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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Sick Kitten - when to worry?

8 replies

CrazyKittenSmiles · 22/10/2024 15:51

I have two 4mo kittens and woke up this morning to what looked like watery cat sick (not regurgitated food) all over the kitchen floor. I offered a tin of a new food alongside their usual food yesterday so assumed it was just a bad reaction, both kittens seemed okay so wasn’t too worried, fed them as normal this morning. Kitten1 didn’t show much interest but this is normal for her so I wasn’t that worried and she did have a few mouthfuls, but a short while later she started miaowing and then was sick again. She hasn’t touched any of her food since but is drinking a little, won’t even touch the freeze dried chicken breast she usually goes crazy for. I have some Untamed natural lick treats which are mainly chicken broth & breast so gave her one of those, she kept it down about an hour but was then very sick again. Should I be trying to get food down her (eg: should I buy some plain chicken breast or something she hopefully wont be able to resist?) or am I better just offering her usual food? At what point do I need to worry? I’ve never had a cat/ kitten be sick from what appears to be an illness before (only from wolfing down food to fast) so not sure at what point I should worry? She does look okay in herself, doesn’t seem overly lethargic right now or in any pain.

I have tried to phone the vet but no answer, there is an emergency line but obviously don’t want to call that for something minor I can be treating at home. Hoping someone with more experience of sick cats can hopefully advise as I don’t want to drag her to vets over nothing, especially as she hates the car, but equally don’t want to ignore something I should be getting checked out. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Fleximama · 22/10/2024 15:53

Becuse of her age and small size, you really need to persevere with the emergency vet, in my view. Kittens can go seriously downhill very quickly.

Tdcp · 22/10/2024 15:54

Hi OP, watery sick in itself isn't usually something to worry about. Is she a long hair or has she had any furballs or is she constipated? I would keep a close eye on her as she is so young, if she starts looking lethargic at all or still is off her food / being sick tomorrow I would call the vet.

OnTheBoardwalk · 22/10/2024 15:54

I agree with @Fleximama kittens can deteriorate very very quickly. Emergency vet is the way to go, I wouldn’t wait

AlteredStater · 22/10/2024 15:56

Yes agree with the other PPs - she needs to go to the vet asap, better safe than sorry. I hope she will be OK.

CrazyKittenSmiles · 22/10/2024 16:06

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I called the vet who have advised giving her some small amounts of chicken breast regularly and keeping an eye on her for now but to call back if she’s still being sick/ off her food in the morning or if her presentation changes. They definitely didn’t seem to mind I was ringing the emergency line but did say an appointment at this stage whilst she’s drinking and looks ok in herself would probably distress her unnecessarily. I feel a bit reassured now, off to buy some chicken breast and will keep a close eye on her overnight and will definitely take her in tomorrow morning if no improvement.

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 23/10/2024 08:09

How is she today?

CrazyKittenSmiles · 23/10/2024 11:04

coffeesaveslives · 23/10/2024 08:09

How is she today?

She seems mostly better today, she wouldn’t eat at all last night but wasn’t sick again and was drinking. She was coughing/ dry heaving first thing this morning but nothing came up and she has since eaten some chicken breast and has kept it down. She seems quite thirsty, drinking a lot more than usual, but I’m thinking that’s a good thing. In herself she seems fine, bright and alert and been playing with her sibling as normal, doesn’t seem at all lethargic or in pain so I’m hoping she’s mostly over it now. Thanks for asking!

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 23/10/2024 11:31

Oh that's good news - they are a worry!

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