Medical & Troubleshooting Guide
Know what to watch for and when to reach out. We're here to help every step of the way.
⚠️ Emergency? Go Straight to the Vet
If your kitten is having difficulty breathing, has lost consciousness, is bleeding severely, or seems to have broken bones, contact your emergency vet immediately. Call us after the kitten is being seen.
Watery/Goopy Eyes
Signs: Light watery discharge or mild goopy eyes (clear to white discharge)
- Support with lysine 2-4x per day
- Monitor for improvement over 3-5 days
- Usually resolves quickly
Red Eyes + Discharge
Signs: Darker red eyes with yellow/white discharge
- Continue lysine 2-4x per day
- Add terramycin eye ointment 2-4x per day
- Apply gently to inner corner of eye
- Should improve within 5-7 days
Puffy/Closed Eyes
Signs: Swelling, eye won't open, heavy discharge
- Schedule video call with us immediately
- May need prescription drops
- Vet evaluation likely needed
- Don't wait on this one
Occasional Vomiting
Signs: 1-2 times in a day, kitten otherwise active
- Support with Fortiflora or Proviable (probiotics)
- Continue normal feeding schedule
- Monitor for frequency increase
- Usually resolves within 1-2 days
Frequent Vomiting
Signs: Multiple times per day
- Discontinue wet food temporarily
- Offer small amounts of water only
- Schedule video call with us immediately
- If lethargic, escalate to vet
Yellow Foamy Vomit
Signs: Bile-colored, foamy/bubbly texture
- Can indicate empty stomach or other issues
- Schedule video call with us immediately
- Have kitten checked by vet same day if possible
Diarrhea
Mild: Occasional soft stool
- Add Fortiflora or Proviable, monitor
Moderate: Frequent, runny
- Video call with us, consider vet check
Severe/Bloody:
- Vet evaluation needed immediately
No Visible Symptoms
What happened: Kitten seems normal after the fall
- Just note when it happened
- Continue to observe for next 24 hours
- No intervention needed unless behavior changes
Mild Limping
What it looks like: Kitten puts weight on limb but seems tender
- Note exactly when incident happened
- Text us with details and photo if possible
- Observe closely over next 48 hours
- If limping persists >3 days, vet check recommended
Crying + Limping
What it looks like: Obvious discomfort, reluctant to use limb
- Schedule video call with us immediately
- May need vet evaluation for fracture/serious injury
- Have vet check same day if possible
Severe Trauma
Signs: Screaming, loss of consciousness, unable to move
- Contact emergency vet immediately
- Do NOT wait for a video call
- Notify us once kitten is being seen
Mild Sneezing
Signs: Occasional sneezing, normal breathing
- Support with lysine 2-4x per day
- Ensure humidity in room (humidifier helps)
- Monitor for progression
Increased Congestion
Signs: Frequent sneezing, visible mucus, labored breathing
- Continue lysine 2-4x per day
- Add humidifier to room
- Schedule video call with us
- Vet evaluation if not improving in 3-5 days
Difficulty Breathing
Signs: Open-mouth breathing, extreme lethargy, wheezing
- Vet evaluation needed immediately
- Contact emergency vet if after hours
- Notify us once kitten is being seen
Less Active, Still Eating
Signs: Kitten less active but still nursing/eating
- Monitor closely for next 24 hours
- Ensure adequate warmth and comfort
- If continues beyond 24 hours, video call with us
Not Eating/Very Lethargic
Signs: Not nursing or eating, sleeping much more than normal
- Video call with us immediately
- Can escalate quickly in young kittens
- Have vet contact information ready
Unresponsive
Signs: Completely unresponsive, limp
- Emergency vet now
- Notify us immediately
Umbilical Cord Issues
Normal: Cord still attached (first 1-2 weeks)
- No intervention needed - will fall off naturally
Concerning: Red, swollen, or discharge
- Video call with us
- Vet evaluation likely needed
- Keep area clean and dry
Mama Cat Issues
Watch for: Fever, refusing to nurse, lethargy, swollen/red nipples
- Video call with us immediately
- Vet evaluation likely needed
- Affects kitten health directly
- Kittens may need supplemental feeding
Something Else?
If you're unsure or worried about something not listed here, reach out.
- We'd rather answer a "silly" question than have you second-guess
- That's literally what we're here for
- You're doing your job as a guardian