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 scLovely on -
She is eating so well today. She is standing up to eat, which is something she hasn't been doing. Hope it is a good sign and not just irrelevant.
I put some dry food in there to see if she would try it again. No such luck!
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten on -
I know that you can get Neosporin without analgesic. The original contains none.
"Pramoxine is an external analgesic that provides temporary relief of pain or discomfort. (Please note that Pramoxine is not present in Original NEOSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotic Ointment, including Neo to Go!® Single Use Packets.)" directly from their website.
The pupil dilation could indicate your kitty had a head trauma. It could also be a birth defect.
Thank you for saving this kitty! I had to walk away for a minute while reading because it made me cry to hear about. I'm glad Maggie has found such an awesome place, and just in the nick of time too!
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Permalink Reply by Isaac S on -
I... I just... She's so cute! Awww... It's so great that you've saved this poor kitty's life!
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Permalink Reply by Karen Azimianaraki on -
I was a Vet tech before and RN Don't try to close the wounds. Hydrogen peroxide should do the trick. you did a great thing helping this kitten.HP will bubble the maggots out. they are eating dead tissue it will not close with the maggots in there. pour HP alot to get them out.With the biotics if in capsules can be put in a bit of formula how many milligrams do you have? 1/2 of a 1/2 capsule 1 time see how she handles it. Antibiotics are pretty safe.
I would have done the same thing.
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Permalink Reply by Jen Henderson on -
Hi Becky,
I'm so glad you've rescued Maggie....thank you--on behalf of all animal lovers. As a pet parent to 5 rescue cats, I know it's expensive and hard work. Again, I'm not a vet, but try these forums:
http://forums.about.com/ab-vetmedicine/ (a forum where people post vet questions)
http://veterinaryteam.dvm360.com/firstline/article/articleDetail.js... (a list of the top 5 vet blogs, where you may be able to post a question)
Hope this helps. And take care!
Jen
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Permalink Reply by Merlin Mercer on -
Hi Becky! It is so good to see compassionate people like yourself that will care for a random kitten you found in the road. I'm very impressed that you wanted to move it even thinking she was dead! Not many people would do that.
Anyway, I see that you got some great advice on here from some wonderful and talented individuals. I performed a brief search of vets in your area of SC (I see on your profile that you live in Norris, SC) to see if I could find some sort of free or subsidized clinic that could help you out if she needs professional medical attention. I found this place located in Greenville. While they do not offer free medical services, they do claim with strays, "If the animal has sustained only minor injuries and the rescuer wishes to assume responsibility for the animal, we will treat the animal at a discounted rate and release the animal to the rescuer's care." I thought this may be helpful, and I hope it is! Maggie's a cute cat and deserves a good life, which it seems that you are making that possible. If I had the funds, I would pay for the expenses myself, but unfortunately the budget is tight.
P.S. - I did not look for reviews on the company I listed here, Animal Emergency Clinic Greenville, so you may want to look into reviews to see if it is worth it. Also, that link above will take you to the 'Strays Policy' page, which it says "If the stray animal is seriously injured and is given a poor prognosis, we will elect to humanely euthanize the stray." Please keep this in mind, as there may be internal issues that you can't detect yourself or with the naked eye. But it seems she's getting her energy back, eating and getting fluids and this is a very good sign. I certainly hope she gets a 100% recovery soon and remains healthy and strong! Take care!
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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Hi Merlin! Thank you for taking the time to research this for me! I've known about this animal clinic for a while. It's funny that you should mention its policy concerning the condition of the animal. About ten years ago a friend and I were on our way home from the mall. He noticed that his 2 cocker spaniels were in the road, they both had been hit. HIs parents weren't at home and we got the dogs, both still alive, and took them to this animal clinic (it was the only one open after hours that we could find). One dog threw up in my car. Worst smell ever and it never really went away. Anyway, they put both of these dogs down. One was in bad shape, but I really thought the other ("Puddles") would make it. It was his favorite dog and he cried like crazy. Neither of us understood. I guess I don't have faith in how much they try to save the animals there. I also was thinking that it may have been that both of us were young and they thought we couldn't pay the bills. Idk. Either way, I love my vet. in Clemson, SC -although he isn't open after hours like the Greenville one. I plan on paying off my balance there this month, so I will probably start another bill next month trying to help this kitty. I'll probably go broke in the process, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't do everything I could to try and save her. This vet seems to really care about my cats, so I want to continue all of my business with him if I possibly can.
I want to thank you again for taking time out to care about Maggie and me. It means so much to me.
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Permalink Reply by Artor on -
Oddly, as long as the infection is dealt with, the maggots might be a good thing. They prefer to eat dead flesh before live, so they'll chew up and necrotic tissue. Maggots used to be a handy battlefield medicine for wounds.
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Permalink Reply by Andrea on -
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes, looking down at my sleeping kitten, hoping that if she ever gets lost that she finds someone like you.
It sure sounds like little Maggie is perking up! Hoping for the best!
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Permalink Reply by Jillian Mann on -
Me too Andrea!! This story has me fascinated!! You such a great personBecky for trying to save this kitten!! I wish I knew more to help!
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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Thank you Andrea and Jillian! I couldn't imagine looking the other way and doing nothing. I have to help her - for me there is no other option. I am glad you guys are compassionate as well. That is so hard to find in people these days.
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Permalink Reply by Ashley Bryant on -
I was in the same situation with my kitty, Moira. It's a wonderful thing you are doing. First I'd recommend that you stop using peroxide and anti-bacterial ointment. This will make the healing process very slow. The peroxide won't promote new tissue growth and the ointment isn't letting the wound heal either. Just use warm water and a washcloth to clean it. Also something you could do is get her on de-wormer and flea medicine. What Doug said about the antibiotics is a good idea, but don't use it more than 10 days. It won't help fight off any infection she may have though. Different antibiotics are made to fight of different kinds of infections. Also she could have parasites and other issues wrong with her so when you can afford to get her into a vet I would do so. Try feeding her organic baby foods (chicken and beef) with a dropper. Are you having any problems with her going to the bathroom? Be very careful with the antibiotics... If you see any symptoms of an allergic reaction or if she's becoming lethargic, so it immediately.
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