Emergency Code Red : 7 Week Old Kitten. Is she ill or is it something more malign?

OK, here is the current situation.

She is a 7 week old kitten, runt of the litter very small (pertuity dwarfism).

She has been fine and running around with brothers and sisters until a couple of hours ago.

She is shaking almost uncontrollably as though its cold, the house is warm.

She has started with diarrhea

Her Mouth is dribbling

Every Now and then she leaves her mouth wide open, like she she is trying to Meow, but no noise.

Her back legs wont hold her weight very well.

She is alert and awake.

She is not interesting in feeding from mum. She is on wet food as well but we have not tried feeding her more at the moment.

Her breathing does not seem labored or chesty or wheezy

Her ears are clean

Her coat is still fine

Her eyes are straight ahead

She is responsive to site and sounds

Its Sunday here, is this an emergency, does it sound like something you are familiar with, should we call a vet or ride it till tomorrow and jest keep her warm and offer food and comfort.

A super fast response would be very much appreciated. If it's something that can wait, we have a PetsAtHome 20 minutes away we can get there before it closes at 5 for anything that people suggest.

Tin. 

Sounds similar to a seizure. I suggest taking her to the vet to be examined! She may need medication. Sounds serious. Please take her in. And let us know how it goes. Thanks for caring!

Diarrhea and shaking are always cause for alarm in a small kitten. Do you have clear pedialyte to give her a few drops in the side of her mouth for hydration? Or smear some honey or Karo syrup on her lips in the meantime for a sugar rush? Also, water with a sprinkle of salt syringed drop by drop will replace electrolytes a bit. She needs to stay hydrated. Hope you can get her to a vet!

martin1972

I am assuming you are en route to an emergency vet. Please give us an update when you can!

martin1972

OK here is an update.

We don't have a Vet who is local to us who can do Sundays so we have separated her. She is very wobbly on her back legs and sometimes stands on 3 legs and holds the other one out as if she is trying to stretch out a cramp

She hasn't slept all day, we got some honey and put it on her mouth , she hissed and spat, which is a good sign and spent the next 10 minutes trying to lick it off (great idea that one).

No interest in Mum, No interest in Food, No Sleep still. No squeaking so no indication of pain. Diarrhea and dribbling has stopped, her eyes are still wide open and she is alert to what is going on around her.

We had Roast chicken for dinner tonight so i peeled of a piece and let it cool with all its jelly on, still concerned she has had no fluids so hoped the jelly may help.

Finally she started eating around 10 mins ago (9.30pm), she has slowly eaten the chicken and jelly. We put a small amount of kitten wet with jelly on a saucer and have put that with her ans she has eaten it all. She wont lie down and hasn't since her only nap (8am this morning) but we have put a really soft throw down on the couch and made lots of comfy air pockets in it so she can get comfy and warm. 

So. Panic is subsiding for now. Will get her into vets tomorrow AM. I think she may have dislocated her leg while playing with her brother and sisters, she is literally 1/3 of the size of them and their play fighting has started getting a little rougher now. 

Lets see how it goes, thanks for all your help, i will keep you updated.

Tin.

Thank you for the update. Well, I am certainly glad she is still with us, and clearly a vet visit is in order in the morning. Perhaps it is just her leg, and the pain was searing and startled her as well. But only the vet will determine that.

She really needs to sleep! Perhaps now that her tummy is full she will have a long nap. It is very good that she ate the chicken with jelly and wet food. Have you any kitten formula? She might benefit from drinking a dish. If not perhaps you can pick up a can at the vet tomorrow. It is really a good boost for all your kittens.

If you feel she needs additional hydration, you can give her water from a syringe by drops in the side of her mouth, though she did get moisture in the wet food she ate. I am glad the honey trick perked her up!

I hope she (and you) have a good night, and please give us the update following the vet visit tomorrow. Hoping it's not too serious, as I initially feared.

It really does sound as though she is in quite a lot of pain - poor baby. Perhaps offer her one more serving of wet food before you turn in for the night, and keep her where she will not have to jump down from a couch or chair tonight!

martin1972

What is the update on your kitten's health situation please?

I certainly hope she is faring better. Did the vet get to the bottom of it?

Hi there

She is fine. The Vet gave her a good looking over and said that it looks like a little tummy trouble and dehydration but since then she has perked up completely.

Her leg, it looks like it could have been a sprain. As I mentioned she is a dwarf so when she jumps from the sofa like her brothers and sisters she has further to go and less spring to recover but she is now happily running around and scrapping with her siblings

So a big thumbs up.

Thanks for all your best wishes and help. I may become a regular on this forum

Martin

Thanks for the update and so glad she's all better! That was quite a scare, because it really could have been serious, but your level head prevailed!

Join us anytime, please!

Martin1972 said:

 
Hi there

She is fine. The Vet gave her a good looking over and said that it looks like a little tummy trouble and dehydration but since then she has perked up completely.

Her leg, it looks like it could have been a sprain. As I mentioned she is a dwarf so when she jumps from the sofa like her brothers and sisters she has further to go and less spring to recover but she is now happily running around and scrapping with her siblings

So a big thumbs up.

Thanks for all your best wishes and help. I may become a regular on this forum

Martin

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It is lovely to hear she is doing well, and her leg looks to have been a sprain.   I love that she is playing and scrapping with her siblings and is not yet daunted by her difference in size.

Are you planning on keeping this kitten or will you be looking for another home for her at some stage?

It would be great if you do choose to stick around here at TCS.  I for one would love to hear how your kittens progress, and esp this little one.  I understand that kittens with pituitary dwarfism can develop at slightly different rates to their siblings / other kittens of the same age, so it might be useful having somewhere to come if you are worried about anything and want a bit of support.