new litter of 5, one kittens eye is gunked up?...

G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
Well, one of my cats just had a litter of 5 a week ago today
They all seem to be healthy, and eating properly. 4 of them have opened their eyes already, however, one kitten can only open half of one eye. It looks like one eye has some gunk on it (not really sure what else to describe it as). and the other eye seems to only be able to open 1/2 way as it's sort of gooped up too. It also seems to be gasping for air through it's mouth, and I think there may be some dirt or something on it's nose. We're snowed in right now, and it's been icing out since yesterday. Is there anything I can do to clear the stuff from her eyes and nose?

It's almost like when you get pink eye, and that gunk like glues your eyes shut.

Does anyone have any advice to clear this up? I have to look up the number to the spca (all of the vets around here are too expensive
). but in the mean time, can anyone recommend anything?
 
G

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
Sounds like some kind of upper respitory infection. Did the mom have any signs? I would very gently take a soft washcloth and warm water and lightly wipe the eyes of the kittens.

Try to get them to a vet as soon as possible. You might want to set up a humidifier to put a little moisture in the air for breathing.
 
jen

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
It could be a respiratoy infection or I was thinking it just sounds like the one kitten is a little slower at opening its eyes then the others. I wouldn't try to force them open. They will open eventually. I would however put a warm damp washcloth as I think was mentioned above. But don't force the eye to open.

Also for the gasping for air, kittens this young often freak people out thinking they cannot breath. They are just hissing, or attempting to hiss. But no sound usually comes out this young.

EDIT: That is "I WOULDN'T try to force the eyes open"!! Big typo there. Do not FORCE the kittens eyes open!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4
G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
Originally Posted by Jen

It could be a respiratoy infection or I was thinking it just sounds like the one kitten is a little slower at opening its eyes thenthe others. I would try to force them open. They will open eventually. I would however put a warm damp washcloth as I think was mentioned above. But don't force the eye to open.

Also for the gasping for air, kittens this young often freak people out thinking they cannot breath. They are just hissing, or attempting to hiss. But no sound usually comes out this young.
Click to expand...
It looks like there's just some gunk or something on it's nose too. I'll try the warm wash cloth. We don't own a humidifier, where could I pick one up? Walgreens or some place like that?


Anyway, for anyone curious, here's a bunch of pictures I took over the first 3 or 4 days of the babies


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v615/ecoppola/babies/


A few of my more favorite pictures
 
K

kittiesx2

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
500
Purraise
1
Location
Wa. state
Hi, I'm new here and wanted to say congratulation's on your babies, they are very cute! Upper respratory(sp?) infections are REALLY common in babies and since they are so little I would at least call a vet to ask their opinion.

You can also take the baby into a steamy bathroom for five minutes or so several times a day to break up any congestion and help the baby breath easier.
 
tnr1

tnr1

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
7,980
Purraise
13
Location
Northern Virginia
Originally Posted by Girly Girl

Well, one of my cats just had a litter of 5 a week ago today
They all seem to be healthy, and eating properly. 4 of them have opened their eyes already, however, one kitten can only open half of one eye. It looks like one eye has some gunk on it (not really sure what else to describe it as). and the other eye seems to only be able to open 1/2 way as it's sort of gooped up too. It also seems to be gasping for air through it's mouth, and I think there may be some dirt or something on it's nose. We're snowed in right now, and it's been icing out since yesterday. Is there anything I can do to clear the stuff from her eyes and nose?

It's almost like when you get pink eye, and that gunk like glues your eyes shut.

Does anyone have any advice to clear this up? I have to look up the number to the spca (all of the vets around here are too expensive
). but in the mean time, can anyone recommend anything?
Click to expand...
Girly Girl...welcome to TCS. I would definately contact your vet but I would also make sure that none of your other cats are allowed near your mom cat and kittens right now as URIs can spread very easily.

Were you able to schedule a neuter appt. for your male?

Katie
 
P

poohandwendy

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
522
Purraise
1
Location
pennsylvania
Hi Girly Girl, (cute screenname, LOL)

I am in PA too (and snowed/iced in, LOL) Are you in or around Pittsburgh? If so, I have some resources that may be helpful to you. My local humane society has a Clinic Membership Club that for a small fee, covers all vet visits for a year and offers very discounted shots and spay/neuter cost. Additional animals are offered membership for an even more discounted price. I'll send you a pm about local info, just in case. Even if you are out of my area, I may know people who can find some info for you regarding low cost vets in your area for medical and spay/neutering.

The kittens are just adorable!

As far as the eye and stuffy nose (did you read the link regarding goopy eyes? If not, that is a good place to starthttp://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54375), I would definitely try the steamy shower idea and also you can clean the eye area with saline solution and sterile gauze. Sterile being the really important thing. Obviously, the kittens should be seen by a vet. Respiratory infections can take young kittens fairly rapidly, so it's really important for the kittens to be seen by a vet asap. I understand the snow/ice issues, though.

Anyways, welcome to The Cat Site! Many wonderful people here!
 
jen

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
Aww they are so cute! Make sure momma stays in and away from intact males so she doesn't get pregnant again! That would be horrible! Where in PA are you located btw?
 
proudkittiemom

proudkittiemom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
5,037
Purraise
12
Location
Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by poohandwendy

Hi Girly Girl, (cute screenname, LOL)

I am in PA too (and snowed/iced in, LOL) Are you in or around Pittsburgh? If so, I have some resources that may be helpful to you. My local humane society has a Clinic Membership Club that for a small fee, covers all vet visits for a year and offers very discounted shots and spay/neuter cost. Additional animals are offered membership for an even more discounted price. I'll send you a pm about local info, just in case. Even if you are out of my area, I may know people who can find some info for you regarding low cost vets in your area for medical and spay/neutering.

The kittens are just adorable!

As far as the eye and stuffy nose (did you read the link regarding goopy eyes? If not, that is a good place to starthttp://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54375), I would definitely try the steamy shower idea and also you can clean the eye area with saline solution and sterile gauze. Sterile being the really important thing. Obviously, the kittens should be seen by a vet. Respiratory infections can take young kittens fairly rapidly, so it's really important for the kittens to be seen by a vet asap. I understand the snow/ice issues, though.

Anyways, welcome to The Cat Site! Many wonderful people here!
Click to expand...
welcome to TCS, everyone here has seemed to give u great info!!! Also where are u located in PA, we have several people here from differnt parts of PA and maybe they/we can help u find a low cost place for u!! Also ur kittie and ur kittens are very very cute
I also am in Pittsburgh and snowed/iced in right now
 
xxtashaxx

xxtashaxx

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2006
Messages
3,113
Purraise
1
Location
uk london
Just wanted to say first of all , welcomes to TCS , this is a great site and you will get so much usefull and helpfull information here.

there isnt much i can say that hasnt already been said. but i do wish you all the very best, and healing vibes for your little one , they look very cute we just love pics here lol.
i would go with what the other posters have said and try to clear away most of the gunk away gently untill you can get them to a vet . and keep a close eye on the other 4 to make sure there not showing any signs aswell.
please keep us updated.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11
G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
I've been keeping an eye on them, and the other 4 seem to be doing very well. They have all opened their eyes, are wiggling around, and have nice round little full bellies


I'm located in Easton, PA. Not far from Allentown. We ventured out for a little bit today just to come to the office and do some work (less than 1 mile down the street from our apartment) and even that was a chore


What type of saline solution do you recommend? Or is warm water the best?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12
G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
That's a picture of the baby


I'm going to try to take it to the vet today. I'd been washing it with warm water and a cotton ball once or twice a day, and it was starting to look better, but once I matted the hair down, I noticed it looked a bit swolen. Well, mommy went to town licking the eye area last night, and it started pussing. It looks like she popped an infection or something. Anyway, the baby opened the eye a bit, and it just looks red/bloodshot and infected
Poor little thing. I'm going to try to get to the vet or SPCA or something in a little bit.

I hope he doesn't go blind in that eye!!
 
kittylover4ever

kittylover4ever

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2004
Messages
21,696
Purraise
16
Location
Ohio
What darling pics. I"m glad the little guy is going to the vet.......let us know how it goes...........my Petals had a bad eye infection when we found her,and she turned out just fine.........thanks to our wondeful vet!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14
G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
They don't open till noon, so I'm just waiting right now
It's making me so nervous.

And they are absolutely adorable!!
They've started getting playful. one of them was just laying on his back last night, pawing at the air and anyone else who came near him.

Also, we noticed at least one of them is VERY fuzzy (one of the black ones) I think he will be long haired like his daddy


I want to try to get individual pictures of each kitten once a week and watch them grow, but mommy freaks out when I pick them up.
She's a very skittish mommy, although I can understand I guess. She was a stray I rescued from NYC when I was out with a friend (she literally just like jumped in our car, into my friends lap, and promptly fell asleep). She was malnourished, tiny, and sooo scared
She's always been very skittish around people though. She won't let you pet her unless she comes up to you and flops down in your lap
She doesn't mind me petting them, or kissing them. But picking them up is a whole different story
 
G

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
Some mom's are pretty posessive - I usually would just hold the kitten in my hands right where they could see them. After about 2-3 weeks they are not as concerned.

Hope the little one is better soon. Unless the mom is carrying longhair gene, the kittens will be all shorthair even if dad's a longhair. I've had "fluffy" kittens I thought would be longhair and they turned out shorthair.
 
tnr1

tnr1

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
7,980
Purraise
13
Location
Northern Virginia
But picking them up is a whole different story
Click to expand...
In that case..I would really recommend respecting mom's desires and not pick them up. Pictures are great...but not at the expense of mom's peace. Also, now is the time to be extra vigilent that mom doesn't get outside or even get around the dad (BTW....has he been neutered yet?) It would be wise to keep them apart until she has been spayed to avoid the possibility of her getting pregnant again.

Katie
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17
G

girly girl

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
23
Purraise
0
Location
PA
No, I've not picked them up since she got upset the last time. I've only picked the one up with the bad eye to clean it up, then it goes right back in the box. None of the cats go outside at all. We keep her away from the dad when we're not home. When we are home, they both run around the house, but they're fine with eachother. I just found a low cost spay/neuter place near us, so, I'm making an appointment with them for him to get neutered.
 
G

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
they are NOT fine together. Dad can remate at any time - you should be getting dad and mom in to be altered - Dad can get her pregnant 30 days after being neutered. So they need to be separated and altered. Schedule the appointments now....PLEASE!
 
xxtashaxx

xxtashaxx

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2006
Messages
3,113
Purraise
1
Location
uk london
just wanted to say i hope everything goes well at the vets, and good on you for sorting out the spaying and neutering.
but please do keep them apart at all times untill mum has been spayed.
also wanted to just add , about genes. you say unless mum is carrying the longhair gene then the kittens will not be longhair?
does this mean even if the mum is not fluffy but maybe her mum or dad was then the kittens might be fluffy ? or if it is just the mum who is fluffy the kittens will be ?
when we took on two 4 week old kittens there mum was shorthair (not sure about dad) but i had brother and sister and the brother was short hair , but his sister is so fluffy lol.
i havnt a clue how genes work though.
 
tnr1

tnr1

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
7,980
Purraise
13
Location
Northern Virginia
Originally Posted by Girly Girl

No, I've not picked them up since she got upset the last time. I've only picked the one up with the bad eye to clean it up, then it goes right back in the box. None of the cats go outside at all. We keep her away from the dad when we're not home. When we are home, they both run around the house, but they're fine with eachother. I just found a low cost spay/neuter place near us, so, I'm making an appointment with them for him to get neutered.
Click to expand...
That's great that you have found a low cost place and are planning to get dad neutered. I'm also glad that you are keeping mom and dad separate when you are not home..but I have to agree that you need to keep them separated at all times until your girl is spayed. Cats do not have to be in heat to get pregnant and even with kittens, your girl could become pregnant again...so it's best not to risk it.

Katie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top