of some kind.

I am sorry your happy day has a dark shadow cast over it. Know that we here at our house you have us in your corner praying for a fast recovery. Keep us posted. XOX

 

[gothicmist]

Praying for you♡

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

I texted the breeder and she has not responded. His contract came with a health guarantee, and also said he would have all his vacinations done. According to the history she gave me, he hasn't had any vacines yes. And he was CLEARLY sick when I picked him up. HIs face was all crusty from his eyes leaking and he had thick green boogers coming out his nose.

Unfortunately, as I was on my way to the breeder's house, she texted me to say her mom was in the hospital so it would have to be a quick pick up. I didn't have time to look at him until we were in the car.

What's strange to me though is that she was so supportive through the whole waiting process. She told me when he was sick, when he went to the vets, that they treated him for sniffles in October. She told me she wasn't letting him go until 16 weeks, but would let him leave early if he was better. She finally said he could come home at 14 weeks. He'll be 15 weeks Monday. But he's clearly not well. So I'm not sure what happened.

 

[Condo commando]

That's terrible news and I hope Darwin recovers.

You definitely need to tell the breeder right away and that breeder needs to have all the cats in the cattery checked for pneumonia now that they've been exposed.

Now that I've read your last post about how the breeder acted throughout, I will tell you my experience with breeders has been mixed. Anyone can claim to be a reputable breeder and act like they are all about the animals, but until something is wrong you don't know. And it's probably just because breeders are runing a business, pure and simple. That's not to say a breeder wants to sell sick kittens, but a person can convince himself or herself that a kitten is not really sick when being sick means vet bills. It can happen to an owner too, who ignores signs of illness because it means paying vet bills. Here's where I think breeders take it to an extreme - if you don't want to treat a little kitten, OK, that's you choice, cold though it may be. Keep the kitten for observation then. At least don't take somebody's money and let them deal with the repercussions.

I'm wishing the best for all the cats in that cattery and most especially sending well wishes to Darwin.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@Spoon&Sphynx Just remain positive. If breeder is under stress due to family health issues, she might shut down if you become accusatory/aggressive. Vet will have all documentation needed so just keep your energy on Darwin. I know you cannot help but feel sad and disappointed right now. But when Darwin improves your bond will be even bigger than imagined.

Assuming you admitted him, bring nice blankets tomorrow with your scent so he is wrapped in your love.

Please keep us updated.

Purrs & Peace,

Patti

 

[MollysMom]

Hoping that he pulls through like a champ. She should have never let him leave in that condition. I hope that she does the right thing and gets in touch with you to work out a solution. It sounds a bit suspicious that she wanted it to be a quick pick up considering the obvious condition that he is in. She should have had a vet signed letter stating that he was in good health for him to go home with. I am crazy, if that was me I would be waiting for her at her house if she wasn't getting ahold of me. Things happen in life, but to send a kitten home like that is beyond irresponsible.

Did the vet make any suggestions about liquids or L-lysine? Anything about using a humidifier for him? Is he eating or drinking at all?

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

The vet did an injection of antibiotics at the vet, as well as pumping his skin with fluid. They gave us some refrigerated antibiotics to give him at home as well as some eye drops. We were feeding him with a syringe earlier but he finally started eating on his own a little bit ago. He's woken up a bit and seems less lethargic. The vet has us putting him in the bathroom with a humidifer and the shower running for 15 minutes 3 times a day and beating his chest to help break the gunk up. She said if there's no improvement Monday morning to bring him there immideatly to be admitted.

I'm going to give the breeder until Monday. I sent her a nice text just letting her know he had pheumonia and was in really rough shape. On Monday I'll contact her again to see if I can get more information about why he wasn't vacinated. :/ and hopefully she'll make good with the contract and pay for the vet bills.

He seems to be doing okay right now. He's used the liter box on his own several times and is currently exploring the house. I just don't want him to overwork himself. I don't know how these little dudes find so much to get into!

 

[Caloci]

I texted the breeder and she has not responded. His contract came with a health guarantee, and also said he would have all his vacinations done. According to the history she gave me, he hasn't had any vacines yes. And he was CLEARLY sick when I picked him up. HIs face was all crusty from his eyes leaking and he had thick green boogers coming out his nose.

Unfortunately, as I was on my way to the breeder's house, she texted me to say her mom was in the hospital so it would have to be a quick pick up. I didn't have time to look at him until we were in the car.

What's strange to me though is that she was so supportive through the whole waiting process. She told me when he was sick, when he went to the vets, that they treated him for sniffles in October. She told me she wasn't letting him go until 16 weeks, but would let him leave early if he was better. She finally said he could come home at 14 weeks. He'll be 15 weeks Monday. But he's clearly not well. So I'm not sure what happened.

No good breeder would have ever let him go with him being sick and not having proof of vaccines etc. This is the really hard part, is he should have been left there. No one would ever want to, but this is how breeders keep getting away with things like this is by those sweet sick little babies pulling on our heart strings. We want nothing more than to protect them and make them healthy and that is what many breeders count on. I am sorry to say, but this person doesn't sound like a very good breeder.

Hugs

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I agree keep him in a very confined area so he does not roam and over exert himself. Sounds like vet has things covered from meds to humidifier etc. assuming Baytril was shot and subcutaneous fluids are a great boost. I know vet said by Monday, but if your gut says something is turning bad, trust it and go to emergency ASAP. Be sure to keep copies of all texts and correspondence with your breeder.

For now concentrate on Darwin's well being and not on the breeder. She will either step up or not and you cannot change her actions. Be the best Sphynx Mommy you can be

Hoping for even better news tomorrow. Being as he is home, no excuse for you to not hand deliver warm blankets from the dryer...lol

Patti

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

I went to meet him when he was 5 weeks old before putting a deposit down. All the kittens and both parents were very healthy and well taken care of. She seemed very knowledgable about the breed. I wouldn't have bought him otherwise. I just don't know what happened the past month. No idea.

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

Haha @Catzzzmeow he has an abundance of warm blankets and snuggles. I told him not to worry, as his new daddy and I are EXCELLENT at doing nothing but laying in bed watching Netflix for days on end hahaha

 

[Catzzzmeow]

You did your research, so do not spend time thinking you are at blame. You are in the best community possible. Just make breeder aware and document and do not stress hoping they react how you feel is appropriate. You cannot control the breeder. Follow your contract.

Give us the blow by blow. Glad to hear he is eating. If he stops eating/loses weight, @susi794 has posted a great recipe for glop that helps add calories/weight on those struggling.

We are here for you.

Patti

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

He just started purring for the first time!!!!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Yay!!! See he is not robbing you of the highs on gotcha day. Just keep him in a small area and he will thrive.

Patti

 

[Yoda mom]

@Spoon&Sphynx , Awh I have to wish you a happy Gotcha for Darwin because he is home surrounded with all your love and care! Just remember there are new human and animals babies born everyday that come to us with some challenges that most definitely can be overcome - it just makes the first part of the journey a little bit more pampered-

I look forward to good news updates and pics of Darwin!
Sending big healing hugs n kisses to Darwin! Love his name!

Ask the vet about clear unflavored pedialyte for hydration to keep on hand
And L-Lysine

Great advice given about dealing with the breeder


I am sure he is enjoying all your love and pampering..
Keep talking to him to be strong and feel better soon!
I am sure he is getting extra extra cuddle snuggles and is enjoying netflix with you.

Meows n Purrs from my zoo to baby Darwin!
Welcome home Darwin! We are pulling for ya!

 

[susi794]

Praying for little Darwin.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Aw, bless his heart. I'm sorry. It's not fair to him or you all.
I, sure pray, by Monday hopefully before, he will be, a lot better.
Do, keep us updated, on his progress.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Spoon&Sphynx , meows and purrs Darwin!we are thinking of you! ((( kitty kisses m hugs)))
How is Darwin this morning?

 

[Maren]

Wishing for a speedy recovery and sending lots of positive vibes!

 

[Jebsmom]

Aww sorry to hear ur baby is sick,hoping he makes a speedy recovery and feels better soon !

 

[Spoon&Sphynx]

He is doing so much beter today! He is eating both wet and dry food. He's playing with toys and bathing himself. He's been trying to paw at our other kitties under the doorway and keeps trying to talk to them. He is taking lots of naps and watching Netflix with mom.

He's currently hiding behind my computer moniter trying to attack my mouse haha

The shower/bathroom humidifer sessions are working wonders. His breathing today is so much easier. Even out of his nose a bit! I haven't seen any boogres today, and his eyes are leaking less. I'm hoping the medicine keeps helping!!!

 

[Caloci]

I am so relieved to hear that. He's not out of the woods yet, but keep doing what you are doing and hopefully he will keep improving.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@Spoon&Sphynx
Happy today was a WIN! He is a fighter and will count on him having more winning days ahead of him. Plan on 2 full weeks of him secluded even if he seems to improve greatly. Building him up will take some time and the less stress/newness the better. You watch he will bond in such a special way. There is something to say about cramped conditions. You will be all he focuses on...sweeeeet! Oh and keep those blankets fresh out of the dryer coming Mama.


Patti