Info about Health
Common Kitten Illnesses
Every pet owner should be aware of the common ailments that may afflict their pet. This is especially true when it comes to very young animals, such as puppies or kittens. Common kitten illnesses range from very mild to extremely serious, bur careful attention must be taken because kittens are fragile creatures and their health can take a downturn very quickly. Below, you will find three common kitten illnesses, as well as their symptoms.
Feline Panleukopenia
This is a viral infection that is also commonly known as, "feline distemper." It is a contagious infection that is spread through contaminated food and water, as well as the litter box. This is a very serious condition and many cats die very quickly, though a vaccine is available. There is no treatment for feline distemper directly, but the dehydration and secondary infections can be treated in order to give the kitten's immune system a chance to fight it off.
Symptoms include: severe diarrhea, dry skin, dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite, and listlessness.
Urinary Tract Infection
Surprising it may be, but cats and kittens are just as susceptible to urinary tract infections as people are. Cases can range from so mild that you barely notice the difference to very severe infections that can potentially spread to the kidneys. It is usually treated with antibiotics, and should be treated immediately, should symptoms appear.
Symptoms include: painful urination, blood in urine, and incontinence.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Think of this as the kitten equivalent of the human cold. The "good" thing about these is that most indoor cats will not contract this condition because it requires contact with infected cats and the virus is short-lived. In most cases, no medical attention is required because the infection is generally very mild.
Symptoms include: sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fever, watery eyes, and a raspy voice. If your cat loses its appetite, it may have a serious infection that requires immediate treatment.
Visit the Newborn Kittens Guide for more information about cats.