What does it mean when a kitten has pale gums?

Question

My cat had kittens roughly 2 weeks ago. She had two and one died after three days. It had extremely white, almost yellow gums and tongue and then is appeared to seizure and die. Because of where I live a vet was not an option.

The kitten left is 2 weeks old and seems healthy. She is growing and has gained weight, but today I noticed her gum color was a really pale pink. She is warm and being a 2 week old kitten sleeps most of the day. She does climb around when the mom goes in but hasn't been nursing as much as usual. I would like to do the pinch test but because she is so small there I'm scared to try and besides that there is not much skin there.

Answer 1

Anaemia would be one possible cause- and parasites probably the most likely cause of that.

Dehydration would be another- and if you think she's not nursing properly it's probably quite likely. I'm assuming that's why you were talking about the pinch test? You should still be able to do that- just gently pinch the skin over the back of the neck- there should be enough there to tent if it is going to. Seeing as though you looked at her gum colour, what did they feel like? (Hard on a 2 week old kitten, I know!!) Dehydration will make them quite tacky or even dry if it is really bad. You should probably think about feeding her yourself, just so that you know she's getting appropriate amounts of energy and fluids.

Even if getting to a vet is still not an option, is there one that you can ring? If you really can't get there, and if there is anything you can do for her yourself, most should be happy to give you advice over the phone. That way they can also get all the details from you and be able to give a more helpful suggestion of what may be going on.

Answer 2

You really should take the mother and living baby to a vet, even if it means you have to drive a long way. The white gums on the other kitten could have been hypothermia and/or anemia, and the yellowish color usually indicates some kind of liver failure - possibly from starvation if the mother cat wasn't feeding it. The surviving kitten may not be completely in the clear at this point and really needs some vet attention, especially if she isn't nursing much. If you can't get to a vet, at least go to the store and get some KMR (kitten milk replacer) and begin supplementing her feedings in-between nursing sessions. As for the "pinch-test" you won't hurt her, but it's also not really necessary, as it won't tell you anything other that whether or not she is dehydrated, which she probably is if she isn't eating properly.

Answer 3

Pale Gums Anemia

Answer 4

Pinch test?? Never heard of that!

Pale gums is a sign of illness - like anemia. If that's the case, it is probably overwhelmed with worms and they are taking all the nutrients. The fullness you see on the belly, especially after a feeding? Yep - worms. Best see a vet, as 2 weeks old is too young for dewormers.

Answer 5

I think pale gums is a sign of a blood disorder, like leukemia. I know it's always something the vets check out. Maybe Heart Worms. Not sure but I'd take them to a vet. The one with the coughing might need to be wormed.

Answer 6

If any change in a cat's normally pink gums become white, blue, yellow, or bright red, see a vet immediately. White or pale gums may indicate anemia or systemic shock; blue gums from breathing problems; yellow gums from red blood cell destruction, liver disease, or gall bladder disease; red gums from septic shock or severe infection.

Answer 7

it means that the kitten is probably anemic and needs to see a vet right away ,if the kitten has fleas then they take all the blood away and causes the kitten to not have much left (ok that sounded like it didnt' make sense but yeah)

Answer 8

I understand that your area poses a problem for a vet, however, I would do my best to get both the mommy cat and her kitten to a vet as soon as possible, there may be a problem going on that you don't see.

Answer 9

Not nursing is a bad sign. You should consider feeding the kitten yourself with a milk replacer such as KMR which you can get at a pet store.

Answer 10

I agree with several others, that it could very well be parasites. Used properly, MSM &/or Grapefruit seed extract are being used by many folks (including me) for their pets ... instead of chemical dewormers. You need to dilute each. For adult animals, it's easiest to put them in wet food, or their water. The GSE needs to be diluted, especially! You'd have to take into consideration their tiny bodies, too.

Pets—How Do You View Them?
~ Animals--A Gift From God
~ Pets--Keeping a Balanced View of Them
~ Animals--A Pleasure Forever!
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