Feline Encephalitis Emergency Please Help!!!!!

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

Karma's two foster kittens are in really bad shape.
2 days ago I ran one to the vet thinking my son had dropped it and the vet said neuro problems. Tilting to one side loss of coordination and appetite.
This morning the other little one is acting the exact same way but much worse.
Vet thinks its encephalitis and ordered them and Karma quarantined from the healthy kitten. Fearful that they may contract whatever made the other 2 so sick.
Although the other kittens could have some immunity if Karma was ever vaccinated. But not knowing we have the use caution.
I have a friend on it way to pick all 3 up.
Vet says pray for the best expect the worst. Needing lots and lots of prayers. For all the kittens and Karma.
Anybody have any knowledge of this or experienced anything like it?

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

:bump :bump

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

Just lost the little one

[pappy1264]

Oh no.....although I have not had personal experience, I have heard it is very bad. I'm so sorry. Sending prayers for the others. Fight kitties fight!!!

[maga n yaya]

oh God.... I had read you earlier, and all I was about to offer, was that

1. I'm not a vet....but
2. feline leukemia and feline hiv are far more prevalent then encephalitis from my experience in running my cat sanctuary and giving half my pay check to the vet each month
3. I was afraid to opine, in that what you described could have been the rapid deterioration of numerous systems shutting down from xyz causes

4. I certainly did not want to over rule what the vet had told you, as in he is the medical practitioner, and actually saw the kitties in exam.
5. but my casual opinion [educated but not licensed] is that perhaps the kitty being to far gone, from the more prevalent feline leuk or hiv, appeared neuro from end stages of these more common feline diseases.


I am so sorry soccermomsquirrelsaver... What a sad day this has been for TSB members. I wish I could have offered more conclusive advise. But the above statements would come from my years of experience ONLY, and I hesitated to say the wrong thing, conflicting with the advice of a professional.

I'm truly sorry smss :grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

ps... OR that encephalitis, as a symptom itself, not a cause....may actually have stemmed from leuk. or hiv

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

oh God.... I had read you earlier, and all I was about to offer, was that

1. I'm not a vet....but
2. feline leukemia and feline hiv are far more prevalent then encephalitis from my experience in running my cat sanctuary and giving half my pay check to the vet each month
3. I was afraid to opine, in that what you described could have been the rapid deterioration of numerous systems shutting down from xyz causes

4. I certainly did not want to over rule what the vet had told you, as in he is the medical practitioner, and actually saw the kitties in exam.
5. but my casual opinion [educated but not licensed] is that perhaps the kitty being to far gone, from the more prevalent feline leuk or hiv, appeared neuro from end stages of these more common feline diseases.


I am so sorry soccermomsquirrelsaver... What a sad day this has been for TSB members. I wish I could have offered more conclusive advise. But the above statements would come from my years of experience ONLY, and I hesitated to say the wrong thing, conflicting with the advice of a professional.

I'm truly sorry smss :grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
Your not over ruling the vet. Only one saw him and at the time we thought we were treating trauma from a fall not infectious disease. he hasn't done any blood work but will on monday.
Right now its still guess work.
the surviving kitten has been showing symptoms for 2 days and is making improvement.
She is on a reg. of dex.
Oh and we changed her name to Mercy.
Things look promising for her now.
Just wish I would have known. I would have been keeping a closer eye on everyone.
Little Rex went with love and will be missed.
Going to have his body autopsied to make sure we know what we're fighting.

[djarenspace9]

:shakehead Poor little Rex

Anyone who says raising kittens is easy should just
look at what you have had to deal with in the past month.

They are lucky babies to be in your caring hands,
yet sometimes the fight is too much for those little souls.

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

You are doing such a good job caring for these little guys! IMHO it is wise to have all rescues checked for FIV and Feline Leuk. Is her belly very round by chance? :grouphug

[maga n yaya]

:shakehead Poor little Rex

Anyone who says raising kittens is easy should just
look at what you have had to deal with in the past month.


:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Oh dear, I'm afraid that may have been me in Virgo's kitten thread. You're right. I didn't mean to appear so casual about any infant of ANY species needing emergency orphan 'nursing' care.

I should rephrase and say, 'compared to squirrels'... which is what I thought I said. But like any situation regarding the health of living things, there are exceptions to every rule...

And now that you've reminded me of my previous statement Djarenspace9, I feel the need to go check on Virgo's kitties as well. Thank you for making that more clear.

Again, best wishes smss. :grouphug :Love_Icon

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

You are doing such a good job caring for these little guys! IMHO it is wise to have all rescues checked for FIV and Feline Leuk. Is her belly very round by chance? :grouphug
No if anything she looks skinny.

[djarenspace9]

Oh dear, I'm afraid that may have been me in Virgo's kitten thread. You're right. I didn't mean to appear so casual about any infant of ANY species needing emergency orphan 'nursing' care.

I should rephrase and say, 'compared to squirrels'... which is what I thought I said. But like any situation regarding the health of living things, there are exceptions to every rule...

And now that you've reminded me of my previous statement Djarenspace9, I feel the need to go check on Virgo's kitties as well. Thank you for making that more clear.

Again, best wishes smss. :grouphug :Love_Icon
:poke Oh no! That was a general statement...Please don't take offense! :tilt

[maga n yaya]

:poke Oh no! That was a general statement...Please don't take offense! :tilt
Nope...none taken.... I just hope I never give the wrong impression that saving any animal is ever easy... You made a good point, and I hope we can all POOL together to help soccermom with her kitties presently still in dire need of medical intervention.

Thank you djarenspace :thankyou :grouphug :Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Myself, I would start by having them tested for FIV. It is a good place to start and is a simple blood test. Probably a foster kitten and Karma. :grouphug :grouphug

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

Karma and Mercy just left to go live with a good friend of mine. My heart is sad...
Anyway she is going to take both of them to the vet Monday to have blood work done and to be overall checked out.
Im going to miss my beautiful Karma but if there was ever anyone who would be as good to her if not better to her than I was she is with them now.
Im sad...
To many goodbyes...

[maga n yaya]

Karma and Mercy just left to go live with a good friend of mine. My heart is sad...
Anyway she is going to take both of them to the vet Monday to have blood work done and to be overall checked out.
Im going to miss my beautiful Karma but if there was ever anyone who would be as good to her if not better to her than I was she is with them now.
Im sad...
To many goodbyes...

Some of you may have guessed by now, that this old hippie is a Neil Young fan.

Just as I read your sad news, my cd sang out 'only love can break your heart'

then goes on to sing...how our worlds fall apart....

How is this for synchronicity smss? :Love_Icon

Thinking of you soccermomss:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Good luck feline babies...:Love_Icon

[maga n yaya]

Just lost the little one
BTW...when you're ready, please remember you can honor your lost little one in Heaven, and we can all pay our respects as well.

As IR mentioned in another thread, a 'living' memoriam for visiting our beloved 4 legged companions that have gone on before us.

Let me know if I can help locate the thread... It's under rainbow bridge, with a subcategory for squirrels, and then non squirrel beloveds. :grouphug

[SammysMom]

Nobody could do more than what you did! You gave them such a special chance and if it is one of the biggie FIV or FIP etc., you had no way to know it. :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Ronda]

:grouphug I an so sorry this is happening to you.... poor kitties that are outside and never have vaccines or vet care are so susceptible to these things... You are wonderful for being the person that loves enough to give them a chance and proper care. I am praying for all of them and for you
RIP Rex

[spykitten01]

Im so sorry youre going though all this, sweetheart - You have done so wonderfully with Karma and all these little ones - Bless your tender, loving heart. RIP little Rex - watch over your fellow kitties now, sweetheart, and lend your mommy the strength to keep hoping. :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[SoccarMomSquirrelSaver]

Thank you all so much for your support and loving thoughts. :grouphug
I promise to keep you informed... when we know exactly whats going on you will too.
Thank you for all your prayers.:thankyou

[UDoWhat]

Myself, I would start by having them tested for FIV. It is a good place to start and is a simple blood test. Probably a foster kitten and Karma. :grouphug :grouphug
Remember Karma will test positive if she has been vaccinated against any of these diseases. The Vet, of course will know this. They can tell by the titers, I think that is the right word .
I am so sorry that this has happened. You have done so much to help so many. Rest peacefully little Rex. You were loved by so many. :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Tickle's Mom]

:grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug :grouphug

[gs1]

:grouphug

[SquirrellyMom]

It is possible for it to just be encephalitis. A friend of mine in Plant City had 6 come in from a pig farmer who found them in her feed room without the mom and extremely lethargic. When she picked them up one was already dead and lost 1 to encephalitis. The vet told her after necropsy that it is what killed it and that is probably why the other baby was already gone. The owner of the pig farm thought the mother died from hit by car accident as when they saw her last she had those exact symptoms but we now believe it to be also the encephalitis and she died while she was out looking for food. All the other kittens survived and showed no symptoms so we are not sure why only these did and how they got it. :dono All you can do is care for them as best you can and hope and pray for the best. I've seen miracles happen around here and I'm hoping for one for you.:Love_Icon

[maga n yaya]

Since encephalitis is more commonly referred to by us laymen, as 'brain swelling', it's appearance can stem from a plethora of causes.

Usually if a vet leaves the diagnosis at that, it just means there were no further tests run, [including necropsy, if this pertains to the situation] - to determine the cause of the brain swelling.

At any rate, let's all hope for Karma & Mercy's sake, that a cause surfaces & a treatment for the sick kitties is found, turning their health problems around for the better. :Love_Icon

You are 100% right on...about the miracles squirrelymom, and I too, hope that some come to Karma & Mercy, along with the positive, loving thoughts from TSB members.:grouphug