6 Common Kitten Illnesses 

How to identify and handle 6 common illnesses in kittens. New cat owners, be sure to save this guide!

Common Kitten Diseases: Feline Panleukopenia and Feline Infectious Peritonitis

1⃣️ Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
Highly contagious with a high fatality rate.

2⃣️ Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
A severe illness with a high fatality rate.

3⃣️ Ringworm
A zoonotic disease that can affect both humans and pets.

4⃣️ Ear Mites
Highly contagious among cats.

5⃣️ Gastrointestinal Issues
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, or soft stools.

6⃣️ Parasites
Both internal and external parasites can affect kittens.

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)

• Common Age: 2-4 months old kittens

• Characteristics: Highly contagious with a high fatality rate

Symptoms:

1. Fever

2. Vomiting (significant)

3. Diarrhea (bloody)

4. Loss of appetite and lethargy

Treatment:

• Therapy: Supportive care and symptomatic treatment to strengthen the kitten's immune system to overcome the infection.

• Prevention: Administer the FVRCP vaccine (Feline Distemper Combo Vaccine).

🐾 Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

• Characteristics: High fatality rate

Symptoms:

1. Weight loss

2. Loss of appetite

3. Enlarged abdomen

4. Fever

5. Anemia

6. Difficulty breathing

Treatment:

• Focus: Anti-inflammatory measures and prevention.

• Steps:

  1. Minimize stressors.

  2. Reduce the number of cats in the household to avoid overcrowding.

  3. Provide nutritional supplements to boost immunity.

🐾 Ringworm

• Characteristics: A zoonotic disease that affects both humans and pets.

Symptoms:

1. Localized hair loss

2. Itchiness

3. Circular ring-like lesions

4. Flaky skin

Treatment:

• Care: Shave the affected area, apply iodine solution, and use topical antifungal medication.

• Prevention: Supplement with vitamin B, keep the living environment ventilated, dry, and clean, and ensure proper nutrition for the kitten.

🐾 Gastrointestinal Issues

• Characteristics: Symptoms commonly include vomiting and soft stools.

Symptoms:

1. Soft stools or diarrhea

2. Vomiting

Treatment:

• Care: Fast the kitten for at least 4 hours, provide probiotics in moderation, and observe their condition. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs frequently, seek veterinary attention promptly.

• Prevention: Maintain a healthy diet and monitor weather changes to avoid stress on the kitten.

🐾 Parasites

• Characteristics: Includes both internal and external parasites.

Symptoms:

1. Internal Parasites: Dragging the bottom on the ground after defecation.

2. External Parasites: Frequent scratching and visible bite marks on the skin.

Treatment:

• Care: Perform both internal and external deworming promptly and keep the household environment clean.

• Prevention:

  1. Ensure dietary hygiene; do not feed raw meat of unknown origin.

  2. Deworm regularly.

  3. Maintain household cleanliness and hygiene.

🐾 Ear Mites

• Characteristics: Highly contagious

Symptoms:

1. Brown-black discharge in the ear canal

2. Foul odor from the ears

Treatment:

• Care: Use ear drops, ear medication, and conduct deworming.

• Prevention:

  1. Maintain regular ear hygiene.

  2. Deworm periodically