Hi and a question that's a bit urgent ;)

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Arkadina

Member Since 2012
Hi,

I'm Lexa from the UK and I joined the boards back in April when my almost 11 yr old cat was first diagnosed but we managed to get it under control with insulin (caninsulin) so didn't post. Sorry.

Anyway I'm in a desperate situation, so please can someone help me nailbite_smile

On Tuesday Lola was the best she'd been since the diagnosis. She was sitting on the Kitchen unit and jumped off into the corner of the floor when she saw a gecko running along the skirting boards. She did land a bit awkwardly. She ate it before we could get it away from her.

Wed. am she would eat much at all with her injection, didn't eat at all during the day and again only a few mouthfuls w/ her insulin at night. She then vomitted it all up a hour or so later, along wiht what looked like the residue of the gecko.

Thurs am. Got up to find her having been sick (mainly just water and bile) about 7 times. Took to Vet, she pent the day there on a drip. Perked up a little but not much. They ran a bunch of tests (they mentioned liver & kidney) which all came back negative. Told us she had 48 hrs. She did squeal when they pushed her lower tummy. She came back to us leaking sticky pee and frothing at the mouth.

This am. We've defrosted some prawns but she'll only drink the water, made a chicken broth for her, which she's now choosing over anything else and is a little more mobile, can move from room to room in a few goes and stretch out. The stickiness is easing a little and the dripping is on and off.

I've looked at your FAQs on this but our Vets advised none of those things. I wondered if there was a blockage from the gecko but I was ignored. She does also have a temp.

I tried to get into a small animal special hospital but it's 2 hr drive away and they said the stress would be too much *sob, gulp*

Please help, is there anything I can do?

Thank you :D
 
The stress for the 2 hr. car ride might last only 15 minutes and they she'll probably settle down and go to sleep. If you feel that is where your kitty should be, then I would take her.
 
If she were mine, I would wrap her up in a Tshirt that smells like me and take her to the ER. Even if there is nothing they can do, you will feel like you did the best you could for her.

I am wondering if the gecko was poisonous? We have had kitties here who ate poisonous plants and they were okay after treatment.

I am so sorry this is happening to you and Lola. We''ll have paws crossed that she will be okay.
 
Thanks for your quick responses.

She's pettrified of the cat box and cars in general. The last time she went to the specialist she cried and hyperventilated the whole journey. She's very hypersensitive. And if they won't take her when get there ....

There is no ER as such, just our vets, which is only called emergency when it's out of hours. She was there yesterday. We phoned them today and they've totally given up on her, and won't refer us to the specialist anyway *sob*

She's eaten geckos when she's caught them since was about 2 yrs old so I don't see why this one would be poisonous. The vet said it was unrelated :(
 
Do you have any friends who might have a vet they like that you could get in to see?

If you wrapped her in a soft shirt and rode with her in your lap, would she be able to go to a hospital?

I just don't know what you can do for her at home other than try to make her comfortable (which is fine and she will appreciate it)
 
Hi,
I believe that all reptiles can carry salmonella. See if this fits the symptoms.
Notice the line that says cats get it from catching infected animals.



What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?

Most cats infected with salmonella have what's known as "subclinical carrier state". This means that they have been infected but only very mildly & don't display any clinical manifestations of the disease. Salmonellosis isn't seen very often in cats & it is believed they have a natural immunity to the bacteria. Risk factors which can make a cat more susceptible to salmonellosis include cats in high stress situations & environments, cats who's natural resistance has been compromised due to another infection, general poor health status, hospitalised animals & kittens. Kittens are more likely to be clinically affected than adult cats. [1] Symptoms of salmonellosis appear after 2 - 4 days of exposure & can include.
Vomiting
Diarrhoea (may or may not contain blood)
Poor appetite
High fever
Dehydration
Weakness
Abdominal pain
Depression
Lethargy


How do cats become infected with salmonella?

Salmonella is faeces & sometimes the saliva. It can grow on food & can survive on objects for long periods of time. Cats often become infected from catching prey.

Cats are most commonly infected via contaminated food or catching infected animals. In fact, Salmonellosis in cats has been called "song bird fever" due to it's association with cats acquiring infection from hunted birds.

How is it diagnosed?

Bacterial cultures from rectal swabs or fresh feces.

How is it treated?

If the infection isn't severe then supportive care will be given. IV fluids, electrolytes etc.

Food & water are restricted while vomiting & diarrhoea are present.

It seems there is some controversy over the use of antibiotics to treat simple cases of salmonella enteritis (intestinal inflammation) with diarrhoea in cats, suggesting that antibiotics can actually favour the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of salmonella. Antibiotics (sulfa) are therefore reserved for severely ill cats.

Can I catch salmonella from my cat?

Cats have been found to shed the serotype of salmonella which are pathogenic to humans. However, there are very few (if any) reports of human infection from cats. There is a much, much greater risk of becoming infected via infected food.

When treating a cat with salmonellosis strict hygiene is vital. After handling your cat or it's utensils, you should disinfect your hands immediately.

Bleach is the best method to kill salmonella bacteria in the environment.

References:

[1] Feline Husbandry - Diseases and Management in the Multiple-Cat Environment - Niels C. Pederson,

[2] Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary - D. C. Blood, V. P. Studdert
 
She was fine before eating the gecko, though, right? Maybe the gecko had been exposed to something toxic?
Carl
 
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