Expert: Dr. Christina Chambreau - 9/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi!
I live in bangladesh, and my cat recently gave birth to 5 kittens on July 19th. Now they all play and run around and sleep, they have also started to eat other food, not only cat milk. Today morning, I found one of them just still and the hind legs and tail were totally wet. I couldn't tell whether it was urine or did it fall into a water or something, so I just washed the hind legs and tail then dried them. Ever since then, the kitten has been acting weird. It is not playing. It keeps going under the sofa or any corner and keeps rounding up like a ball then keeps sleeping. Its fur seems to be standing all the time. Every time I pull it out, it quickly scurries away to hide again! And it isnt even walking properly, it isnt standing fully on its legs either, meaning they are always bent, not fully up straight, as if he is crawling. I think it wants to get away from the fan or AC, do you think it has a fever??? HELP!

-Adrita

ANSWER: The way to see if it has a fever is to use a human rectal thermometer, put some oil or butter on it and insert into the rectum. Leave it for a minute.

You need to take this kitten to a veterinary clinic as there could be severe diarrhea and cramping, or an injury. The fur standing indicates dehydration, so fluids may need to be given at the clinic. At the same time, schedule an appointment to have the mother spayed so no more kittens are born.

Feed all the kittens raw meat in chunks big enough they have to chew on it and include calcium as whole chicken necks or wings or crushed egg shells. Do not feed commercial food nor grains.

Do not vaccinate after the first set given except for one rabies at about 4 months.

Homeopathic veterinarians can consult by telephone or email, so go to www.theAVH.org if you want holistic care for this kitten after having an exam.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello,
Well vets are close to impossible to find here. So that is really tough. Thank you for the advice on food though. According to its behavior, what do you think might be the case here? I cant check the temperature, I dont have such a thermometer, I am sorry. I am copying the behavior section for your convenience :
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Today morning, I found one of them just still and the hind legs and tail were totally wet. I couldn't tell whether it was urine or did it fall into a water or something, so I just washed the hind legs and tail then dried them. Ever since then, the kitten has been acting weird. It is not playing. It keeps going under the sofa or any corner and keeps rounding up like a ball then keeps sleeping. Its fur seems to be standing all the time. Every time I pull it out, it quickly scurries away to hide again! And it isnt even walking properly, it isnt standing fully on its legs either, meaning they are always bent, not fully up straight, as if he is crawling. I think it wants to get away from the fan or AC,
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At present it is better, in the sense that, it is taking milk from the mother. But it is still drowsy and inactive, just curls up in a ball and keeps sleeping. The other kittens are playing and jumping and are fine. My sister and my maid thinks that the forehead of the kitten is swollen. Do you think it might have injured itself on the forehead? What would be the preliminary thing to do at home, as a vet is not really available? What could be the possible problems?

- Adrita

Answer
Little kittens, like young infants, can have many congenital problems and get ill very quickly. the swollen head could indicate an injury, a bug bite, or a swollen brain (hydrocephalus). It is good that the kitten will nurse.

Are there any people healers who are near you who do traditional healing methods? maybe they would help with the kitten. If you have plants that are high in vitamins that are safe for children to eat, you could grind them very fine with some chicken broth and squeeze some vitamins in its mouth.