I'm having a most shocking crisis with Sian

[Siwsan]

I don't know what's happening. She was fine on Wednesday. Yesterday she slept a lot but came downstairs and sat on my lap, checking out what I was eating. She didn't eat much, but that happens, sometimes. The only thing different we've done is give her a topical flea treatment.

Now she's just limp, listless, and I feel she's fading away from me. I can only hope I can get her to the vet as soon as they open. There are no 24 hour emergency vets anywhere near here.

This is TOTALLY out of the blue and just might be my breaking point. I'm going to hold her, all night, and hope she rallies but somehow I don't think that will happen.

I will update.

[littlemissmartypants]

1. OMGod! I feel for you Siwsan. Sending hope!!

[Siwsan]

2. Her breathing and eyes tell me she might be going, but she hasn't lost all strength

Every once in a while she stretches out her front lets and grabs my pajama top. but her breathing is very rapid. I hold very little, if any hope, she will last much longer and I have NO clue why this is happening!! Honestly, in less than 36 hours she went from being a very active fur baby to crisis. She's not in any discomfort and so all I can do is hold her through what ever is happening and hope for a miracle. My heart says she might have used that last bit of strength to climb up on me.

We gave Madoc the same flea treatment and he is just fine. She's just over 1 year old. Of course, she was a lone litter survivor feral rescue so there might have been a genetic time bomb waiting to go off.

I will update. Thanks for your kind words.

[MerrilyMerrily]

3. Oh no

I'm hoping for a miracle Siwsan, so much.

[amerikat]

7. I feel your pain.

When you would give everything and anything so save her/him and there seems nothing you can do. I lost one last week.
What med did you give her?
At one time in the past I had a brother and sister cats. They got a shot from the vet. One cat acted as if she was drunk and the other one had twitching under her fur. Vet came out and gave them epinephrine and the both recovered. Best wishes to you and your fur baby.

[Siwsan]

10. I tossed the box so I don't remember

It might have been Sergeant's. That was on Monday, I think, so one would think any problems would show up sooner.

She's breathing at between 25 and 30 breaths per minute which isn't super high. I think it's just the sharpness that's scary. That's what I'm focused on watching.

[niyad]

46. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious baby.

[littlemissmartypants]

13. You're such a natural caregiver your instincts are right on.

I hope she doesn't leave you but unfortunately they're only with us for a short while but we can keep them in our hearts forever. Is it possible she had an Insect or spider bite. Or did she lick something toxic? Could it be an allergic reaction?

Just grasping here but still sending hope.

Stay strong. We love you. ❤️

[littlemissmartypants]

19. You're welcome, Siwsan. ❤️

[Siwsan]

5. She suddenly got up and moved to a side table but then went limp, again

I've put her back on the puppy pad, on my lap. Maybe the blanket was too much for her. I tried to give her some water but she wouldn't drink any. Every once in a while she opens her mouth but no sound comes out. I'm afraid it is agonal breathing. All I can do is watch.

This is agonizing. I feel like someone has put a curse on my fur babies.

[littlemissmartypants]

14. No, no, no! No curses!

[jfz9580m]

4. I am so sorry to hear that

Hope she stays with you .

[Siwsan]

6. It doesn't look good, but I won't give up hope

Her breathing is very rapid and there has been a couple instances of what sounded like agonal breathing.

She had a sudden burst of energy but is now back to limp. That's happened twice.

[jfz9580m]

8. Crossing my fingers for you

I haven’t lost a kitty in a while (I am pretty much like you..I have four cats plus a visiting Tom these days) but it is always saddening when one does..

[Nanakoff]

9. This happened to my cat

I am so sorry to hear this. Several years ago I treated 3 of my cats with a topical flea treatment. I forget the brand. Two were fine, the third collapsed - couldn’t stand - completely out of it. She pulled through!!! Although, she lost fur in a big patch where the treatment was applied. You might look at the negative reviews for the product you used and hear how others dealt with this. I hope the very best for you.

[Siwsan]

11. Gryff had a patch problem with topicals so he gets combed and pills

A friend of mine had two black cats that had issues with topicals.

There has been such a horrible flea problem, this year, and I was bringing so many of them in on my clothing, without realizing it.

[littlemissmartypants]

15. I've used sevin dust at the farm before. But it's not without cautions.

But it also works.

[padfun]

43. Nytenpyram

It is the only thing that works and doesn't hurt the cats. Lots of cats get hurt with topicals.

I use the powder form and you cant find it at stores. I get it online.

[Nanakoff]

12. One more thought...

This 24 hour ASPCA has been a godsend when my cat ate a toxic plant. I did have to pay something but they consulted a vet and were very thorough. They may have a possible remedy? Oh, I hope kitty pulls through.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: [phone]

[littlemissmartypants]

16. This is so important and helpful. I just added it to my address book. TY! ❤️

[Siwsan]

17. Thanks. She's an indoor cat and nothing new has come in to the house

I've used food grade diatomaceous earth, inside, but not for a while.

[wnylib]

47. My cat's vet warned me about using some over the counter

flea treatments. Said that I should only use the one that their office uses, a liquid drop on the back of her neck. Don't know what it's called, have not needed to use it in a few years since Ember is strictly indoors and I am seldom in a place to pick up fleas and bring them inside.

[DUgosh]

18. Hugs

[Siwsan]

21. 4 more hours until I can call to get registered at the vet to be seen

The vet is no-appointment, first come first served but you have to register on line. Then you find out how many are in line before you. Registration opens at 7:50 and they open at 8 so I'll call right away. The vet is very close.

She's awake and her tail twitches but her breathing is very fast. I've lost fur babies before but I've never seen such a rapid decline. And she's just 1 year old.

[HeartsCanHope]

20. Checked online to refresh my memory and 20-30 breaths per minute is in the normal range.

So sorry this is happening to you both. One of our cats, Osie, had a heart murmur. The cardiologist vet said if his breath rate dropped below 18 to bring him in immediately, (vet was in the emergency vet clinic.) My thoughts are with you and Sian. I hope with everything in me that she's okay. Hugs to you and Sian.

[Siwsan]

22. Her breathing is very rapid

I'm racking my brain as to what she could possible have gotten in to but nothing has changed in the house. She won't eat or drink. I've given her a little water via a syringe but the last time it just ran right back out of her mouth.

I just keep watching her breathe.

[virgdem]

23. I really would urge you to call the ASPCA Animal poison center.

They may have some info that could benefit your situation until you can get her to the Vet. Please keep us posted. Thinking of you and all your kitty kids.

[HeartsCanHope]

24. I wish I had the knowledge to help you.

Last edited Fri Jul 19, 2024, 04:10 AM - Edit history (1)

Osie had a few weird episodes over the years before he was diagnosed. One of the scariest was when he literally screamed, then had a full-blown seizure. So we raced him to the new emergency vet about a half an hour away. They couldn't find anything wrong! Referred us back to our old vet, who also couldn't find anything wrong. That was well before we got an emergency clinic with specialty doctors like the vet cardiologist that finally diagnosed him. Osie was always more low-energy than his litter mate Seb, but he always got a clean bill of health from the vet. Osie was an old man when he was finally diagnosed around 15 or 16. Our new vet heard a heart murmur, and referred us to the emergency clinic. He lived to be 18. That's what I am hoping for for Sian. That your vet figures out what's wrong. That she lives a long, long life. Please give her some pets from me. My heart is with you both.

[Roy Rolling]

25. Emergency Treatment

Regardless of the current underlying cause treat it as an accidental poisoning. If it is neurological, that treatment will usually not be harmful.

You must consult 24/7 vet NOW for guidance until you can get to a facility.

We have a mobile vet who we call, I pray you find help—you’re doing as much as any loving person knows to do. 😻

[Rhiannon12866]

26. Do you have an emergency vet clinic in the area? I'd give them a call ASAP

[Siwsan]

28. There are none anywhere near me

Hard to believe, I know.

I got her to take a little bit of cat food gravy and she licked her mouth. Every once in a while she still gets a big burst of energy.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. Do you have a regular vet? I'd give them a call now or as soon as they open to advise you what to do

There's one near me, I wish you could consult them, they were great with both my cat and my dog.

[Siwsan]

31. I'm going to get her booked as soon as the registration link opens

They are first come first served but you register and 'get in line'. The registration opens at 7:50 so I'll be on line immediately. I live just about a 3 minute drive from the clinic so as soon as I get her registered I'll head to the office.

It's been a week, today, since I lost the little feral kitten, Tegwen.

[Rhiannon12866]

32. I remember and I'm so sorry. Be sure to let them know that you have an emergency.

I've gotten out of the way when I'm at my vet and an emergency comes in.

[femmedem]

27. Oh no, Siwsan. I'm so very sorry to read this. It is probably the Sergeant's flea medicine.

Last edited Fri Jul 19, 2024, 05:59 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm reading online that it isn't as safe for cats as other brands like Frontline or Advantage.

I hope she pulls through. I feel so awful for you both.

[Siwsan]

30. I know I read that one of the most recommended flea collars was harming cats

I think that was Serresto, or something like that. They cost about $50.

A little over 2 hours and I can get her booked to be seen. Hopefully I will be one of the first in line. I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps her for a few hours.

She's had some really strong bursts of energy and her breathing has slowed and softened. She even took a few eye droppers worth of cat food gravy.

I'm going to get myself ready, now.

[elleng]

33. ;-)

[femmedem]

34. Good luck, Siwsan. And if you need help with the vet bills

or a safer flea medicine, please put up a Go Fund Me. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would donate. You and your cats are beloved here.

[littlemissmartypants]

38. Absolutely second the motion on the GFM suggestion.

I'm quite sure DUers will donate with great generosity. I don't think there would be an issue. We've had fundraising here before.

[HeartsCanHope]

35. Yes, whatever you and Sian need, Siwsan.

I am happy to help in any way I can.

[PikaBlue]

36. Bathe Her

Can you bathe her? If she is having an allergic reaction to the flea powder, you might see loss of coordination, dilated pupils, among other symptoms. In the short term, it would be helpful to remove the flea powder by bathing her. If you can't bathe her, can you at least wipe her down with a washcloth? I'm praying for you and your baby!

[Siwsan]

37. Not seeing anything like that

It was a liquid topical and it was applied on Monday. I did wipe her down, though.

[Diamond_Dog]

39. I will keep both of you in my thoughts today.

[Siwsan]

40. Thank you

My brother is headed over to go with me. 5 more minutes and I can log in to get a spot in line.

[HeartsCanHope]

41. Glad you have someone to go with you.

Take care.

[Chicagogrl1]

42. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[StarryNite]

44. Hoping Sian recovers quickly.

You might check online for safe, natural flea repellants for cats. There are a lot of options to try. Much safe than putting poison on them.

[TommieMommy]

45. I pray 🙏 she will be ok