My kitten is sick all the time?

Question

It's gotten to the level of ridiculous now. When I adopted him at 12 weeks he'd already had an upper respiratory infection. In the 8 weeks that I've had the poor guy he's had:

►Two more respiratory infections (treated with Clavamox)

►Two separate ear infections (treated with Tresaderm)

►Two eye problems (one a scratched eye, the other as yet undiagnosed)

►Three instances of vomiting (one I think was from eating too fast, the others I'm not sure)

►Scratched the fur off the back of both ears (antibiotic ointment)

►And this morning he started sneezing AGAIN!

This is my first and only cat, and I am 23. I've done lots of research. I have purchased pet insurance to help with the cost, but no one covers chronic problems like this. I'm giving him lysine in case he's got feline herpes. I feed him a high quality wet food. He's active, playful and growing like a weed. What am I missing? What am I doing wrong to cause my cat to keep getting sick? I was prepared for reasonable medical expenses, even got pet insurance! But if this keeps up, I'm afraid I may have to give my little guy back to the breeder.

You don't need to tell me to take him to the vet. I've been 5 times in 8 weeks for at least $120 each visit. I can't afford to go again for a while if I'm going to make rent. Is this something common in kittens? Will he grow out of this phase?

Answer 1

one of his parents might have some of the problems and he just inherited them. other than that, if the vets haven't said anything, i don't have a reasonable answer...

Answer 2

You know how you can buy a lemon of a car? I suspect the breeder sold you a kitten from poor stock. Is the breeder a member of the CFA (cat fanciers association)? Cat breeders can be just like puppy mill breeders, the babies coming from these types of breeders are usually in poor health. The only suggestion I can make is to determine if your heart is already involved, then either return the kitten or continue with your extraordinary care and hope for the best.

Answer 3

I know how you feel! My herpes kitten was like that. I got her at 6 months. Always sick with URI's and passed it on to my 2 other cats. They were playing ping pong with the URI's. One would get better and the other one would get it and on and on. It wouldn't stop for awhile.  She is now 2 years and a half and doesn't get sick anymore. It's worse when they are young then their immune system grows stronger. I was really discouraged for awhile also because I had to pay for 3 cats at the vets. Please just be patient, your kitten should outgrow this in time or at least the URI's will be less severe. Just continue with the lysine and feeding him the high quality wet food and hopefully, you will get him out of this! Good luck! She's the one in my avatar! My 3 cats are indoor only also!

Forgot to tell you to keep him stress free as possible cause if he is a herpes cat, stress is a major factor. I have a house call vet for my girl so she doesn't get stressed going to the vet!

Answer 4

Sounds like you got a cat from a kitten-mill.  They don't follow all the rules and regulations of a responsible breeder. Did the breeder get a full medical check up before selling you the cat?  Did you get all the vet's office notes and immunization records?   Did you get references from not only the people that have received kittens from the breeder, but the vets that treat them?  You should always check on all of these, as well as the Better Business Bureau.  I would contact the breeder and tell them of all the problems you have been having - unless you want to continue to pay for the vet, this sounds like it's going to be an ongoing problem.  I would get my money back for the kitten, and go to a shelter - they are not allowed to adopt out any animal not checked over and deemed medically fit.  I would also report them to the breeders association, and the BBB if you find they have done this before.  Sorry about all your troubles.

Answer 5

You obviously love and care for this cat a lot. Has he ever been tested for feline leukemia or FIV? Both of these disease cause a decrease in immunity to other diseases. I hope that it is neither of these diseases, but there are many cats that have happy lives even when they do.

Here are 2 articles you might want to read

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

Answer 6

well hun, sometimes you just never know, but love him anyway. pets are like children, when you have them you never know how they're going to turn out, but you just love them anyway. the only other alternative is to euthanize, but that would just be cruel. it's not the kitty's fault that he is sick, that is just the risk that you take when you accept the responsibility of a pet.  good luck.