How to independently monitor the health of a kitten

The kitten’s health is very fragile, so it is extremely important to monitor it carefully. To be sure that the pet is not sick, take it as a rule to conduct its external examination at least 2 times a month. It is most convenient to combine such examinations with planned hygienic procedures: clipping claws, combing, treatment for ectoparasites (for example, fleas and ticks), etc. How to properly conduct such an inspection and what to look for?
Systematic
Adhere to a certain system chosen by you once: this way the inspection will be more efficient, and the usual procedure will not cause excessive stress on the pet. It is not worth chaotically sorting out different parts of the body in search of pathologies: begin, for example, by examining the head and go to other parts of the body, gradually moving towards the tail.

However, even before the inspection of the kitten should pay attention to his behavior. A healthy kitten is active and inquisitive, plays a lot and eats well. Apathy and lack of appetite in a baby is a reason to think about his health, and maybe even contact a veterinarian.
Head
First look at the pet’s face. Eyes and nose should be clean, without discharge, redness or dried crusts. Alternately, on the left and right sides, lift the upper lip and pay attention to the condition of the gums: they should be pink, moderately moisturized and without erosions. From the mouth should not leak saliva, and the kitten’s teeth should be white and without plaque.

Then look at the kitten in the ears. His auditory passages should be clean, without brown discharge, redness, swelling and traces of scratches. If the kitten often scratches its ears, it may indicate an itch that often occurs with allergies or ectoparasitic diseases (fleas, ear mites).
Wool and leather
Wool should evenly cover the body – bald spots are unacceptable. The molt, even the most intense, is always accompanied by the renewal of wool: instead of old wool, a new one grows without the formation of baldness zones (alopecia). Remember that the first molt in kittens occurs at the age of 5 months, and excessive hair loss at an earlier age can talk about health problems.

The skin should be smooth and supple. Extending the hair in different directions, forming a “parting”, assess the condition of the skin for inflammation over the entire surface of the body. Pay attention to the presence of dandruff and ectoparasites (for example, fleas).
Stomach
Carefully probe your pet’s belly: normally it should be soft, and probing should not cause significant discomfort in a kitten.
Under the tail
Look kitten under the tail. The area around the anus and external genitalia should be clean, dry and without signs of inflammation, such as redness, itching or swelling. Urination and defecation should not cause soreness or discomfort in a kitten. If you find that the kitten has begun to visit the toilet unusually often, or visits to the tray have a longer duration than usual, there is reason to think about the pet’s health.
If you find abnormalities …
What to do if during the inspection of your pet you found abnormalities? In this case, vigilance is not excessive: when identifying signs of ill health, it is always better to contact the clinic for a full examination and obtaining qualified recommendations for solving possible problems. It is not necessary to self-medicate, because the wrong assistance can significantly complicate the diagnosis and even aggravate the pathology.