The importance of providing environmental warmth for neonatal kittens cannot be overstated. The results of a 2025 study conducted by the University of Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (see Resource Section) suggested that housing kittens in warm conditions (90°F/32°C) and either 50% or 60% humidity optimized weight gain and survival, as well as minimized […]
What Is Rectal Prolapse in Kittens?
Rectal prolapse, which may develop when kittens repeatedly strain to defecate or urinate, occurs as two main types, which involve both the rectum and the anus, the last parts of the digestive tract through which feces pass.
Incomplete/intermittent prolapse occurs when some of the inner rectal tissue protrudes through the […]
Fever coat, also known as stress coat, is a temporary condition that results in unexpected fur colors in kittens.
The Causes of Fever Coat in Kittens
Fever coat, although uncommon, causes the fur’s pigmentation to not develop normally in the womb, which leads to unusual coloring at birth.
Possible causes of fever coat include:
Limiting exposure to infectious diseases while providing opportunities for same-species interaction is critical to kitten development. However, in general, mixing should only be considered for very young, healthy kittens who are not ready for adoption. Ultimately, a case-by-case decision will be required to determine if the benefits of same-species interaction outweigh the risk of […]
Kittens can occasionally be born with one or more legs that appear twisted, which is due to a contracted tendon. Tendons are flexible, strong cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones and in the case of legs, enable […]
What Is Vascular Ring Anomaly in Kittens?
Vascular ring anomaly is a congenital disorder of the aorta (the main artery of the body that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body) or related arteries that involves partial or complete entrapment and compression of the esophagus, trachea or both.
Vascular ring anomaly […]
Vomiting a hairball now and then is, at best, an unpleasant experience for both a cat and her human companion. A cat who needs to get rid of a hairball may hack, gag, retch or vomit. What comes up could be mucus, mucus with a bit of hair or food in it or a […]
What Is Atresia Ani in Kittens?
Atresia ani is a congenital condition that occurs due to an embryonic developmental failure of the large intestine to normally connect with the anus, preventing normal defecation.
The condition presents in kittens as four types of anomalies (deviations from normal):
What Is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by coccidia. Although coccidia live in the intestines, they are not worms. Rather, they are protozoan (single-celled) parasites.
The two most common species of coccidia found in cats are Isospora felis and Isospora rivolta. They are host-specific, meaning a cat can only transmit an infection to […]
What Are Nasopharyngeal Polyps in Kittens and Cats?
Nasopharyngeal (refers to the upper part of the pharynx/throat that connects with the nasal cavity above the soft palate) polyps are benign, inflammatory tissue masses that develop in the middle ear, the compartment just behind the eardrum. As polyps enlarge, they grow down the eustachian tube, which […]
