Why are my 9-day-old kittens panting when I pet or stroke them?

rapid breathing is not uncommon in kittens but if he is breathing fast with an open mouth it is definitely not normal, at this age it is usually caused by aspiration pneumonia (milk aspiration to the lungs). in such a case you would need to take them to the vet in order to get it checked and treated ASAP.

You can try keeping them indoors with a fan or increasing the shade they have. Sometimes doing slightly cool water by placing a few ice cubes in their dish is helpful as well. If they start having any sort of nasal discharge, become week are they have pale or discolored gums they need to be seen by veterinarian immediately.

Panting can be normal after giving birth. Lactation will stimulate the uterus to contract during the first two weeks after giving birth, thus leading to the panting. Make sure Twitch is eating and drinking normally, has a normal vagina discharge, and has a normal temperature (between 101-102.5F). If this panting increasing, she stops nursing her kittens, she has a fever, or has any other concerning signs, take Twitch and her kittens into a vet immediately.

Your kitten will need to have an exam by your veterinarian. She could be suffering from a congenital malformation of the blood vessels near the heart or have a hole in the septum of the heart. This would often not show when the kitten is resting, but when it exercises, runs and plays there is not enough oxygen being pumped to the lungs and muscles because oxygenated and used up blood mixes. Problems often do not occur until 3-4 months of age. Please make an appointment with your vet for an exam.

You're right that it can be normal to see short periods of panting after active play or other exercise, especially in young cats. But, this can also be a sign of heart disease or other problems. If your kitten sometimes pants, it would be best to have him examined be a vet to make sure that his heart and lungs are normal. If no problems are found, then you'll know there is no need to worry :)

Yes, this is a concern so I do recommend having Walter seen by a vet for it. While it could be the heat, I can't rule out a medical condition causing the panting without seeing him in person. Give his vet a call today to make him an appointment. Best of luck.

This sounds like an odd behavior. Did Watson have x-rays prior to having kittens to count how many she should deliver? It is possible that there is still a remaining kitten inside and that she is going back to her delivery area in an attempt to pass the remaining kitten. I would recommend that she be seen by a vet to make sure there is not one leftover.