Kitten with head trauma?

straymagnet73

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Relocated my cousin 2 nights ago to my house temporarily. He brought a kitten that he literally took away from his neighbor's 7 year old whom he caught beating this kitten in the head, dangling it by its throat. He says it's been about a week since the rescue; apparently there has been much progress from a swollen eye and very skittish. The little fella eats fine, yet still underweight, is having regular bowel movements now, but no energy or desire to walk around, play, explore, etc. He literally just sleeps and is only active if my cousin tries to put him down on the ground. He climbs back in his lap. He won't go more than 2 feet away and no interest in anything but cuddling and sleeping. The left eye is still slightly swollen and both pupils are not adjusting right. The left pupil stays fixed wide open. The right has minimal movement but the difference is starting to be noticeable. I am waiting for a vet appointment this week and don't know what else I can do. According to my cousin the kitten appears much more comfortable now in my house and wasn't relaxing well until they came here. My mastiff and lap dog have both laid down with the kitten and allowed him to cuddle if he isn't in a lap. He seems to not want to be far from someone. Is it a warmth issue? This is non stop...even injured i have never seen a 5-6 week old kitten simply sleep around the clock with no form of curiosity. I am used to them running and hiding, exploring to find their safe zone while in transition, something....any suggestions?
 

DreamerRose

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Dr. Jeff, the Rocky Mountain Vet, treated a kitten this evening on his show that was in similar condition. Your kitten has probably suffered a concussion. They kept him warm on a heating pad and covered him with a towel until he recovered. He did sleep a lot. Frankly, I think you should get the kitten in to see the vet as an emergency and not wait so long. Dr. Jeff also gave the kitten meds to slow down the swelling of the brain, and your kitten may need something similar. The dilated eye is a symptom of brain injury.

It's been repeated on the site several times, but again, we are not vets and can't give authoritative advice. Please get your kitten to a vet ASAP.
 
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straymagnet73

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I am concerned. It's been a week already since the incident and they showed up at my house 2 nights ago. I have been at work so I just got to really hang out with and meet the baby and hear the whole story. The emergency vet clinic here charges more than i have in my bank account just to walk in the door. That's why I have a regular vet for my pets. My cousin showed up in a not much better situation than this kitten he brought with him. It will be a few weeks for him to get back on his feet and feed himself. I admire that he intervened and will do all i can to help them both. The other clinic takes 8 weeks to get in to so I called my vet.
 

DreamerRose

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Yes, it's very concerning. Keep the kitten warm, and call Monday morning to see if they can get you in right away.. Wish you could find the parents of that kid and tell about this. That was pure cruelty.
 
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straymagnet73

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Oh he did tell a parent...2 hours later the kid was back outside playing...
 

DreamerRose

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He's a psychopath in the making. Those parents should pay your vet bill, but there's probably no chance of that.
 
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