My cat had a litter of kittens a week ago. I just noticed today that one of the babies has a round spot on her belly (about the size of a dime) it is slightly raised and seems to be infected because I the skin on top of it is white. It's hard to explain....... but it just looks infected. It is where the umbilical cord was.
She is thriving however and growing and nursing fine. Should I leave her alone and let Mama take care of her or should I put antibiotic ointment on it? (I assume mama will just lick it off though) I dont think it would be a good idea to take her to the vet. She cant be away from her Mama, she's too young and considering she is other wise doing well, I hate to risk her life taking her away from her Mama. Any ideas?
2007-03-09 15:57:28 · 13 answers · asked by Kel Kel 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
It could be an umbilical cord hernia. I had a stray kitten that came to my house that had one. It didn't look infected though. It was just a lump on it's tummy that you could push in and it would just pop out. It didn't seem to be hurting the kitten though. I took it to the vet and he told me what it was without charging when he realized it was a stray. He told me the area could be fixed easily when the kitten was spayed for it was a girl and there was no need to put her through 2 surgeries if it wasn't an emergency. He said it wasn't an emergency unless something fell into the hernia and was being deprived of oxygen.
If I were you I would call the vet and describe to them what you described here and see what they advise you to do.
2007-03-09 17:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by Turtle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't attempt to treat it yourself. Call any Vet's office and describe the area. They should be able to tell you what it is and probably give you some tips on what to do. Momma cats are extremely instinctive about treating their babies; however, if the kitten has a serious infection, Momma cat may not let her other babies get close to it and may actually keep it from nursing. I wouldn't separate it from the rest of the litter to take it to the Vet. If the Vet won't tell you anything over the phone, if the spot doesn't get any better in 3 days, put Momma and babies in blanketed cat carrier and take a trip to the Vet. Personally, I wouldn't use a Vet who won't help you via phone. Vets who charge for every little thing are only in it for the money and don't have the best interests of the animal in mind. I won't use them. Cats can heal amazingly well if kept warm, well-fed and clean/fresh watered daily. If this little kitten has a serious infection, it will spread to the others and I know you don't want that. First step is to call the Vet. If you get no help there, keep calling Vets until you find one who WILL give you some info and use that Vet from now on. Kitten probably needs a salve of some sort which won't hurt the Momma when licked.
2007-03-09 16:13:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I run a cat clinic with my mother, so i can help, leave the kiiten with the mother for about 2-3 months and watch the bump everyday, try to put the ointment once and see what the mama does, if she try's to lick it off, then only watch until it becomes painful to the touch if that happens, then take it to the vet, otherwise it should take care of it self and the kitten will be fine, but keep a close i on it, if it cause pain take the kitten in, if not, let mama , take care of it, okay.
2007-03-09 16:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should probably leave it alone and let the mama take care of it. But keep a close eye on it and if the kitten looks like its in pain then take it to the vet.
2007-03-09 16:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by lildiz_420 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, no don't put ointment on it. You're right in thinking Mom will lick it off.
Second, does the round spot look like a sore? Or just a bump? I had a cat that developed a bump which turned out to be an inguinal hernia. His twin also developed the bump, but not until after he was adopted out. My kitten had the hernia taken care of when he went in to be fixed (early, so as not to let the hernia get too bad). His twin wasn't so lucky and died. They both trived and grew and were otherwise healthy.
I don't want to scare you, but you should get it checked out, if only to rule it out as something that could kill her.
2007-03-09 16:13:42 · answer #5 · answered by Paula S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i were you i would leave it alone for now. keep an eye on it. the ointment wont hurt the momma cat if she licks it off. if it gets any worse use the ointment. keep a watch on how momma cat is behaving around the kitten. sometimes they will try to separate a sick or injured kitten from the rest of the litter. if that happens take baby to the vet. good luck.
2007-03-09 16:05:22 · answer #6 · answered by jacqueline j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just leave her a lone and just watch the bump.If you notice the bump growing and getting bigger then i would take her to the vet.Being away from her moma at this stage for a couple of hours won't her the baby.But I would definlly call the vet and talk to them.They do have vets that come to your home to check out your pet.
2007-03-09 16:03:11 · answer #7 · answered by IRIS C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Load mama and the babies up in a pet taxi and take it to the vet. You may be able to take a picture of the spot and take it to the vet and show them and they should be able to tell you if it needs to be brought in.
2007-03-09 16:01:20 · answer #8 · answered by mom of 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let your fingers do the walking...call the vet and ask what they suggest. He may give instructions over the phone, or tell you to bring them in.
Good luck and Blessings!
2007-03-09 16:14:28 · answer #9 · answered by Silverwolf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say just keep an eye on it. If the baby is doing fine, then don't worry about it to much unless you see it get worse or affect the baby.
2007-03-09 16:03:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋