New kitten seems unwell

[Whatsasname]

We got our new kitten today. He's a 13 week old oriental. He seems to have an upper respiratory infection of some sort. He has discharge from his nose and eyes - one eye in particular seems to be bothering him, he's not really opening it. He also seems pretty lethargic for such a young cat but I guess he might just be unsettled from moving to a new home. The vet can't fit him in for a new kitten check till Tuesday. Should I worry? Do I need an emergency appointment before that? I don't know if it's just like a human toddler having a cold and I'm worrying for nothing, or if it could actually be serious. Any advice appreciated. Thank you.

Contact the breeder for advice. They shouldn't have let him go to his new home if he was unwell.

I would book him in an emergency appointment if he is lethargic and has a respiratory infection.
Sorry OP.

Yes I'm sort of thinking that too. I'm annoyed if I'm honest. I have messaged her.

Did he arrive with six day insurance?

I would get an emergency appointment. Those are worrying symptoms and he is very young.

Straight back to the breeder - he was not in a fit state to be rehomed. I would only take him on once the breeder has paid for him to be treated and had him tested to make sure it’s not cat flu. Persistent infection with calicivirus in particular can cause issues throughout life.

Insurance from a breeder usually has a 14 day exclusion for illness (as opposed to accidents)

Where does she live? Go and knock on her door, or phone her at least. A kitten with a respiratory infection has been kept in really shit conditions, god knows what damage has been done to it in its short life. It will likely always be more susceptible to illness and infections for its entire life now. And the gall to not even treat it, and sell you it with an active infection is unbelievable. Give her a ring at least, and for your sake I’d seriously consider giving the kitten back

Cross posted with this. I’ve not had sick cats, but I’ve rescued animals including dogs, reptiles and rodents that have been extremely prone to chronic ear and respiratory infections after they’ve come in with them

Thanks @Patchworksack I didn't have to use insurance when we had a kitten from a breeder many years ago, I just remember that they had it.

Handing the kitten back is probably the logical thing to do, I would be concerned about cat flu.

But I definitely wouldn't just wait until a basic wellness check at the vet's next week.

Oh god you think it's really that serious that we should consider returning him? I don't think I can do that my kids would be devastated. If it's the lethargy that seems most worrying he has eaten now and perked up quite a bit so I'm less concerned about that bit at least.

Op consider learning from my mistake because I did the exact same thing about 16 years ago. Mine was a free kitten from a neighbours litter. The mum died when they were a few weeks old and I knew they weren’t being taken care of properly, so I took in the runt hoping to at least give it a chance. He wasn’t lethargic at all, but he had weepy eyes and a horrible smell about him. I took him to the vets thinking he just needed a course of antibiotics, he had a cold and eye/ear infections. He improved within a few weeks but then went downhill again. So he went back in for more antibiotics. And more a few months later. And more a few months later. He had multiple tests each time he went in. He had swabs each time that had to be lab tested to determine what type of bacteria it was that needed to be treated, he had allergy and dermatology tests that ran into thousands as they thought at a few points his constant illnesses may be caused by allergies. He had loads of blood tests etc. A few years and many thousands of pounds later (we could only insure him for the first year, after that they refused), we ended up euthanising him aged 6 as it was unfair to keep a constantly suffering animal. I don’t know if you’ve waited a long time for this kitten, it must be disappointing, but you’ve literally just been sold a diseased animal, your first day of buying a purebred and no doubt expensive animal from a breeder shouldn’t be spent googling emergency vets because it’s sick. Better to take back the sick kitten on day 1, your kids will be more traumatised if you keep it and it has to got though illnesses, treatment and possibly a very early death.

Was he in good condition when you picked him up? I’d at least contact the breeder- a good one will either take him back and refund or pay/use insurance to sort him out

Also consider the vet bills. The allergy tests were £400 each and that was 15 years ago. If your kitten didn’t come with insurance (which I doubt as the breeder would have surely had it treated) then it’s now uninsurable as you cannot get cover for illnesses it already had when you bought it.

Thanks everyone. I am very pleased to report the kitten seems absolutely fine this morning. I spoke to the breeder last night. She told me none of her other cats were unwell so very unlikely something like cat flu (plus he wasn't coughing so I didn't think that) she said maybe he'd just got a bit of the dusty litter in his eyes which made his eyes water and nose run and that we should keep an eye on him and get back to her with an update this morning. I was a bit doubtful but I think maybe she was right. He's eaten his breakfast, been out jumping around and playing, cuddling and purring on all of us and his eyes and nose are fine. He hasn't been sneezing or anything. I think maybe I was over-worrying. I will obviously reconsider if anything changes but right now I'm not worried at all and the plan is to just take home for the new kitten check next week. He's gorgeous.

Pleased kitty is recovering. I’m sure the stress of moving won’t have helped but it sounds like he’s settling in well now.

I would love to give you advice but you haven't paid the Litter Tray tax (a photo)!!!

Yes your tax is overdue, op!
So glad to hear he's perked up today.

Sorry guys. How very remiss of me.
Here he is. I have a new worry though now. He's been with us since yesterday lunchtime and hasn't done a poo yet. Is that bad?

absolutely gorgeous. Is he weeing? That is the important one. So long as he is eating I wouldn't worry about lack of poo yet. (just be prepared for the fact he may have, just not in the litter tray - sorry....)

Yes he is weeing. And he's eating. I can't believe how much I find myself worrying. It's crazy. Almost like when I had human babies 😂

He is such a cute kitten, those ears 😍

I wouldn't worry about the lack of a poo unless his tummy gets distended or he seems ill.

He is the snuggliest little cuddlebug ever ❤️. And he absolutely LOVES the kids.

Holy moly that is one cute kitten. I mean all kittens are cute but those ears...the toe beans...his little smug happy smile....I am in love!

Look at those ears!!!
Glad to hear he’s improving.