Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    
    I'm not sure if this is a result of her feeling unconfortable or
    not..
    
    But I have had cats that liked to sleep in the bathtub.
    
    So it may not be completely unusual..
    
    F.

    Portia always sleeps in the bathroom sink.  When we had a bathtub,
    she used to sleep in there.  I always figured that since she was
    long-haired that she liked the cool feeling of the porcelaine. 
    However, lately Elmo has been following in Portia's footsteps.
    
    Can you tell if Ninniane is running a fever?
    
    

    Take her temperature to be sure.  Get yourself an infant
    rectal thermometer.  A cats normal body temperature is
    around 102 I think.
    
    How long was she on the antiobiotic?  I've had Crybaby on
    clavamox for up to 3 weeks without any side effects.  What
    is the drooling caused by?  If she's got an infection she
    should be on some other type of antiobiotic I would think.
    
    Keep us posted.
    Donna

    I have one cat that can't tolerate Clavamox.  It makes her drool,
    and get an upset stomach.  She will not eat when she is taking the
    Clavamox.  You  might want to try switching to a different antibiotic,
    maybe amoxicillian.
    
    my experience
    cin
    

    Oh yeah, the average cat temperature is around 101 - 102.  I just
    bought one of those digital thermometers...about $6 at CVS.  It's
    accurate, doesn't take as long to register as the glass ones.  Besides,
    I can read this one, and I have a hard time with the glass ones.
    But, what I think I like best about the digital thermometers is
    that they are not glass....therefore they can't break by mistake
    if you got a squirmy cat.
    
    Just make sure the thermometer you buy goes to at least 110 degrees
    to be on the safe side.
    
    cin
    

    Yes, she drooled and heaved-ho on the Clavamox. Not to mention
    the stress that giving her the antibiotic caused.  She hasn't
    been upchucking or drooling since I took her off it.  I'm leery
    of giving her additional antibiotic since a.)it doesn't help the
    cold, and b.) the stress of giving her the medication probably
    weakens her against fighting the cold.
    
    I'll try the thermometer, however, when the vet took her 
    temperature she really "expressed" her feelings on the matter,
    shall we say.
    
    Her sitting in the sink,tub behavior is very recent and seems
    to be due to the cold she has.
    
    She is up and around now, where the last few days she was just 
    sleeping all day and looking miserable.  She is also less stuffed
    up, so she is probably on the mend.  I'm probably just worrying
    too much, but what else is new. ;-)
    
    Thanks for the replies,
    
    Mary-Michael

    Hi M-M,
    
    I do know what you mean about worrying.  A age old question,
    to give medication or not to give it.  Will the cold just
    give up and go away on its own in a few days?  Will the
    rest of the family get it?  Should I bring her in?  Will
    the Vet think I'm a nut?  How sick is she really?  How
    long should I wait before I "do" something?  Should I
    do nothing?  If I, If I, If I  ...  If I wait, and she
    gets really sick - oh boy, the guilt.  If I take her in
    and the vet says, well, we can wait and see ($20.00 for
    the visit) or the vet says, well, we can try these pills
    ($20.00 for the visit plus $10.00 for the pills) - cat
    pukes up the pills $$$ - cat gets better without pills
    in 2 or 3 days !!  Husband is VERY $$$ angry.  oh well.
    
    I'm getting so that all I have to do is hear a cat sneeze
    ONCE - I'm on that cat like a flea - checking her out for
    anything unusual - watching her for days -  etc.
    
    
    I do understand - sometimes it's wise to wait and do nothing
    as long as you watch her carefully - as long as she is eating,
    and drinking water.  Keep an eye on her body temp - if she
    looks nasty, then take her in.  It sure is tough being a MOM !!

    I am with Cin and the rest who suggest trying to take her temp.
    A cat's normal temperature can range from 101 - 102 and sometimes
    slightly higher.  If she is running a fever, that can be an indication
    that she has some type of infection, and she would need antibiotics
    for that.  Another thing that I do with cats whose temp is difficult
    to take is to pick them up in my arms and be aware of how warm their
    body feels against my arms, then pick up a well cat and see how
    warm they feel in my arms.  It is not scientific, but it has helped
    in a few cases.  Also, feel her nose, and her paw pads and her ears.
    All can feel warm to the touch if a cat has a fever.
    
    I know how it feels when you think you are running to the vet for
    every little sniffle or sneeze.  I have felt like a real dummy when
    I brought my cat in, thinking she was on her death bed, only to
    be told by the vet that she was completely healthy, and I had just
    caught her when she was in the middle of a very deep sleep.  It
    is hard being a Kitty Mom.  Ken used to complain about the $$$ for
    unnecessary vet visits, but I would rather be safe than sorry. 
    I am very lucky to have a husband who understands how much these
    guys mean to me.  Now he just grimaces and writes the vet a check.
    
    Another thought, if she is not eating well, try tempting her with
    Nutrical.  It is a dietary supplement that comes in a tube like
    Petromalt.  It has lots of calories and vitamins and minerals, and
    will help her keep up her strength so that she can fight this off.
    A big plus is that it apparantly tastes great too, my cats would
    kill for it.
    
    Jo

    Well, I called the vet, and they said, "no you're not being 
    silly." so I feel better.  Niniane has a 5:00 PM appointment
    (uh, boss, I have this sick cat....).  They think she may have
    "kitty strep".  I'll keep you posted.
    
    Mary-Michael "the worried Mom"

    When Holly had a resp. infection, the vet suggested very smelly
    food for her, the theory being she wasn't eating because she couldn't
    smell the food.  I tried Nine Lives Supper Supper (humans keel over
    200 yards away when the can is opened).  I think it worked, but
    I don't rememebr as it was long ago.
    

    I sometimes try tuna - the cold nose cold ears theory works with
    my crew.  Although it's been a while since any of my pigs have
    lost their appetite !!  Sasha was very sick many years ago and
    wouldn't eat - I tried (people) canned salmon - it worked!  
    I guess tempting them with smelly stuff really does work.

    I save the free cans of Kitty Queen that they give us at shows for
    the times when I have cats who don't want to eat.  That stuff really
    stinks!  I put on a gas mask before opening it, and then I have
    to chase away all the neighborhood cats who can smell it miles away...
    ;^).
    
    Good luck at the vets.
    
    Jo

    :-(   Sick kitty   :-(
    
    I took Niniane in last night, and they kept her overnight.  She
    is dehydrated and has a secondary infection.  They had her on
    kitty intravenous.  I'm waiting for the vet to call me back to
    find out how she is and if I can pick her up today.
    
    I'll keep you posted.
    
    Mary-Michael

    :-(  Still sick kitty :-(
    
    I just talked to the vet.  Niniane still has
    a fever of 104.6 and isn't eating.  They are giving
    her fluids intravenously, but penecillin doesn't seem
    to be helping.  They switching antibiotics today and
    keeping an eye on her.  She'll probably be there tonight
    as well.  I'm stopping over anyway on the way home to
    pick up some more eye ointment for Charm.
    
    ohhhhhhh, I feel so helpless........
    
    Mary-Michael

    Good luck MM.  I hope she's better soon.  Be sure you
    keep us posted.
      Nancy DC
    

    Poor Niniane.  I hope the other 3 are also getting better.
    
    	-Nancy

    
    
    	Poor kitty...
    
    	best wishes to you and to Niniane for a speedy recovery!
    
    	JJ
    

    M-M, don't worry, she is in good hands.  She will come through this
    with flying colors.
    
    Jo

    
    The "cat in the sink syndrome" is quite widespread.
    
    I know many cats and almost all of them will drink out of the bath
    or shower even when you are still in it.
    
    The bigest risk if your cat has a cold is falling in ours has been
    in the bath (while it was full) twice while trying to ddrink the
    water, now she dips her paw and licks it.
    
    If the vet says it's ok and it's not running a tempreture don't
    worry.
    
    
    Andrew Hoare.
    
    
    

    When Holly had a respiratory infection when I first adopted her, the
    vet said even when its really bad, a cat who gets medical attention
    survives.  Holly took about two and a half weeks before she started
    getting better.  Both the vet and I had begun to make noises about
    "maybe we shouldn't put her thru this, she is so miserable" a day or
    so before she started improving.  She was really in bad shape.  So,
    I think it is true that if you hang in there, it will be okay.  Please
    keep us up to date.  Kisses to Nininane.
    

    By the way, Holly spent the two and a half weeks in at the vet's,
    getting fluids (dehydration is a serious problem), anitbiotics, etc.
    

    Well, Niniane's still at the vets.  We're having xrays done
    this afternoon to check for pneumonia.  If she's not too 
    groggy from the anethesia, I'm going to have a chat with
    her tonight when I stop by.  They said her fever's down a
    bit, and she's a bit perkier today.
    
    I did a sanity check with the vet today on the bill.  I felt
    bad doing it, but I needed to know if I was busting the budget.
    With today's xrays I'm up to $150.  For xrays, medication and two
    days boarding, I'm very pleased.  I thought I was closer to $300.
    Of course, now no one else, not even Mom, can get sick for awhile!
    
    Mary-Michael

    M-M, I know the feeling and I can relate.  I still owe the vet for
    Livee and her problems, but it was worth it.  She is alive and well
    and making my cat sitter and her family very happy.  Luckily, I
    have a very understanding vet that lets me pay $25.00 a week
    (with as many cats as I have, it is a good idea to keep a vet on
    retainer!:^D).
    
    Jo

    SHE'S HOME!!! SHE'S HOME!!! SHE'S HOME!!!	
    
    Apparently  the vet got sick of me calling every hour
    to check on her ;-).
    
    No really, the xrays showed no signs of pneumonia, and
    aside from being much thinner than previously, she is home
    safe and sound.
    
    She's been very good about taking her pills, so far (thanks
    for the tip, Elaine. Standing works real well for her), and
    she demands constant attention.  She sat on my lap for hours
    last night and even let me brush her.  And she never once
    stopped purring!
    
    Thanks for the support everybody, I'm so glad she's home!
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane, Charm, Boogie, Dream & ?????

    Yeah!  Glad she is home and improving.
    
    Jo