What tests should be done on a kitten?

There are four main categories of wellness testing recommended for cats: complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and thyroid hormone testing. Within each category, your veterinarian will advise you about how extensive the testing should be.

Is it normal for kittens to be clumsy?

In some kittens, symptoms aren’t noticed by the owners until eight to 10 weeks of age (all kittens are clumsy when very young, but those with cerebellar hypoplasia don’t grow out of it).

How can you tell if your kitten has Down syndrome?

A so-called “Down syndrome cat” typically manifests some distinctive characteristics, including:

  1. Broad noses.
  2. Upturned eyes (which may be set widely apart)
  3. Small or unusual ears.
  4. Low muscle tone.
  5. Difficulty walking.
  6. Difficulty with elimination (urination or defecation)
  7. Hearing or vision loss.
  8. Heart problems.

How common is FIV in kittens?

“Looking at all cats, feral and otherwise, who are diagnosed with FIV, we find that about 25 percent are female and about 75 percent are male. The condition is rare among kittens, because they don’t start in with their high-risk behavior until they’re older.

When should a kitten be tested for FIV FeLV?

The antibodies of these retroviruses can be passed from infected mothers through nursing and will pass through the kitten in time. Kittens should only be tested if they are above 8 months of age.

Why is my kitten so uncoordinated?

If your cat is experiencing episodes of clumsy movement or an uncoordinated gait they may be suffering from an imbalance condition known as ataxia. Ataxia is a neurological condition that can produce abnormal movement in the head, torso, legs or all three simultaneously.

Is it normal for kittens to stumble?

These kittens may have cerebellar hypoplasia. Often referred to as ‘wobbly kittens’ or ‘wobbly cats’, cerebellar hypoplasia is an unusual neurological disorder as a result of interrupted development of the brain, leading to uncoordinated movement or ataxia.

How do I know if my kitten has brain damage?

Symptoms and Types

  1. Seizures.
  2. Loss of consciousness.
  3. Abnormal posture or irregular movements.
  4. Ear or nose bleed.
  5. Bleeding inside the eye (involving the retina)
  6. Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis); a sign that oxygen in the blood is dangerously diminished.

What causes neurological problems in kittens?

Some congenital defects (defects present at birth), are inherited from the parents, while others are caused by environmental factors in the womb, such as nutritional deficiencies or some viral infections. For many, the cause is unknown.