Newbie! 3 Different Parasites

[Honeychild23]

Hi all, Newbie here - in desperate need of some help and advice!

My two year old Russian Blue has been back and forth to the vets for the past 3/4 weeks. First he was given antibiotics and antisickness while I managed to get a stool sample which took almost 2 weeks to get back to us. It found he 3 different types of parasite - we began we course of antibiotics which he finishes and began to look better a week after his initial appointment.

Fast forward 2 weeks, the sickness and diarrhoea have returned, this time with streaks of blood in the vomit and black/tarry stools. Taken to vets today who just gave him another anti-sickness injection, told him to continue with antibiotics (we had 10 left over from the course) and to collect 3 days worth of stools for Monday.

I'm annoyed this is the prognosis instead of something alternative - the stool sample will take 2 weeks to get back to us, what do we do in the meantime?!? And what if none of the parasites have gone!

Why didn't the antibiotics flush out the parasites in the initial course? Why has it come back? We are £800 deep into our vets bills and hopefully covered by insurance. Also have a baby on the way - with arrival due in 2 weeks, can't relax with my pet in distress.

Looking at him now he looks in so much pain, I feel cruel to keep him going when he is obviously very sickly - Am I out of my mind to think of putting him to sleep with such issues?

[Mollycat]

Firstly, what are the parasites?

Second, antibiotics are for bacterial infection, not for parasites. *edit, some parasites

Black tarry stools indicate bleeding in the intestinal tract, antibiotics are not likely to help.

Given this and the time it takes for results, I would be consulting a different vet quite urgently.

Also, how did you end up with 10 tablets left over from a course of antibiotics? They normally give exactly the right number prescribed.

[booktigger]

I'm baffled by only giving antibiotics for parasites, as has been said, they deal with infection, they aren't going to treat the parasites, but it depends what kind as to what treatment he will need.

[fjm]

Could it be metrobactin for giardia/clostridia that is being referred to? The bill seems extremely high, even for extensive testing, though.

[Ruth B]

As others have said, antibiotics are for bacterial infections and don't normally work on parasites. You need to find out what the parasites were/are.

Black stools is a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract, as is blood in the vomit, so this needs to be checked out.

I would also suggest having a word with your insurers, explain to them what is happening and that you are wanting a second opinion. They might be able to give you some help. If they were paying the vets directly then they would be able to put pressure on them, but it sounds like you are having to claim it back afterwards, so it is also a chance to make sure they will pay up if you go to a second vets for advice.