Bangladesh Animal Care

LOOSE STOOLS OR DIARRHEA

Remember the kitten has survived a very stressful situation and may develop diarrhea. Decrease the amount of formula fed to each kitten by 25% and add one-teaspoon “plain” yogurt to the formula. As stated above, if the kitten has started on wet kitten food and develops loose bowels or diarrhea, decrease the amount of wet food added to formula until the kitten’s system can tolerate the rich kitten food. If the rectum area appears red and irritated, you may apply a small amount of Vaseline on the area to assist with discomfort. Consult your veterinarian if diarrhea is severe or present for longer than 24 hours. In a healthy kitten, stress, overeating, cows milk, or parasites are the main reason diarrhea will occur.

STRESS LEVEL

A manual alarm clock could also be helpful to help reduce the stress level. The ticking of the clock mimics the mother’s heartbeat. You’re trying to make the kitten as calm as possible. She’s experienced a tremendous amount of stress and you helping to keep her calm will improve her overall health.

FLEAS

Severe infestation of fleas can make a kitten anemic and even kill very young kittens & adult cats. Kittens fewer than six weeks of age should not be bathed with flea shampoo or be treated with Revolution, Advantage, etc. Absolutely no over the counter products, including shampoos are to be used.

Instead, kittens fewer than six weeks of age should be bathed with warm water (exercise caution-water should not enter kittens mouth or nose), I use a small amount of lemon based dish soap, combing the fur with a fine tooth comb and drowning the fleas in alcohol or soapy water. This procedure should be repeated several times until the fleas or majority of fleas are no longer present.

Following the bath, towel dry kitten; or if less than 7 days old, a hairdryer on low setting may be used to speed up the length of the drying time and the kitten should be placed on a clean, dry towel with a heating pad placed on low under the towel. If necessary, repeat this procedure until all signs of fleas have disappeared. Flea powder and shampoo is readily available in Bangladesh.

EAR MITES

Check ears for mites. Kitten’s ear canals are closed at birth and canals do not open until kittens are 5 to 12 days old, which is about the same time their eyes open. Mites are usually present if very crusty dark colored wax with a coffee ground consistency is found in the ears. Ear mites are not contagious to adults or children. Clean the ears with tissue and water and put 3% eye/ear drops in each ear 2-3 times a day.

EYE PROBLEMS

The kitten’s eye or eyes might become closed from an eye infection and the lid may be closed. Moisten a cotton ball or tissue with warm water and gently cleanse the eye area. Do this several times per day and if it persists buy 0.1 - 0.5% eye drops from the pharmacy.

ABSCESS

Abscesses are very dangerous and can get out of hand quickly. If your cat has been bitten by another animal or been injured in some way which has broken skin take special care. If you notice swelling or a lump forming around the wound you should take a warm wet cloth and hold it to the wound then after a few minutes gently squeeze the area to remove the puss. Continue this until the swelling goes down.

If it does not – keep the area clean and get some amoxicillin from the pharmacy. Give your cat 1/8 of a pill once a day – if the infection persists or you think your cat may need stitches take it to the vet. If your cat is continuously licking the wound you may need to make a cone to prevent the infection from getting out of hand. Take cardboard and make a cone shape by wrapping a blunted triangle around so the opening fits your cats head. Then staple and/or tape it on until the wound heals.

WHY INOCULATE YOUR CAT?

Vaccines protect your cat from specific viral and bacterial infections. They are not a treatment. If your companion cat gets sick because he is not properly vaccinated, the vaccinations should be given after your pet recovers. Kittens should be taken to the veterinarian between the ages of 5 to 6 weeks to be inoculated against disease. Kittens that did not receive Colostrum (first milk received from their mothers which is rich in antibodies to help fight disease) will need their inoculations earlier than kittens raised by their mothers.