Kitten help

I recently rescued an approximately 6 week old kitten. Recently as in I found her in a hole last night, no mommy anywhere near by and no mommy turned up for several hours, and she's been home for 24 hours.

It's been a long time since I've taken care of a kitten, so I'm not sure what's normal and not for this age. She hasn't made a poop yet, despite massaging her tummy and wiping her rump with a skin temperature wash cloth. She's pee'd, just not poop'd. She's otherwise a normal seeming and happy kitten, not crying or anything, and not overly skinny. Should I just assume that she probably hasn't had anything to eat in a few days and just doesn't need to poo yet?

If she doesn't by tomorrow I'm finding a vet ER to see her... I called several vets with Saturday hours today and they all told me to bring her in at 8 weeks...

Thanks in advance for advice.

Maybe try a warmer damp wash cloth? It sounds like you're on top of things and I afree with taking her to the vet if she hasn't gone by tomorrow. How is she eating? Are you feeding her wet/canned food or dry? Dry food may constipate her. I'm sending hurry up and poop her way!!

Originally Posted by taterbug

Maybe try a warmer damp wash cloth? It sounds like you're on top of things and I afree with taking her to the vet if she hasn't gone by tomorrow. How is she eating? Are you feeding her wet/canned food or dry? Dry food may constipate her. I'm sending hurry up and poop her way!!

Click to expand...

I'm feeding her a mixture of milk replacement, science diet wet kitten food and Royal Canin dry kitten (best I could find at the local pets mart... nothing real top-notch quality for some reason), hoping for an optimum mixture of nutrients for a little one her age. She has had 3 round meals today and isn't hungry again yet. It's nice and mushy going down and a little warm. I might try a warmer cloth (not hot of course!) and see if it has any effect. She's sound asleep right now and I'd hate to wake her. I might add I was very proud of her for using the litter box when she made a pee, no accidents so far and I'd assume this is her first litter box!

She also appears to have earmites. Is it safe to treat her yet or should I wait for a few more weeks?

Gosh it's been nearly 10 years since my mom's cat had kittens and I feel like I just had a baby taking care of this tyke.

I know what you mean! I hate disturbing them while they sleep,too! If she isn't miserable with her ears, I'd wait until you take her to the vet to treat the earmites. You don't want to use the over the counter meds on a kitty that young or any older ones either! Since she seems to have eaten good today, surely she'll make a poo for you by tomorrow! I think that kitty was lucky to be found by you!! Thanks for taking her under your wing!

Re the mites, she doesn't seem too put off by them currently. She rubs her ears a little bit but doesn't scratch them yet. She does have a touch of ear-mite looking stuff in her ears, but no major build up.

She just woke up and doesn't seem to be in any level of discomfort, she's bouncing around, chasing her tail and discovering all the nooks and crannies of my apartment. When I combed her, I found only one flea on her so I would like to think she doesn't have a tape worm, though it's too early to really say until the vet checks her out.

She just made another pee in the litter box so she's clearly pretty capable of going on her own...

I'm as happy to have found her as she seems to be happy to be with me. She's just the most adorable chocolate tabby, and she slept in the crook of my arm all night last night. She's really warmed up to my boyfriend and myself alot faster than I thought possible for a tyke her age abandoned in a hole.

And sorry for various tidbits, I was posting this over the course of 10 minutes I guess and was just observing and playing with her.

She sounds like a sweetie pie!! Have you named her yet?

Nope, I have a thing about naming critters... I wait a few weeks to get to know them and let them help me pick a name.

Maybe I'm just a crazy cat lady

Yep! I guess you are!! Just like the rest of us! Keep us updated and we do love pictures here on TCS. Welcome to you and your rescued baby!!

I apologize for my tummy being in the picture >_> but she's asleep again lol.

She's a cutie alright!!

here's one from her playing earlier, camera phones... pleh

Aww she's cute. If she hasn't eaten for awhile on the streets, it may be 1-2 days before she poops. When she does, keep it for a sample to be checked by the vet.

You can't find any vet to see her now and treat her?

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Aww she's cute. If she hasn't eaten for awhile on the streets, it may be 1-2 days before she poops. When she does, keep it for a sample to be checked by the vet.

You can't find any vet to see her now and treat her?

Click to expand...

Yay she made a stinky today! Now I can finally relax.

Several vets I called simply told me if she isn't overly skinny, is eating and seems otherwise normal to just bring her in at 8-10 weeks. My dad is out of town but as soon as he returns, I'm going to find out what vet they take Loki, Frisky and Priscilla to and give him/her a call on monday. I realize she's too young for her shots but they can do a fecal exam at least and get her on worm medicine, which is what I want. I realize they probably think they're doing me a favor since she seems otherwise healthy, but I'm a paranoid mommy.

On another note, ohmygod she's such a lap *****. I can't believe how well she has adjusted. When she sleeps, she wants to be on my lap if I'm reading/watching tv/chilling at the pc or curled up next to me/on me/draped over my neck if I'm also trying to sleep. She has such great sleeping habits, she hardly cries at all unless she wants to be close to someone. I just love how much attention she wants, she's going to grow into such a good cat.

I realize this question might be alot like asking what brand of water is best, but what brand of cat litter are people here using and feel is the best? I've never been a big fan of clay litter and don't really know what's out these days. Odor control shouldn't end up being much of an issue as I intend on cleaning it before going to work and before going to bed every day.

For the ear mites...you can treat her ears with baby oil and clean them out real good...it suffocates the mites and will help until she can handle something stronger if she needs it.

Originally Posted by Racemom17

For the ear mites...you can treat her ears with baby oil and clean them out real good...it suffocates the mites and will help until she can handle something stronger if she needs it.

Click to expand...

Great tip, I'll try this after she's played herself out tonight, thanks!