Kitten Illnesses - Find Out What's Wrong With Your Little Friend

Kitten illnesses are an owner's worst nightmare. You don't want your cat to get ill!

But... how do you examine your little four-pawed friend? And what diseases are there?

To check your little cat's general condition you can do the following:

• See the coat. A healthy coat is glossy. Watch for fleas and dandruff.
• Look inside the mouth. Teeth should be white. Gums should be pink. Red gums are a sign of inflammation.
• Check the nose. Is it cool and slightly damp? Then it's OK!
• Check the eyes. They should be clean and free of discharge.
• Ears that are red on the inside could indicate inflammation, excessive wax or ear mites.
• Feel the belly. A healthy abdomen is full but not too large - which could be a sign of roundworms.
• See the anus. Is it clean? No small white worms?

Also useful is this list of symptoms of illnesses.

Here's a list of kitten illnesses and other health problems:

Fading Kitten Syndrome
Similar to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. There is no explanation for it and it's usually fatal. First signs: sudden weigh loss, no appetite, lethargy, quickly followed by death.

Upper Respiratory Infection
Very contagious viral disease. Looks like a cold at first: sneezing, eye discharge. Always see a vet if your little cat friend shows these signs. Needs immediate treatment, possibly with antibiotics. Your cat could die if not treated.

Vomiting and Diarrhea
These are symptoms of an illness, not a disease on its own, but still should be on this list. Adult cats vomit quite often and very often it's nothing to worry about. But that's different with kittens. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration and the younger the cats are, the more vulnerable. Take your cat to the vet to see what's wrong.

Also, not really belonging on a list of kitten illnesses but still dangerous for your kitty's health are worms. The same can be said about fleas.

That said, you should always closely watch your kitten's development!