Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

[Patti]

As Brigitte has mentioned, camphylobacter is found very commonly in the cat's gut and usually doesn't cause symptoms unless the kitten becomes stressed or immunocompromised. My understanding is that it is usually self limiting and doesn't require any treatment unless it is a very severe case.

Heads up though, in case your vet didn't mention it, this is a zoonotic organism, which means you can catch it from Rascal, so be sure to wash your hands after any contact with him and before eating any food.

 

[Cinamon]

I changed my avatar to a pic of my boys...Country Boy is the gold, and Rascal is the silver. They are the sweetest loves of my life <3

 

[Patti]

Awww, they are gorgeous, and sooo adorable!!

 

[admin]

Once there is an outbreak of campyhylobacter, it needs to be treated... It usually does not go away on its own

 

[Cinamon]

Update on Rascal.
He was perking up & doing better on the flagyl. No loose stools, and no vomitting until last night. Stools are still formed, gram stain yesterday showed campylobacter was still (+). He threw up undigested food last night, and bile this morning. He seems to have a "tummy ache", sitting quietly in "pounce position" much of the day. Appetite not as good today (he is on Royal Canin GI prescription food) but drinking water as usual. Starting him back on cerenia for another 8 days, and switching the flagyl our to erythromycin. Please pray that this helps my baby feel better again, and gets rid of the campylobacter His brother & litter mate is still feeling fine, and we have no idea where he could have contracted this bacteria. If anyone has any other treatment suggestions I would love to hear them.

 

[Cinamon]

he is also still on a daily probiotic capsule

 

[admin]

I'm sorry to hear rascal is feeling under the weather... The erythromycin should do the trick

 

[Carykd7kau]

Prayin...

 

[WitchyWoman]

Poor wee one. Keeping fingers crossed that the treatment works. Hugs to you too. It's stressful having a sick baby.

 

[Patti]

Hopefully the erythromycin will do the trick. I am unclear - is his brother with you as well? If so, and they have been sharing litter boxes then he needs to be treated as well. In fact, even if he's not with you, the fact that they grew up together suggests that they shared litter boxes so likely share the camphylobacter, which means the brother should be tested and/or treated as well.