6 wk kitten spasms when purring/ won't purr

I adopted a male kitten from a shelter two days ago. I'd been watching the litter grow for two weeks. The kitten I got didn't purr, but I didn't think anything of it until yesterday morning. I finally got him so happy he started purring. When he did his head/neck spasmed consistently until he stopped purring. It looked like he was jutting his chin forward. I haven't been able to get him to purr since.

If he is just 6 weeks old, he's really still just an infant. It may be that his little purr-er doesn't work yet . If that keeps up, I'd contact the vet. He might have some kind of abnormality that makes it uncomfortable for him to purr.

6 weeks old and the shelter let you take him home??..Most states have a law that states kittens and puppies have to be 8 weeks old before they can be sold or adop ted.. Best get him to the vets and get him checked out

I have to agree, and was always informed that kitty should stay with its mom and siblings if at all possible until 12weeks for proper socialization and weening.

! That does not sound normal to me, the spasms. I would contact your vet and ask some questions about this. Hope the little darlin' will be fine

Sounds a bit like a seizure or possible mini-stroke to me. I have a seizure cat that, before she became a seizure cat she purred as if there were a megaphone attached to her purr button. Since her seizures started (when we first moved) she completely stopped purring. That was 3 years ago on the 20th. I've only heard her barely purr a few times since.

If the movements of the neck were jerky, I'd definitely get your li'l darlin' in for x-rays to rule out seizures or mini-strokes and go from there. Seizures are painful to the kitten/cat even though they don't know what's going on, where they are, who you are, they may bite you, other animals, your family, and if a seizure, it's important to get damp cool (not cold) cloths on their head, back and paws ASAP to cool them off as their temperature jumps to dangerous heights.

The neurons in the brain basically fry a little more with each seizure.

I'd get her to the vet ASAP, call the closest emergency vet if you have to, if they have one (look on internet, just say you are on your way in with an emergency and go if this happens again). (Bring some damp, cool cloths to keep kitty cool in case it is a seizure. Top of head, back and paws to cool kitty down.

This is all preventative "just in case" information. The head "jerking" most definitely doesn't sound right at all and is surely indicative that something is most definitely abnormal. To what degree? An x-ray will show. It sounds neurological to me.

Bless your li'l baby!

Warmly,

Julie O'
Red Cross Certified in Dog and Cat First Aid