Kitten health is particularly fragile during the early weeks of their lives. Many of the symptoms are subtle and easy to overlook, but their immune systems are delicate and a minor illness can easily grow into something much worse. In order to ensure that that does not happen and the health of your newborn kittens is protected, there are a number of symptoms that accompany various common kitten diseases that you will need to watch out for. This article outlines some of the most important.
Roundworms
It is very easy for newborn kittens to become infected with roundworms. Roundworms are spread by ingesting the eggs, which could be shed from another cat, passed on through the mother’s milk, or even in the litter box. Diarrhea is one of the primary symptoms of roundworms. Vomiting, and having a pot belly are also very common symptoms, as is a poor coat.
Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common ailments to cats of all ages. They can be difficult to diagnose because cats will eat them as they groom themselves. While normally not much more than an annoyance in older animals, they pose a particularly serious problem for young kittens because they have so little blood, and a severe flea infection can quickly cause anemia, or worse.
Fading Kitten Syndrome
Fading kitten syndrome is a generic term for a wide variety of ailments. These kittens simply do not get well on their own. The primary symptoms include: diarrhea, dehydration, and severe lethargy. Dehydration is particularly serious in kittens, and immediate medical attention is necessary.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is another common disease that affects cats of all ages, and refers to an eye infection. If left untreated for a prolonged period of time, conjunctivitis can eventually lead to total blindness. An infected eye is difficult for the cat to keep open, and frequently weeps fluid. There is also usually a yellow or green discharge coming from the eye. This infection is particularly contagious, so you will want to isolate any kitten that develops one.
While these are some of the most common ailments that newborn kittens fall victim to, there are far more that were not covered. A good rule of thumb is that if the kitten won’t eat, develops diarrhea, has any type of fluid discharge or odd smell, or goes through any sudden change, it is best to take it to the vet immediately. This is especially vital during the first few weeks of life, when a kitten’s health is particularly fragile.