Which to treat first?

Re: Which to treat first?

Kate Richardson — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:10:13 GMT

I think they recommend 3-5 days with panacur, but in a lot of cases I have never found this to be long enough, so in some cases have gone as long as 3 weeks, however usually 10-14 days. After the chicken (or turkey), a good GI diet eg Hills id. B12 injections may not be a bad idea as well, won't do any harm. Fingers crossed, poor little mites.

Re: Which to treat first?

CatherineThomas — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:05:31 GMT

I think they are about 9 or 10 weeks.

We have Septrin which I use for rabbits so that is what I was planning to use for the isospora. Thanks, i didn't realise we should be using such a long course of the panacur, I think I've only ever done 5 days of it before.

Re: Which to treat first?

Kate Richardson — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:58:01 GMT

How young are the kittens? All the faecal findings (other than the e.coli) could be significant in young kittens whose immune systems are developing but equally may be of no significance, although you would have to suspect they may all be contributing.The Isospora is likely more significant than not, as is the Giardia. You can get Septrin, a paediatric suspensions of trimethoprim sulphonamides for the Isospora, Panacur for the Giardia as you are doing, may need longer than 5 days. I usually go at least 10 days. I think metronidazole would be a good addition as it has anti-inflammatory effects on the git as well.

Diet wise, go for plain chicken for a few days, up to a week it will be fine. Nothing else. Plus your probiotics and monitoring hydration. Stricy hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfecting of cage and utensils/feed bowls etc.

Don't worry about the licensing!

Re: Which to treat first?

CatherineThomas — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:47:07 GMT

Thanks.

We've decided to use a bland diet with pro-kolin and continue the course of panacur over the weekend. We will re-assess on Monday and decide if we need to add in any antibiotics.

The kittens are bright and happy but there is blood in the faeces.

Re: Which to treat first?

Nicola Lawlor — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 15:48:09 GMT

Lots and lots of probiotics here would also be a good plan in addition to the treatments.

Re: Which to treat first?

Glenn Hodgson — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:52:25 GMT

I would give panacur, "good" diet and reassess a week later. + ab's if very ill or blood in stool.

The rest will hopefully be cleared up by the kitten. If not I would think about giving septrin.

Re: Which to treat first?

Bob Russell — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:56:54 GMT

Light diet (sensitivity control) mixed with Forgastrin if you have got it. Wonderful stuff - turns the food and the poo black but almost tasteless. I have brought many kittens through very severe diarrhoea with the stuff. Contains Bismuth and charcoal and cheap as chips!

Mix a quarter of a teaspoon with every meal.

Don't underestimate the importance of giardia in these cases. I am convinced it plays a big part in the diarrhoes.

Re: Which to treat first?

James Laidlaw — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:10:49 GMT

Both could be commensal, but coccidia is likely to be self limiting, and treatment campylobacter is questionable depending on who you talk to, but I would be less inclined to put it high on my treatment list with multiple infections present. Have you done any checks for corona or trichomonas?

I'd push supportive care and maybe some initial broad spectrum antibiotics, rather than something that might be harmful in developing kittens. Even hospitalisation and IVFT may be the most beneficial. If no better with synulox, maybe metronidazole may be of use?

Re: Which to treat first?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:52:57 GMT

Flip a coin-but seriously there may very well be permanent damage to the villi-so the diarrhoea may continue even after the multiple infections have cleared up

Wynne