URI a week before gotcha day

[linathehuman]

Hi everyone,

My breeder let me know that my kitty has just been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. She is 12 weeks old today, and I was going to travel out of state to go pick her up in a week. Luckily the airlines has a forgiving cancellation policy, but I am so bummed out at the thought of having to rearrange my plans. I'm also worried about my kitty, of course.

She went to the vet a couple of days ago and got put on antibiotics and eye ointment because her eyes are puffy and runny. She is not showing signs of a stuffy/runny nose but a couple of her litter mates are. My breeder said that her vet thinks the kittens got it from changes in the weather there lately. She also said that they are eating and drinking normally, and not running fevers. She also offered up the phone # of her vet in case I had questions for her, which I thought was great.

Before I plan on waiting it out, potentially enduring some change of plans stress near the end of the week, I wanted to see if it's realistic to think that she'll be ready to come home with me in a week? I'm hoping the antibiotics will start helping really soon.

 

[GoldHazel]

Hi everyone,

My breeder let me know that my kitty has just been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. She is 12 weeks old today, and I was going to travel out of state to go pick her up in a week. Luckily the airlines has a forgiving cancellation policy, but I am so bummed out at the thought of having to rearrange my plans. I'm also worried about my kitty, of course.

She went to the vet a couple of days ago and got put on antibiotics and eye ointment because her eyes are puffy and runny. She is not showing signs of a stuffy/runny nose but a couple of her litter mates are. My breeder said that her vet thinks the kittens got it from changes in the weather there lately. She also said that they are eating and drinking normally, and not running fevers. She also offered up the phone # of her vet in case I had questions for her, which I thought was great.

Before I plan on waiting it out, potentially enduring some change of plans stress near the end of the week, I wanted to see if it's realistic to think that she'll be ready to come home with me in a week? I'm hoping the antibiotics will start helping really soon.

@linathehuman I'm truly sorry to hear that your baby girl is not feeling well at the time (right before Gotcha Day). I went through this, so I understand your feelings and dilemma. I had to travel from NY to FL and changing plans like that can be stressful when things are up in the air while worrying about the new little one.

I can't tell you for sure if one week of being on meds will do the trick or not. I was impressed with your breeder giving you her vet's phone number. What antibiotic is she on? I can tell you from my experience, Clavamox won't do the trick.

Hang in there.

 

[linathehuman]

@linathehuman I'm truly sorry to hear that your baby girl is not feeling well at the time (right before Gotcha Day). I went through this, so I understand your feelings and dilemma. I had to travel from NY to FL and changing plans like that can be stressful when things are up in the air while worrying about the new little one.

I can't tell you for sure if one week of being on meds will do the trick or not. I was impressed with your breeder giving you her vet's phone number. What antibiotic is she on? I can tell you from my experience, Clavamox won't do the trick.

Hang in there.

Thank you for your understanding and support! How did things work out when you went through this?

She said she's on Clavamox and Dex Opth ointment for her eyes.

 

[GoldHazel]

Thank you for your understanding and support! How did things work out when you went through this?

She said she's on Clavamox and Dex Opth ointment for her eyes.

@linathehuman sending you PM.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Sorry to hear about the delay in Gotcha Day, but it is wonderful your breeder is upfront and honest and feels best to hold the litter an extra week or 2. The fact that she is sharing who her vet is and that you can call them is great. We have seen Clavamox is not always effective in this breed, but for some it does work. So let your breeder make the decision on how the antibiotic is working and if it is not, her vet will prescribe another like Orbax or if really stubborn, perhaps Doxycycline. But for now, best to let your breeder know you have confidence in their ability to send you a healthy baby when the coast is clear. Please keep us updated.

Patti

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I know this is disappointing to you, plus, the biggest issue, is, the worry
about your baby. Great your Breeder, is being honest with you.
Plus, gave you, the Vet, number. I would ask the breeder, if, the
baby could stay, a week more, after, she, is better. To make sure.
She is completely, over it. Because, it, is so easy for them to get a
URI when, they, come to their new home.

 

[GoldHazel]

@linathehuman I forgot to mention something else important to you:

Ask the breeder if she is giving the kittens L-Lysine? They should be getting it and when they have an URI, the daily dosage should be doubled. It will absolutely make a difference in the kittens getting better quicker.

I like to suggest what I do anyway, and that is when bringing a healthy kitten in to my home, I automatically double the amount of L-Lysine for a week or two. The move can be stressful on a kitten leaving their mother cat and siblings. Stress alone can bring on an URI.

So please call your breeder back and don't feel like you are being annoying. You are doing this for the babies.

 

[Toa and Ross]

So sorry to hear your little one is dealing with this and you have to deal with this disappointment. I know how excited we all are/were for our Gotcha Day and how long the days tend to be when counting down till your baby comes home. So I can imagine it must be very hard to wait longer then you supposed to. Hope your little girl will feel better soon.
All fingers and paws crossed gotcha day will be next week!

 

[Yoda mom]

@linathehuman , thinking of you - Sending positive vibes !
Please keep us updated ((hugs))

 

[Hairless Blessing]

How is your baby?

 

[linathehuman]

Thank you for your kind and helpful words, everyone!

While her litter mates' conditions improved dramatically, my little girl actually got worse. It was an emotional and stressful week waiting to hear updates and when it became time to make the final call on whether or not she could come home with me (we waited just to see but the breeder was very honest and realistic with me the whole time, preparing me for the bad news) I was given a couple of options:

First option, wait at least a few weeks to see if her conditions improve. Second option, take home her brother. I didn't even know she had any other kittens available, and it just so happened that the family who had a deposit on the other kitten ended up backing out last minute.

I was sooooo terribly torn at first. Not only had I grown so fond of this little girl, but I felt like I had somewhat of a responsibility to see through the end of this sickness with her. However, after much thought and consideration we decided to take her brother home instead. We felt like it was the best decision for us given the circumstances (flight booked and a week of vacation off work already set aside to welcome in new kitty) and thought it was the more practical decision. Healthy cat = happy cat. Had to take a lot of things into consideration. Good news is no matter what happens with the little girl, breeder said she might just keep her anyway. And I was just so impressed with the level of care she has been receiving. Literally the breeder was doing (and still is) everything she can possibly do to nurse the little girl back to health.

So, after an emotional bittersweet roller coaster of a week, I'm excited to say that today is still gotcha day and I couldn't be more excited and optimistic about my future with this little guy.

 

[linathehuman]

The brother also had a URI but went on antibiotics, got better, and has been on L-lysine. I will continue a double dosage of l-lysine when he gets home and will take him in for a wellness check ASAP.

 

[GoldHazel]

@linathehuman my heart goes out to you as I totally understood your words above when you said that you felt like you had to take care of the little girl, etc. As you know, I've been down that road.

Melina, I wish you the very best with your little boy and want to see lots of pics as soon as you can get them posted. Enjoy the rest of your time off from work with your pride and joy.

Robin

 

[Xandria]

Hugs to you. I can totally understand how you'd be torn over this decision. But taking home a healthy boy seems the best solution. Positive and healing vibes for the little girl.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I always say trust your gut. Looking forward to your pics!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I think you made a wise decision. It would be so heartbreaking
to get her home, her still sick, and you loose her. I think, that,
would have been terrible and hard for you.
I know it would me. I'm glad you have a honest and trustworthy breeder.
I think, when, breeder's have a sick kitten, they, should, be honest,
like yours, and always, give them the option, of another kitten, even,
If, it's from the next litter, or their money back. But, every breeder
Isn't as honest as yours. We've seen that many times here.
Sad, to say. Looking forward to seeing pics of your baby.