kitten sick: vomit, diarrea, sneezing on clavamox?

Question

i got a 4mo old kitten 12 days ago from the humane society. a week ago he started sneezing. he's been to the regular vet for a check up and they said he was healthy. i took him to the humane society vet a few days ago for his sneezing. they prescribed clavamox. i waited a few days since i'm against meds unless really necessary. my 1 year old cat is sneezing a lot too now. the kitten had diarrea this morning and was gagging this morning, but nothing came out. i decided it was valid to use the meds. i gave him his first dose this morning. he vomited about an hour later. it was the medication he vomited, white and foamy. i'm very worried about him and concerned for my other cat. it's thanksgiving so no vet is going to be open. since he was gagging before the first dose, i'm thinking he vomited from being sick rather than from the meds but i'm not qualified to determine that. should i give him his second dose this evening or take him off?

also the regular vet didn't prescribe anything and said to wait and monitor him. it was the shelter vet that prescribed the meds. the regular vet seemed far more competent and professional than the free shelter vet that gave me the 30 day free plan with my kitten.

Answer 1

First, I understand your concern about giving meds when not necessary (must be in the medical field?). Although, a veterinarian is not like a human doctor and will only prescribe meds when necessary. You should have started when they were prescribed. Things would not have gotten worse for the kitten. The medication was given so that the URI (a virus) does not turn into a secondary infection (bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, etc.).

Oh yeah! Just like a baby, you can bring the kitten into the bathroom with you, turn on the hot shower and the steam can help with breathing. =)

Re-administer at least 1/2 the dose since he vomited up the first dose. I would also give a dropper full of water, to keep him hydrated (and do this every hour). Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of illness and kittens and puppies can become dehydrated very fast. The best way to check for dehydration is by testing the elasticity of the skin. Pick up a fold of skin along the middle of the cat’s back and let it drop. In a well-hydrated, normally fleshed cat the skin will immediately spring back into place. In a moderately dehydrated cat skin will move into place slowly.In cases of severe dehydration the skin may form a tent that remains in the skin.

If you can get a temp, that would be good, too. The kittens temp should be between 99*-102*F (averaging 101-102*). The temp is taken rectally using a regular thermometer, inserted on about 1/2 inch. Anything higher than 103* or lower than 99*, he needs to see a vet immediately.

Clavamox can sometimes cause diarrhea, but, if it's already present, it'll be hard to tell if it's from the illness or the meds. Continue with the meds as prescribed and keep the kitten hydrated. Any signs of dehydration, he needs to go to the vet immediately. Watch for pale gums, weakness, lethargy, dilated pupils, general malaise look in eyes, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, wheezing, mouth breathing, etc.

Good luck. If things worsen, called an after hours emergency. Worse comes to worse, they have you come into the clinic, best case, they offer advice.

Answer 2

Please don't take on a guilt trip by not giving the Clavamox. The URI the kitten picked up at the shelter is viral in nature and not affected by antibiotic. Vets only give the Clavamox to forestall the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection.

The best course of action IMO is to let the kitten's intestinal system have a little rest today. If you have a small syringe or even an eye dropper you can get some filtered water down him during the day and evening to keep him from getting too dehdyrated. You could call the ER vet and see if they have a can of a/d you could get for him. If not, get some Stage one Gerber baby food - chicken or turkey would be best. It must NOT contain any onion or garlic powder. You can offer him a little of this from your finger or even smear a little around his mouth to get something in him.

I have never had a cat who had stomach upset with the Clavamox. When he is feeling a little better and eating again you can start giving him those drops.

Try not to get too stressed with this and enjoy your holiday. If you can get some water and a little food in the kitten he will be alright for today. If not, then he can see the vet tomorrow.

The viral infection is like human flu and will usually resolve itself with time. The older cat will probably not get too sick from it. Always watch that both cats are getting some water and a little food. If they do not eat for more than 24 hours you should take them to the vet.

Answer 3

Especially in a young cat, when your vet prescribes something for respiratory illness, please do use it, as it can be the difference between life and death for a young or elderly cat.

Respiratory problems are common in young kittens, especially from shelters where their past is unknown and what they have been exposed to is unknown.

Antibiotics should be given with food to avoid stomach upset, this might be why be vomited. Since he has diarrhea, you want to give him something bland. Try giving him some babyfood with moistened kitten food mixed in. If he will eat that, when you give him his next dose of Clavamox, be sure to have him eat a little before you give it to him and hopefully this will ease the effects on his stomach.

Respiratory problems in cats can run rampant especially if not treated. Although it sounds like your other cat may already be infected, I would keep them as separate as possible until you can get the other cat to the vet to have him checked out. It is likely they both have some sort of upper respiratory infection and need to be on meds for it.

Best of luck to you, hopefully you vet will be open tomorrow and can get you in. I know the clinic I work in is open, I expet it will be a busy day.

Answer 4

Alot of times they do vomit the liquid meds, sometimes the pills. Clavamox is a good antibiotic. Give him the next dose. It sounds like he caught a upper respiratory bug at HS and it sounds like your other cat was infected too and might need meds. Those virus's can get pretty serious, they can go into the lungs and cause pneumonia so be sure you give all the doses to the kitten and call your vet or HS tomorrow and get something for your other cat as well. Lots of times they have congestion that goes down in the throat and tummy too so they both might vomit alot before the bug is over. Try feeding them canned food for a few days if you don't already because their throats do get inflammed like ours, only they can't tell us and there's not really meds to help that other than cortisone or steriod type and since you really don't like meds unless necessary, I don't think you'd want to give them that. I don't like that type for my cats either. Try some warm chicken or turkey brother too for them to drink, it helps soothe the throats. Remember they can only sneeze and swallow things out, they can't blow their noses. Sometimes if you have a baby aspirator you can suction stuff out. But be sure to call for your older cat for meds too.

Answer 5

Clavamox Kittens

Answer 6

Sounds like your new kitty has brought in a case of cat flu. You need to keep your cats in and keep them warm and quiet. Cat flu is usually manageable with some tlc, so your cats should be fine to wait until after Thanksgiving - but I suggest you get them to the vet as soon as possible after Thanksgiving. You should probably persist with the meds for one or two more doses - but if they keep 'coming back' then stop because they certainly won't be doing any good if they don't stay in his system.

Answer 7

I'm thinking, it might not of progressed this far, if you had started the medication when it was prescribed. It's not really up to you, to decide WHEN the medication is valid. That's the vet's job, and they prescribed it, because they figured it was. Your cat might have a number of things, ranging from respiratory infection (will explain why your other cat is sneezing too)....and the diarrhea could be a number of things, as well. Get your cats to a vet, as soon as you can.

Answer 8

This kitten should see the vet ASAP because the vomiting and diarrhea has caused severe dehydration. Get him to the vet and go to Walmart or the vets and get bottles and kitten formula. Cats, especially kittens cannot tolerate dairy milk. Keep him warm as he is losing body heat by wrapping him in a light towel.

Answer 9

Id tell a vet and get him of the meds and see what is wrong with him. Sorry about your kitty and Good Luck to see what is going on.

Answer 10

1. you should have givin the meds right away, docs know what is best. 2. continue givin the meds it'll take a couple of doses for him to get use to. 3. take him to a vet first moment they are opened.