Savannah's Paw Tracks

Kitten Season and Death by Fleas

HIYA!  SAVANNAH HERE!!!

I bet’cha I have lots of my readers and followers wondering what’s up with those cutie pit sibling kittens from my guest Sunday Selfie blog post yesterday, right?!

Oh hi! What’cha doin’ up there?

I asked you all to try to guess two things—first…which kitten has a health problem and second—what might that health problem be. These cuties are being fostered by Community Concern 4 Cats (CC4C), and they are very fortunate indeed to be under such responsible and professional loving care. They are from a feral Mom Kat, and arrived during a Doc Josie Kitchen Cat Clinic in the home of Miss Gemma, the current president of CC4C.

They were brought in by their caring foster human for their blood draw to test for FeLV etc, and to get their first vaccinations, worming and flea treatments. They all look just precious, adorable and healthy, right?

The first kitten up was a real cutie.

You’re gonna do what to me??!!

Check out that cute tummy, all white and those paws all pink. He took it like a champ! Not a flea in site.

Next up, a darling little pink nosed sweetie.

Ok, why is everyone staring at me??

Did’ya see that hot pink nose?? And he was looking might fine as well as the first kitten.

Then came the littlest kitten of the four siblings. As soon as this cutie hit the exam table, Doc Josie noted “oh my! this kitty is so white and pale!”

Ummm…I’m a bit scared and not feeling so well, ya’ know?

But the exam went on with the last of the four kittens hitting the exam table at the same time as the third kitten who had appeared “white” to Doc Josie.

Just check out my brofur, leave me be, ok?

And then the last of the four hit the table and Miss Gemma, owner of the Kitchen Clinic, brought out the most important diagnostic tool for kittens, especially those who come from a feral Mom Cat.

The flea comb arrived!

I don’t have fleas! Ummm…maybe one or two?

And then Doc Josie and Miss Gemma brought back the very pale kitten. Guess what? She was LOADED with fleas! Dozens and dozens of fleas! Her first two examined siblings had none—but the last one, had at least a couple. But those vile fleas had found the most vulnerable, smallest and least robust of these four siblings to literally suck the life out of her. She was ANEMIC from a severe flea infestation.

The foster human, as with all present, was dumbfounded! Those blood lusting insects had enough intelligence to source the weakest kitten and attach themselves to her and almost killed her.

LESSON LEARNED

It is kitten season across the USA. Do not lose vigilance when rescuing kittens when it comes to FLEA COMBING every single kitten in a litter!!

Only one kitten in this foursome had the potential death causing infestation of fleas. She was treated under Doc Josie’s medical expertise and will thankfully survive.

How many kittens in a kitten season will die from over looking a flea infestation?

 Here is the tell tale photo illustrating how Doc Josie knew immediately that one kitten had a serious problem.

Notice the lack of color in the one kitten

I searched lots to find some reference to this condition in kittens, but most turned out to be advertisements for cat flea treatments. But, here are a few I thought might help if any of my readers are ever involved in the rescue of kittens.

Animal Alliance NYC

Catster

Pet Health

I welcome any reader, follower to add their own advice, information links in comments. Kitten season is a challenge for all countries across the world. In the USA alone there are states, such as Florida, where kitten season never ends. Let’s all try to be vigilant to keep the kittens safe and healthy and promote always—SPAY—NEUTER!!! IT SAVES LIVES!!

PAW PATS, SAVANNAH