Kitten Health Issues to Watch Out For
Spay/Neuter Incision Issues - Symptoms: Redness, significant swelling, or puss/discharge
Incision issues are rare, and typically occur within the first week post-operation. Please reach out with photos if you have any concerns about the healing of their incisions. Treatment will be administered by the clinic where the spay/neuter took place, free of charge. Call us immediately if your cat has any of the following life threatening symptoms: repeated vomiting, or significant lethargy with refusal to eat/drink.
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) - Symptoms: Sneezing, nasal/eye discharge
If your cat experiences any of these symptoms within the first 14 days, please reach out to us so we can dispense medication (if needed) free of charge. If you see signs of URI, please keep your newly adopted kitten separate from other household cats until it has been resolved. If your cat has any of the following life threatening symptoms: labored breathing, significant lethargy, or prolonged refusal to eat/drink, please see your vet for an appointment as soon as possible.
Intestinal Parasites - Symptoms: Soft stool containing blood or mucous, or with foul odor
Please contact us right away if you notice a significant change in their stools. Softening of stools can be related to diet or a variety of highly prevalent yet benign intestinal viruses. Our team can help you determine if your cat’s symptoms warrant fecal testing. If so, we will ask you to submit a fecal sample to our clinic so we may test for suspect parasites and dispense medication if needed (free of charge within the first 14 days of adoption).
Ringworm Symptoms - patches of dry scaly skin w/ hair loss
Ringworm (in the same family as other fungal skin infections - jock itch, athletes foot) is a self-curing ailment in healthy adult cats and humans. It can however cause symptoms in young kittens, and if left untreated can cause kittens to have uncomfortable and unsightly patches of hair loss. Our kittens are screened for ringworm, but can encounter it in the environment at any time. If you start to notice any areas that show hair loss plus dry scaly skin please reach out to us so we can get you the shampoo and topical cream to stop the growth and protect the other cats and humans in your household. Medication and support is free of charge for any cat developing ringworm in the first month after adoption.
Fleas & Ear Mites Symptoms - scratching ears, dark earwax buildup, “flea dirt” on skin
Your cat will have been treated for fleas and ear mites while in foster care, but may be due for the next dose of monthly protection shortly after adoption. You should consult with your veterinarian about future protection, depending on your cat’s exposure (indoor only/indoor-outdoor,living with dogs). We do not recommend over the counter flea medication (those available at pet stores), as fleas have shown to be resistant to these medications. The best flea/tick/parasite prevention will be available through your veterinarian, but prescriptions can also be filled for less through 1-800-petmeds.
If you find fleas or ear mites in the first 7 days after adoption, please reach out to us so we can confirm when they were last treated, and if needed send out medication free of charge.
Urinary Tract Infections Symptoms - Urinating outside litter, frequent straining/howling
Urinating outside the box is sometimes behavioral and just part of adjusting to the new place and learning good litter habits. However, it can sometimes be due to a bladder and/or kidney infection, bladder crystals, or some other blockage. It’s important to be on the look out for signs pointing to a health issue, and contact your veterinarian quickly, as a blocked bladder is an urgent life-threatening condition.
Rare conditions:
There are a few rare viral diseases that can affect cats under 2 years of age. These illnesses are serious and are almost always fatal if not caught and treated early.
FIP Symptoms - unexplained depression/lethargy, bloating in the stomach or chest, breathing difficulties, lack of appetite, recurrent URI, unexplained fever, weight loss, jaundice, and diarrhea
FeLV Early symptoms - loss of appetite, weight loss, poor coat condition, enlarged lymph nodes, persistent fever, pale gums, persistent diarrhea. Later stages symptoms - inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and mouth (stomatitis), infections of the skin, urinary bladder, and upper respiratory tract, a variety of eye conditions
If you suspect either of these illnesses, see your vet as soon as possible, as early treatment is key. Additionally, there are active online communities that focus on new treatments for these rare diseases. These groups can be a source for up-to-date information and resources, and members are happy to share their stories. Sometimes these groups can help direct you to a vet team in your area that has specialized experience diagnosing and proactively managing these conditions.