Aww that is sad to hear Amethyst. He's not out of the woods yet because he has a respritory virus and he is still very skinny with little to no muscle mass according to the vets report. They said they couldn't make any guarantees and I still have to give him fluid shots under the skin to keep him hydrated. It scary giving a tiny kitty likr that a big needle!
I think this little guy will stay an indoor cat too if he wants outside he will have to go on a harness and a leash because if cats are found roaming here it is a $200 fine! Whoops my cat stepped on the keyboard and I lost the rest of my post he he he eep now he is pushing buttons thanks for the help Stinky (stinky is my 6 month old b lack kitty that was given to me and he is aptly named, he is the most flatulent cat in the world! mostly because his #1 mission in life is to get into and eat the garbage no matter where I put it. Anyway I am just rambling now sorry for any errors in this post I had my little helper on the keyboard.

Torrent

Oh my goodness, what a difference!! O.O He looks sooooo much better already! Poor little baby... I'm sure he'll pull through just fine now, I'm so glad he fell into your caring hands. ^-^

He is such a little cutie! Good luck with the raffle!

Oh The kitty looks much better in the second pic, I wonder what antibiotic the vet is giving the kitty, one that works really good and I have great faith in it is Baytril, keep us posted, and give some love to the kitty

The SQ fluids aren't difficult if that's what the shots you're giving him are. The pain is getting the needle through the skin. Cats have such elastic skin that it's not easy to get the needle through it. Luckily, your baby's skin is prolly pretty loose snce he's so young.

Don't fret if your shots leave a big bubble under his skin. You can leave it or you can very gently rub it until it disperses.

I have to give SQ fluids to female cats that have emergency spays (either due to complications of pregnancy or pyometra) and to any kitty that the vet is concerned about after surgery. I've only had to give dogs sub-cu fluids once in a great while. Seems cats are more prone to dehydration than dogs.

Rose

PS - For the curious, SQ is just short for subcutaneous, meaning "under the skin".

Wow, he's an adorable little guy. Do you know his approx. age?

We rescued a cat last winter. He had been living in our shed for almost a year. We were lucky and he was thin but healthy. Fixed too. Biggest cat I've ever seen though. We own a dog that my friend rescued too. Rescue pets turn out to be wonderful.

Well, good luck with the lil' guy.

Yes, what kind of antibiotic do they have him on? At the wildlife clinic, we always used Bactrim on babies and small animals, Baytril for adults and larger animals.

Teddy wrote:

Yes, what kind of antibiotic do they have him on? At the wildlife clinic, we always used Bactrim on babies and small animals, Baytril for adults and larger animals.

Yes, baytril is mainly for adult animals, but my vet has use it on babies that have a severe infection, really carefully and in small doses, he used it on a kitty I found and it was almost dead (I thought she was dead, she was in the middle of the road, and not even a movement, when I picked her up, she was practically frozen and had a very bad infection, that my vet treated with Baytril) and now she is so cute as she can be althought really shy, she is going to be with us 2 years now, he name is Christmas fuffly, she is long hair and we found her 2 Years ago in december, He also used baytril on a puppy that I though and he thought was not going to make it since had brain infection, now he is huge, in fact to big for a Chihuahua, he is almost 5 years old and the Vet did not give him but a year to live if we could get him well, so i really trust that Baytril, if your vet knows how to use it carefully on baby animals, but it seems whatever is doing , the kitty is getting better.

They said it was too risky to give him any antibiotics or any drugs at all in his state. we have to wait until he is in better shape and then he can come back in two weeks for more tests and if he is in good shape they will give him shots and antibiotics if he can't fight off the infection. They will also give me antibiotics for his eyes at this time. if he deteriorates at all he has to be rushed back to the vet before he gets too bad. I have to get him some different food because he doesn't seem to be eating as much today as he did yesterday. Also does anyone know how to get a kitten to drink on his own? I don't think the little guy was weaned when I got him and I have been able to teah him to eat but drinking is a little tougher. does anyone have any ideas?

Also the raffle is still open and the drawing will be made on friday

Torrent

Sometimes if he is eating wet food, they get most of the liquids they need that way, plus you are hydrating him, so he does not feel like drinking anyway, one thing I have done with my cats when they are sick and don't feel like drinking is put some sardines juice in their water, but just offer a little bit and see what happens, and don't leave the water out too long as it will spoil, the same criteria as with can food 20 - 30 minute and then dispose off, hope this helps

Well, someone might correct me on this but I have heard of putting a little bit of salt in their food. This makes them thirsty and they will drink on their own.

Amy

Yes, that is right too, but if he is getting already subcutaneous fluids, and if the fluids are saline base, you really don't need to add more salt to his diet , I will try a drop or two of plain sardines juice and see if he likes it, and if he likes it give it to him like 1/2 of a teaspoon at a time every 8 hours and that might get him thirsty enough to make him drink more water or like I said before add a drop or two in his water, sardines juice is too rich for a kitty that is not doing good so don't give him a lot, he could get an upset stomach

Good advice from everyone else, and like they said, the SQ fluids is probably providing enough fluids for him anyway. So don't worry too much if he isn't drinking a whole lot.

Whew! Thanks everyone I was worried that he wasn't drinking but you have made me feel much better If he continues not to drink after I stop giving him the fluids I will try the sardine juice, that sounds like a great idea. I am so glad that I can always count on the people here to have the right answers Since this is my first time helping a sick kitty I have tons of questions. Also I am almost at my goal for the raffle ! thanks everyone it was so great of you guys to help me save this little guy. I could never afford to do it myself since I live on my own and my BF is out of work right now.


Your the greatest

Torrent

Hi Torrent,

First off (and most importantly), how is Squeaky doing?

Second, when will you be holding the raffle?

Thanks!
Amy