Any Advice for Hobo?

furrbabycrazy

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Me and my sappy self may have gotten in over my head this time. Yesterday Mike (hubby) and I had lunch in town and we were driving home on a major highway out here and I saw this tiny thing in the median strip, it was a kitten I thought. So I made him pull over and I was planning on putting it back in its yard or something.

Then I got close to it and OMG. I thought it had been hit at first because it looked like it had no eyes just puss, its noise was also completely covered up, and it had sometype of substance all over it and it was meowing wildly. Well everyone knows me and there is no way under heaven I could have left it so I put it in Mike's ball cap (yes it fit) and carried it home with us.

We soaped it up with baby shampoo about 5 times and after all the briars and gunk was off I saw its eyes worked fine and the nose was pink (who knew?). The main concern then was the water. OMG the bathtub was red with the water and puss was still coming out of its eyes and nose. I rushed it to my vet thinking it had some type of car fluid on it. Wrong according to the vet the blood was from fleas and it was its own blood It was everything I could do not to bawl right there so sad to me. He has distemper, he is anemic due to the fleas, and a severe cold which accounts for the puss. Basically he wormed him, gave me ear mite meds, gave him a dose of flea meds between his shoulders, an antibiotic and wished me luck.

Said IF I could get him to eat and drink he would live but it was a BIG IF. So far I took some cat food and put in in the blender so I could get it into the eyedropper. I have been getting 2 eyedroppers full down him along with 3 of water every 2 hours since I brought him home. He is fighting me more lol so I think he is a tad better but he is still not interested in eating, drinking, moving all he wants to do is lay on me
. Whenever Mike takes him for a second for me to go potty myself he cries till I come back. I decided to name him Hobo lol my wittle bum.

I do have 2 other cats and 2 small dogs already. They are all vaccinated and in good health, I do have Hobo in a separate area just to keep his stress down and to protect the babies I already have until he is better.

If you have advice please share it, and pray to the Goddess or whomever you choose for this little soul. He didn't deserve this and it breaks my heart.
 

animalhouse

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wow.. Poor baby! And Bless You for taking this lil guy on! It is going to be alot of work, But I would defently keep him seperate,till he is better,and sees a vet to clear him in health.. and ask the vet if he would be able to be around ure other animals.. Other then that, Good luck! And your a angel for helping this baby!
 
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furrbabycrazy

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Thank you for responding. He saw my vet within a couple of hours when I found him on Tuesday afternoon. My vet is the one that suggested keeping him separate from my resident pets. Just so worried for him. He does seem a little stronger already and he looks better, less mucus coming out of him and he is purring almost non-stop when I hold him now but I am still force feeding water and food every 2 hours. I would feel tons better if he would eat and drink on his own.
 

katiemae1277

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The poor poor little baby
you are a wonderful person for undertaking this daunting task


The only thing I can suggest is to possibly get a heating pad for him to keep him as warm as possible when he is not with you (put blankets on top of the pad so as not to burn him) and also get some human baby food (no onions!) and some KMR and mix that together to feed him with the syringe, would be a little easier than blending cat food, plus more vitamins and minerals

You and Hobo will be in my thoughts
 

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Originally Posted by furrbabycrazy

Thank you for responding. He saw my vet within a couple of hours when I found him on Tuesday afternoon. My vet is the one that suggested keeping him separate from my resident pets. Just so worried for him. He does seem a little stronger already and he looks better, less mucus coming out of him and he is purring almost non-stop when I hold him now but I am still force feeding water and food every 2 hours. I would feel tons better if he would eat and drink on his own.
Bless you for caring for this little one...I agree with your vet...best to keep him seperate from your existing brood until he is stronger and has been seen by your vet a second time.

Katie
 

kittenkiya

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You should be so blessed and honored for putting yourself out to try and save this little one. Your husband must be so proud that he has such a loving, caring wife.

If your little one pulls through (prayers and vibes) you will have a heart partner for the rest of his and your lives.

Bless you.
 
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furrbabycrazy

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He is just so sweet when he isnt fighting me and he only does that when I feed and water him. I really just hope he makes it cause to be honest this poor little guy has wormed his way into my soul and I just can't think of how I am going to feel if he doesn't make it. Today he was resting on me and woke for a second and actually bumped my chin with his head before he passed back out again. Now I had him on the upper part of my chest so he didn't climb up there but still it was so sweet
. He doesn't move much at all. Whatever postion you put him in he will stay there until you move and he has to move. If I place him in his warm box I set up in the bathroom and cover him up. Currently what I have found is he really seems to like my terry cloth robe. Maybe cause it smells like me? anyway when I put him in there and cover him with some of the robe he is always in the same position when I return 2 hours later. The robe itself hasn't even been shifted and it concerns me greatly but I have been wiping his bottom with a warm wet cloth after I force feed him and I know he is peeing just no poop yet.
 

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Poor little mite, he is definitely fighting an uphill battle. Just keep doing what you are doing, giving this precious baby a chance at life. The lack of energy is certainly concerning, but the fact that you are able to get some food into Hobo is certainly a good sign.

Are his gums getting any pinker? When anemic, the gums are very whitish.

Do you have an idea of his age? Also, be sure to take lots of pics, so when he is a big fat boy, you can show how tiny he was in the beginning. I pray that he will recover with your loving care.
 
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furrbabycrazy

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I will be sure to take some pictures as soon as I find my digital camera, it has to be here somewhere hmmm.

According to the vet he should be near 10 wks old though if I wanted to I could carry him around comfortably in a baseball cap dome.

Yes his gums are still white but not as white as they were if that makes any sense at all, I can start to see a faint pinking now but maybe I am just being wishful who knows.

I appreciate all the prayers and wishes for him and the lack of energy is still the same but who knows sleep is suppose to be healing so maybe it is what he needs.
 
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furrbabycrazy

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Hey took a couple pics of my little guy and wanted to share them. I posted a pic of each of my babies on the newbies thread (I just found it lol). He seems to have a very long coat so it makes him seem bigger I think in the picture but trust me its all skin and bone. I think he will be be a gorgeous adult once he is the correct weight and his coat is healthy.
 

xxtashaxx

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awww bless his little heart sending vibe's that he will make a full recovery look's like he will be one of these cat's who will be very long in length his georgouse
 
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furrbabycrazy

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Well my alarm went off as normal this morning so I got up and got my kids up and dressed for school. Then as I neared the bathroom he is in I could hear him meowing!!! I opened the door and he was a few feet from his pillow/robe/box thing I put together for him! I was so excited. I went to get his food and water out to feed him and he FOLLOWED me into the other room,still meowing
. Of course when it came time to eat he still wanted no part of it and now that food time is over for 2 hours he is passed out on my chest again but still. It has to be progress!!
 

kittenkiya

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He has beautiful golden eyes. Do you think he may have Maine Coon in him? His fur is so beautiful. Like I said, a heart partner forever.
 

tarasgirl06

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Hi Again:

I've just read your original post and all the posted replies and so now I know Hobo's story better. You were meant to find him! and you have done all the right things. May you be many times blessed for being compassionate and caring! Having him in your life IS a blessing, I'm sure. He looks as if he is improving, from how you describe him at first...how is he doing now? Is he eating on his own and eliminating all right? You've got excellent advice from TNR1 and some of the other posters, as well as your vet...baby food works wonders, especially Gerber chicken, turkey, and/or beef. Make sure the food has no onion or onion powder, which are harmful for cats! Your blender idea is a great one. You can also get vitamin supplements from your vet and/or any good "pet" supply place, and for internet/mailorder/phone orders, http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com is a great resource for meds and other feline needs. Keep us all posted on his/your progress, okay? We are all keeping good thoughts and prayers for you both!
 
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furrbabycrazy

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I thought things were looking up today. He even pooped for me but after his last feeding I put him back in his comfy box so I could do some housework. Went back to get him for his next feed and he was gone. My husband is burying him for me as I type this. I can't explain how much I hurt, I am crying so hard right now I can hardly see my screen. I am a grown woman and I knew he didn't have much of a shot but for some reason I just KNEW he was gonna make it.

Those of you that do rescue for a living I have always admired you but how do you do it? how do you deal with it when that tiny creature doesn't make it? I know in my heart I gave him everything I had these past few days, I haven't had hardly any sleep. I don't think I have seen my makeup kit or went out except to the vet or grocery. I gave him everything but it wasn't enough and I just don't know how I will deal with this.

Thank you for all the advice and love shown here, we really appreciated it and I know Hobo did too.
 

beckiboo

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I am so sorry for your loss.

Bless you for loving Hobo. His last hours could have been cold, afraid, and crying in the road. Instead, he found the strength to call to his Momma, and knew how you loved and cared for him. Although your heart is broken, your story brings a smile to my heart.

It isn't always about getting the outcome we wish for, sometimes it is the lessons learned along the way. Now you know you have a heart and the ability to care for a tiny helpless kitten. Maybe when your heart heals, you can call some rescues and let them know you are available.

Rest in peace, tiny Hobo. You certainly were a beautiful kitten. I'm sorry your life started so lonely and scared. But before you passed, you found a home and a name. Now you are like a little star in heaven, watching down on us.

I have several foster babies buried in my yard. They remain always precious, and always mine, as I'm sure it will be for you and Hobo.
 
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