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5 Kitten Health Issues: What To Watch For! 2023
So here's the scenario: you’re about to bring a new kitten home and you want him to grow into a happy and healthy cat. This means keeping your kitten clear from bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, infectious diseases and other health problems that can have a huge impact on your young cat's quality of life.
But how can you make sure that your new kitten stays healthy? What illnesses and infections are commonly spread by other cats and animals? When is the best time to seek veterinary care when these health issues get into the picture?
Is veterinary medicine your only option when kitten health problems arise? Are there home remedies that you can use for proper treatment? Can dog medications be used to treat my sick kitten? There are so many questions to cover and we haven't even started yet!
This is the biggest reason why I've put together this blog post to get you in on the most important things to know when it comes to kitten health. Make sure you follow along because we've got a lot to take up!
To maximize the chances of your kitten growing into a healthy adult cat, you must first be aware of the most common health problems kittens are more prone to have. Here are the five (5) kitten health conditions to REALLY keep an eye out for:
1. Fleas Can Infect Even Healthy Cats
This is probably the most common health problem found in kittens. Even young purebred cats are not resistant to these unwanted visitors! Even if fleas are visible to the naked eye, they are very hard to see in nearly all cases. However, there are some tell-tale signs that your kitten may be troubled by an infected flea.
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Some quick indicators that your kitten has fleas.
Fleas leave black specks behind which are easier to see. These specks are called “flea dirt”, which you might have realized, is actually a prettier name for flea poop. These specks look just like grains of pepper. And these parasites don't just affect outdoor cats, but also their indoor counterparts.
You will typically find these unwanted visitors in your kitten’s fur. Some warning signs to know if your kitty also has fleas is that he will scratch and scratch a lot. It will drive him crazy. You may also notice some hair loss in his back end area. It is also likely that your kitten will have irritated skin and may show signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
Additionally, it's not uncommon for fleas to set off upper respiratory infections in pet cats, especially among kittens born just recently. Some flea infestations can even lead to drastic measures such as blood transfusions, particularly in extreme cases of anemia, immune system problems, "fading kitten syndrome," as well as instances where other diseases are already involved.
There are natural alternatives to conventional veterinary medicine for flea infestations.
Fortunately, fleas are easy to get rid of and there are a lot of solutions that you can for to do just that. There are over-the-counter topical and prescription medications to treat a kitten with fleas. However, most cats will be susceptible to unwanted side effects here and there.
On the other hand, if you want to go the more natural way, you can try our premium homeopathic product, FLEA-DERM to support your pet's skin when your kitten goes through a lot of itching.
But always remember to bring your kitten to the nearest animal hospital when the flea infestation has already become quite serious. FLEA-DERM can also be used as a preventative medication to take care of swelling, blotches and itching caused by these parasites.
2. Ringworm Can Cause a Lot of Problems for Infected Cats (And It's Not Just for Outdoor Cats, Too)
Strangely, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. It is a common fungal skin infection technically referred to as dermatophytosis. This kitten's health issue got its name from the distinct ring-like pattern formed over the skin by red spots.
And just to emphasize, ringworm can affect even young cats living exclusively indoors. No wonder why this is considered one of the most common illnesses that pet owners should always be keeping an eye out for.
Possible signs of ringworm infections in your new kitten.
One of the few factors that predispose a cat to ringworm is youth, so it is always a good idea to constantly check on your kitten’s skin to make sure he doesn’t show signs of this disease. Most cats tend to hide symptoms of skin infections and other potentially dangerous diseases really well.
And this isn't just applicable to older cats, but also to your young kitten. Prominent indicators of a ringworm infection include red scaly skin spots, itchiness, dandruff and patchy hair loss. All of these symptoms will significantly affect your young cat's lifestyle sooner or later.
Here's an extremely important tip: If your cat gets ringworm, you have to be very careful because this disease can easily spread to humans. It is highly recommended to wear gloves each time you handle a kitten infected with this skin problem.
How is a kitten with ringworm treated?
The treatment of ringworm depends on the severity of the disease. Your vet may decide to recommend a special shampoo or ointment to get rid of the fungal infection. If it is more severe, he may prescribe oral meds if needed.
Make sure you regularly bring your kitten to the vet for a check up to see if the disease is going away. To prevent the infection from coming back, sanitizing your kitty’s environment to make it ringworm-free is also very important. This covers everything from litter boxes, toys, blankets, and collars as well as food and water bowls.
A quick tip for pet owners when naturally supporting their kitten during ringworm.
You can also contact us for our ONLINE HOMEOPATHIC CONSULTATION. It is just what you need if you want to take care of your kitten's ringworm naturally. This also provides a personalized solution to target the root of your pet's problem instead of just taking care of the symptoms. And all of this is done right in the comfort of your own home!
Instead of struggling through in-person appointments and waiting rooms, our consultations are 100% online via email and video call. It's a real conversation with a real homeopath concerning the health and wellness of your kitten—without the hassle and miscommunication.
3. Young Kittens are Prone to Upper Respiratory Infections
The more technical name for feline upper respiratory infection is “URI." It is also referred to as “cat flu." This health problem is usually caused by the feline calicivirus (FCV) and the feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). If left untreated, this disease can lead to very serious complications in kittens and may even result in fatal consequences, especially if they are only a few weeks old.
The infections triggered by the feline calicivirus (FCV) and the feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) are spread from one infected cat to another when one sneezes or exhales. Kittens with URI often have a sudden loss of appetite and will show signs of weight loss sooner or later. And if symptoms persist, make sure you get in touch with your vet immediately.
I'd just like to point out that your kitten won't be getting URI from other types of infected animals like dogs. The same goes for wild animals like raccoons and squirrels. In short, your kitten will only get this health problem from other cats.
The indicators cat owners need to take note of when it comes to upper respiratory infection.
The main symptoms of URI are sneezing, runny nose, difficulty breathing, clear or yellow/green discharge from the eyes and loss of appetite. It is important to consult your vet as soon as possible when you become aware of this infection in your kitty.
Upper respiratory infections can be hard to treat. It can take approximately a week for your kitten to recover from cat flu. However, the virus can stay dormant in your kitten’s body and resurface later in his life. Depending on how resilient his immune system is, your kitten can recover in about a week from this condition.
Upper respiratory infections can be tricky for a sick cat.
Surprisingly, there is still no specific treatment for upper respiratory infections these days. The closest thing that you can go for when it comes to supporting your young cat's body through conventional means is preventative medication.
However, your vet may decide to prescribe antibiotics to your kitten for treating any pneumonia-causing bacterial infections. Nursing care should also accompany medical treatment during this time to prevent triggering even more severe infections.
Being very vigilant with the symptoms of URI is crucial.
Other important points to remember when it comes to upper respiratory infections are that you should not pass over symptoms like sneezing, runny nose as well as colored discharge coming out from the eyes and nose.
Don't forget to contact your veterinarian immediately as soon as you notice that your kitten seems to have a lot of trouble breathing already. An infected animal is very much at risk of secondary infections when URI unexpectedly pops up and your kitten is not an exception.
Additionally, it is also quite possible that mother cats can transmit URI to their kittens, especially among unvaccinated cats that are still very young. While this may sound surprising, feline leukemia can also be transmitted through this setup.
However, this does not cover kidney disease and the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), unlike what some people mistakenly believe. Feline distemper, also technically referred to as feline panleukopenia, cannot be transmitted in the same way.
4. Intestinal Worms Can Get in the Picture Without a Warning
The most common intestinal worms your kitten can be vulnerable to are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. These parasites can make your kitten very sick. Symptoms can include frequent bouts of diarrhea and unexpected weight loss. If these symptoms get really serious, make sure your contact your vet immediately.
Intestinal worms in kittens can be life-threatening because these parasites will absorb all the important nutrients in the digestive tract and also cause dehydration while at it. You can get your kitten dewormed at your vet on a regular basis, starting at 8 weeks old. Getting rid of roundworm eggs as well as the larva of other intestinal parasites is also crucial.
A very important reminder to take note of
The presence of these intestinal parasites in a kitten's digestive system can mean that your young cat is also prone to other serious diseases and illnesses like feline distemper. The virus that causes this health problem, the feline parvovirus (FPV), can linger in contaminated environments and particular objects such as a litter box.
Contrary to what some people erroneously believe, though, feline distemper cannot be passed on through mother's milk. Regardless of the cause, getting access to immediate veterinary assistance is extremely crucial in cases of feline distemper.
Your options when it comes to getting rid of intestinal worms
Many deworming products can be found over the counter. However, if you’re looking to resort to conventional medicine for your kitten, it is recommended to seek veterinary advice first to analyze which type of worm it is and zero in on the best medication for your young cat.
Of course, if you prefer alternative medicine, premium natural products like Zumalka's PARASITES AND WORMS exist. Besides helping soothe your kitty’s digestive tract and boosting his immune system, this alternative option is also formulated to keep intestinal parasites in check to prevent infection.
5. An Important Tip You Shouldn't Overlook as a Parent of a Young Cat
Having a kitten requires a lot of commitment. Besides always making it a point to protect your pet against kitten health issues, there are also a lot of things that you need to watch out for as you go along. Even the slightest symptoms and irregularities should not be overlooked!
You're definitely in for a constant learning process
Sure this may sound like a lot of work, but the rewards you'll reap as you go along will be very fulfilling. You won't just see your kitty grow up into a healthy and happy adult cat but also have the sense of pride that you've managed to pull the whole thing off. Mind you, this is not going to be an easy feat!
See, once you take in a kitten, there are a lot of other things to keep in mind aside from feeding him and giving him fresh water on a regular basis. Apart from the health issues that I've shared with you in this blog post, I'm sure that there will be a lot more bits and pieces that you will encounter sooner or later.
Striving hard to give your kitten the quality of life you've always dreamed of is not hard to achieve if you just keep at it. There will even be times that you'll need to experiment here and there, but I'm sure you'll get on the right track before you know it.
Get in Touch with a Pet Homeopathy Expert Now
Knowing which health problems to keep an eye out for can help you give your kitten the quality of life he truly deserves. While seeking veterinary assistance is one way to do it, reaching out to a pet homeopathy expert is also one option you can go for.
You can contact us at any time to get in touch with a pet homeopathy professional. We are looking forward to hearing from you real soon. Naturally with you and your pet, every step of the way!
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