I stepped on my kitten and now I’m paranoid I’ve hurt her

[JeremyAP84]

I was coming down my stairs and got to the last two and didn’t realize my kitten Maize (4 months old) was at the bottom of the stairs. I was barefoot but I stepped on her midsection as she was laying on the ground. She, of course, yowled and ran away. I don’t think I put my full weight on her but I’m scared I did some damage. Both my husband and I gently felt her ribs and stomach area but she didn’t make any noise of pain when we did. We tried to get her to eat but she wasn’t interested. She did play a little bit with a couple of her toys but she didn’t seem super interested in playing. She’s currently laying with him in our bed but I’m still too worked up to fall asleep. I keep checking on her to make sure she’s still okay. It’s been about 2 hours since I stepped on her. What symptoms would I need to look out for in case I did internal damage? My hubby talked to the vet and they said that if her breathing had already returned to normal that she’s probably fine, but like I said I’m a little paranoid. Thanks for any help y’all can give.

 

[CatladyJan]

I was coming down my stairs and got to the last two and didn’t realize my kitten Maize (4 months old) was at the bottom of the stairs. I was barefoot but I stepped on her midsection as she was laying on the ground. She, of course, yowled and ran away. I don’t think I put my full weight on her but I’m scared I did some damage. Both my husband and I gently felt her ribs and stomach area but she didn’t make any noise of pain when we did. We tried to get her to eat but she wasn’t interested. She did play a little bit with a couple of her toys but she didn’t seem super interested in playing. She’s currently laying with him in our bed but I’m still too worked up to fall asleep. I keep checking on her to make sure she’s still okay. It’s been about 2 hours since I stepped on her. What symptoms would I need to look out for in case I did internal damage? My hubby talked to the vet and they said that if her breathing had already returned to normal that she’s probably fine, but like I said I’m a little paranoid. Thanks for any help y’all can give.

Welcome to TCS!!! None of us being vets the only advice we can give is to have her examined. As a cat mom, I would look for anything abnormal such as breathing, vomiting, blood in vomit or stool not wanting to eat or drink or be picked up.

 

[catsknowme]

Welcome to TCS! Here is an article that you may find useful:
Internal Bleeding in Cats - Catwatch Newsletter

Please keep alert & monitor gum coloring, respiration rate and general appearance. And please keep us updated!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Welcome, and please don't beat yourself up too much over this. Kittens get EVERYWHERE, and in a split second. Do keep an eye on her breathing and her gum color. If she is not interested in eating in the morning, take her on in.

 

[JeremyAP84]

Just an update for y’all. Hubby said she CHOWED DOWN on her food this morning, she’s active, alert, and breathing normally. Gum color is normal as well. Guess I was overreacting. Thank you for all your help. Mazikeen Aurora is doing just fine.

 

[neely]

Guess I was overreacting.

Not overreacting at all - we completely understand and many of us have had similar accidents ourselves. Thanks for the update, glad to hear sweet Maize is doing well.

 

[vince]

Kitties have little rubbery bones, because the growth plates haven't fused. That protects them in large part against these kinds of injuries. I've thought I've accidentally killed little cats I've had in the past, but they just seem to bounce back (maybe that's the source of the "nine lives" myth).

Do observe the precautions others have suggested, but if I had to guess, your kitty is probably just bruised-up some and will be okay.