Posted on 12/07/2011 5:03:40 PM PST by jocon307
I recently took custody of a little boy kitty that had been rescued by a friend a few weeks prior while he moved into a new place, and he was very lethargic when I got him home.
Wifey-mine gave him a quick going over and found he was literally crawling with the little bugs. It took a good long time in the bathroom with baby shampoo and a flea comb, but we finally got rid of all the things. She counted up to 32 before she lost track.
Two days later, he was bouncing off the walls, pestering Edgar (or adult tom) and chasing the lady cats, just like a normal kitten.
My experience? One adorable Siamese kitty whom I watched die painfully from Feline Leukemia.
“Look at their gums.”
They look OK, pretty pink. And their coats are good too.
Lethargic Kitten Stew is always an option.
She didn't buy them from a pet store. Her local pet store was holding an adoption event.
They probably had shots right before you got them—this can make them lethargic. Can you check the records?
“CHECK FOR FLEAS!!!”
I don’t think they have fleas, they’re not scratching at all.
Really, they are basically not moving, but they do move. They are eating and when we leave them alone in “their” room they move around, use the box, etc.
When they do ambulate (to run under the couch, etc.) they are not unsteady on their legs or anything.
I’m getting pretty convinced to take them into the vet.
My friend is coming to visit this weekend, she is a big cat person. So maybe she can give me some insight too.
I just don’t want to take them to the vet if this is just their “pre-existing” parasite which, in theory, will be cured with the meds they are getting. Which they are taking quite well.
Please take them to your local vet ASAP. They need to be given a thorough examination.
Catnip; works every time.
Also, if you can find them, those little balls with the bells inside.
A trip to the vet ASAP would be good, both for the cats and for your peace of mind.
Kittens are active normally. We just brought in four feral kittens and we call them “The Wrecking Crew” because they’re so active. Do you know if yours have been checked for feline HIV and feline leukemia? Both are common, I understand.
Besides pink gums, the tongue should be very pink as well.
Any toy made by “Fat Cat.” They just love them.
“Catnip; works every time.”
LOL, I actually thought of that. I’ve never given that to my cats since I gave it to one years ago and he went really wacky. It was a tad disturbing, yet I thought of if with these two, so that kind of tells you (me) things aren’t right.
Hubby suggested putting Red Bull in their water.
My two little guys were six months old, both had health issues. I was their “last chance” so what the heck, I filled out all the paperwork and took them home a day later. Looking back they were on perfect kitty behavior & very quiet for a about a month That was in 2005. They had literally been living caged up from little kittens. Thankfully they were brought to the Humane Society, then a rescue group came along, who in turn had vets treat them so they were in and out from one cage to another (but always together), in a medical facility or on display at adoption places, then back to the rescue shelter at night. I think it was a big, big world to them and it took a while to grow into it. Best thing I ever did! They are the best cats ever and rule my world without a doubt. Your little ones just need time to adapt, plus they are on meds so that’s a whole other ballgame. Hopefully your vet will help you with any true concerns. Enjoy them and we wish you a long and happy life together.
The baby I was talking about wasn’t scratching either. Actually, when there are that many of them, cats just give up and ignore them.
But, by all means, take them to the vet. Better to be on the safe side.
“They need to be given a thorough examination.”
Yes, I am coming to this conclusion too. I am very afraid we’ll be told they have some dread disease, that won’t be good.
One seems to be getting a bit better, one a bit worse. And the one getting better is the one that was bad at the start and the one that is worse is the one that was better. (sigh).
And hubby’s got a medical thing happening next week too.
I’ll definitely keep all you very nice and helpful people updated as the next few days go by.
I really love these sweeties, I just want them to be OK.
Microwave ovens are bad too. So is juggling them, no matter how much they beg for it.
Wifey seems to think a vet trip is in order. Also check their stools for worms. Acclimation to their new domain may also be a cause. We adopted kittens also at 3 mos old. They had worms. One was playful the other hid. Now they are accustomed to everyone and are a wrecking crew duo on the Christmas tree.
“They had literally been living caged up from little kittens.”
Yes, I think this might be the case with these 2 too. (HA, I said that right - because I used the numeral!)
That’s why I’m anxious to speak with the lady who was running the adoption.
It’s funny, I’ve always had cats, my whole life almost. Yet, as I said to hubby, this is the first time I’ve ever actually sought out a cat to adopt.
The rest found me, so I’m feeling real responsible for these.
Thanks for your (and everybody’s) good thoughts.
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