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My kitten is jaundiced, lethargic, and won't eat. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 26 days old | 1lb

We found this kitten at a grocery store, on Tuesday, he was lethargic and has an URI, he is on Synulox, since yesterday he has been jaundiced and pale gums, he is still lethargic and only picking at food, his temperature is normal and hydrated, just very low appetite, jaundice and anemia

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jeffrey Milner

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on May 27th, 2018

Spartan may be suffering from a variety of different ailments. There are infectious disease, immune-mediated processes, and certain parasites known to cause the clinical signs that Spartan is exhibiting. If he is yellow as the pictures would suggest, his liver and biliary system are likely affected. He would most likely benefit from being in a hospitalized setting where he can receive fluid therapy and the appropriate treatments. Many times in cats showing these symptoms, there gastrointestinal tracts are not suited to digest / absorb oral medications, thereby making at-home therapy next to useless. While Synulox is an effective antibiotic, without more information and /or diagnostics, I would be using several additional medications beyond that. I would encourage you to get Spartan back into the vet on an emergency basis for reanalysis and reassessment.
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