What's killing Kim Chi?

[GoldenGoose83]

Grateful for any ideas as to what is making our beloved Kim Chi sick. Our vet is at a loss!

We adopted Kim Chi and his brother at 3 months and they're now 6 months. Brother is a muscular teenager full of attitude but Kim Chi, although sweet-natured and responsive, is lethargic and underweight. We took them to the vet for their shots 2 weeks ago and were concerned that he was a little underweight (1.5kg) compared to his brother (1.9kg) at the time. Vet dismissed this and said the kitten was healthy. They share the same litter tray and food bowls.

We are 2 weeks down the line and Kim Chi's stomach has ballooned with peritonitis/ascites/edema (unsure the difference?). We took Kim Chi back to a different vet who ran an X-ray and some tests (both attached). Negative FIP result from the fecal sample but alarmingly high WBC and a slightly high temperature. We've been administering Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) twice daily for 48 hours and the peritonitis has not improved (may be worse). Breathing is normal and he's responsive and has a healthy purr when tickled. Appetite is reduced but he is eating and drinking occasionally.

Both cats are housebound and do not come into contact with other cats. Any thoughts on what's causing this? Xray and lab results below.

Kim Chi.jpg

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[Ruth B]

I am no expert and the test results don't mean much to me, but a couple of things I can say.

Firstly, I assume they are both up to date on flea and worm treatments. Worms can cause bloating in the stomach, fleas can cause anaemia. I think it looks like the red blood cell count is low so cat or kitten food high in animal proteins would probably help. If de worming and de fleaing aren't up to date then consult your vet as to the best ones to give her, the ones you get on prescription from a vet are far better than the ones from a pet shop, and he can advise which ones won't upset her as she is already low with the infection.

High white blood cell count normally indicates an infection somewhere which is why you have been given the Augmentin. Augmentin is quite a powerful antibiotic, the amoxicillin is the antibiotic, the other ingredient helps prevent the bacteria becoming resistant to it. However having had it myself it isn't a pleasant one to take, the side effects can make you feel almost as ill as the infection, so it could be that while the infection is clearing up, the side effects are making Kim Chi feel bad as well. Also if its a viral infection it won't help at all, and there are types of bacteria that it won't effect either.

The best advise I can give is to keep giving the antibiotics and if it gets any worse or hasn't got any better by the end of the course, go back to the vets.

I hope she gets better soon.

[Kay]

FIP would be a distinct possibility in a young cat with a bloated stomach, and I was not aware there are any definitive tests for it - that is one of the big problems with this horrid disease, and I do hope it isn't that

but just in case I would I would not allow the kittens to share a litter tray, or groom each other, until you have a firm diagnosis