My adopted 3 month old (roughly) kitten is NOT playful at all? Sleeps constantly

luckyloki

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Is this normal of a kitten? I ask because I have had 4 kittens, and they were always so playful it was almost annoying lol..so this just strikes me as odd? I know kitties sleep a lot but I mean, to never to play ever? He seems happy and is eating, using litter just fine, he just wants to cuddle and sleep all day and all night. I feel like this seems really abnormal for a kitten his age, was wondering your opinions?
 

catwoman707

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You know, I have to say, it really is not normal.

Kittens mental developing calls for curiosity, spurts of what seems like endless energy, and general spunk, which finds them trouble!

Is the kitten acting lethargic? Uninterested? Are you able to promote a play session if you started it?
 

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Isn`t lethargy a symptom of FIP?   Not saying that`s what it is but it might be worthwhile to have him tested for it.
 

catwoman707

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Isn`t lethargy a symptom of FIP?   Not saying that`s what it is but it might be worthwhile to have him tested for it.
Lethargy can be a symptom of just about any health issue.

It happens from lack of eating and drinking, and a general not feeling well.

The biggest factor for young kittens is ensuring the kitten is well hydrated.

They are small and just a day of not drinking enough can cause this, and make them much sicker then they would be if well hydrated.

It is the single most important supportive care for a cat.
 
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luckyloki

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I mean he eats wet food and I see him drinking? He seems happy like you can see a smile but he is always laying around? He just wants to be held and sleeping? I do have two older cats one is 7-8 months and the other is 1 yr old and they are wayyyy more spunky than him. When I try to play with a string or cat toy w him he is semi interested, like he plays for a sec then decides 'meh, I'm over it' it's just strange. He seems like he is a little chubby in the belly as well and I'm not over feeding him? Idk just kind of odd
 

catwoman707

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No, I would seriously doubt you are overfeeding a kitten so young.

Honestly, and I hesitate to say this since they all have their own personalities, some outgoing and rowdy, some more calm and subdued, but the occasional kitten that has come to my rescue that does NOT play at this age, often times there is something going on.

It can be something mild like worms making him not feel so good, or it can be something unseen that is genetic.

Is he growing fast like he should be?

Has he been dewormed, de-flead, vaccinated? VERY important to get him kitten vaccines.
 
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luckyloki

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He has had his first FVRCP shot, he was tested for FeLV/FIV/HW and got negative. Says he had Praziquantel med., Revolution, Strongid kitten, but thats all I see? Should there be more? At only 3 months?
 
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luckyloki

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Also he had some black stuff at the base of his nostrils that i thought may be colored markings, but upon further investigating it seems it was something mucky that i had to scrub off? Could be nothingnbut just figured id add that too
 

catwoman707

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So he has been dewormed and de-flead, good.

The fvrcp vaccines are given in a series of 3, 3-4 weeks apart.

So he should be due for his second one.

That's about it for standard kitten protocols.

Is it possible for you to post pics of him? Overall body, and close ups of his face?

Also, is he from a rescue group or shelter?
 
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luckyloki

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I rescued him from a shelter, here are some pics im taking right now as he lays next to me SLEEPING of course lol[ATTACHMENT=701]IMG_20141024_154509.jpg (328k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT] [ATTACHMENT=702]IMG_20141024_154521.jpg (369k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT] [ATTACHMENT=703]IMG_20141024_154535.jpg (233k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT]
 

catwoman707

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Thanks.

So the first pic I said AWW! out loud, what a cutie punkin.

The second pic I thought hmmmm......is that his inner eyelid showing? When he is fully awake can you see in the inner corner of his eye any of the inner lid?

The pinkness of his skin is just that, kittens with some white fur on their face, especially around their eyes always seem to have the pinker skin, making him appear that he doesn't look well, but I'm looking past that, as it's nothing.

The older he gets the paler it will become except for times when he isn't feeling well during his life.

Not positive though if the pics shown look to me like he is unwell or if it's due to him sleeping.

Does he ever get spunky on his own at all? Or basically just wants to be with you and snuggled and naps all day long?

You know, honestly, having my own rescue group has made me not one to rush off to the vet easily, I have meds and treatments plenty.

But if money is not a big issue, I really want to suggest he gets a blood panel done. This is really the only way to get a good indication of his health.

Can you look at his gums? Describe the color? Pink or more of a white-ish pink?

Is he gaining size and weight?

I really do suggest having his blood panel done. This behavior is not normal for a young kid like this. I mean it's not to scare you, for all you know when they were picked up and taken to the shelter or surrendered, they were infested with fleas so badly he is anemic. Which in time and a bit of supplementing he will get through that just fine.

But it's best to know why he is the way he is, as you don't want to make light of it when his body is trying to show you something's wrong.
 
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luckyloki

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No the inner eyelid was from me waking him..i will post a few more, his gums are pretty pink but not deep pink, more normal pink...but yes he is just wanti g to pay onsomeone and sleep all day every day...never gets frisky EVER! Not even for a second. I tried to give him catnip and it did nothing...i know a lot of kittens dont respond to catnip so young usually but tried anyway to see?? [ATTACHMENT=704]IMG_20141024_214951.jpg (374k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT][ATTACHMENT=705][ATTACHMENT=706]IMG_20141024_215015.jpg (337k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT][/ATTACHMENT]
 
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luckyloki

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No the inner eyelid was from me waking him..i will post a few more, his gums are pretty pink but not deep pink, more normal pink...but yes he is just wanti g to pay onsomeone and sleep all day every day...never gets frisky EVER! Not even for a second. I tried to give him catnip and it did nothing...i know a lot of kittens dont respond to catnip so young usually but tried anyway to see?? [ATTACHMENT=704]IMG_20141024_214951.jpg (374k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT][ATTACHMENT=705][ATTACHMENT=706]IMG_20141024_215015.jpg (337k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT][/ATTACHMENT]
Ok i dont know why my keyboard isnt doing spell check but it was meant to say "he just wants to LAY ON SOMEONE AND SLEEP all day every day" lol
 

catwoman707

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I got it :)

Third pic of his gums, what is that dark spot on his lower lip?

Gums look decent in color.

His eyes though, he looks a bit dehydrated, or does he always have deeper set eyes??
 

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I can't diagnose your kitten, obviously, but I have one who was like that, and at first it seemed sweet but after awhile I realized he was not being a normal kitten.  After awhile I noticed he was digging slightly at his right ear.  There were no visible ear mites or dirt, but it was obviously bothering him a little and the vet suspected an inner ear infection.  Afterthree days of a 10-day course on oral antibiotics, he became a normal playful kitten again.  I agree with @catwoman707, you should get him checked by a vet and explain that all he does is sleep, and mention he did come from a shelter so he has probably been exposed to a lot of things. 
 

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I mean he eats wet food and I see him drinking? He seems happy like you can see a smile but he is always laying around? He just wants to be held and sleeping? I do have two older cats one is 7-8 months and the other is 1 yr old and they are wayyyy more spunky than him. When I try to play with a string or cat toy w him he is semi interested, like he plays for a sec then decides 'meh, I'm over it' it's just strange. He seems like he is a little chubby in the belly as well and I'm not over feeding him? Idk just kind of odd
Has he been wormed? That could account for swollen belly and lethargy!
 

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I always err on the side of caution especially with a little one. I would get him to a vet ASAP.  They can't tell you what hurts or is bothering them like a child would. Vet right away.
 
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luckyloki

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The black on his lip is just the color of his lip...I assume? And ok I will get him in asap ty for letting me know i was right in thinking it wasnt normal. It says he was wormed but idk his belly is VERY swollen and again only sleeping still...he does drink a lot of water so idk if dehydrated, plus he eats wet food I know that helps with extra fluids...poor guy I will bring him in tom.
 

catwoman707

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The black on his lip is just the color of his lip...I assume? And ok I will get him in asap ty for letting me know i was right in thinking it wasnt normal. It says he was wormed but idk his belly is VERY swollen and again only sleeping still...he does drink a lot of water so idk if dehydrated, plus he eats wet food I know that helps with extra fluids...poor guy I will bring him in tom.
Okay just checking, it's hard to tell from a pic. That's normal coloring that happens.

Glad to hear, I def. think it is reasonable to get him seen asap. It can be something that has a simple fix, or genetics, no telling, but warrants concern for sure.

Let us know!!    
 
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luckyloki

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Ok so called vet today, he has an appt this Wednesday so I will post when I get back to update hat they found. Thanks for all your advice everybody, if you didn't confirm my doubt that this was normal behavior it may have been overlooked and got worse who knows..so I will update you all :)
 
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