Animal Welfare Professionals

I’m fostering my first cat and she is one year old and near term in her pregnancy. She has been in my care for 11 days. Today I noticed she vomited undigested food twice. I watched her one her second vomit and based on her stomach it appears to be a hairball that didn’t come up. In addition, she has been sneezing and what appears to be coughing/gagging a couple times/hour. Should I be concerned? I left a message for the vet using this app but haven’t received a response.

@Waltze Please contact your foster care coordinator as soon as possible via any direct phone numbers given to you via that foster care program.

This is the primary foster care contact info I have for Capital Area Humane Society:

Samantha Miller

smiller@adoptlansing.org

(517) 626-6060 x121

emergency #: (517) 648-3916

@Waltze on another note, are you referring to Maddie's Pet Assistant? If you sent a message through this app, the message will go directly to the organization you are fostering for; there isn't a veterinarian on-call via the app.

How is she doing? Is the gagging persistent? Is she still sneezing and is there any yellow/green/clear snot or eye goo/watery eyes? and, finally, Can I help you connect with your foster care coordinator? Hope she's well!

@MPA Administrator thank you SO much for your help! I got in contact with the foster care coordinator today and we are confirming plans for the earliest time I can bring her in. Thank you for the support on here. I’m really impressed and grateful for your help.

Of course! I'm sending you and your foster family best wishes!!

@MPA Administrator Update: I took the mama in and she is being tested for heartworm and lungworms. I’m hoping for the best. On a positive note, mama gave birth to 4 boys and 1 girl! The girl is the largest too! All healthy and growing so far.

That's great news! Any news on the testing?

Sheila

Hi @Dr. Sheila Segurson and @MPA Administrator 2 week update: Mamma was diagnosed and treated for lungworms which seems to have done the trick. I had to take her back to get her blood drawn again to check for heartworm. Sadly, we lost the smallest kitten who had fluid in his lungs. The theory was either congenital issues or aspirated milk. It was heartbreaking. I grieved very hard and almost gave up. After a good nights rest, I rallied and encouraged a check up at the humane society. Mamma and kittens are on antibiotics (just in case) and eye drops because the little girl has pink eye. I’m happy to report the remaining 4 kittens are gaining weight and strength daily. I’m anxious and nervous for litter box training and transition to wet food. I’d love any tips or articles anyone might be able to share! Thank you to all the support!

#PetHealthandNutrition

Hi Erica, I'm so saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that you're not alone in this time and feeling. Unfortunately, many of us itty-bitty kitten foster caregivers have lost a little one for some unforeseeable reason. I've been there before, and definitely know how hard it can be. BUT!!! Know you're doing a great job, you're asking questions, you're giving TLC and that those 4 other kittens and mamma are grateful to you! I'll let @Dr. Sheila Segurson weigh in on the medical, but here are a few resources top of mind for the transition process (it's super duper fun/cute btw and mom will do most of the work). In my experience the litter box transition esp. with momma present can be as easy as making freshly cleaned litter easily accessible.

-Amber

Maddie’s Fund video:

----

Kittens need to be fed frequent small meals. They should be fed a minimum of 3-4 times per day. Their stomachs are smaller than adult cat stomachs, and they have higher nutritional requirements than adult cats do. We recommend that you leave dry kitten food out at all times.

For younger kittens (3-6 weeks of age) who are transitioning to solid food, it is acceptable to moisten commercial kitten foods with milk replacer or water to make a gruel. Older kitten(s) also benefit from being fed wet food several times per day, in addition to dry food. Gruel and wet food should not be left out for very long or it can spoil.

Additional information:

• ASPCA: Cat Nutrition Tips
• PetMD: Feeding Schedule for Kittens

I'm sorry for you loss, but am glad to hear that the rest are doing well. There's definitely some good tips in the Maddie's Pet Assistant app regarding transitioning to solid foods.

With regard to litterbox training, as Amber said, usually there's not much you need to do other than provide them with the box and clean it regularly. Almost all cats train themselves :)

Sheila

Aw. That's wonderful! Thanks so much for the update.

As Dr. Segurson mentions below, pls update us on Mama kitty. Fingers crossed!!