Keeping your kitten healthy
Symptom Solver – A Short Reference Guide to a Kitten’s Symptoms
Dr Arnold Plotnick MS, DVM, ACVIM
www.manhattancats.com
Recently, a good Samaritan brought
me a lone kitten that she had found
huddled near some garbage cans
in a parking lot close by her apartment complex. Scrawny and frail,
with both eyes crusted shut, this tiny
kitten was in rough shape. “I can’t
keep him”, she said, “but I couldn’t
just let him sit out there by herself”.
Physical examination revealed a
number of abnormalities. A thick discharge from both eyes had hardened,
pasting both eyes shut. A similar
discharge was oozing from both tiny
nostrils. Both ears were brimming
with dark, crusty material. Fleas
could be seen scurrying through his
dirty orange fur.
After a brief discussion, my client
agreed to relinquish the kitten to our
hospital. As I work for a large humane organization, I explained that I
would do my best to treat the multitude of ailments that afflicted this
kitten, and if successful, he would
be offered for adoption through our
Animal Placement service. Named
“Dandelion” by one of our technicians, we began formulating a treatment plan for his various troubles.
Fleas, ear mites, and upper respiratory infections are but a few of
the common ailments that tend to
afflict kittens. A basic knowledge of
the widespread kitten disorders and
their symptoms, along with prompt
veterinary care, is essential to ensure
a successful journey through kittenhood.
Upper respiratory infections (URIs)
are very common in kittens. Usually
caused by a virus, they often result
in sneezing, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, drooling, congestion,
fever, and poor appetite. The most
common culprit is the rhinotracheitis
virus; it causes profuse sneezing and
a watery or mucoid nasal discharge.
Caliciv \