Yesterday, Dragonheart wasn't acting like himself. To start, he didn't wake my husband up for breakfast as usual, but since he had eaten a lot the previous day, we thought that maybe he just wasn't hungry yet. Then he seemed very lethargic throughout the day, and didn't eat or drink anything, and just lay curled up under the covers, sleeping all day. He also felt very warm to the touch. We couldn't even tempt him with treats. Even Temptations didn't work - we gave him a bunch, but he only ate two.
Our vet is open from 9:30 to 12:00 and then again from 16:00 to 19:00. It was after noon when we noticed that he was really warm, and hadn't been acting like himself all day (he had no interest in checking out Merlin, or in playing at all), and so we brought him to the vet right when they opened at 16:00.
They took Dragonheart's temperature, and it was 40.5°C, which is very high for a cat. Once you get over 41°C, tissues start to be damaged. So they wanted to get his fever down quickly. They gave him IV fluids and antibiotics, and gave him a separate shot to bring the fever down. We sat with him for a long while at the vet's while the IV fluids were being administered. Being a Sphynx, at least they didn't have to shave his leg to insert the IV! They also took some blood to be tested.
The shot that they gave him to bring the fever down worked like a charm! An hour and a half after we brought him back home, he was eating and drinking normally, and even playing a bit! His temperature also seemed to be close to normal.
Merlin and Dragonheart do not like being separated, and both were meowing on either side of the door to the kitten nursery last night. I slept with Merlin in the kitten nursery, while my husband slept with Dragonheart.
This morning Dragonheart was still doing better, but wasn't as active, and he felt a little warm. We brought him back to the vet, where he received more IV fluids. His temperature was a little elevated, but not too bad. He is very good when receiving the fluids, although he doesn't like having his temperature taken. I don't blame him - I wouldn't like having my temperature taken rectally either!
We bring him back to the vet tomorrow morning, for more IV fluids, and we have antibiotics to give him for the next week. The vet isn't quite sure what is causing the fever, but they think it is just an acute infection of some kind. Perhaps Merlin brought something with him that isn't affecting him, but that infected Dragonheart.
Dragonheart is being really good about the IV feed that is stuck to his leg, and hasn't tried to pull it off, although he has tried to lick it a few times. Needless to say, we are worried about our little guy, and hope he feels better soon.
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60 comments
Aw, the poor baby. I hope he's better very soon.
This is very distressing news! We hope Dragonheart will be OK and the mystery illness will go away.
We will purray for him to:)
Purrs & Headbutts Mickey and family
My goodness! I hope that they give him some anti-biotics too so that if it is some sort of infection he can fight it off.
My vet has a thing he stick in my ear to take my tempurature. It is not has bad as having as stick shoved up my butt.
Purrs to Dragonheart and I will Prey that he gets better soon.
This does not look pleasant at all! You are very good and brave dragonheart, fight that microbe soon.
Sending lots of purrrs and meezerly love,
Tamra
This may not be the same... but mom remembers when both girlbeans went off to presschool (so long ago but still seems like yesterday). They always brought home the latest kiddie viruses. I know this is not the same heehee but it sure reminded mom of it.
Dragonheart, we are purring for you to get all better. You are a strong kitty and your mom and dad are very very very good parents to both of you.
we wish you a very fine day.
purrrrs to you and your beans and little merlin
Oh, DH! We are worried about you. We're sending lots of pawsitive thoughts and purrayers your way.
(((hugs))) and purrs to all of you.
Titus, Tazo, EG & their Mom
Dragonheart,
Hang in there little guy - just rest up, and make sure you drink lots of water and eat plenty to keep up your strength. We're purring for you down here,
Purrs & Headbutts
Gypsy & Tasha
Awwwwww, poor Dragonheart. Iz no fun to be sikky. Iz sur yur V-E-T will makes yoo all better. I will purrrs fur yoo an Merlin too cuz he lonlies.
Chance
Oah My dearest Poor great friend!!!
Dragonheart~!!!!
Today I check and back check to your blog, I notice you blog later, I know something is wrong!!! I am so so worry~~
And now finally see your post, Oah Poor dear~!!!!!!!!
Michico and I are so worry and want to give you a big hug.
You are so so brave~!!! I am so proud of you!!!!!!!! I am purring and praying for you!!!!! Hope you are doing ok~!!!!!!!
Take care and I will come back to check out very closely!!
Purr, Kiss,
Adan
Oh goodness, Dragonheart hurry and get well's soon! We will all send you some purrs and healing thoughts your ways.
Get well soon little guy...
Oh, Dragonheart, we saw your mom's comment on the Cat Blogosphere and we rushed right over to check up on you. We're so worried, and so sorry you're not well. But we know you're a strong, brave mancat who can fight this nasty infection and just knock it senseless!!
We're sending you a whole houseful of healing purrs, and we'll keep stopping by to see how you're doing. Drink lots of water so you can get that needle out of your paw!
Love,
Rocky
& all your Artsy Catsy friends
Oh my gosh!!! We haven't been blogging much today but we checked your site first and saw this update! Poor Dragonheart with an IV in your leg. You are very good to not mess with it. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well and this is very disturbing when one of my bestest friends is ill. I hope the antibiotics do the trick (they usually do it seems).
Latte
(Kaze sends gentle licks)
Oh my goodness! Poor Dragonheart!
I will be purring for you. Please get better soon, dear friend!
Dragonheart!!! I hope you feel better! That is a very high fever you had.
Oh no! Dragonheart, I am very sad that you are feeling sick. I hope you get all better soon. I am going to purr and purr for you to feel better. You are brave to keep that thing in your arm.
Feel better soon darling Dragonheart!
Scout had an episode like that last July. Excessive temp & lethargy. They gave fluids like you vet did and also a shot of something. The next day he was even warmer and so they kept him there for the day to keep an eye on him. Put wrapped ice bags into his cage and he went right to them and laid on them. They thought the same thing...massive infection of unknown origin. He got pills for 10 days and slowly felt better.
We are sending Dragonheart lots of healing purrs and hope he gets better soon.
The Turkey Cats
Oh no, oh no, OH NO!! Does his vet think this is a recurrence of what was affecting him last year?
Oh D, everyone loves you and wants you to get better. We'll check back tomorrow!
Oh no Dragonheart! Please feel better soon. We are purring for you buddy!
Oh no Dragonheart we are sorry to hear you are not well. We wondered where you were this morning when we went to check your blog, and wondered if something was wrong.We are sending you and your family purrrrs and (((hugs))) and we hope you are feeling better very soon.
Oh! poor kitty! IV's and stuff are no fun! Hopefully it's just a little buggy and you will be all better soon. It is a good thing you have such attentive parents that notice right away when you are not yourself!~Queen Snickers
Oh gosh, Dragonheart! We sure hope yore feeling better soon. Lots of snuggles wif yore brofur and yore beans will help.
Purrs & Hugs,
Finny & buddy
Oh no! We can't have Dragobheart being sick! I hope all the medications help! Meowm and I will purray for him to be okay!
Awe poor baby. We'z purring and purraying fur yoo to get better really fast. We hope dey figger out what it is soon. Caesar and Prinnie's comment made mom laff cuz she amembers dat too. And now effurytime da grandbeans come over she ends up wif some kinda cold.
Oh Dragonheart! It sounds like you are on the road to recovery, but please be well! We're purring for you.
Pearl, Bert & Jake
Get well soon, Dragonheart! Bonnie haded her leg shaved fur her IV. It looked like her sleeve was rolled up fur months. Efun tho we don't like vets, these are the times when we needs them. Healin purrs!
Oh no no no no no. You must not be sick Dragonheart, you just must not. Mom is very upset over you being sick. She wants you to get better right away. She is glad you beans keeping a close eye on you and have given you some antibiotics. We will pray for you and send yo good thoughts. Please keep us posted.
Roxy, Lucky & Mom
Oh NO! I'm sorry to hear that Dragonheart isn't feeling well! I will purray for him.
It looks like he was being a very good boy at the vets!
Dragonheart, we are so sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well. We will be purring for you to get better soon.
Tiki, Tavi, Cody and Camie
OMG ... pleeeeeeeeeeease get well soon. we keep our paws and momma's fingers crossed for you.
spot, cindy & momma
Oh no, we're sorry you're not feelin' well, Dragonheart. We're purrin' and purrayin' that you'll better furry soon!!
We are so sorry to hear this!
But thinking back, we had this happen to both Trixie first, then poor Tigger after Pye came up from Victoria on the plane.
It wasn't right away - there was a little delay. She brought a virus up with her. A type of cat flu. It was sad watching old Tigger with her runny eyes and her sneezing and lethargy. And at 6 pounds, Tigger has no reserves. She and Trixie were hot, sick and unhappy.
I'm sorry this has happened to our lovely Dragonheart. :(
Oh dear! Our healing purr and prayer buttons are on high for Dragonheart to get all better soon (and for Merlin to stay healthy.). Sending Dragonheart virtual snuggles!!
He is such a good kitty to be behaving like that. That will help him heal soon I'm sure.
Dragonheart...we are so sorry you are sick. We don't like to see any kittie get sick. They can't tell us what is wrong. Please get better soon...We will be back to check on you.
Hugs~ Chancy
dear dragonheart--we are furry worried about you, bud--although encouraged to know that your fever is abating somewhat an' you are playin' wif merlin! we have begun purrin' an' purrrayin' for you, an' will not stop until you are all better!!
please thank your mama for posting, so we would know how things are going.
gentle headbutts to you, furriend!
Oh, Dragonheart, we're so sorry to hear you're not feeling well! We'll send our strongest healing purrs for you to feel better very soon. You're such a sweet and special kitty -- hang in there with your fluids and your medicines, and your wonderful Mom and Dad and vet will help you get well.
Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao and all the Ballicai and hugs to your beans from the Ballicus Mom.
Sending lots of healing purrs and prayers to all.
xooxoxoxo
Oh no! Poor Dragonheart! We will be sending lots and lots of purrs for you. We're furry happy that your Mommy and Daddy are taking such good care of you, though.
Purrrrrrrrrs!
Sanjee, Boni Maroni, Mini, Gree and Pepi
A message .... (Thought you might want to know they's finkin of yoo too!)
Riley & Tiki wrote: Dragonheart has a fever and isn’t feeling well. We can’t get on his bloggie to wish him well because it makes our browser freeze (we read from bloglines), but we are hoping he feels better soon.
Oh, sweet Dragonheart!! I am so sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I am sending my strongest healing purrs that you are feeling better very soon -- we Ballicai are worried about you! Keep taking your medicine, and your IV fluids will help. It sounds like your sweet humans and your vet are taking very good care of you.
We Ballicai send you our love!
Healing purrs and snuggles from Marilyn.
awww Dragonheart - purrrsssssss and purrrrsss and purrrsss to you. Mommy wants to cuddle you
Oh, Dragonheart, I am sorry to hear you are under the weather. Hope you feel better soon and Merlin doesn't come down with whatever you have. Purrs.
Feel better soon Dragonheart!! I'm so sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well.
Oh DragonHeart feel better soon. Purr, purr, purr, purr, purr.
Oh Dragonheart!!! We are sending lots of purrs all the way from Antarctica and also a BIG iceberg - to cuddle against if your temperature goes up again!!!! Please be all o.k. again SOON!!!!!!
Tomorrow we will visit the South Pole Station - so come on over and check it out! The sight of all the ice should make you feel cooler!
Oh Dragonheart, we are purrring and purrayering for you to get better soon! Healing vibes coming your way!
Your FL furiends,
Oh dear Dragonheart!
We are so sorry you don't feel well. We are all purring hard for you.
~ The Bunch
we is purrayin fer yur speedy recovery dragonheart!
yuki & kimiko & kintaro
Dear Dragonheart, I'm so sorry you are not feeling good! I doesn't sound like much fun to get those fluids, but it does seem to be working for you.
Get better!
Tara
HOpe you feel better Dragonheart!!!
Oh, we feel terrible that Dragonheart is sick. We hope he gets well very quickly.
jans funny farm
Aw, man, I hope he feels better ASAP. The stabby place bites, but at least they did something for him instead of just waiting to see.
Aww Dragonheart, I had tears in my eyes, reading about all you've gone through the last couple days...We were called over to our son's house at 3:30 today, to "be with/watch" our granddoggy, Maggie...she was very lethargic today and they took her to the vet this morning, she has an allergic reaction to shots she got yesterday...and all she would let me do is hold her for hours tonight...She's a mini dauschund, and only weighs 7 lbs soaking wet...but her Grambower wanted to just hold her! Her mommy and daddy both had to work double shifts today, and if Grampbower and I hadnt gone there, she was going to be left alone all day and night!!! My goodness sweetie, I will be back, I just know those IVs are going to help you put the bounce back into your step asap! Sending you loves and hugs Dragonheart!
KC said...
O, Dragonheart, glad to hear u's getting better. How skeery fur ur's fambly, especially Merlin. i know him doesn't like haffing hims big brofur sick and at tha vets.
Get well soon,
Purrs, KC
Auch mein lieber Bruder...I am purrraying for you so much mommy and I are that is! We will tell Lapdaddy in the morning to pray too...he love you as much as we do. I can not understand that we poor little kitties have to suffer so much. We do have a compromised immune system, your breed and mine. Our mommies love us so much and worry about our health. I will lite a blue healing candle for you right now in my special kitty candle holder. All my love for you complete recovery soon my dearest...Love your Peachy
Poor dragon heart... is it because of this you can't join photohunt today?
Oh goodness! We didn't check in yesterday so we didn't know that DH is under the weather! We're sending many pawsitive thoughts, purrs, headbutts and purrayers!
Luf, Us
What fright!!!!! I don´t know that Dragonheart was sick. I´m so sorry and I hope that he recovers soon. I have seen that there is a new kitty. Concatulations!
Oh no!! Dragonheart, we are so sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. Mommy hasn't helped us visit much lately (she seems to think so much about the blurpy thing's arrival these days) we just didn't know you weren't well. We are so glad to hear you are feeling better now, our friend!!! Stay well!
Purrs,
Mr. Chen & Ollie
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