Sick 2 week old kittens. Help!

zoopsoul

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Hello,

My grandmother's cat recently had kittens (taken from the street while pregnant), and all was well until the mother came down with a cold (basic cold, I believe). Now all three of the two-week old kittens have got the cold. They're sneezing a lot and their eyes are "glued" shut. I haven't seen it myself, but it doesn't sound good. Any tips on how to better take care of these little ones? Thank you very much in advance.
 

hissy

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The mom needs to see a vet, and the vet needs to be aware of the fact that the kittens are also ill. At this young age, they can fade quite quickly.
 

emb_78

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Originally Posted by hissy

The mom needs to see a vet, and the vet needs to be aware of the fact that the kittens are also ill. At this young age, they can fade quite quickly.
Yes... They need some meds, they can't do it on their own.
 
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zoopsoul

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Thank you very much for such fast replies.
I'm on the phone with her, and the mother feral, so it's very tough to come in contact with her, much less take her to the vet. She has 2 other cats that are also sick (URI).
I'm hoping there is still hope (that sounds... odd).
 

decadenz

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I brought home a pregnant female, she eventually gave birth to 4 kittens. Shortly after, when they were around 1 month old, she came down with flu. We were advised by a vet to separate the kids from the mom. By that time, the kittens were already independently using the litterbox and eating canned food so there wasn't a problem. Unfortunately, they all got ill and shortly after, 3 of them passed away. The one remaining kitten had to be fed honeyed water through a syringe every hour, even through the night, to ensure he was hydrated enough. He still had a healthy appetite though. He eventually recovered fully and is thriving at 2+ mths of age.

Cat flu is very contagious and can be deadly to young kittens. I would advise to separate the litter (+mom) from the rest of the housecats. Of course a vet visit ASAP is in order. Make sure all the kittens are hydrated. Doubt there is a need to separate the kittens from mom since all of them have already gotten the flu virus.

Hope they all make it through! Good luck
 

tnr1

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decadenz..a bit off topic..but did the mom survive?? I do hope so, but definately recommend that if she is ok that you schedule her spay soon and keep her indoors only until she is spayed. BTW..welcome to TCS.

Katie
 

decadenz

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Thanks for the welcome. I've been silently reading this forum for quite a while now, but thought it's time to speak up since I've had my own experience.

Momcat survived and is very healthy and happy, only her little son stresses her up by being too playful. She's too sedentary for him


I wasn't ever really worried about momcat cos she's an adult. She had a terrible blocked nose though, and had to tilt her head upwards and keep her mouth open when sleeping so she could breathe.

The kittens get it really bad though cos they're not strong enough... I slept with my surviving kitten in his room after his siblings crossed the bridge and got up every hour just to make sure he was still alive, and give him more water. Scary stuff, they can go really suddenly.


Momcat is spayed already, her son will be neutered as soon as he's old enough- bout 6 or 7 months I guess.
 

semiferal

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Their chances are probably very good but they do need to see a vet to get proper medicine.

You can just take the kittens in without the mom. If you explain the situation the vet may be able to dispense meds for the mother as well without seeing her. You can mix liquid antibiotics in her canned food.
 

tnr1

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Momcat is spayed already, her son will be neutered as soon as he's old enough- bout 6 or 7 months I guess.
Actually, you can neuter a male as early as 8 weeks. I had my male neutered at 5 months. Definately keep him indoors as you don't want him to create anymore litters.
BTW..thanks for spaying the mom cat.

Katie
 

decadenz

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I heard that males don't become sexually active till a later age, anyone can confirm that for me pl? I'm quite wary of sending him into surgery too early. After nearly losing him, I really don't want anything to happen to my precious boy. In any case, he's kept indoors at all times. He has his own room to rest/sleep/play in, but we allow him free rein of the house when all the doors leading outside are closed. He goes completely
running up and down and all around in a 3-storey house and terrorizing his mummy
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by decadenz

I heard that males don't become sexually active till a later age, anyone can confirm that for me pl? I'm quite wary of sending him into surgery too early. After nearly losing him, I really don't want anything to happen to my precious boy. In any case, he's kept indoors at all times. He has his own room to rest/sleep/play in, but we allow him free rein of the house when all the doors leading outside are closed. He goes completely
running up and down and all around in a 3-storey house and terrorizing his mummy
Not sure of an exact age when males become sexually active...I do know that females can go into heat as early as around 4 months of age. The only thing I would be concerned with given that you are being so diligent (thank you for that) is spraying. I don't know when that starts..but it might be a good idea to consult your vet. BTW....pediatric spaying/neutering has been done for years...the rescue I volunteer with spays/neuters at 10-12 weeks of age and we have found the males bounce back VERY QUICKLY after surgery.

Katie
 

lizzie

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My vet spays and neuters by their weight.He does them starting at 2 lbs. but cautions they must be kept warm,which I'll attest to.I brought the little fella home and put him in my bathroom on a heating pad.He is now a terror since his recovery.I also had a little lady done at 3 lbs. and she is also just fine.
 

decadenz

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I see... I will probably bring Wukong in around the end of October or so. Realised that we have really gone off topic here, I shall start a new thread.

Zoopsoul, how are your granny's kittens?? Are they alright?
 
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