When should I seek veterinary help during weaning?
Written by
John Williams
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Getting a head start on weaning will save kittens' lives. Critical indicators of an emergency requiring immediate intervention include persistent diarrhea or significant weight loss. I learned this in 2019. I wouldn't be writing about it if it weren't true. It was merely a two-day delay, but it almost cost the kitten her life.
Digestive Emergencies
- Diarrhea lasting over 12 hours
- Blood in stool or vomit
- Abdominal bloating with pain response
- Complete refusal of food/water
Systemic Failure Indicators
- Lethargy lasting more than 6 waking hours
- Weight loss instead of daily gain
- Body temperature below 97°F (36°C)
- Pale or blue-tinged gums
Diarrhea becomes life-threatening after 12 hours. Kittens can dehydrate quickly, losing vital electrolytes that need to be replenished. Encourage them to drink electrolyte solutions (such as unflavored Pedialyte) while you're onscreen, shaking out the carpet, and transporting them to the vet. Never wait to see if it will resolve on its own! I caused irreversible kidney damage to Raven when I delayed getting her to the vet in 2017 after she first had diarrhea. She will require medications/IV fluids for life.
Loss of weight should ring alarm bells. Please ensure that your scales are set up accurately first. Then, offer your kitten a warmed, diluted formula. If this is refused, visit your vet immediately. I have emergency feeding tubes readily available, as my vet once trained me to use them in critical cases.
Lethargy also warrants a temperature check. If your kittens are hypothermic, they can't travel until they're warmed up. Use your body heat to warm them or keep a heating pad on low nearby. Be precise when recording the duration of the symptoms. Because I wrote down precisely when my kittens started showing lethargy, my vet was able to diagnose fading kitten syndrome more quickly.
Food refusal is also a result of texture for some kittens, especially when considering temperature. Try to alter the formula or temperature before giving up. If, after twelve hours, there has been no response to offers of food, call for assistance. I fixed a kitten's appetite with stimulants at the first sign of lack of interest in food. You are making strong, healthy adults of the kitties you nurse through their weaning!
Read the full article: Kitten Weaning Age: 3 to 8 Weeks Guide
