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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on March 31st, 2017

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.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 26th, 2019

    Poor kitten! Make sure to keep Agoraki from moving around too much and keep the other kittens from laying on the leg if possible. Decrease the space in which the kitten may roam. If you have a lot of problems keeping the kitten still, you may ask the veterinarian if a splint may be beneficial and fashioned somehow but don't apply one without speaking with your vet. Splinting growing legs can affect the growth negatively so there needs to be an obvious benefit to it. Best of luck.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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