kitten not eating need help?

Question

i had just recieved an 8 week old calico from a friend of ours she has had all of her shots except for her second booster. She hasent been fixed yet that will be in october or november. But back to business the first day that we had brought here here she was fine running around playing and such but wasnt eating anything. So we figured she just wasnt hungry. Well then yesterday she had eaten a little bit but then hours later threw it up and she also has runny poop. the lady that we had gotten her from said it is normal for a kitten in a new setting to have runny poop and throw up here or there but im worried. it is now day three since we got her and we took her temperature today and it was 102.1 which is great for a cat also she sleeps a whole lot but she dosent play anymore well a little but she mainly follows me around and sits on me. Is there something wrong or is she ok im worried i dont want anything to happen to her please help very concerned.

thanks
adam

Answer 1

no it is not normal for a kitten that young not to eat, nor have runny poop. i wuld take this little one the the veterinarian asap.
it maybe something simple to take care off. little ones like this can
become dehydrated and that can lead to disaster. kittens are still rather fragile physically and health wise at this age. kittens usually need to be fed 3-4 times a day. i feed all my kittens hot water softened purina kitten chow with wet kitten canned food mixed in. they usually act ravenous as if i've never fed them before. because it has already been 3 days i would suggest a vet visit asap. kitten will usually sleep alot just like all cats they need alot of sleep, but they also play hard too so if she is just laying around and not acting like an inquisitive rambunctious little crazy thing then i suggest there might be a problem. try for the moment or until you can get her to a vet feeding her gerber baby meats in the little glass jars. mine especially love the lamb flavor and i give it to them for a treat. also if i have a sickly or fussy eater the gerbers works great. you can sofen and mash the kitten chow and mix in gerber meat or let her just eat the meat while also adding a little water so she stays hydrated.

Answer 2

You may want to bring the kitten to the vet for a thorough checkup. Sometimes cats can contract different illnesses from other cats. It may be possible that the kitten contracted the illness from the cats in the previous home and that the signs just didn't show immediately. It's also possible that any changes in food and surroundings can cause changes in eating patterns. It could be something as simple as the cat preferring a different food than the kind you have been giving it, or something more serious that only a trained professional vet can detect. Either way, I hope your kitten gets her appetite back. In the meantime, try a can of cat food (instead of hard food). If the cat can't smell the food, maybe that could be a possible reason for not eating it. Place a small bit of the can food by the kitten. See if she eats it. If she doesn't eat it, warm it slightly in a microwave. Make sure it isn't too hot. Think of her as a baby. You wouldn't feed a baby formula that is too hot. Both kittens and babies are extra sensitive to things that are too hot or too cold. Warmed food can sometimes enhance the smell and attract the cat to eat. Also, check the kitten's teeth. I had a cat that went through a teething phase. In my case, my cat had a tooth that was loose. Once the vet plucked the loose tooth and the gum healed, she went right back to eating hard food. She was only able to eat the soft food when she had the loose tooth. Ouch.

Answer 3

Go to the vet.

I'm not a vet, and neither is my friend, but he worked with them, this is what he says.

The kitten is probably having a reaction to a new or different diet. However, the slight fever [a normal cat is 101] and the fact that she doesn't have a great appetite should mean a trip to the vet. She could have worms, causing the appetite and indigestion problems and the fever, as well as the lethargy. Also, cats shouldn't be fixed before their sixth month of age, so that's right to wait until October or November. An 8-week-old should have a pretty amazing appetite. It also could be an upper respiratory illness.

How soon before they got her did she have her first booster?
Are her eyes somewhat gooey at all?

Answer 4

If she is 8 weeks she has only had her FIRST set of shots. She needs another one 21-28 days after she got the first one, and another one 21-28 days after that one. Rabies is given after the kitten is 4 months. You should also get a fecal sample in to the vet. She probably in the very least has roundworms, but could have coccidia, which is a protozoa and needs to be treated.
You could also have her tested for FeLV/FIV because a kitten that is positive for any of those can have those symptoms. It is not normal for a kitten to have runny poop and vomit for 3 days just because they are in a new house. Get her to the vet. Kittens can dehydrate easily from diarrhea. It is nothing to fool around with!!!

The temp IS normal. Cats and dogs are 101.5 to 102.5. So much for the folks above me that claim that 101 is the high range for cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

well obviously take her to the vet......but in the mean time..........cats don't like switching foods so maybe its just some getting used too, or she doesn't like the food. if after a while she still does her usual.....then switch food........maybe ask a vets opinion on what kind. if u go.She might be allergic or her stomach can't take something that the food contains. a kitten should be playful for a while then sleeps then eats then goes to the bathroom then foes that cycle all over again. she might follow you around alot because she doesn't have the energy to play. i hope this helps. my mom is great with animals so i know some stuff but when i ask her i will put more up. hope that helps!

Answer 6

I would consult a veterinarian immediately in the morning, sooner if she isn't drinking. It could be as simple as needing to be wormed, but all animals, especially babies can die of dehydration quickly. Try to get her to drink, perhaps go to the pet store for a kitten milk replacer. The fluid intake is the most important thing here, then worry about the eating
If you are in an area with no vet or pet store immediately accessable, search online for a recipe for kitten milk replacer. I know it contains cow milk, Karo Syrup and egg whites, but don't recall the actual ratios.
Pet stores also sell tiny bottles to feed with, but a tip-soaked rag can work in an emergency.

Answer 7

yes it is normal for cats to feel nervous the first day and may have loose (not runny) poo. I would take her to the vet.
Plus how can she have all her shots. They get one shot around 8 weeks and then two other 3-4 weeks apart from the first (and then second).
Giving her yogurt until she goes to the vet is good, but if she isnt eating then the yogurt won't do any good.
If she is throwing up and runny poo, then she is going to dehyrate VERY quickly, she needs fluids (IV fluids from your vet).
Where did this kitten come from? Pet store, breeder, free ad, pound??? How does her eyes look? sunken in, runny? Please go to the vet before it is to late.

Answer 8

Any cat that is not eating is a concern. since cats need to eat on a regular basis. I would suggest a veterinary check up and possible deworming these are the first steps any good pet owner should do when they aquire a new pet this is to prevent any unforseen problems from genetic to common health problems since most, if not all puppies and kittens have worms and lower resistance to diseases than adults. discuss this and any other conserns with a qualified veterinarian in your area.

Answer 9

this is not normal behavior for a kitten. they tend to go non-stop until the fall asleep. Get her to a vet. NOW!
What are you feeding her? Try kitten chow. and lots of water. pet smart and stores like that might also have some kitten "milk" that will have lots of protein and stuff to keep her healthy.

Answer 10

i'd be taking her to the vet.I would also be introducing good bacteria into this cat with either Benibac (which you can get at a decent pet supply store) or plain yogurt with active cultures- even acidolpholus powder would help. But I would certainly take this kitten in to see a vet rather quickly