Boo Gets Better

This is Boo.

He came to us a week ago looking pretty sad. He had been found by some very caring kids who knew that he was very sick but didn't really know how to care for him. So they brought him to us. 

He was about one month old. He had so much snot in his nose that he almost couldn't breathe. He also had so much gunk in his eyes that they couldn't open. 

He had what most sick kittens do; an upper respiratory infection. When a kitten gets stuffed up they can't smell their food, and when they can't smell they do not eat.

He also had a very low body temperature. 

But the biggest challenge he was facing was fleas. He had so many fleas that he was anemic. The fleas can, and will literally suck the life out of a pet.  

The best way to treat a young puppy or kitten with fleas is to remove them with a flea comb. Comb the pet and with each pass of the comb rinse it in warm soapy water. When all of the fleas have been removed dry the pet gently with a towel or a blow dryer on low or cool heat. A wet pet will get cold, and an anemic undernourished pet is always tempting hypothermia. Keep them warm and dry and free of parasites.

Kitten care is about a few very basic things;

1. Keep them warm.
2. Keep fleas off.
3. Keep them eating.
4. If you see snot and goop, you have infection, so go to the vet IMMEDIATELY!

Here is Boo about three days later!

And five days later.

Boo is happy, playful, eating like gangbusters, and breathing easy.

He is so comfortable that he actively seeks attention. A very sick pet will just lay there. They do not interact, they do not play, and when they stop eating its time to get medical attention!

This is Boo and Beast. 

Beast came to us from the local Humane Society because there were too many cats an litters for them to be able to care for. They are both recovering from their upper respiratory infections but the companionship does miracles in itself. Kittens need someone to play with and snuggle with. They keep each other warm and are less likely to have behavioral issues down the road. I swear by the two pet principle. Two is better, easy, and more fun, than one.


This is Boo at two weeks. There is no sign of infection anymore.

Cats and kittens are miracles. They have an incredible ability to heal.

Never, ever, underestimate them. But give them a chance by seeking veterinary attention should you see signs of infection.

A special Thank-You to Dr. Hubbard of Jarrettsville Vet for being such a good foster mom to the kittens. It takes a special person to be willing to get up multiple times a night to feed and care for kittens. Those miracles had some helpers and those happy healthy kittens are lucky to have found such devoted feline fanciers!

If you have any questions on pet care you can find me at Pawbly.com. Questions are free to ask, and anyone and everyone is invited to ask or answer. It's all about helping pets.

Or you can find me on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Please consider adopting a cat or kitten at your local shelter, and please remember to spay and neuter.

Thanks!