Kitten breathing like he is panting

My 3/4 week old kitten is breathing like he is panting. He is walking around but not for long before he goes back to the nest. He is still not steady on his feet either and sometimes falls

SuperSam said:

My 3/4 week old kitten is breathing like he is panting. He is walking around but not for long before he goes back to the nest. He is still not steady on his feet either and sometimes falls

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Unless he's over exercising, he shouldn't be panting.  It could be a dangerous symptom.  Are there any other symptoms?

@sarthur2  

Kittens/cats are nose breathers, and will only open mouth breathe if their nose is unable to supply enough oxygen needed, whether due to overheating, over-exercising, or nose is not clear.

In a kitten this age, I can almost guarantee the nose has mucous in it from an upper respiratory infection (URI) and needs antibiotics to get well.

Kittens systems are far too immature to ward off the bacteria that comes and invades them with a uri.

So the antibiotics will handle the bacteria so the kittens system can handle the cold virus and get well.

Please see a vet asap, this does get ugly fast otherwise.

I agree with Catwoman. In the meantime, you can hold him in a bathroom with a hot shower going. The steam from the shower may help to clear his nose/lungs. Please do call a vet right away!

Is he nursing mom well though? If he's not nursing there's a bigger problem.

Its LIKE,he is panting as his belly moves up and down deeply. He isnt open mouth panting just seems to breathe heavily

Can you post a video?

Is he able to nurse mom?

Yeh hes still feeding ok

When did this start? I think you may want to call your vet and seek treatment. He may need an antibiotic if he has an infection.

I dont know how to upload a video

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Have you called your vet?

He has just been seen by vet. They think he has aspirated pneumonia, caused by guzzling his food. Had antibiotic injection, getting more in morning and checked by vet again. Hope the little guy pulls through. He is the last one to survive of mums first litter. Ither 2 had cleft palletes

I'm so sorry to hear about the little guy.

Are you able to keep mom inside and away from intact males until she can be spayed? She can get pregnant again even now.

SuperSam said:

He has just been seen by vet. They think he has aspirated pneumonia, caused by guzzling his food. Had antibiotic injection, getting more in morning and checked by vet again. Hope the little guy pulls through. He is the last one to survive of mums first litter. Ither 2 had cleft palletes

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I dont know if you will spay her, or try again.  If you try again and get the cleft palate, they can sometimes by saved by feeding by a syringe, if the damage isnt to big.

They cant suckle with that hole, but they can usually swallow.  so sometimes they can survive even withough surgery...

I wouldn't recommend trying again. This sounds like it's been a very stressful experience.

You can always foster a mom in need if you want to be around kittens.

Pneumonia is what I was afraid of. Thank goodness you got to the vet. I'm glad he's getting antibiotics now. Make sure your little guy stays hydrated! It's very important. Is he still nursing mom?

We are not going through this again. First and last time. Mum has appointment in 3 weeks to get neutered. Ace (the kitten) is much better today. He has been playing with Belle (his mum) breathing still a bit funny but back to vets this afternoon to get another antibiotic injection. He is still feeding ok too

I'm relieved to hear that he is hanging in there. He'll definitely need another injection. Normally, with pneumonia, it takes a full 7-10 days of antibiotic to really knock it out of the lungs. Please ask about this when you go. You can get suspension drops to give at home. Most kittens do not survive pneumonia. They are just too small. Your little guy is very lucky!

That's great you've got mom scheduled for her spay. Keep us posted on the kitten. He's not out of the woods yet.

Belle and Ace