What makes kittens sick

The decreased function results in frequent urination. The urination could result in dehydration if the kitten is not nursing properly. A simple test to detect dehydration is to pinch the skin. If it pulls back into shape, the kitten is not dehydrated. If it stays in a fold, then the kitten is dehydrated.

If a kitten is not doing well, is cold and is losing weight, it could be dehydrated. To address any dehydration provide kitten formula which will provide nutrition and water. Warm the formula to avoid chilling the kitten.

To diagnose a sick kitten, a veterinarian will take a blood test to check blood glucose levels, white blood counts and levels of urea nitrogen levels in the blood. The blood test can determine if problems such as low blood sugar exist hypoglycemia. A urine sample may also be needed. Hypoglycemia in kittens is caused by higher than normal metabolism, nursing problems, hypothermia low body temperature , and bacteria in the bloodstream called sepsis. Urine tests, umbilical discharge, diarrhea, and discharge from the nose can all be examined for signs of infection.

There are things you can do to make your ill kitty feel better faster. These include making a safe kitten haven, helping your kitty keep clean and just being there for him or her. Remember that a sick kitten relies on you to help nurse them through their illness.

Take care of them, keeping a watchful eye out in case your kittens sickness develops into something worse. If you notice your feline is not getting better - take her to your veterinarian.

In the sad case that a kitten passes away, a veterinarian may want to determine the cause in order to avoid the problem sin other kittens in the litter. Identifying and Caring for a Sick Kitten.

What Causes Cats and Kittens to Vomit. Do you have a kitten care question you'd like our Vet to answer for free? Just enter it below.

It might take several days to respond, so if you have an urgent question, we suggest using this 24 hour online veterinary service that is available now and for free. Close Help. Entering your question is easy to do. Just type! When asking a question about kitten health, please provide as much information for our Vet as possible. Include the kittens age, breed, sex, medical history, diet, medications and changes in behavior.

Pictures are always welcome, particularly for any skin or coat related questions. Let us know where you live, when the problem first started and any changes in products you use or behavior.

The more information provided, the better the response. Kitten care questions are answered on a first serve, first served basis. If you need an immediate response, we suggest using an online veterinary service that always has Vets standing by to answer questions such as this one. Do you have some pictures or graphics to add? Click the button and find the first one on your computer. Select it and click on the button to choose it. Then click on the link if you want to upload up to 3 more images.

Click here to upload more images optional. Your Name. Your Location. You can preview and edit on the next page. Kitten Vomiting and Diarrhea I have a 4 week old kitten that just was introduced to some soft kitten food. It's smells and looks like spoiled …. Her eyes were in bad shape. They were sealed closed and had …. We also already have a healthy 10 year Old cat at home. Fleas can also spread diseases to infested kittens, including Bartonella and Mycoplasma infections. Getting rid of fleas involves the regular often monthly use of a flea medication that is approved for use in kittens, treating all other susceptible pets in the household, and environmental controls vacuuming rugs, upholstery, and floors, laundering pet and human bedding, etc.

Diarrhea can have many causes. Being separated from mother and littermates, moving to a new home, and meeting new people are all stressful for kittens, though they are a necessary part of kittenhood. In addition, a change in diet can cause diarrhea. When diarrhea is caused by these types of factors, it will generally be short-lived and respond to symptomatic treatment returning to the previous diet, stress-relief, and probiotic supplements.

However, diarrhea can also be a sign of serious illness in kittens. Intestinal parasites, bacterial and viral infections, immune disorders, and more can all be to blame.

Because kittens are not able to withstand the effects of diarrhea very well, it is always best to have your kitten evaluated by a veterinarian when the diarrhea is especially severe or persists for more than a day or two.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list of all of the potential health issues that kittens can face. Veterinarians might not see Feline Infectious Peritonitis FIP frequently in their practices, but this is a serious disease and almost always fatal when diagnosed. Your veterinarian can run tests for FELV and FIV, and if your kitten is infected, design a management plan that will keep your kitten happy and healthy for as long as possible. Feline Panleukopenia was once commonly diagnosed in kittens.

Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. Panleukopenia is often fatal, even with treatment. All newly adopted kittens should be seen by a veterinarian within a day or two of coming home. The doctor will perform a physical exam and possibly run some diagnostic tests, treat any problems that are found, and put together a plan for vaccinations, deworming, diet, and other preventive care measures that will hopefully keep your cat healthy for years to come.

Editor's Note: Portions of this article were adapted from a blog post by Dr. If your cat vomits bile persistently or their sickness is accompanied by other health issues such as diarrhoea, loss of appetite or lethargy, seek urgent advice from your vet. Your vet will check your cat over by performing a clinical examination and also ask you questions to see what you have observed at home.

These might include blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis but may include intravenous fluids — a drip — to correct dehydration or antibiotics if infection is suspected. If a so-called foreign body is suspected, surgery may be performed to remove it. Many causes of cat vomiting cannot be prevented. Worried about your cat being sick?

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