found a sick kitty

Hi all Im a newbie and I dont even own a kitty but I have a kitty issue..Please help I feel so helpless right now...
I found my former sorry neighbors cat in another neighbors drive today.. The owners moved 5 months ago and left 7 cats behind.. I caught most of them but a few never came back and I turned them in to the shelter..This one I thought had ran off too been hit or something cause he disappeared..Long story short he is very sick and I have called every vet in the local area and no one can see him until mornin..most say for me to take him to the er vet...guys I cant afford that, I just dont have it but I hate to see him suffer..I have him in my kitchen inside a box with a heating pad on low big fluffy towel under him and between the pad. and covered with a towel..He cant hold his head up he seems swollen about the head and neck and gurgles when he breaths.. His ears when I was petting him seemed hard..and he shakes not like hes cold more of a sway drunk like..He doesnt seem to have any injuries or blood on him...I so worried and freaked out right now ..I could just dump the neighbors off in the middle of nowhere with no food or care right now...see how it feels to them..ooooooo im so mad...does this sound like anything to anyone???Im worried he wont make it through the night..

It sounds as if he is seriously injured and in a lot of pain. I know that money matters but in this case I would at least call the emergency vet and explain the situation and ask them what they think is the best thing to do. You may get lucky and they may be willing to help.

And yes, I absolutely know the feeling of wanting to throttle uncaring selfish jerks who abandon their cats to a horrible existence outside.

...or call the e-vet, explain the situation, and ask if they'd be willing to work out a payment plan.

for the kitty!!!!!!!!!!!!

And thank you for rescuing your neighbor's cats. Trust me, we know what you want to do to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Laurie

Is he eating & drinking? Can he potty? Is he confined in an area so he can't get too far away? Can he walk at all? I think if you can get him through the night and then get him to the vet, he might have a shot at making it.

He probably has some kind of upper respiratory infection, which may include a stuffy or runny nose, runny eyes, stopped up ears as well as other things. Try running a vaporizer in the room where you have him. If you don't have a vaporizer, take him into the bathroom with you, run the shower as hot as you can and get your bathroom very steamy. Sit in there with him until the steam dissipates. It'll help him breathe better. If you have some Vick's, you can put just a dab on the top of his nose, out of the reach of his tongue to help him breathe better.

I'd make some of the kitten formula found over in the kitten care forum. (I've cut and pasted the recipe for you also at the end of my post.) Feed him that, not because he's a kitten, but because he needs the extra nourishment. Keep him warm and provide food, water, and a litter box. You might also check out the caring for ferals forum here on the board.

Home-made kitten formula (Kitten Glop)

* 8 ounces water (boiled then cooled)
* 1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
* 8 ounces whole evaporated milk (not skim)
* 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (not low fat)
* 2 tablespoons plain yogurt (not low fat)
* 1 large or 2 small eggs yolks (raw)
* 1 teaspoon clear Karo syrup
* * 1-3 drops liquid pet vitamins
* * 1 capsule acidophilus
* * 1 drop Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
* * Optional, though very beneficial.

Boil the water, add the gelatin and mix well. Add the following ingredients in order, mixing well after each addition:

1/2 of the canned milk
Mayonnaise and Yogurt
Rest of the milk
All other ingredients

You can substitute canned goat's milk for the canned evaporated milk, if you prefer it. This mixture will keep in the fridge for up to four days. It is jello-like in consistency in the fridge so you can just scoop out as much as you need and warm. It can also be frozen in ice cube trays and defrosted as needed. You can find pet vitamins at a pet store or your vet, and acidophilus and GSE in the liquid form at a good health food store.

If you prefer, you can use this recipe permanently, instead of a commercially available kitten formula. If you are using a commercial formula, add a quarter of a teaspoon of full fat yogurt to the first bottle of each day. This will aid in your kitten's digestion.

I'm so sorry that you're faced with this, I'm sure it's scary, I can only imagine.

Please call up the Emerg Vet Clinic and explain the situation.....your loser neighbors moved and left behind their cats and this is one of them; the neighbors are long gone and this poor cat is gravely ill, you feel he/she is suffering, you don't know what to do, explain the symptoms as you explained them here.....tell them you're simply not in a financial situation to handle this, it's not your cat..........can they help, can they at least let you bring the cat in. I hate to say this but if kitty is so ill and there are no options, the most humane thing would be for them to put kitty down, I hate to say it but what other choice is there?

Another option; i don't know what area you live in but in many cities/areas there are feline rescue organizations (if you want to state where you are, we could help you locate one)......they might be able to help or at least take this kitty for you. Or are any of the shelters open?

God bless you, you are an angel to this poor kitty.

I see you live in Atlanta, from your post info.

I just did a search on Google for "Atlanta feline rescue" and here's the page I got, click on this and you'll see a list of the rescue organizations; start calling them. If they can't help directly they may at least be able to pull some strings and get you in somewhere tonight.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...G=Search&meta=

Oh, poor baby! Thank you so much for taking him in.

I know you can't do it, but honestly, the best thing is to take him to the ER.
He sounds like a very sick boy and he needs help ASAP. But you know that.

Is he open-mouth breathing? If he has fluid in or around the lungs then it's extremely hard for him to breathe and he's suffering. I know this because it happened to one of my feral babies. It was heartbreaking but I had to put him to sleep. I couldn't let him struggle to breathe.

Will the ER vet do a payment plan perhaps? Call and explain the circumstances - how you've rescued this cat and the condition he's in.

You're doing what you can to keep him comfortable - check the heating pad often - they usually get too warm for cats after awhile. Make sure to offer water, maybe gently try to syringe a little water into his mouth. You can use a vaporizer or humidifier, but really, I don't think any of these things will be that helpful to him. I know you're doing all you can do, you're an angel to care about him, but he needs a vet now.

Hoping you can get help soon - all good thoughts to you & this little boy that he pulls through.

Bless your heart a million times for taking kitty in. I've been hoping you would have the time to post an update. Please let us know how things go at the Vet. And do try to call some of the Feline Rescue places I posted............maybe someone can take him, or at least foster him temporarily until a forever-home can be found. I wish there were more people like you in the world............sending tons of hugs and good thoughts :-)

The poor kitty! you can always try care credit?? maybe that will help if you are unable to find a vet willing to do it!!Please keep us updated!!It was very kind f you to take this sweet cat in and try to help him!!

So glad he made it through the night! I'm concerned about the throwing up and not being able to regulate his body temp. As long as the heating pad is set to low and wrapped up well in a towel, you can leave it on. For future reference, you can also fill socks with dry rice and tie off. Heat them in the microwave until warm, but not hot, and use to keep the kitty warm. What did the vet say? Is there any way you'll be able to keep the kitty? (I don't remember what your circumstance is, but I remember when you posted originally about the cats being left behind.)

Oh I am truly sorry...the poor kitty! may he R.I.P! He is now at the rainbow bridge frolicking and restored to a healthy cat!you did all you could and he knew you cared!

I'm sad for you but just remember you made his last hours ones that were full of love and caring. God sent him to you for a reason. Bless you for caring.