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Cats/Kitten with maggots

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Expert: - 5/16/2010


Question
My female cat recently had 7 kittens and one died overnight. I took one dying kitten covered with a lot of maggots, mostly around her rectum and between her legs then it went to her umbilical cord to her back and head. I was on the porch with my friend, and i had the kitten in a blanket. It was still breathing but it wasnt crying. so i took my comb and soaked it in water and started brushing off the maggots. my parents came home and my dad told me to put peroxide on them so they'll die. well i did that and when i finally got all the maggots off outside of the kitten. I took her in and laid her on a new blanket. oh and i forgot to tell you that before i started taking the maggots off. I heard popping inside her stomach. Anyways i took her in my palm and thats when she started moewing really loud and i thought she was hungry. But as i saw her stomach area, she was breathing but it looked like when she breathed her stomach would quiver. I started crying. Did the kitten have maggots inside of her? She was bleeding from her rectal area..thats because she had a huge wound around her tail  She went from crying so loud to finally dying in the palm of my hand. I wanted to cut her open and check..but i was too afraid.
I don't know how long she's been affected with the maggots but this morning i found another kitten dead. I mean there were flies and there still is, but this morning i got up found the kitten and the female cat moved the rest of her kittens. I just want to know if maggots couldve killed the kitten?

Answer
Hi Daisy,

I'm sorry for the loss of the kittens. Most likely she didn't have the maggots inside of her. She probably died from internal bleeding. Keep an eye out for where the mom took the other kittens. Make sure they are alright. Hope the rest are okay. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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