I recently got a kitten from a friend who found it in the woods by her house. My kitten seems fine except she keeps coughing and throwing up now and then and seems to have a bloated belly and bad smelling gas. Any ideas what may be her problem?

Thanks for your question.

Congratulations on your new kitten!  There are several things that can cause gastrointestinal upset in kittens resulting in bloating and gas. Intestinal parasites are very common in young pets.  These are easily diagnosed from microscopic analysis of a fecal sample.  Treatment is easy once the parasite is identified and will help your kitten feel better, as well as preventing potential transmission to people in the household.
It is also very important to have your new kitten tested for viral diseases (feline AIDS and feline leukemia) and vaccinated appropriately.  I would strongly advise that you set up an appointment with us for a full nose-to-tail physical exam and bring a sample of your kitten’s stool so that it can be examined.  Please give us a call at 813 973 8566 so that we can find a time that is convenient for you to bring her in.