Tiny kitten is weak and bony. Could she have worms? Can't afford vet.

Many times you will not see intestinal parasites until the animals are critically sick. It's recommended to deworm young puppies and kittens every two weeks for at least three cycles, due to the lifecycle of the parasites. I would recommend getting a product labeled for kittens such as pyrantel pamoate. Make sure you weigh them and get accurate weights to dose the medication. As soon as you are able I do still recommend a veterinary exam as they will need vaccines, feline leukemia testing and there are other parasites that the pyrantel may not address. Look in your area as there are often low cost vaccination clinics available through pet stores or feed stores if a full service clinic is not possible. Also check with your local veterinarian as many times they may offer a rate for a litter of kittens versus charging each animal individually. Best of luck and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Also sounds very sick, and it's extremely serious she won't eat or drink. She has to see a vet now, and I would see if you can borrow money from family and friends to afford the vet. I can give you some resources that may help as well. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Carefree Credit online. http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare http://www.easipetcare.com Check out these resources to see if one can help you, and please take her into a vet immediately.

It sounds like Boots may have intestinal parasites. There are many different kinds, but we usually lump them into 3 groups: round/hook/whip worms look like spaghetti, tapeworms look like flat noodles or small grains of rice, and coccidia or giardia are other types that are not visibly seen. You can try an OTC dewormer that treats the specific type of worm you are seeing and make sure it is repeated in a few weeks as directed on the label, but I recommend that Boots go to a vet. She is way overdue for kitten vaccines and a rabies shot (which is required in all cats and dogs by law - even if they will never ever step foot outside). There are many nasty cat viruses that can cause illness and even death. Your vet can also test a fecal sample to determine the most appropriate treatment timeline for her individual parasite(s).

Your friends are correct. She most likely has worms. You don't usually see the worms in the stools. The worm eggs are what is passed in the stools and those are microscopic so you wouldn't see them. The worms suck blood so if she is pale I believe that is also due to worms. It makes the cat anemic; low red blood cell count. It has nothing to do with iron. You can give iron all you want but if there are no red blood cells available to carry it, it is useless. Roundworms and hookworms are the most common worms that cause anemia. I don't know what dewormer you used but I strongly suggest you speak to your local vet about what would be the most effective. Many times what you can purchase over the counter is not the best or most effective product. Also, there are many types of worms and there is not one dewormer that will kill every type of worm. Your vet can run a fecal test to check for the microscopic eggs and then treat accordingly with the appropriate product. One deworming is rarely enough. You may have to repeat dewormings every 3-4 weeks. Your vet can give you a schedule. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I would recommend having the kitten checked out by a vet. It likely needs to be tested for intestinal parasites (worms and coccidia are common), get started on vaccinations, and be evaluated for congenital issues. It is old enough to go on kitten food, so I would mix kitten milk replacer with wet kitten food. You can also use a nutritional supplement like NutriCal. If it has any fleas, use an age appropriate flea preventative as fleas can cause anemia in tiny kittens. Pet probiotics are also a good idea. Here is a link to a chart on aging kitten teeth: http://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf And here is a link to raising orphan kittens: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576

She does seme a bit undeweight, if that is what you are asking. You should be feeding her 3 times a day, around 1/4-1/2 cup each feeding. Also have her stool checked for parasites. Intestinal worms can cause malnutrition in cats because they are taking all her nutrients that she ingests. There are general dewormers available at your local pet store, but getting her stool tested first is ideal. She is at the age where she needs to starts vaccinations anyway, so a vet visit for a general health check is the next best step towards her care. I hope this helps and best wishes with Snow and getting her healthy. Take care.

I'd take her into the vet for a check. She might have intestinal worms causing her to be really skinny, and the sneezing can indicate a respiratory infection. She needs to be checked out thoroughly by a vet so her medical issues can be diagnosed and treated. Best of luck.