Vomiting and Diarrhea When a kitten has diarrhea or vomiting, your first priority is to take him to the vet. The loss of body fluids at a rapid rate will dehydrate your kitten quickly and he could die. Both of these symptoms can be part of a larger health concern and a vet should be...
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is a common illness in orphaned kittens, mainly because they did not receive the all-important colostrum they needed from mother-cat. Also, depending on how long they were exposed to the elements, they could have become chilled and now their nose may be plugged up, or you will see tell-tale bubbles coming...
Often, a kitten will have some sort of parasite, whether it is fleas, worms, ear mites or ringworm. It’s imperative to rid the kitten of these invaders as they can cause illness or even death in a small kitten if left untreated. When treating parasites, never use over-the-counter treatments. Always buy them from a vet....
For kittens in a weakened state, you can buy Nutrical paste from your vet. Nutrical is a high energy source of nutrition and vitamins, which will help the kitten to regain his strength. Your vet can advise you as to how much to give.
Sometimes due to circumstances beyond your control, you can find yourself having to raise not one or two, but a whole litter of orphaned kittens. If they are newborn kittens, chances are they will be suckling each other, especially if there are male kittens in the litter. So when this happens, besides thinking to yourself...
Having a sturdy box for your kitten is important. You can use a clean, strong cardboard box or better still, an inexpensive see-through Rubbermaid box. Carefully cut a large section out of the lid (about the size of a large dinner plate) place screening over the hole and tape securely with duct tape. You can...
As well as feeding, stimulating and keeping your kitten clean and warm, it’s important to spend some quality time with him. Hold him, pat him, talk to him, and offer him cuddles and other things that a kitten enjoys. If the kitten is newborn or very young, just holding him close to you and talking...
Very young kittens cannot eliminate without help and the mother-cat licks the kitten’s abdomen and anal area to stimulate elimination. You need to mimic this action after every feeding. You can even do it a bit before each feeding as well. Prepare a bowl of warm water and some cotton balls, tissues, gauze or a...
Kittens are fragile and sensitive to disease and infections. This is particularly true for kittens that did not get any milk from their mother. During the first few days after the birth, the mother-cat secrets a special condensed milk called colostrum. The colostrum contains vital antibodies that provide the kitten with passive immunity to many...
Your first priority is warmth for your kitten. Chilly night air can be deadly, especially to a wet kitten. If your kitten is wet, getting him dry becomes paramount. Gently dry him off with a towel and if it doesn’t cause him to be too anxious, blow-dry him with a hairdryer set on low. Avoid...
