Kittens hissing, or is it something else?

We just had 6 kittens, and they are 5 days old, and I have noticed recently they they are doing this weird breathing thing with their mouth open, at first it was one kitten, but I've seen about 4 of them do it.

Its weird like like they have their mouth open, almost looking like smile, and eyes are closed tightly, and its a in/out breathing sounds, about 3 times and then they stop. They have also been sneezing here and there, I am worried. I don't want them to get ill.

Actually the mother was a stray and coming to our door quite often, and when we saw she was pregnant, we couldn't just let her have her kitten outdoors in the woods or something, so we took her in. So I don't know if she has ever had vacinations or anything froma previous owner. We plan on taking her to the vet soon, when we are able.

Now I searched on the site for the weird breathing thing, and I think and hope its the hissing sound they are making. They are all fat and vigurous, and moving about, and I see no eye crusties or any discolored discharge anywhere.

So should I worry?

BTW you can go here -> http://momma.onedotseven.net to see videos and photos of them. We are keeping a log so we can always remember this experience!

I would take them to the Vet... with them being that small it would be best then trying to guess what's the matter with them.. And Oh how cute they are!

I'll watch them for a few .... I hope its okay.

thanks! bookmark it... we will post new things all everyday.... and we will up until they are placed in wonderful homes!

I don't know about the hissing noise, but WOW they are sooooo cute!!! The photos are great! What camera are you using? Are you doing anything special?

The hissing noise is perfectly normal. All my kittens have done it in all my litters. It's just they're way of "hissing," or learning how to hiss.
However, I would be concerned about the sneezing. Perhaps you can call your vet and explain to them that you have newborns sneezing, and that you wish to keep an eye on them, but, just that they should know in case an emergency visit is needed. He/she will probably tell you what signs to look for better than any of us could tell you.

Good luck!

Ohhh, my! I just looked at your pictures! OHHH! HOW SWEET! They're mouths have wonderful color! Or, at least the ones I could see with their mouths open. Wonderful color! That means they are healthy. A way to tell if they are sick is to look for dimming colors in the mouth.

How warm do you keep it in where they're staying? Maybe it's too cold, and that's why they're sneezing. From what I've read, it should be kept an 80 - 90 degrees, Farenheit.

Originally Posted by tourmaline

I don't know about the hissing noise, but WOW they are sooooo cute!!! The photos are great! What camera are you using? Are you doing anything special?

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I use an Olympus C5050 Z & nope, nothing special

Originally Posted by CJandBilly

Ohhh, my! I just looked at your pictures! OHHH! HOW SWEET! They're mouths have wonderful color! Or, at least the ones I could see with their mouths open. Wonderful color! That means they are healthy. A way to tell if they are sick is to look for dimming colors in the mouth.

How warm do you keep it in where they're staying? Maybe it's too cold, and that's why they're sneezing. From what I've read, it should be kept an 80 - 90 degrees, Farenheit.

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yeah we thought that maybe they were cold, so I got a small heating pad and we put it under their bed half way.... and they really liked it ... it was like that for something like 2 days, and then momma moved the kitties and was acting really weird this morning... so we just moved her bed to where she wanted to move the kitties.

Those kitties are soooo cute! I love the picture where the mamma cat has her paw over the kittens. All of my cats practiced hissing with varying degrees of success as kittens. I would have the sneezing checked out though.

Well, an update. the kittens are now a week old and they are sneezing not much at all now, maybe their immune system was just working, who knows. They look fine for now.. so I will just continue to watch them & take pictures of there progress. Thanks for everyones help.

Originally Posted by breathehope

Well, an update. the kittens are now a week old and they are sneezing not much at all now, maybe their immune system was just working, who knows. They look fine for now.. so I will just continue to watch them & take pictures of there progress.

Thanks for everyones help.

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Anytime!

Originally Posted by breathehope

We just had 6 kittens, and they are 5 days old.....

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You know what I just realized? Your kitties are the same age as mine! Born on the 9th! How cool!

Originally Posted by CJandBilly

You know what I just realized? Your kitties are the same age as mine! Born on the 9th! How cool!

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YAY kittie birthday parties!!!! *dreams*

Hi Danielle,

Isn't it cute when they hiss? None of my litters have ever done it but my Nanas kittens always do. Good to hear they are sneezing less, they shouldn't be sneezing at all though. Sorry if you already answered this, but did you call your vet?

Sam

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Hi Danielle,

Isn't it cute when they hiss? None of my litters have ever done it but my Nanas kittens always do. Good to hear they are sneezing less, they shouldn't be sneezing at all though. Sorry if you already answered this, but did you call your vet?

Sam

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To be honest. I can't afford a vet. I make about 400 a month, and it all goes for food and bills. Its a long story because my husband is french, and we are dealing immigration. He can't get work until he is has a work card, so we are dealing with that. This cat was feral & I can pay for food and litter but unless there is something TRULY WRONG with the cat, I can't take them. She would have had her kittens outside somewhere in the wild, so I am doing her a favor. Then seem fine so. It will be okay, I have raised feral kittens before.

Once my husband gets a job. The kittens will be gone, and we will be able to get momma spayed.

You can see my story here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48817

Originally Posted by breathehope

To be honest. I can't afford a vet. I make about 400 a month, and it all goes for food and bills. Its a long story because my husband is french, and we are dealing immigration. He can't get work until he is has a work card, so we are dealing with that. This cat was feral & I can pay for food and litter but unless there is something TRULY WRONG with the cat, I can't take them. She would have had her kittens outside somewhere in the wild, so I am doing her a favor. Then seem fine so. It will be okay, I have raised feral kittens before.

Once my husband gets a job. The kittens will be gone, and we will be able to get momma spayed.

You can see my story here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48817

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I understand. Thank-you so very much for taking these kittens in as you did! You certainly blessed them! I hope that your financial situation clears up, and that your husband can work soon, and enjoy America!