Medical-Care-of-Neonatal-Kittens-Ontario-Shelter #

Nursing: Watch out for too much of a good thing #

It may seem really obvious, but kitten carers often think that if a kitten is constantly nursing from the queen, all must be well. Medical%20Care%20of%20Neonatal%20Kittens%20-%20Ontario%20Shelter%20571e024c67844e75b5d4773072420d3d/Kitten-incubator-1-150x150.jpg DIY kitten incubator (Courtesy: Linda Jacobson, Toronto Humane Society)

Kitten reflexes #

Absence or weakness of these basic reflexes, necessary for survival, are indicators of serious trouble. The kitten should suckle automatically

Drug dosing in neonates #

Liver and kidney function are immature up to 6 weeks of age, so drug metabolism is impaired.

Crashing kittens #

Critically ill kittens typically have hypothermia, hypoglycemia and/or dehydration. Only give oral fluids or dextrose after the kitten has been warmed.

The colours of kittens (mucous membranes and stool, that is) #

Mucous membranes:

• Hyperemia is normal for kittens < 7 days – thereafter their mucous membranes should be pink and hyperemia in kittens > 7d can signal dehydration
• Sick kittens can be pale or cyanotic
• Septicemia is a common end result of many conditions. Stool:
• Normal neonate stool is yellow or tan colour, with a toothpaste consistency
• Yellow/green watery stool is a sign of overfeeding
• Blood in the stool can indicate coccidiosis, sepsis, parvo, E.coli or Salmonella infections

X-rays in kittens #

Reduce KVP by 50% because the low fat percentage results in low contrast.