I have a rescue mom and 3 kittens. One of the kittens was born with back legs deformed. Twice now I have picked the kitten up to cuddle, it rolls on his back, belly up as I rub him. All of a sudden he starts to go limp like he is dead. His inner side kids close in. I put him up right and his head just dropped over like he died. This is freaking me out! I start rubbing him and talking to him to wake him up. With in seconds he comes back. What could possibly be happening? Do I need to take him to the vet?
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Kitten goes limp (dead) when laying on back
- Thread starter belluecat
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Yes. You do asap.C
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Yes.
This does not seem like any normal kitten sleeping behavior I have ever heard about. Please get this cat the vet ASAP. If this were my cat I would probably go to an E-Vet. If you can not afford and emergency vet or do not have one near you then please contact a vet and get your baby in first thing in the morning. I am scared with you just by reading what happened here. I am going to send some messages to some of the members of this forum who have a lot more experience with kittens and maybe they will have something to add here.
I sent private messages to 2 of the advisors that help out in the pregnant cats and kitten rescue forum. Hopefully they will see my messages soon. I am guessing they will see them tomorrow since it is pretty late at night where they live.
I sent private messages to 2 of the advisors that help out in the pregnant cats and kitten rescue forum. Hopefully they will see my messages soon. I am guessing they will see them tomorrow since it is pretty late at night where they live.
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This reminds me of epilepsia.
Thus not THAT emergency to rush to the vet immediately, but you will need consultation and cooperation with a good vet.
I know we had a tread not very far ago, about a kitten going limp now and then in the P&K forum, but I dont remember the details. Also, I think I remember that kitten had other problems too, was weakish by itself.
Yours is ok otherwise? Aside from these legs, and this going limp?
How does they looks? Are these so called "twisted legs"? If so, it may look terrible, but it usually become better with time, esp if you are vigorously massaging and gimnastic them.
make her warm and comfy, and esp warm in these legs, and gimnastic them into the right direction, at least twice a day - that is the idea. There are more details...
We had several threads on it in P&K.
If the deformity is something else, it may be more complicated....
I know its not your immediate problem, but I wanted to mention it. Also, if its twisted legs, its good to beging the massaging sessions early on, before any tendons and muscles had grown tensed up, and all joints are still adaptable.
Sounds to me like when on the back respiration can stop.Thus the sinking of the sides you post.The legs you will know from the other kittens if this kitten's legs are different.Could be respiratory like people with lung problems who cannot lie on their backs.Or spinal problems.I wouldn't keep doing it it is was me.The nipple & to a vet I recommend.C.
I would like to know their age.
When this happens, can you clearly see the kitten has stopped breathing or not?
Is this kitten smaller than the others?
I agree it may be epilepsy, but that is impossible to determine over the net, so of course the best thing you can do is keep the baby on it's tummy, which it most often is anyway, and be sure to get to a vet as soon as you can.
If it does stop breathing when on it's back, it could actually die during the night or when you're not around, so it's serious enough to go ASAP.
The hind legs can be repaired, the younger you start with massaging between your fingers for several minutes and then gently apply a small amt of pressure as if you are bending them to be in the correct position.
Do this several times a day, everyday, and soon they will have straightened out quite well.
When this happens, can you clearly see the kitten has stopped breathing or not?
Is this kitten smaller than the others?
I agree it may be epilepsy, but that is impossible to determine over the net, so of course the best thing you can do is keep the baby on it's tummy, which it most often is anyway, and be sure to get to a vet as soon as you can.
If it does stop breathing when on it's back, it could actually die during the night or when you're not around, so it's serious enough to go ASAP.
The hind legs can be repaired, the younger you start with massaging between your fingers for several minutes and then gently apply a small amt of pressure as if you are bending them to be in the correct position.
Do this several times a day, everyday, and soon they will have straightened out quite well.
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Thanks to everyone for your advice. I did not know I could do that with the legs. I'll start tomorrow. He is 3 wks old and I'm actually a foster for them all. I am definitely going to pass information on to the rescue so we can get him checked asap more thoroughly!
