Instructions
Watch for sneezing, wheezing or runny eyes. These symptoms usually indicate a herpes infection, which cat's experience much the same as a human would a bad cold. This virus is particularly common in shelter cats housed in close quarters. Herpes is usually harmless, although it can become serious if left untreated and should be diagnosed as soon as possible.
Be aware of seizures. If your kitten exhibits convulsions, suddenly becomes paralyzed, goes limp or is unable to walk, take it to the vet immediately. Seizures can be a symptom of poisoning.
Take notice of abdominal pain. If your kitten starts pawing at its stomach or won't let you rub its tummy, it is probably experiencing abdominal pain. This can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, blockage or internal damage. All of these conditions can be life-threatening, so take your kitten to the vet as soon as possible.
Monitor your cat's litter box use to catch any abnormal urination. If your kitten stops using the litter box, is unable to urinate or frequently licks his genitals after trying to urinate, take him to the vet immediately. This can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or blockage.
Take any bleeding seriously. If you notice blood in your kitten's stool, draining from its eyes or ears, or gushing from a wound, take it to the vet immediately. Abnormal discharge of blood can be the result of infection or injury.
Track how frequently your kitten vomits. Although it is normal for a kitten to vomit from time to time, vomiting that occurs more than once in an hour is cause for concern. This is particularly true if there is blood in the vomit. If your kitten is vomiting frequently, take it to the vet.
Be alert for labored breathing. If your kitten starts to wheeze or is unable to breathe, take it to the vet. The kitten may be choking on a hairball, experiencing an asthma attack or having a serious allergic reaction.
Examine your kitten for trauma occasionally. Kittens are fragile. If they spend time outdoors and unsupervised, kittens can be injured by other animals, cars or poorly executed leaps. If you notice that your kitten is favoring a paw, is bleeding or seems unable to walk, take it to the vet.
Clean your cat's litter box frequently, watching for diarrhea. Although diarrhea doesn't usually indicate a serious illness and clears up on its own, kittens can become dehydrated very quickly. If you notice diarrhea that lasts for more than several hours, take your kitten to the vet.
How to Know When to Take a Kitten to the Vet
After adopting a kitten, you should always have them examined by a veterinarian. Provided the kitten is givenva clean bill of health, chances are that your kitten won't need to make another visit to the vet until it's a year old. However, it's important to be aware of any symptoms that could warrant going to the vet. The following symptoms all represent major threats to kitten health and should be taken seriously.