There are several things that can find their way into a newborn kitten’s body, and they can be fatal if not taken care of as soon as possible. Any illness is treatable within a small span of time, with the right medication and with proper care.

Some such risks are:

• Eye infections

• Ticks and fleas

• Intestinal worms

Eye infection:

This is a common occurrence in kittens, and is caused by bacteria. Some symptoms include; the white area of the eye turning red, yellow/green/clear discharge from the eyes, and swollen eyes. It can infect a singular eye or both. It can also infect other cats close to it, so it is best to immediately separate them from other kittens, and take it to a vet. Be on the lookout for other kittens who have similar symptoms.

Ticks and fleas:

Kittens that have been out in the open, or in close association with other cats such as their mother will often have ticks. You need to look for black clumps, called flea dirt, and look for any red small bumps on the kittens body. They may also suffer from excess itching and fur loss. Never use any tick medicine without consulting a vet first, as medicine such as Bolfo is often used on adult cats and dogs. It is important to ensure kittens with ticks are kept separate from any other pets in the household as it could transfer the ticks to them. 

The best course of action is to take the kitten to the vet and get prescribed medication. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, to avoid causing other health issues. When buying medicine for kittens from pharmacies, always make sure to mention the assumed age of the kitten as some medication is intended for adult cats. Never use dog medication on cats, as this can even lead to seizures. 

Intestinal worms:

This is a very common occurrence in kittens, that is caused by the consumption of cat fecal matter. It can range from ringworms to hookworms and tapeworms. Symptoms include diarrhea and weight loss, visible worms in the kittens fecal matter, bloody stool, and a bloated belly. Kittens must be dewormed at 8 weeks of age. It is always a good idea to do a vet checkup when you find abandoned animals.

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