New Kittens - Advice Please

[supercarrie]

We recently brought home two kittens (approximately 10 days ago). One is now 9.5 weeks old (Alex); the other 8 weeks (Stuart).

Stu was diagnosed with an infection a week ago and has been on antibiotics. Before he began treatment, he wasn't quite as active as we'd expect a young kitten to be. Now, however, he has turned into quite the "little terror" - running around the house at all hours, always wanting to play - basically as you'd expect a kitten to be.

My concern is now for the other kitten, Alex. Over the past few days he has vomited a couple times (isolated) but is eating (a lot!) and drinking well, is not dehydrated, etc. He hasn't vomited for two days now. However, he seems more "sleepy" than Stu. Not necessarily lethargic as this morning he was running up and down the stairs playing and of course I do not know how he is during the day when we are at work. But in the evenings, Stu still wants to play well into the night but Alex is content to nap in our laps. It has become a bit of a problem as Stu really wants to play/wrestle with Alex but Alex is having none of it - he just wants to sleep in the evenings.

My question is this - is this typical of such a young kitten? I always assumed to expect very high energy! We are considering taking him to the vet just for a check-up, but after paying rather high vet bills just last week for Stuart, I'd prefer to avoid going again so soon if I can. (Especially as they will be getting vaccinations in about a week.)

 

[si-am]

It could be that your other kitten caught the infection from the first one. Most kittens are playful most of the time, BUT it could be that you just have an introvert!

We have two grown cats like that-- one wants to play all the time and the other just wants to lie around. He resents it when the other cat "attacks" him and tries to make him play.

 

[Best Aunt]

Alex is content to nap in our laps. It has become a bit of a problem as Stu really wants to play/wrestle with Alex but Alex is having none of it - he just wants to sleep in the evenings.

Does Alex just want to sleep -- or does Alex just want to sleep in your lap?

When my cat was a kitten, he wanted to spend all his time with me. If I sat down, he was in my lap. But if I stood up and threw something, he would chase it and bring it back.

So you need to determine if Alex has no energy, or if Alex just wants to be with you.

However, I would get him checked out by the vet. If he's sick, you don't want to be kicking yourself for not getting him help because you didn't want to spend the money.

 

[Imzadi]

It could be that your other kitten caught the infection from the first one.

I agree. His behavior changed since you got him. Did you mention to the vet that you have two kitties? He probably caught the infection from the other kitty or has something of his own.

Call the vet. Don't wait on this. Cats tend to go down quickly when they get sick - like in about 48 hours they can be gone.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

DH and i have 3 cats, we got 2 of them when they were kittens a boy and a girl. the boy was a terror(they're all 2 now....and he's STILL a terror) and the girl was kind of more reserved and liked to sleep more. she's still that way.

our third cat is also a girl and she's just like our other girl. they do their own thing, sleep where ever they want and whenever they want, they come around on their terms lol.

my DH always says "This is the cat's house, we just live here."

 

[supercarrie]

The vet did mention to keep a close eye on Alex when Stu was diagnosed. However, Stuart was diagnosed by having severe diarrhea and severe lethargy, not eating, etc. All he did, literally, was sleep.

Alex happily plays sometimes - i.e. 5am this morning, he was running up and down our stairs! - and eats a LOT, and has had no diarrhea. He is well hydrated, gums look good, etc. However, in the evenings, he does want to sleep. (Except when he smells food - as an example, we ate dinner in the living room this evening, and he jumped to his feet and rushed over when he smelled my food, trying desperately to grab a bite - we took that as a good sign.)

We spoke to the emergency vet on Tuesday evening when he has been vomiting and the vet advised it was fine to monitor him as the vomiting had stopped, and he was not dehydrated, still eating, etc. This vet had their records on the computer so he knew about Stuart's infection.

Thanks for the advice. I think we'll give the vet a call in the AM just for some advice, and monitor how he behaves on Saturday when we actually be home for the entire day.

 

[samshane]

When we added a second cat, within days she was sick. Apparently cat #1 had some sort of virus that was passed onto cat #2 quickly. Though cat #1 didn't show any signs, cat #2 was horribly sick... luckily she recovered.

I would call just to check in with the vet - I know what you mean about vet bills... was just at the emergency vet on Sunday with my dog.... I should've become a vet!