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 -
O ok. There were so many different things people were telling me, I was kinda overwhelmed. I will stop with the peroxide. I still don't know what betadine is but I remember you mentioning it before. Is it available at walmart? I will go get some now if it is.
I am giving her an antibiotic. I already had amoxicillan and when I talked to the vet on the phone that day, he mixed me up a fresh batch of it. I thought it would be a different kind of med but when I picked it up and got it home, it was the same as what I already had. Hopefully this is helping fight whatever infection she has. I'm sure while she is at the vet with him Monday, he will decide if he should debride it or not (I'm using that term and I don't even know what it means lol). He may prescribe a different medicine for it. Thank you for the tip on the Peroxide and Betadine. I am new at this so please forgive me for not knowing what exactly I should've done or continued to do.
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Permalink Reply by Brandy D on -
Debridement basically means removal of the dead yucky stuff. *shudder* Good luck with your new kitty, she looks like she may turn into a real cutie once she gets over the infection and stuff. The way her head cocks to one side won't detract from her cuteness if it sticks around, makes her look extra curious.
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Permalink Reply by Kairan Nierde on -
I'm glad you're going to be able to go back to the vet. I wish I could send you some money. I feel so attached to Maggie! Thank you for helping her. It's heart breaking to have an animal that needs treatment and not be able to afford it. I'm not a vet, but I was going to be one there for a while...
It's possible the last wound needs debridement, lancing, or even a drainage wick, depending on how deep the infection is.
Did you ever figure out if her vagina/anal area was draining because of a skin issue or an organ issue? I'm concerned because certain types of uterine infections can be fatal in cats.
Her moving in circles may be related to an inner ear infection or brain damage from some sort of trauma. It could also be a mental health/behavioral issue--my father had a chihuahua as a child that circled 24-7 for many years, until it was re-homed on a farm. I imagine Maggie has been rather stressed out.
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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Please don't feel bad for not sending. I feel bad because I have to take it. I just keep telling myself that it is for her. I have never accepted anything from anyone. I feel awkward when someone gets me a birthday card. Not big on any money being spent because of me. But this is 100% going to her. I was determined to get her treatment, even if I had to go broke. But I could only afford maybe one thing per month or something. This will surely speed up the process of her getting better, and I know she will be so thankful :)
Her vaginal area seems to be doing ok. She still doesn't want me to lift her tail. Since she is stronger, I have a couple of claw marks on my hands from trying to check it. There may be something to it and I just don't know what to look for. I'll be sure to mention it to my vet Monday morning.
She is pretty stressed. When there is a large movement around her, she has began to hiss. When I talk and let her know it is me, she is ok. I know it is because she can't see what is going on and why there was movements. Hopefully she will get used her new kitty siblings and she can rest easier. For now she sleeps best when she is cuddled in a blanket. If nothing is wrapped around her, she is jumpy.
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Permalink Reply by M on -
Don't apologize! You're amazing, and so have the folks been here on good ol' Think Atheist. I only know this stuff because I paid for a degree in it. :o) Hopefully, kitty is doing well. She has lovely coloring.
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Permalink Reply by Jo on -
A bad smell is a sign of infection. Get the wound looked at before it gets gangrene. As for the circles, it might be a sign of her balance being off because of an inner ear infection. Once again, I'm no vet, so I would get a second opinion from one.
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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Maggie on Day 7 posing for her new TA friends:
And chillin with her new sister Lilly (who is making a weird face in this pic):
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Permalink Reply by Jean Clelland-Morin on -
Hi Becky. Not a veterinarian, but as a volunteer at the local animal shelter 6-afternoons-a-week, I've seen and heard so many stories that break my heart. And as the grandma of some sweet feline and canine beings who were rescued from the cruel street of San Antonio, there are not enough people like you on this planet. Have you typed the key words in the computer to try and find answers? // Jean Clelland-Morin
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Permalink Reply by Jean Clelland-Morin on
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Typed in "maggots in cats" and read about broad-spectrum anti-parasite medication and corticosteroids. / Jean
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Permalink Reply by Billy on -
I just sent you $10. That should put you with enough to cover her test. ;)
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Permalink Reply by AntiChristianLeague on -
Once I get my paycheck from work, I'll be sure to donate. Maggie is such a beautiful kitty. I hope she makes a full recovery.
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Permalink Reply by scLovely on
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Thank you guys so much for helping out! This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen in my life. You all are so selfless and I appreciate all of you so much. I am going on a hike today - didn't go last sunday cause I stayed home with her - but I will be gone for a long time today. My brother will be watching Maggie while I am gone. If I don't get back on here today, I will be sure to get on here right after her vet visit tomorrow so everyone will know what is going on with her.
I can't thank you all enough :*)
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