new kitten!

[Erica]

well...my two little fosters are gone and a new one has replaced them. A very cute white & tabby kitten named Nemo. He's a little feisty and prefers playing and biting over cuddling. Especially biting though. I have a feeling he wasn't socialized well. Guess we have to work on that. Oh yes, I also had a questions which is why this is on the feline health board. His lips, if cats even have lips but you know what I mean, are black. It's bizarre. I wouldn't think much about it if it was all over but it's only on one side, top & bottom but not the other. Also, his toes where they bump up, (I"m sure I'm describing this all wrong) seem to have hair missing. The skin isn't red or dry, there's just no fur. Any ideas? He's about 8 weeks, male & FeLV+. If anyone can think of anything, please let me know. Thanks!

[Traci]

Erica, have you had him checked by your vet yet? If not, please get him seen right away, you need to know his general health status (being he is FELV+), and rule out secondary health potentials.

As for the black lips/mouth, this is probably pigmentation, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be even in places. Without seeing him, that's my only guess. If however, it seems sore, swollen, or his skin around the mouth is flaky, do get that checked by your vet.

As for the paws and toes, it's probably nothing, but again, you want to rule out stress or other health problems that may or may not be related to the FELV. Any FELV+ kitty can develop secondary health problems and bacterial infections at any given time as they are so much more susceptible. Don't mean to scare you, but get him examined completely, check for worms, talk to your vet about FELV etc.

[Tina B and crew]

awww...I bet he's cute Erica! I've had several cats with black lips Khanada has half and half lips

[Erica]

I hope that's what it is. Our vet actually gave him to us. The owners had brought him in to be euthanized and after everything was put out, she just couldn't do it and convince them to turn him over to her. So we have him now. He does have some kind of medication. We have to get it from the vet as they forgot to give it to us when we picked him up. I'm not sure what it is or what it's for. I'm going to try to get a picture of his mouth because it looks so bizarre. It probaly is just pigmentation and I'm paranoid. ) I'll let you know what the medication is for. Thanks!