Newbie Kitty Questions

kandi

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Hi everyone,

I am new to kittens and this forum but have found so much great information on care so far. I just rescued this kitty and am fostering it until I find it a forever home. The problem is this is the first time I've fostered a kitten. I work with a dog rescue and am constantly fostering orphaned puppies but I am finding out that kittens are so different (and easier ~ i think!)

Here's her story, she was found on a major freeway in Los Angeles and was taken to the pound. They wouldn't take her because she was found outside of their jurisdiction. The people that found her begged me to take her because they didn't know what to do with her. I took her home and she's been eating canned Science Diet Kitten Food. Can anyone give me any information on how to tell her age? She seems awefully small. Is there anything else that I need to know? Shots?



Thanks for your help!

Kandi
 

lindsey88

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What an adorable baby! She looks about 4 weeks old to me although i'm not an expert. I have never had kittens that small or raised them.
 

rupydoo

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She is so beautiful with those big blue eyes! I think their first shots are around 6 weeks or so, is there a vet at your shelter that can check her out for you??? My mom got a kitten at around 5 weeks that was about that same size.... Oh so small!
 
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kandi

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Originally Posted by rupydoo

She is so beautiful with those big blue eyes! I think their first shots are around 6 weeks or so, is there a vet at your shelter that can check her out for you??? My mom got a kitten at around 5 weeks that was about that same size.... Oh so small!
Thank you for your help Rubydoo. I will take her to the same vet as our rescue uses. I hope to find her a new home before I get too attached!

Lindsey88: Thanks for your input too! I don't think I've ever seen a kitty so tiny either. She's a fearless one though! My dog is totally in love with her. He can't stop licking her! Here's a link to more pictures if you want to see: http://picasaweb.google.com/ikandi/HomelessKitty
 

gayef

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Kittens normally start the vaccines for Rhinotraceitis, Calici Virus and Panleukopenia at 6 to 7 weeks old. There are usually three shots in the kitten series, with the first at 6 or 7 weeks old, then the second happens at around 9 or 10 weeks old and the last in the series at 12 to 13 weeks old. You will innoculate for rabies at around 16 weeks old. For the first Rabies shot, get the one-year vaccine. When it is time for boosters, try not to get the Rhino/Calici/Pan booster at the same time as the Rabies booster.

So long as she is eating/pooping/pee'ing by herself, just love her up, keep her warm and watch for anything out of the ordinary.

Thank you for rescuing this sweet little one.
 
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kandi

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Originally Posted by gayef

Kittens normally start the vaccines for Rhinotraceitis, Calici Virus and Panleukopenia at 6 to 7 weeks old. There are usually three shots in the kitten series, with the first at 6 or 7 weeks old, then the second happens at around 9 or 10 weeks old and the last in the series at 12 to 13 weeks old. You will innoculate for rabies at around 16 weeks old. For the first Rabies shot, get the one-year vaccine. When it is time for boosters, try not to get the Rhino/Calici/Pan booster at the same time as the Rabies booster.

So long as she is eating/pooping/pee'ing by herself, just love her up, keep her warm and watch for anything out of the ordinary.

Thank you for rescuing this sweet little one.
Thanks Gayef for all that info regarding the shots. Should I just guesstimate her age at 5 weeks and take her to the vet next week for her shots? Also, any recommendations on when to get her spayed? My vet usually does the foster pups at 8 weeks.
 

dillpickles

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I would just like to say that she is adorable......and praise you for taking her in and making sure she is healthy and happy....
 

gayef

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Originally Posted by kandi

Thanks Gayef for all that info regarding the shots. Should I just guesstimate her age at 5 weeks and take her to the vet next week for her shots? Also, any recommendations on when to get her spayed? My vet usually does the foster pups at 8 weeks.
I would probably go ahead and call now for an appointment and tell them you are uncertain of her age. They may be better able to guess at her age and tell you when you should start innoculating her.

As for spaying, talk with your vet. Many will go ahead and do a pediatric spay when the kitten reaches a certain weight. If yours can do 8 week old puppies, then a kitten shouldn't be a problem for him/her.
Best of luck and please stick around so we can watch her grow with you. If you need any help using the forums or with your charming little new lamb, just let us know.
 

goldenkitty45

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I'm guessing about 6-7 weeks. I'd take her to the vet to verify her age. And try to get a better quality food other then SD - its not all that great.
 

gaylemg

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I'm guessing about 6-7 weeks. I'd take her to the vet to verify her age. And try to get a better quality food other then SD - its not all that great.
I was told that Iams is overpriced junk. Today I bought SD. What is good?
 

going nova

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Looks like your dog is a surrogate mother to kitty!

Very cute!
 

laureen227

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she's really cute! the vet should be able to give you an approximate age based on her teeth.
any idea what she weighs? i took in Firefox @ about 4-5 weeks, & she weighed about 8-9 ounces, poor thing! i fed her canned & KMR until she reached 2 pounds.
i fed Chicken Soup, altho it wasn't a kitten food. that's also why i used the KMR. until she could really eat well, i also added meat baby food to soften the loaf [Chicken Soup is quite a stiff loaf!].
 

mrblanche

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Science Diet is not "junk." In fact, there's probably nothing you can buy that would fall into that category. Dry food will likely be a little rough for such a small kitten, but they can eat it at 6 weeks. Usually kitten dry will be small, so the smaller cat can eat it.

There is less difference between store brand food and the most expensive food than there is between a McDonald's hamburger and a Ruth's Kriss steak dinner.
 

cpdillon

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Originally Posted by kandi

I hope to find her a new home before I get too attached!
Good Luck not getting attached!!!!
With a sweet face like that I think it would take a monster not to get attached. Your doing a fantastic thing for that little kitten. You should give yourself a pat on the back.
 

gaylemg

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Science Diet is not "junk." In fact, there's probably nothing you can buy that would fall into that category. There is less difference between store brand food and the most expensive food than there is between a McDonald's hamburger and a Ruth's Kriss steak dinner.
Well, that is good to know. I buy what I can afford and I try to vary it a little so they aren't always eating the same flavor of canned food.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by GayleMG

Well, that is good to know. I buy what I can afford and I try to vary it a little so they aren't always eating the same flavor of canned food.
actually, i disagree. there are many foods out there better [& no more expensive, sometimes cheaper] than SD. if there's a Petsmart near you, their Authority brand is quite good for the price. i also feed Chicken Soup. neither are as premium as is available, but both are better than SD. check out the ingredients! i feed the adult versions, as i have 4 adults, but both have a kitten version.
 

momofmany

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She looks to be about 6-7 weeks old to me. At 5 weeks, she would still be somewhat wobbly when she moves about. A 6-7 weeks they might trip up sometimes, but walk fairly stabble.

For food? Find a health food store for pets and ask for their recommendation. I've gotten all of mine away from foods like SD and Iams because of the high carb content in them. It's been a very long time since I've had kittens so I'm not up on the best food for them.

If Sharky recommends anything, go with her advice. She is our resident expert on food.
 

gaylemg

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Actually , the nearest PetSmart isn't all that close. I go there sometimes, but it is not an everyday thing. Next time I go I will check out the Authority brand. The choices for places that sell cat food in my town are WalMart, Brookshires, Save A Lot, Super 1, Tractor Supply Co., and a new petstore called PetSense. I visited it for the first time today and I wasn't impressed with the choices.
 
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