Ben is in the Vets

[Velvet]

Well we got the offical news today that Ben is now clear skin wise of Ringworm. He has had his intensive six week course of Intrafungol (orally) & cream topically. Of course the others had to be treated also as a precaution. We knew the rescue had had kittens with ringworm in but been assurred Ben was healthy so you can imagine our dismay to find we had a kitten with cat flu & ringworm :(. The rescue did offer to take him back however we saw no point to that, we had already bonded & this was his home

So today at 23 weeks Ben has been told he is ringworm free & has gone in for his neuter & microchip. There are risks with the anaesthetic, it may cause a drop in his immune system due to stress & bring the ringworm back. Ringworm can occur in kittens under 12 months whose immune system is not fully developed. However that aside at some stage he will have to be neutered anyway so with vets approval & health check this morning, he will have his wee Op carried out

Whilst at the vets i pulled the vets attention to a cluster of nodules on Bens throat. We (vet & myself) had initially thought they might be nips during rough play. Ben plays very roughly. Under the vets lighting they were red looking:(. Vet thinks it may be a skin condition that cats can be prone to - Eosinophilic Granuloma. To make a diagnosis they need to do a biopsy, so that is being done today also. It could be caused by his immune system being low or allergy.

So our wee man isnt out of the woods yet so please keep him in your thoughts today.

[angieh]

Poor wee kitten ....... what a rough start he's had. I have every hope that with your love and care he will grow to be a healthy boy. Healing and calming vibes for Ben today, and for you too Velvet.

[Shelley123]

Poor little Ben, hope he goes on alright at the vets and makes a speedy recovery.

[Velvet]

The vet mustn't have liked what he found when he shaved Ben's throat as he removed all the nodular cluster - the wee man is stitched right down to top of his chest :/

Asides that he is in good form, eating & drinking & playing. The biopsy has been sent off so we should know what it was by end of this week. He is a brave wee soul. Few pics of him - couple of his operated area & rest of him on my knee last night. At least with the ringworm gone, we can kiss the top of his wee head again xx

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x459/Timambmin2/A685D7CC-D3B1-4395-9804-29A9536E8F6D-3159-000002E53849B429.jpg

[TiggerMoon]

Aww, poor lad x Glad that there is some good news, and fingers crossed for the results of the biopsy x

[Shelley123]

Now that you can kiss the top of his little head, give him one from me x
I do hope the biopsy comes back ok and that he can get on with his life

[paulinef2]

Aww the poor wee thing, you guys are not having an easy time of it. Fingers crossed all will be well x

[angieh]

Fingers and toes crossed for a good result. Poor wee chap, glad he's come through the op OK and is back home.

[Shelley123]

Hope Ben is feeling ok today

[Velvet]

Ben is doing ok. Much more like himself. Here is couple of photos of him today. His biopsy results should be back tomorrow or Friday.

Washing his beloved Harvey's face :)

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x459/Timambmin2/B66733D6-5690-424F-9B87-09310EFB8D41-1327-0000011441624317.jpg

Sleepy boy x

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x459/Timambmin2/CD797064-031E-4EA0-BC91-9FFE5B6705B8-1327-000001145B0F4C64.jpg

[Shelley123]

Glad Ben is feeling ok, I love the picture of him washing Harvey.

[angieh]

I have my fingers crossed for Ben's results xxx

[Velvet]

No results yet, they have not arrived back so looks like it could be next week before we know

[angieh]

Shame - I may have to uncross my fingers and toes until Monday. Please give Ben a wee cuddle from me.

[Shelley123]

hoping the results get back soon and are ok Helen.

[angieh]

What's the news Velvet? Fingers still crossed here.

[Velvet]

Finally got the results on Tues but only after i kept chasing them up, think delay was due to Bank Holiday. Anyway nothing sinister was found & probably just allergy of some sort. Said we could do (expensive) tests however ive had that carried out on two of the Boxers & nothing conclusive was found other than they were allergic to grass during growing season. He fine in himself other than the fact the surgery did csuse a drop in his immune system & the ringworm has come back a bit :(. Ive caught that on very quick & started topical treatment immediately. Hes been very naughty this week & again i think its a reaction to surgery last week . He only went infor routine neuter/ chip & ended up with radical surgery. We will get over it though

[Shelley123]

great news, i'm glad the results are ok.What worry it's been for you.Hope Ben gets over the ringworm quickly.

[angieh]

So glad nothing sinister found, hope Ben continues to recover. I haven't read your thread on immune system yet but it does seem to be a recurring problem for wee Ben.

[Velvet]

So glad nothing sinister found, hope Ben continues to recover. I haven't read your thread on immune system yet but it does seem to be a recurring problem for wee Ben.

Immune systems in Kittens under 12 months are not the most robust apparently. Was talking to a Fosterer recently & she says for a kitten to take the likes if Cat Flu, wee kittens immune systems are at rock bottom & same goes for ringworm & poor wee man had both at once when we got him.

On Tues i felt a but down over it & found myself thinking would we be free of the ringworm this time next year!!

Katie has it now too - her immune system is compromised because of the kidney failure. Have thrown all their bedding out, bought new stuff thats easier to boil wash, bought a floor steam cleaner & more powerful Dyson (one of ones they are advertising) to try & get on top of the ringworm. Katie isnt bad, she just has two lesions. Ive seen pics on the web where dogs are just a mass of lesions :(.

[Shelley123]

Helen,
i'm so sorry to hear about all your problems with the ringworm. I've never come across it but it sounds awful. I hope you manage to get on top of it soon.You have put so much effort into getting that little kitten well, he's so lucky you took him on. Hope Katie is better soon.

[Velvet]

Thanks Shelley, Ben seems to be responding faster this time to the topical cream, that must be a good sign. He is an affectionate wee man but oh so hates that cream on his head :)

[angieh]

I've been Googling about cat colds (both cats and dog have been affected recently) and came across an article that mentioned immunity and it would appear that you may be able to boost Ben's immunity with either herbal or homoeopathic remedies. Perhaps if you search a bit online in those areas, you may find something specific for Ben - or you may like to try and find an animal homoeopath practice near you?

[Velvet]

Thanks Angie, was thinking same thing, did some googling ober weekend & came across a German product specifically for kittens. Trixie Vitamin Paste for Kittens. Its supposed to
Boost the immune system.

Its actually difficult to get a supplier, finally found it on Zooplus. £7.49 for 3 tubes PLUS P&P was £7.90. Dont think will ever get over the P&P costing more than the product:/. !!