Sick Kitten
My Poor Sick Kitten: What Can I Do?
Taking care of a sick kitten can be rather daunting, as there are a great many reasons for illness in felines, and a variance in severity which can keep us nervously guessing. For the most part, a sick kitten needs to be seen by a veterinarian, and there are few ways of getting around this. Drainage from the nose, eyes, and mouth can be a sign of something as simple as a bacterial infection or a cold, and can be a symptom of a disease as severe as feline infectious peritonitis. Fever can be determined by a dry, warm nose and excessive body heat, and this type of ailment will likely require antibiotics at least. Keep things quiet and stress free for your sick kitten until his appointment with the doctor.
Diarrhea is another clear sign that things are not as they should be for your sick kitten, and dehydration can compound his already trying issues. Try adding fluids to his normal foods, but do not change his normal diet, as this can cause even more stomach and bowel discomfort. Though offering him some soft, tasty canned meal may seem like a kind thing to do, you may just be adding to his misery. Moistening his normal foods with water may be a better choice, but asking your veterinarian what to do is always a good idea.
If you are dealing with a sick kitten who has not been vaccinated, the chances are much higher that he has been infected with a communicable feline parasite or disease. Immediate treatment should be sought in these cases and the kitten in question should remain separated from any other household pets until diagnosis and treatment have been made. It is important to note that there are a few conditions which may be dangerous to your kitten, even if fever, drainage, and diarrhea are not showing as symptoms.
Fleas can cause major problems when allowed to overrun your cats, and if you are dealing with a sick kitten you may want to check him for these bloodsucking parasites. For the most part, fleas and mites are considered as an annoyance alone, but when left untreated these bugs can cause serious health risks to your animals. Often passed to the offspring through the mother after birth, it is difficult to treat a young, weak kitten for fleas and mites. The poisons can have an adverse effect on these little ones, so you may need to manual pick them for these nasty parasites each day. If you are caring for a sick kitten, try to fight your impulse to hold and coddle him too much. Your added body heat can cause him heightened symptoms, where calm and still will perpetuate his need to rest.