Quite often, the owners of cats observe such a picture - almost all the offspring are good, the kittens are quick and beautiful, but among them there are one or two babies that stand out even in their unhealthy appearance. They are covered with a dull, neglected fur, the appetite of such babies is extremely poor. Rickets in a kitten are by no means a rarity, therefore its symptoms are better to know, especially if you are planning to buy a thoroughbred pet.
Signs of rickets in the kitten
- Noticeable lameness.
- A liquid stool.
- Vomiting .
- Abnormally enlarged abdomen.
- Twisted spine.
- Delay with a change of teeth.
- Twisted limbs.
- The lag in growth in comparison with peers.
Even if there is at least one or more symptoms, you need to contact the veterinarian and conduct a survey.
Causes of rickets in kittens
Most often this disease develops due to poor or improper nutrition of the cat during her pregnancy , lack of calcium, phosphorus and other essential elements in the diet. Other causes are a transferred intestinal infection, which caused a prolonged loose stool. Excess of calcium or phosphorus is also not a good thing if in the diet daily doses of trace elements far exceed the norm, this diet can also provoke the development of rickets.
After looking at the statistics, you can see the following pattern:
- often rickety kittens are born in the litter of representatives of large breeds and mestizos, when breeders violate the rules of their breeding.
- rickets are found in the progeny of cats who do not gain the required weight before pregnancy;
- The cat did not return to normal after the previous lambing (mating is produced more often 2 times a year).
Treatment of rickets in a kitten
- A pregnant cat should receive a high-calorie diet with enough vitamins and minerals.
- In the case when the kitten is on an artificial forage, calcium and phosphorus should also be added to the diet in doses corresponding to its weight.
- When using premium or super premium foods, no additives are needed.
- The treatment of rickets is facilitated by sunbathing.
- Active games, careful massage of the chest and muscles on the legs also help to eliminate rickets in kittens.
- Do not forget to treat intestinal disorders, to vaccinate and to treat the pet from helminths.