Any Veterinarians Out There? I Need Help.
NOT FOR U IF YOU GET SQUEEMISH!
Ok I need some advice....
Yesterday I found a kitten. I stopped my car thinking she was dead, gonna move her out of the road. She kicked her legs and popped her head up. She hadn't been hit! But I knew there was something severely wrong with her. I picked her up and brought her home with me. First, she had a collar that was way too tight so I removed it, it had been clawed at and frayed to peices anyway. I noticed a hole in her neck, looked closely and realized there were maggots in it. I shaved it and removed the maggots and there was also a HUGE one in there (think it was a "warble") and my husband and I removed it as well. We rinsed the hole with peroxide and have been keeping a check every 2 hrs for anymore maggots to surface - there have been none. I've also put neosporin on it twice. I gave her a flea bath and then later last night, I noticed another 2 holes. One in her leg and one in the fold between her leg and abdomen area. I had to manually remove maggots from them as well, rinsed with peroxide, then put neosporin. Those two holes are closed today. The one is her neck was pretty big, but it is healing quite well evenhough it isn't closed yet. I've tried looking her over for more holes, but haven't found any. She doesn't want me to lift her tail though. She growls and twitches when I do it. It stays very wet around her vaginal/anal area. There were 2 maggots under her tail I can't find any wounds. I did pour peroxide and it bubbles like crazy all over under there.
She maybe weighs a pound soaking wet. She has no muscles and her head is fixed in a sideways position, probably due to the warble/maggots. Her balance is off and she is very weak. She has fallen in her food bowl trying to eat. She looks terrible. I have no doubt in my mind that when she laid down before I found her, she would've never gotten back up.
Since she hasn't wanted to drink anything at all, I got a kitten bottle and some kitten formula and have been bottle feeding her. This should keep her hydrated along with giving her some much needed nutrients.
I know all of this sounds really REALLY bad, but I don't want to give up on her. If there is a vet or a vet tech that can give me some advice, I would more than appreciate it. I've recently spent a ton of money on vet bills with another cat. I absolutely cannot afford anymore vet bills. My local shelter will just put her down. I don't have the heart to do that.
Bright side:
She has been eating like crazy today. Yesterday she wouldn't do it. She has also walked around (just a little bitty bit). And, she PURRRED today! I was holding her and bottle feeding her and she kept purring in between swallows. It made me feel great. At least if she dies, she won't die alone. She knows she has someone there that cares and wants to help her make it :) Though it makes me cry to think about her not making it. I'm already attached. Sounds kinda pathetic, but I am such a weenie. I fall in love with animals, and it would break my heart if she didn't pull through.
What I need help with:
1) will the holes heal or close if there are maggots in there? I can't imagine the holes closing on top of them, so hopefully they are gone. I am almost certain that I got them all out, but I can't ever know for sure. I don't want to re-open the holes to check. And if there are some still in there, what harm could they do? They are supposed to vacate the body when they are finished feeding. Some websites say it takes up to 72 hrs.
2) Her paws and ears are cold. I am keeping her wrapped up with "HotHands". Not directly on her skin, of course, but i have them placed around her blanket. Does this mean her temp is below normal or is this a big issue for her to be so cold? She does shiver, but she may be nervous. I have 3 cats. They aren't bothering her but I can tell she is uneasy around them. This may be why she shivers. Or because she doesn't know me very well.
3) Is there anything else that I can be doing for her (that I can afford)? Please don't ridicule me about not being able to take her to a vet. I'm still on my payment plan from my cat with asthma.
4) I have an antibiotic (amoxicillan) that the vet perscribed me for one of my cats when he had a sinus infection. It is not expired. Will this help her fight off any infection? The dropper for my full grown cat was 1.0 so what dosage, if any, should I give the warble kitty? Keep in mind she is weak, small, and young.
If you all can help me, I will forever be in debt to u! I really want to save this kitty.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dava on -
Hey there!
I am a vet tech and I think you are very sweet for taking this little kitten in! Many people would snub their noses and go about their everyday life. So kudos!
Okay now for the important stuff...
You did really well with shaving and cleaning the open areas and using peroxide to clean. If you are able to get your hands on any type of antiseptic cleaner, anything with chlorhexidine gluconate, that would be great. And I would flush it at least it once more if you're able to get that.
It's good to make sure you're keeping the kitten warm. I would try to get a temp from it though. An average cats temp will range from 99. to 103. 99 being on the low end of course and 103 being more elevated. A really good temp would be 101.5, so just be cautious about keeping her too warm, especially if she's not drinking very much.
Using the antibiotic is probably not going to be a good idea. Sometimes animals can have reactions to them such as anorexia, vomiting, etc.. and you wouldn't want to add anymore problems. It would be much better to use ointments such as neosporin like you already are. Just keep the areas clean and you don't always have to have neosporin on the wounds. Making sure they stay clean and dry is going to be most effective.
Above all, making sure the cat continues to get fluids, whether it be from wet food, drinking on it's own, or syringe to mouth is soooo important. As well as eating. Monitor bowel movements and urination as well. Of course, it's best to get the cat looked at by a Vet, but in your situation, it doesn't look like it's an option. Just try to maintain fluid intake and keep an eye on the wounds. If there is a chance you can take it to the Vet, even in a week or so, I would recommend it.
Dava
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on -
Thank you so much, Dava.
I will try to find something with that ingredient. I read somewhere that a saline solution might help. Is this advisable? I don't wanna over do anything, so I wanted to make sure I got advise before adding anymore steps to what I am currently doing.
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Permalink Reply by Dava on
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Cleaning it anymore is probably going to be unnecessary since it seems you've done most of the dirty work already. I would only do so if another what appears to be maggot comes up. Also, I'd like to emphasize on the importance of knowing the cats temp. You can do this easily and inexpensively with a digital thermometer rectally using some kind of lubrication. (I know it sounds gross, but knowing this is really helpful) =)
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Permalink Reply by Carol Foley on -
What is it with atheists and rescuing kittens? I rescued a little one earlier this week, she isn't in bad shape though, just really shaken up, dirty and skinny. You are awesome for being so compassionate. So from one kitten loving atheist to another, rock on!
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Permalink Reply by Thomas Aldrin on -
what you can do is call a vet and ask for advice - it doesn't cost a thing to ask. You could also try calling a shelter and ask if they know, they usually have a lot of knowledge and insight in cases like this.
What you have done is truly awesome and inspiring. I feel sad i can't help you anymore then that.
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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After I talked to the shelter this morning, I got the nerve to call the vet. I hate asking people for anything, especially when I know I should be paying them for the info. But I am so glad I did. My vet is mixing her some meds to help fight off infections, and I don't have to bring her in. I only have to pay $22 for the meds.
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Permalink Reply by L. Marie on -
Hi. I am a cat veterinarian. It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job with this little one. Be sure that the ointment you are using does not have any analgesic in it, though, as those are toxic to cats. Very few types of maggots can live in live flesh. The large ones you are describing sound like Cuterebra larvae and they burrow through the flesh until they are nearly nature, then make a breathing hole. These are particularly dangerous to remove because they can cause anaphylactic shock if the worm is damaged while removing it.
Is the antibiotic you have a liquid or pills? Liquid expires 2 weeks after it made. (it comes as a powder that has water added.). If it is pills, what size?
I suspect that the kitten has ear mites or ear infection. This really can't be helped without a visit to a vet. Many shelters and rescue organizations have veterinary care available. Ear infection is very serious and can cause death by infection traveling to the brain. Head tilt can be a sign that this is happening. Hang in there and try to get some help! Call your veterinarian and see if they know where you can go to get some help for this poor baby in your area.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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I have liquid. It says the exp date is 11/12. I have also noticed that (only at times) one eye is dialated bigger than the other. What is this an indication of?
I didn't know about the anagestic. Neosporin contains and "external" one -Promaxine HCI- 10mg. per gram.
We were extremely cautious about removing the larvae. I don't know how, but my husband already knew that it could do serious damage if it were to be cut or squished inside the kitten.
I just called the local shelter. We don't have a vet office there and they refer you to a pretty bad one. They receive online complaints all of the time. She has worked there 29 yrs and told me that I've done everything right :) She also agreed with the neosporin, but I am not continiuing to use it.
There are no earmiteS. Her ears look pretty clean, unless you can't always see the gunk of earmites. idk. I do have earmite treatment as well, if you think I should do it in case. Just let me know what u think, please. I am extremely grateful.
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Permalink Reply by L. Marie on
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The cold extremities could be from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), dehydration, or shock. Since you bathed her, it is probably hypothermia. Please do not give her a dewormer or other parasite medication. In her weakened state it might kill her and it won't do any good for the larval infection and may do harm. Again, almost all of the readily available antibiotic ointments now have analgesics in them that are toxicant cause kidney damage or failure in cats. Cats are NOT humans and should not get medication for humans unless a veterinarian tells you it is OK.
The best you can do is what you ate now doing. Feed her and keep her warm. Cats normal body temp is almost 102 degrees F.
Good luck! Don't forget to get a rabies vaccination for her ASAP. The most common animal exposure of humans to rabies is kittens!
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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I called the shelter. The woman working there has been there 29 yrs. She uses neosporin (which is what I have been using), but I am no longer going to do so because it has an analgesic.
You have me freaked out about rabies now! I didn;'t really even think about the possibility of me being exposed to it. She is very sweet and she doesn't foam, but they don't always have those signs! So now I am going crazy because my hand and thumb are slightly swollen today. The shelter lady told me that I have 10 days to get the shots after I have been exposed to rabies.
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