1-2 week old kitten acting strange

by Taven Cross
(Orlando, FL, U.S.A.)

It's blurry but you can see him tilting.

It's blurry but you can see him tilting.

Hi, my name is Taven. I have a 1-2 week kitten who keeps his head tilted to the side as if he can't move his neck but when I help him, the neck seems fine. He also keeps rolling in the same direction his head is tilted. It sorta scares me, it looks like he is about to snap his own neck. He even keeps rolling in my hands. What could be wrong?


Answer by KAte
Hi
well he is very young and so may not have much strength yet. However I must say that this could be an indication of a birth defect. he may have problems with his spine or it could be a brain defect. Sorry but if i were you i really would have him checked out by a vet sooner rather than later in case there is something that can help.

It is not unusual for a kitten to be born the runt of the litter and they often have health issues which need treatment.

Plus you have not said whether or not he is still with his mother which he should be up until 12 weeks. if not then it is a lot of work for you to take care of him. Please see my pages about how to look after orphaned kittens etc.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/kitten-care.html


best wishes Kate

Comments for 1-2 week old kitten acting strange

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Torticollis
by: Stacy

There’s a rare condition known as Torticollis which can cause an animal’s (or human’s) head to tilt. This may not be the case for your kitten, but it’s always worth looking into when the neck is affected and they can’t keep their head straight. Most vets and doctors would NEVER suggest or diagnose it, since it’s not widely known or understood.

I have Torticollis myself, and it took years to get properly diagnosed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torticollis
Update 5 Week Old With Head Tilt
by: Gregory

Here is an update to my now 6 Week Old kitten that had a head tilt.

I took him to the vet the day after I noticed it. Vet couldn't find anything in his ears. From what I've read online and what the vet said, if there's no ear problems, it might be bad news.. But just in case he missed something he gave me Antirobe .2ml twice a day and Tresaderm 2-3 drops in ears twice a day. I would say about 3 days later guess what? Head tilt went away! So if you see this happen to your kitty, please go to the vet it's the only way to treat it. You can show them this posting if you'd like. I live in an area where the vet I go to is pricey and it cost me 160. I'm sure you can find a place a lil cheaper than that or call ahead and see if they can work with what funds you do have.
5 Week old similar problem
by: Gregory

I have a 5 week old kitten with his mother (feral that decided to move here) and 2 siblings. The head tilt I noticed this morning and am not sure what could have caused it. They all live outside in a big play area that I built until old enough to be taken by my brother and his gf. Anyway, I have been allll over the Internet and I mean all over .. Some sites say ear infection, others say maybe his neck just hurts from playing or something fell on him. There is nothing to fall on him out there, but the mother I notice is pretty rough with them at times to teach them about sneak attacks or she's tired of em or she just plain doesn't realize how rough she is when she plays. So .. I dont see any issues with eating or eye rolling or falling (he is a kitten, they do still slightly walk funny). It has been just day 1, and I would like to post updates since it seems like updates are rare.. Hopefully I can help someone else with a similar problem.
Just wondering
by: Ashley

Hi! I can't seem to find a date of when this was posted but I was wondering if anyone found anything out from a vet about what it was? And if the kitten was okay?

Thanks
kittens with physical problems
by: Anonymous

My kitten born last year flopped like a rag but nursed well. I thought he would die but did not. He has blue eyes and is mostly deaf, other than walking like he is drunk he is fine. We named him Tipsey
Same here
by: Carrie

I have a litter of almost 2 week old kittens, one of the 6 has a tilt and has trouble getting around. he is healthy and fat and nurses well and if i pick him up and stabalize him, he gets his head back in the right position and lays upright, once he is put back down, he flops to the side again?
our kitten is the same
by: Anonymous

Our cat has given birth to a kitten with what seems to be the same problem. We have spoke to a vet than they said it is to young to determine whats wrong. Can you please let me know how your kitten has got on

Thanks
CATZ ACTIN STRANG
by: CHELSEA

IT MIGHT NOT BE CONFTABLE DO WAT EVER YOU CAN.
More Info
by: Taven

Forgot to mention that, sorry. He is still with his mother and another kitten. He was born butt first, not head first like the second one. That could be a sign that there would be a problem.

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