My newborn kitten's leg is swollen and infected. Does it need a vet?

Question

My cat had kittens and one had it's leg caught in the after birth and cut the circulation to it's leg. The kitten is 3 days old and it's leg is still swollen, weeping and has an odor. I realize it is probably too young for too much medical intervention. Can our local vet do anything and what can possibly be done at home to help the baby if anything? Can the mom be given antibiotics to help the kitten through her milk?

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor kitten! I'm sorry that its leg is injured - since it has swelling, drainage, and a foul odor, it sounds like it's probably infected as well. Tiny kittens like this can actually be treated with antibiotics when needed, so I would definitely recommend having the baby checked by a vet as soon as you can. He/she can prescribe antibiotics for the infection if needed, or even advise on other options such as amputation if the damage is severe. It's not ideal to do things like this in very young babies, but it's certainly possible to do them when needed.

My newborn kitten's leg is swollen and infected. Does it need a vet?

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