Adventures in Kittyland

[machshefa]

Well, we got to meet the vet yesterday.  

The good news is that he's fabulous.  Everybody loved him, even the kitties, I think. 

The less excellent news is that both kittens have parasites -- worms.  Daugher #2 spotted something suspicious whilst brushing Shoko on Thursday and we got in to the vet right away.  Fortunately, the pill he gave them was a one-time dose, and the paste (which apparently tastes good) only needs repeating once in two weeks.  He gave us a flea preventative just in case, even though there's no evidence of fleas.  He said that even though they were dewormed before we got them, sometimes it doesn't kill the parasite in all its stages of growth.  *shudders...

Poor kitties.  

The other thing he found when he examined them were swollen lymph nodes.  This worries me far more...  They were tested for the feline leukemia titer (titer? DNA? exposure... not sure what it is that's tested) when they got to their foster home, and came up negative.  He said that they could be swollen b/c of the parasite load, and we'll recheck in a few weeks.  The vet gave sort of mixed signals about how worried to be.  He said, "This freaks me out a little." But also said, "I don't want you to worry."  Um, too late.

*wibbles and worries

Have any of you ever had this happen?  Had a cat's lymph nodes be swollen and it NOT be a gruesome diagnosis?  Especially for a cat who'd already been tested?

I'm really, really trying not to worry...

--Pets the kitties

Comments

[ariadne1.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

Lymph nodes swell where there is something the system is fighting. The system is fighting parasites.

Seriously. I know you're worried, but hang in. *hugs you*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*clings

*scritches kitties

*glares at parasites

[dynonugget.livejournal.com]

What she said!

Give it time and see what happens. Easier said than done, I know.

*glomps you and kittehs*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

It does make logical sense to me, too... *hopes

*glomps back

thank you :)

[septentrion1970.livejournal.com]

I really hope the diagnosis will be good.

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs

Thank you :)

[kribu.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I don't have any personal kitty experience with either worms or swollen lymph nodes, but I do hope (and trust) that they might well be connected. I really hope it's not anything else!

*hugs you again*
*hugs kitties*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs you and your kitties

I hope it'll be ok -- I'm feeling reassured... :)

Thank you!

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

*points to what ariadne says* i think it very well could be that simple. let's hope so. *crosses fingers for you and adorable felines*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs

Thanks, Kitty... I'm feeling more reassured. It does make the most sense... the simple explanation...

[juno-magic.livejournal.com]

Yes, both our cats have had swollen lymph nodes, and they are both as hale and hearty as ever.

Jupiter has chronic stomach issues and thus often sports swollen lymph nodes during a flare. And Juno-the-cat has bad teeth and a mild auto-immune condition, so she sometimes gets swollen nodes, too.

The vet's right: it's possible that it's just the parasites. I hope it will turn out all right for your gorgeous boys! ♥

~hugs~

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs you

Such a relief to hear that it's not a straight line from swollen lymph nodes to disaster.

I'm definitely feeling reassured... <3 Thank you :)

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about the sick kitties, and hope they get better soon...

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

Thank you...

Kitties: entranced by your icon... playing hide and seek with it :)

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

I hope they're better soon. Remember - worms put a tremendous drain on a cat's system, so it's no wonder the lymph nodes are swollen.

*hugs*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

It does make sense now that I think about it...

*hugs you

*admires kitty

[ayerf.livejournal.com]

Glad that the vet is good, and crossing my fingers that the lymph nodes are only swollen because of the parasites and nothing worse.

*hugs*

*pets for kittehs*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

Kitties purrrrrrr...

Kitties glare at parasites and say they're feeling better :)

*hugs

[bluestocking79.livejournal.com]

~hugs hugs hugs for you and your family, and skritches for poor kitty-boys~

What Ari said. There is a logical reason for them to be swollen right now, so don't panic yet. They've probably had the worms for some time, if the parasite is something that hung on from when you got the boys initially, so that would definitely be a strain on their poor immune systems. I'm glad you caught it and it's been taken care of now. Othello had an intestinal parasite (amongst other problems) when I got him, so I really sympathize. Waiting that two weeks feels like forever, I know, and it's hard not to worry.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good outcome and healthy kittehs!

~pets them and hugs you more~

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

I was thinking similarly -- that they've had those parasites for months. Poor babies. I wish I'd known... I'd have checked them way sooner. *sigh

I'm feeling reassured and hopeful.

*hugs

<3

[hypnobarb1.livejournal.com]

Crossing fingers that everyone is going to come out quite healthy and ready to engage in kitteh mischief.

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs you

I'm hoping! I'll keep you posted :)

[deemichelle.livejournal.com]

I've never had this happen, but &HUGS&

how scary

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*huggles

It was scary! It's making more sense to me now... and I'm feeling more reassured that it's not a straight line to disaster...

[droxy.livejournal.com]

can't say. =(

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*hugs

[dacian-goddess.livejournal.com]

*nods* Swollen lymph nodes definitely mean the immune system is putting in some solid working hours. Absolutely no reason to think that's cause of anything but those icky parasites. Hope everything works out and clears their system soon, poor darlings.

*hugs*

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite expressions: "When you hear hoofbeats, think 'horses', not 'zebras'."

There's good reason to hear horses :)

*hugs and thanks

[alabastardragon.livejournal.com]

When We got Schpuddle he came with parasites and it took two courses of antibiotics to get rid of them but because he had had them so long (dont even know how long.. possibly since he was born as the bitch We got him from kept him in a cage and, it seems gave him pond water to drink!) but because of this he is much smaller than an adult Maine Coon should be. :-(

Your boys will be trying to rid themselves of the worms, as others have said, thats why their glands are swollen. My throat glands are permanently swollen as My body is constantly fighting so try not to worry.

[machshefa.livejournal.com]

*pets Schpuddle

Namir and Shoko: *eye Schpuddle... sniff him... purrrrrr... throw mowsebird to him to play

I was hoping that the reasons for swollen glands in kittens were the same as in humans -- multiple! It is reassuring. Thank you.

*hugs