I thought I'd see if anyone had insight into this. My two week old orphan kitten gurgles when she cries loud. Almost as if she either has something in her lungs, or she gets so upset that some formula comes up in her throat. She also tends to spit up formula lately whenever we handle her after she eats or if she gets too agitated. (they have to be stimulated to go to the bathroom- which they hate) Her voice is hoarse at times as well. It is weird though because she doesn't cough, sneeze or have runny eyes like it is a respitory thing. Just a high strung kitten? Sensitive stomach? Or something more serious?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
-Laura
PS- I have caught them nursing on each other's genitals tonight (this happens among orphan newborns sometimes) and separated them. Could this have caused all those symptoms? (hoarseness, gurgling, vomiting)
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gurgling kitten?
Replies (4)
I am not really familiar with very young kittens, but because she is tending to spit up, I'd bet it was probably some formula that is not going down all the way. I doubt if the genital nursing has much to do with it.
If you have a tape recorder, why don't you record the sound, call the vet and play it for him/her and get a professional opinion.
Good luck with the babies and bless you for taking them in.
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I thought I'd see if anyone had insight into this. My two week old orphan kitten gurgles when she cries loud. Almost as if she either has something in her lungs, or she gets so upset that some formula comes up in her throat. She also tends to spit up formula lately whenever we handle her after she eats or if she gets too agitated. (they have to be stimulated to go to the bathroom- which they hate) Her voice is hoarse at times as well.
Are you burping her after feeding? Kittens that are bottle fed should be burped, just like a baby. They don't often spit up, but after a few minuites of gentle stroking on the back, should let out an audible burp. Another possibility is over-feeding. Even at two weeks, frequent small meals are preferable to larger less frequent feedings. At two weeks, kittens should be getting four to five small feedings at a minimum. Also, when stimulating them to eliminate, use a damp cloth or cotton ball, moistened with warm water. Gentle circular motions on the lower part of the tummy should get them going 
Good luck and keep us posted!
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PHAbymom
Site Coordinator
www.CatHobbyist.com
In addition to being in danger of overfeeding, very young, bottle fed kittens are at risk of getting inhalation pneumonia, where they accidentally inhale the formula. It's very common for the babies to accidentally die of this. That would be my fear if milk is coming up when she is crying, because she could easily inhale it back down.
Best of luck!
Thanks for your concern. Luckily I am able to keep a close eye on them and have antibiotics on hand as well. I hope they don't come down with anything (like the pneumonia) but I think they're doing ok. Ella (the one who spits up) has been doing alot better and only makes that weird gurgling noise once or twice while feeding (before it was all the time). Toby (her brother) is a little pig who will stuff himself if you let him but I try to keep him content with less. Try being the key word. Hehe. Thanks for the heads up.
-Laura
