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loss of appetite and diarrhea in kitten

20 16:47:01

Question
Lisa,

My wife and I recently adopted two three month old kittens from a local shelter; one boy and one girl, brother and sister.  This past Thursday they were given their first round of vaccinations, as follows:

Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Rhinotrachetitis
Feline Calicivirus
Feline Chlamydia
Dewormed

Since Thursday evening the girl, Cordelia, has shown temporary listlessness (but she is more active now), diarrhea (which has been persistent), and a loss of appetite.  I have read that vaccinations can produce many these symptoms as an immediate side effect, but it should clear up in 36 to 48 hours.  Today is the third day since their vaccinations, and Cordelia is still not eating as well as she should be; she will come over to the kitchen to be fed, but not cry for food like she did at first, then she will eat a minimal amount of food (if any at all) and walk away.  She does, however, drink a healthy amount of water all day.  In addition, she has extremely soft to liquid bowel movements; but not extremely frequently or uncontrollably like I how would think of "diarrhea".

The boy, Liam, has had no problems what-so-ever.

Could this still be a "normal" side effect of the vaccines?  Should we try to force feed Cordy?

We do have a wonderful vet that we have taken our other cats to; but as money is tight right now, I'd like to avoid an unnecessary trip for something that is not a real problem.

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.  I eagerly await your response.

Regards,


Tim S

Answer
first call your vet and ask if this is normal for her to still be feeling this way. mainly because i am not a vet.

however, here is what i think about your situation. if she had worms, she might not feel better until she passes the worms, watch around her anus for things that look like rice , this is segments of dead tape worm , and if she has round worm she will pass it whole. do not panic if you see either of these, the round worm , which looks like spaghetti and when ya touch it , it curls up into a ring. the worms will be dead when she passes them. now then if you see the rice, go back to the vet and tell them you need a PILL for tape worm, that will kill any left in her. if you see the ring worm, call the vet and tell them you saw it and see if they need her back in for a different worm shot. now about her eating, no dont force her, let her sleep and be listless, it is most likely that she was sick when you got her from the shelter and will just need more time to recouperate. if she is not eating better within 10 days of her shot, she will need to go back to the vet. she should slowly get her appetite back.
if you have any more questions feel free to contact me again.