I am sorry to bother you all again.  You were so kind to me when my
cat, Madeleine, got sick and then died early this year.  I haven't
contributed anything, really.  I feel like i don't know anything
anymore.

Madsie's sister, Grendel, is still with me.  Grendel is fifteen years
old but has now been diagnosed with a herpes virus.  We found this out
when i became concerned because of how she was sneezing and had
symptoms very like what i remember Madeleine having.  Her chest just
sounded congested, so we took her to the vet and that is when he
diagnosed the virus.  He prescribed antibiotics for her, too and gave
her an antibiotic shot.  I realize that antibiotics don't cure the
virus but that perhaps they get rid of any other infection she might
have?

Well, i am very worried because Grendel actually seems worse than she
was before.  It's been a few days and i don't have a good feeling.

I should also mention that she has early stage CRF and we feed her
special food because of that.

So, with that information, there are some things i am wondering and
worrying about.

Can antiobiotics make a cat very sick?  I know from my own personal
experience that the ones for humans can make me feel a little sick but
nothing really extraordinary.  Ever since she came back from the vet
it is hard to get her to eat and we have reluctantly force fed her so
that she will have nutrition and so that we can give her the
antibiotics with something in her stomach.  She does still drink on
her own but not as much as she usually does.

She just hasn't seemed like herself since she came back from the vet.
I would have expected to see at least a little improvement by now.

I know antibiotics are not supposed to be stopped, but i am really
afraid they're making her sick.  I know i am not a doctor but my
observation is that, before we took her to the vet, she did had those
sniffly, congested symptoms, but she was herself, alert, trotting
around, happy... but since the vet visit, the shot, and giving her the
antibiotics, she has gotten much worse.  She is very lethargic and
eats hardly anything, she is starting to be afraid of us because of
the force feeding and having to force the antibiotics, too.  (We've
tried different forms back in the past, the liquid with the dropper,
the pills and the pill pockets.  She actually liked the pill pockets
at first but got to where she hated them.  We hid this morning's pill
in some butter and it actually worked relatively well, for her.)

Anywa, the less she eats the weaker she gets.  The more we force feed
her, the more she hides and is afraid.  It breaks my heart to see her
so stressed out.  That is how she seems, very stressed out like she
just wants to be left alone, when normally, she is an extremely lovey-
dovey, cuddley, and energetic cat.

I am going to take her to a different vet if she is not improved
tomorrow.  I am starting not to trust our main vet.

I guess my main questions are, could the antibiotics actually be
making her worse?  And is there anything i should ask my vet about,
any special meds, or any exams, any ideas at all?

I feel so stupid because i have been taking care of cats all my life.
I have never had such bad experiences as with Madeleine, and now with
Grendel.  I used to feel like i always knew what was going on but now
i am perplexed and feel like i know nothing at all.

I still have not gotten over Madeleine's death this year, i doubt that
i ever will, and i am feeling very scared, wary, and suspicious.  If
Grendel gets any worse, of course i will do everything i can for her,
but i don't know how i am going to handle myself.  I love her with all
my heart and i am afraid of making a mistake.

If anyone has any knowledge or ideas, i would be so grateful to know.

Thank you all again.