just awful, any information would be greatly appreciated

[Guest Anonymous]

I know this is mostly a dog forum but I really need someone who might have some understanding of this.
I came home from work this morning and one of my 4 month old foster kittens came to greet me as usual and when I picked Moxi up I noticed a huge cut on his stomach. It looked as if someone took a knife and tried to skin that area.
He seemed like it wasnt bothering him that much and there was no blood but his skin underneath the fur was showing.
I took him to the vet and when I got into the room they asked if I would scruff him while they took his temperature. He never like to be scruffed or restrained in anyway (his litter came from a feral colony) He turned his head to wiggle out of the scruff and all of his skin around his neck fell off into my hands. I was so shocked and upset that they had to take him out of the room.
When the DVM came into talk to me she told me that all of his skin was falling off and they had no idea why. She said it could be a condition called TEN? I was so upset I couldnt ask questions and she said there was nothing they could do for him. I had no other option but to put him down and now I am left wondering exactly what happened. Im afraid I didnt explore everything we could have done for him.
Has anyone seen this happen before? Does anyone know what TEN is?
I am so confused and upset and I dont think I will be ok until I know what could have possibly happened to my poor baby.
If anyone knows what could have happened or what could have caused this I would really appreciate any help right now.
Thankyou so much

[Sanvean]

Oh, you poor thing! That must have been incredibly traumatic.

I looked around and found it referred to on a veterinary Web site as scalded-skin syndrome (oxic epidermal necrosis). It says it's a serious Staphylococcal-caused toxemia that leads to skin that appears "scalded" and which peels off skin in sheets.

[imported_Kat]

In 11 years of working at a veterinary practice, I too have never witnessed this condition but have heard of it. Listen to your vets advice and keep us up to date on the outcome.

*hugs*

[Aonir]

Thats simply horrible :( I've never heard of it myself... *hugs* we're here for you!

[Guest Anonymous]

Thankyou all for your help, I am just shocked bc one moment I thought it was an injury and the next it was headed in a different direction. did it say what could cause it? This litter has had alot of ups and downs. When I first pulled them from the pound they had something that resembled feline distemper. I lost 2 of his brothers the first week and the other 3 boys survived. Then this happened to Moxi maybe a month after. Should I be concerned that this could happen to the other litter mates? The vets office didnt seem to be able to give me any answers.
I cant adopt these guys out to new homes if it's a possiblity that this could happen to one of them. What would happen if I adopted them to someone with children and this happened? It was traumatic for me, I cant imagine it happening to someone who had just brought home their brand new kitty.

[imported_Cassie]

I am very surprised your Vet did not advise you that he/she would contact a specialist with disease control or with a local Vet college to see if there are special precautions you should be aware of...
if you havent already; advise your Vet that you do have other kittens at home from the same litter, you need to know if this can be spread etc. I also work at a Vet clinic...I also have not seen any thing like what you have described, the Vets I work for would be very concerned and would be on the phone pronto to find out every thing they can.

[ellieangel]

How terribly upsetting for you :(

Let us know how you get on :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh I'm so sorry! That's so terrible! :cry: :cry: I've heard of people picking up older cats by the scruff and the skin comes off, but that's only because their too old for that, and I've only heard of it ever twice, but still all the same very upsetting.
I've never heard of this before, but I would get the rest of the litter checked out too!
Good luck! I hope everything turns out for the better for the rest of the litter! Poor little Moxi, he's at the rainbow bridge now and a very happy little kitty I'm sure! :) :angel:

[courtnek]

If it's a form of Staph it's contagious. It sounds alot like mange, which is
caused by mites that transmit a staph infection to the pet. I would take the others in and have them checked. They may need to be dipped if they have the mites, and put on antibiotics.

I am very sorry about your loss.....May your heart heal quickly.

:angel:

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh my goodness! Thankyou so much for all the information you have provided. Im just so glad I didnt expose them to the other litters in my home. I have however exposed them to my dogs, so that may not matter anymore. He did have hair loss but when I had taken him to the vet his skin scrape and fungal came back negative. They put him on amoxi and the hair grew back.
I am very upset that my vet didnt look into this further. I sometimes wonder if they explore everything that should be done for fosters. Thankyou so much for your advice, I have made appointments for the rest of the guys at another vet clinic. I will keep you guys updated. Thankyou again so much.

[Sanvean]

You and your little babies will be in my prayers. We fostered a litter last summer and also lost two to a rare disease (in our case, it was hemobartanella, a blood parasite that attacks red blood cells). I didn't think I would ever stop crying.

For the meantime, I would keep this litter quarantined and throw away or disinfect (with bleach) EVERYTHING the little one touched.

[Malamum]

:cry: :cry: How horrible for you. I am truly sorry for your loss. :cry: