Very Worried, Please Help?

Kayeff

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I have a seven week old kitten who’s very playful. Tonight I heard some meowing and scratching in my kitchen, I went out and my two older cats were looking at the stove. I immediately knew my kitten was inside, as one of my other cats did the same when she was younger. However, my kitten managed to crawl through a small hole in the back of the stove and get himself stuck in LITERALLY the inside of the stove.

He kept popping his head out of the hole, and eventually got about half of his body out, however couldn’t move further out or back in. Rather than leaving him, I gave him a tug, hoping he just needed momentum. He cried almost the entire time but I managed to get him out. About two minutes later I noticed a small cut on his hind leg.

I’ve cleaned the cut and it’s no longer bleeding. However I’m now worried about whether he might have some sort of internal damage from being squeezed through the small gap. I feel horrible but there was no other way to get him out (the back of the stove wasn’t bolted with screws that could be undone with a screwdriver).

My question is: is there any possibility of internal damage? Any signs I should watch for (puking/lethargy/etc)? Or was the crying because of the cut on his hind leg.

He seems alright, licking at the cut after I washed it off/walking normally, and hasn’t cried since we pulled him out (apart from when I washed the cut). However it’s only been about ten minutes since this all happened, so I haven’t had a ton of time to observe him. I’m a very anxious pet owner, but since we just paid $180 for a vet visit literally this afternoon for our other cat, I’d rather get some advice before running off to the vet again. Obviously if there are any negative signs, I’ll take him in. Just thought I’d ask for some advice first, because I’m freaking out over possibilities.

I’d be grateful if someone told me I’m overreacting or if this should be a genuine concern. Thanks!
 
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Kayeff

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Update: kitten took about a five minute nap, then hopped up to eat a couple bites of food then chase a toy around. Hoping that’s a good sign?
 

kashmir64

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Unless it's a deep cut that requires stitches, watching him is the best thing. Like you said, if he gets lethargic or starts to vomit, then take him in the vet. Watch the cut also. Keep it clean and watch for any swelling or redness. Kittens are resilient, they can handle quite a bit.
Keep us posted.
 
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Kayeff

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Unless it's a deep cut that requires stitches, watching him is the best thing. Like you said, if he gets lethargic or starts to vomit, then take him in the vet. Watch the cut also. Keep it clean and watch for any swelling or redness. Kittens are resilient, they can handle quite a bit.
Keep us posted.
The cut definitely isn’t deep enough for stitches. By the time we noticed it, it wasn’t even bleeding anymore. I guess I’m just more concerned with any injuries we can’t see, like internal damage from squeezing through such a small hole. But I don’t know any specific symptoms to look for. He’s been alternating playing and napping which is pretty normal for him.
 

denice

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As long as no symptoms show up in the next day I think he is okay. He was probably more scared then in pain when you got him out. It's amazing the fixes the little ones can get themselves into.
 

di and bob

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Yes, he was frightened and scared. Cats can squeeze through amazingly small spaces. As long as he is eating drinking, using the litter box and not hiding he is fine. Hurt cats usually hide or lay still, if he shows no obvious symptoms in 24 hours, he should be fine.
 
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