HELP!!! My first kitten!

[BooHoo]

Hello every1! First off I'd just like to update every1 on my situation: I'm 16 and my 17 birthday is coming up. I've been wanting a kitten for as long as I can rember and my parents desided if I could find a free kitten that I could have it as one of my birthday gifts! Well 2 days ago the little girls down the street had came to my house hearing that I was looking for a kitten. One of the girls grandma who lives out in the country had found a 3 little kittens in her backyard last night and was looking for good homes for them. Well I desided that I would take one after looking the kitten over for fleas, ticks and any signs of the kitten being unhealthy. From what me and my mom could tell the kitten was very healthy so I was told I could pick out one. I got the smallest and most playful little girl and her name is Boo !!!! Well she has been living in my room with me the past 2 days with no problems, and I injoy her company very much! Well the other night my mom told me to check it's poo to make sure that it didn't have worms and I noticed that it was very runny. Well I kept an eye on it sence then every time it's gone to the litter box and nothing has changed! My mom is saying now that if this problem keeps up it will have to go cause it could mean it has some sickness that we arn't aware of. So I was wondering if this is a problem I should be worried about or if it could possibly just be stress related like I'm thinking it is! Or if there is any desease that has to do with having an 'upset stomach'? Should I be worried or should I give it a few days to see what happens? The kitten seems to be only between 4 to 6 weeks... so with all that information could some1 please help me out!? If you have further questions or an answer to why my kitten is having this problem PLEASE post back or e-mail me at steffane_2005@hotmail.com!!!!! HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME1 SOON ! Thanx a ton!

[Traci]

Please tell your mom that kitten and cat care involve veterinary visits periodically, that is responsible pet ownership.

Right now, you need to get your kitten examined by your vet. A fresh stool sample should be taken so he can test if for worms and other parasites. There are conditions such as distemper, giardia and coccidia, etc that are common in young kittens and MUST be effectively treated by your vet, because if they are not, kittens can succomb to them quickly, and suffer fatality (including worms: tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms and roundworms). Don't take that risk with your innocent baby. He's depending on you to provide him with the very best care and vet care available. Treatment isn't costly, but it can become costly when these conditions are not detected and not treated right away. Diarrhea can fast lead to serious dehydration in tiny kittens and can become fatal if not treated.

Is your kitten still on kitten formula? If so, remember to NOT give cow's milk or whole milk at all, use only KMR Kitten Formula with a kitten nurser bottle until he is ready to be weaned. Most kittens can be weaned at age 4 weeks, but some take longer, as long as 6 weeks. At that time, introduce him to canned kitten food (Iams is a good one), but if he doesn't take to it right away, you still have to keep him on his formula and ensure he's getting his required amounts (as per directions on the formula).

Please get your kitten in to your vet immediately for a proper exam, deworming, and to discuss future vaccinations and kitten/cat care with him. You truly need to know his health condition and know that he is in excellent health and is getting his nutritional needs met, as well as ensuring proper growth and development.

[BooHoo]

Thanx for your help! I'll talk to my mom about taking her to the vet as soon as I can!!! She is going in to get fixed within the next few days so I'll have my mom call the vet and have the appointment pushed up to an earlier day! What should I do to help Boo be ok till then? She seems to be eating great and she drinks water all the time. Is there anything else I can do for her till then?

[Susan and the girls]

I am glad you have an appointment with the vet to have your kitten seen. You mentioned, though, that you were taking it in to have it fixed right away. Does your vet know that Boo is only a few weeks old? The reason I'm asking is that most vets won't spay/neuter a cat until it is around 6 months old. Some will fix a cat a few weeks earlier if it is large enough/healthy enough for the surgery.

I'd suggest calling the vet back and telling them how old the kitten is, and asking that the appointment be changed to a "checkup" and first shots appointment. Let them know about the runny stool, and ask for the first available appointment. It's very important that you get the kitten in to the vet right away before the diarrhea weakens it further.

I'm glad you got what you wanted for your birthday. A kitten can make a wonderful companion. But along with it comes a lot of responsibility - including vet visits, which aren't always "cheap." When you consider the trade-off, though --- a happy, HEALTHY kitten that will grow into a wonderful family member and share many years ahead with you --- the cost of regular vet care is well worth the investment!

Let us know about the appointment, and how Boo gets, ok?

[Traci]

Again, WHAT is she eating, what are you feeding her? Can't comment until we know that. The diet, if generic or insufficient, can indeed cause diarrhea. But, so can worms and other parasites, as mentioned above, it's imperative your vet sees her right away and tests the stool for these problems before it gets out of hand.

Susan is right, you can't spay a 6 week old kitten. She must be at least 3 pounds, in excellent health and free of parasites and disease before spaying. I do not recommend spaying/neutering until at least 6 months of age, but earlier-age spaying/neutering can be done in extreme situations (such as marking behavior, pregnancy, shelter situations, etc)...again, kitten must be in excellent health and be of an adequate/safe weight first.

Call the vet first thing in the morning and try to get an appointment for tomorrow, this diarrhea needs to be addressed immediately.

[BooHooo]

The kitten has an appointment for tomorrow afternoon and you are right, she can't be spayed yet. The vet never asked an age and I called to change the appointment and he siad he couldn't while she was this young! So she is going to get tested for everything and get anything she needs done. Thanx for your help!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll post with updates on what the vet said!!!!!!!!