Comments on: What does it mean when a kitten has pale gums?

By: Horsense

Horsense — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:27:06 +0000

I agree with several others, that it could very well be parasites. Used properly, MSM &/or Grapefruit seed extract are being used by many folks (including me) for their pets … instead of chemical dewormers. You need to dilute each. For adult animals, it’s easiest to put them in wet food, or their water. The GSE needs to be diluted, especially! You’d have to take into consideration their tiny bodies, too.

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By: vetgirl77

vetgirl77 — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:12:11 +0000

You really should take the mother and living baby to a vet, even if it means you have to drive a long way. The white gums on the other kitten could have been hypothermia and/or anemia, and the yellowish color usually indicates some kind of liver failure - possibly from starvation if the mother cat wasn’t feeding it. The surviving kitten may not be completely in the clear at this point and really needs some vet attention, especially if she isn’t nursing much. If you can’t get to a vet, at least go to the store and get some KMR (kitten milk replacer) and begin supplementing her feedings in-between nursing sessions. As for the “pinch-test” you won’t hurt her, but it’s also not really necessary, as it won’t tell you anything other that whether or not she is dehydrated, which she probably is if she isn’t eating properly.

By: dontknow86

dontknow86 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:14:27 +0000

worms go to wal mart and buy some wormer for kittens

By: pammie

pammie — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:42:05 +0000

You need to carry the kitten to the vet.
It could be worms.

By: Loz

Loz — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:29:17 +0000

Anaemia would be one possible cause- and parasites probably the most likely cause of that.

Dehydration would be another- and if you think she’s not nursing properly it’s probably quite likely. I’m assuming that’s why you were talking about the pinch test? You should still be able to do that- just gently pinch the skin over the back of the neck- there should be enough there to tent if it is going to. Seeing as though you looked at her gum colour, what did they feel like? (Hard on a 2 week old kitten, I know!!) Dehydration will make them quite tacky or even dry if it is really bad. You should probably think about feeding her yourself, just so that you know she’s getting appropriate amounts of energy and fluids.

Even if getting to a vet is still not an option, is there one that you can ring? If you really can’t get there, and if there is anything you can do for her yourself, most should be happy to give you advice over the phone. That way they can also get all the details from you and be able to give a more helpful suggestion of what may be going on.

By: old cat lady

old cat lady — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:08:32 +0000

Not nursing is a bad sign. You should consider feeding the kitten yourself with a milk replacer such as KMR which you can get at a pet store.

By: jackie_in_ wv

jackie_in_ wv — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:48:15 +0000

you may need to take the kitten to the vet…sounds like anemia to me….you say a vet is not an option..ok…does the kitten have fleas? that could be a reason that it has anemia….you may want to get some kitten formula and try feeding her in addition to what her mother is feeding her…something with some iron it it….

By: tearsofthemoon00

tearsofthemoon00 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:16:51 +0000

She sounds anemic.Does she have fleas or is she where there are mosquitos?A small kitten can be anemic from bites.

By: Katrina L

Katrina L — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:40:40 +0000

If any change in a cat’s normally pink gums become white, blue, yellow, or bright red, see a vet immediately. White or pale gums may indicate anemia or systemic shock; blue gums from breathing problems; yellow gums from red blood cell destruction, liver disease, or gall bladder disease; red gums from septic shock or severe infection.

By: animalsrme

animalsrme — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:25:13 +0000

I understand that your area poses a problem for a vet, however, I would do my best to get both the mommy cat and her kitten to a vet as soon as possible, there may be a problem going on that you don’t see.