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Found 6-9 Month Old Kitten...SICK ???

post #1 of 28
3/23/11 at 8:06am
Thread Starter 
My husband and I found a small kitten outside of our apartment building just the other day. He had a flea collar on, and we have found no traces of fleas. He is VERY weak, has trouble with balance, mobility, his paws kind of bend inward. He does eat, and only drinks milk, not water. He can stay in the same spot for hours on end and does not move.

His gums are pink and black, his skin looks fine other than a few scratches that might have been caused by scratching. He has a very healthy appetite. He is always shaking. Anyone know of any thing that could be wrong with him, or maybe just keep going with the feeding's/milk to see if he does get stronger?

We also found another cat with him, a female, and she seems perfectly healthy. Though she has not stepped out from under the couch at all in the last 2 days. we do have two other house cats, so maybe just nervous and scared?
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post #2 of 28
3/23/11 at 8:48am
Poor little kitten. He sounds very ill, can you get him to a vet? If not, and I know it's expensive enough paying for your own cat to see a vet, never mind a stray, is there a rescue you could take the pair of them to? This really would be better than just letting him suffer.

Please keep them both away from your own cats, they might pass on something nasty.
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post #3 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:09am
Thread Starter 
Well we dont want to take the two to a shelter, we have posted found kittens in our apartment mail box rooms.

The girl is doing better, eating, playing with our other female cat. She's pretty healthy and typical kitten, very curious.

Just the other...we have him in sort of a playpen with a liter box, beds, food and toys. Gave him a bath just a bit ago, and he seemed to chipper up a little bit. So I think we're going to give him at least two more days before finding him care.

Most rescues here, in Las Vegas, they put the cats down automatically. Not many no kill shelters out here, especially for cats.
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post #4 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:14am
Please take the flea collar off immediately if you have not done so. Many times cats can have an allergic reaction to the collar or the medicines could be toxic or overdosed for that cat. The shaking and weakness are both signs I've heard about from OTC flea remedies.
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post #5 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:17am
Could be the flea collar is the culprit I hope you have removed the collar and thrown it away. IMO they should all be banned from being sold. I have seen so many kittens die a slow toxic death because people believe the flea collars work. Please, if you can take the kitten to the vet and have blood drawn check toxic levels, kidney functions. That should give you some idea as to what might be going on. Give him another bath using DAWN dishwashing lotion just a few drops in warm water. Pay special attention to his neck area where the collar was allowed to sit.

Other possibilities are the known diseases- have him tested for that as well.

Don't adopt him out without giving the new person a head's up as to how he was acting when he first arrived. Hopefully, they can afford the vet care for him.

Contact this organization, offer a donation to them, perhaps they can help

http://www.hcws.org/
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post #6 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
Took it off yesterday, when we gave him a bath it was good to get the smell of all the flea medicine off. It was pretty strong, our whole living room smelled like it. So I am thinking def an overdose of that stuff? For now he is back to resting, really hoping he will bounce back, since he has no other symptoms. Just doesn't seem strong enough to play and fight back in the bath tub. He purs like crazy though
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post #7 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:20am
Thread Starter 
My husband read about the Dawn and so he used that, and then after used regular cat shampoo.
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post #8 of 28
3/23/11 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 
With the collar off for a bit over 24 hours should he be bouncing back by now?..
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post #9 of 28
3/23/11 at 11:39am
Hi and thank you for taking in these two cats. I too would not let them anywhere near your other cats. They have to be tested for diseases first. The kitten sounds like it needs to be seen by a vet. Kittens can go downhill quickly. Did you contact Hissy's recommendation? If you can't care for them, try to start making calls to see of a rescue can help you. You are a caring person to help them
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post #10 of 28
3/23/11 at 12:13pm
Depends on how long he wore the collar. Once it has saturated into the skin, it can take time for the body to shake off the toxins. Is there any red marks where the collar was- or missing hair? If you smell his neck, does he still smell like the collar? Take your finger, part his hair and using your one finger rub the skin along where the flea collar was- then sniff your finger- if you still smell chemicals, he really needs a vet.
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post #11 of 28
3/23/11 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by newkittysaver View Post
With the collar off for a bit over 24 hours should he be bouncing back by now?..
Im no expert at all at this - but I dont think it can be so quickly. Even if, with any luck, his recovery may have begun now. Count rather on weeks than a few days.

Tx a lot for caring and helping! Take care too of your own residents!
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post #12 of 28
3/23/11 at 6:17pm
Thank you for rescuing these kitties!

Rescue kitties, unfortunately, can have medical problems that can affect your other cats. They really need to be separated until you can get them to a vet. They need to be tested for at least Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) as it is very contagious and easily spread by sharing a litter box, water bowls, or food dishes.
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post #13 of 28
3/24/11 at 2:26am
how is the kitty this morning????
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post #14 of 28
3/24/11 at 6:47am
Thread Starter 
He's the same sadly, just gets really talkative when I'm about to feed him. He's been in the playpen in a cube house all night once again. He pokes his head out a few times every now and then if he thinks he's missing out on something lol Though other than that, he seems the same.

My husband gets home in the hour and takes him out to play and be pet, so I guess we'll see if he is showing improvements there shortly as well. I would except a 8 month stomach makes it hard to reach down and grab him lol

Hoping there is a sign of improvement in at least his walking.

The female kitten, is perfectly fine...lol, a tad bit hyper and seems to think she is the new queen cat around here. Still throws out a few growls and hisses at my two, but is doing fine other than that If no one claims her, she's going to make a great house kitty, probably in a one cat home, she loves all the attention.
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post #15 of 28
3/24/11 at 8:47am
I would definately get little kitty to a vet.

One of the first cats I ever had as a kitten got really sick from having a flea collor on. I learned real quick flea collars are not good. Once I took the flea collar off him though, he pretty much bounced right back. Of course he didn't have the collar on long, because as soon as I noticed he wasn''t as playful as he should have been, I took it off immediately.

I'm sure you don't know how long the collar was on him, so I'm not real sure.

Since he has been sick a coulple of days and not showing signs of improvement, I would start calling vets and just explain your situation to them. You can probably find at least one who could offer aid or advice.

Good luck
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post #16 of 28
3/24/11 at 6:32pm
If you can, a vet would be in order for the little darling. Bless you for caring for these two. You are very kind and caring to do this. for kitty to recover
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post #17 of 28
3/25/11 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, so we have narrowed it down to being his tail. He doesn't want it touched, whimpers, and it NEVER moves.

We think he may have broken it? Sprained it, maybe dislocated it?
We take him out of the pen while we are in the living room and he just lounges on the couch watching the other cats run around and play, seems very interested.

Just that darn tail...

Some say it will heal over weeks?
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post #18 of 28
3/25/11 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by newkittysaver View Post
Okay, so we have narrowed it down to being his tail. He doesn't want it touched, whimpers, and it NEVER moves.

We think he may have broken it? Sprained it, maybe dislocated it?
We take him out of the pen while we are in the living room and he just lounges on the couch watching the other cats run around and play, seems very interested.

Just that darn tail...

Some say it will heal over weeks?
You should take him to the vet to check that out. It may need to be reset, or it could lead to a need for amputation if it heals improperly and becomes infected. Either case, the vet can treat an infection, reset a bone, or do whatever else needs to be done for this little guy to start feeling better.
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post #19 of 28
3/25/11 at 6:00pm
Definately get that little guy to the vet!!

If his tail has or gets an infection your problem could only get worse!

Since he has not shown signs of improvement I would get him to the vet asap. Maybe they can help or at least be more willing to help if you just explain your situation (Kitten being stray or lost and all). Or maybe they could put you in touch with a rescue group, if one is availble in your area.

Sending you and your new kitty friend lots and lots of love and luck: heart3:
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post #20 of 28
3/25/11 at 6:44pm
I'm glad you took the kittens in and rescued them! It's good the girl 1 is doing so well. The boy really needs to be seen by a vet.
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post #21 of 28
3/25/11 at 8:19pm
Thank you for rescuing these two! What did the vet say about the little boy, his tail, his unwillingness to play, and his totally not acting like an 8 mo. old kitten?
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post #22 of 28
3/26/11 at 3:43pm
Oh my gosh, poor kitty. Did you get him to the vet? That tail really needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. For the kitty, more
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post #23 of 28
3/27/11 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
So the little guy went to the vet yesterday, he is now our 300.12 dollar stray lol

His x-rays show that his tail is NOT broken, nor is it damaged. The vet says he probably went through a really bad trauma, he should heal soon with care.

He's been enjoying the pain killers, he is still a little upset at times when he is in pain. The only thing she could tell is that his bowels are backed up, and he really needs to get going to the bathroom soon lol
He has ear mites, so we got medicine for that. The little girl has them too, so she'll be getting a cleaning as well.

Luckily our other two's ears are clean as whistles
So right now he is still in the pen, doing couch time, trying to play with toys, and slowly doing better. He does need a bath everyday, since when he does try to go the the liter box his walking still isn't steady, so he tends to "fall" in and get it all over him.
OH!, and we also got him tested for Aids/Leukemia, he tested negative for both

We will probably adopt him out when he is fully recovered, though my husband seems to be a tad bit attached to the little guy.

I don't know if I should post this here, but does anyone know how to keep a one liter box apartment not smelling so...present?
We use Tidy Cat liter, but with 4 cats, it's driving me nuts! Pregnant nose is not happy. Any better liter to use? Or mix something with the liter? I use Baking Soda, the liter box mix stuff, and I think it just makes it smell more rather than eliminate the odor. Thanks everyone!!
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post #24 of 28
3/27/11 at 12:59pm
I am soooo happy to hear that both kittens are doing well!!!!

I'm sure little guy will be back in shape in no time!!!! He is lucky to have you and your hubby looking after him!

As far as the litter: I use Arm and Hammer Double Duty kitty litter. Luna is in a small bedroom and I have to keep her door shut for now as she is still in hiding and not ready to be introduced to the whole house yet. A little more feral than your two.

I was using a cheaper brand of litter, but soon found out that I had to change whole litter pan daily because of the smell. This stuff I use now is a little more, but saves money in the end because I am not using so much.

I do only have 1 cat so maybe it doesn't make much difference. I also use scoopable.

Maybe adding 1 more litter box wouldn't hurt as you have more than cat.

I also leave a window cracked while I am in the room with Luna so fresh air comes in. As I said small bedroom and she can stink it up occasionally.

Wishing you and your new friends love and luck
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post #25 of 28
3/27/11 at 2:09pm
His number 2 isnt coming? did the vet suggested some suitable mild home remedy for loosing the bowels?

Here in Sweden we use goat butter. Preferably the norwegian version...

But in USA? I dont remember at this moment what our forumites usually do recommend.
Conserved pumpkin??


Good luck!
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post #26 of 28
3/27/11 at 2:47pm
This is happy news, the tail will heal, he tested negative to the deadly diseases, and you are going to adopt him. He must be so happy now and feel so loved.

As for the litter, you could try to add some of the tidy cats litter deodorizer and sprinkle that in the litter. Just scoop as often as you can. Baking soda does work well too.
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post #27 of 28
3/27/11 at 6:07pm
As for getting things moving, I'd try to increase the wet food you're feeding him and add a bit of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie mix with the seasonings added). You can also try some fish oil or Slippery Elm Bark or even plain Miralax added to wet food. If you go with Miralax, start with just 1/4 t a day. When he does go, it'll probably be explosive, so you'll need to clean him up.

As for the litter box smell, scoop, scoop, scoop! Also, if there's any way you can add a 2nd or 3rd box, that will help tremendously.
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post #28 of 28
3/27/11 at 9:07pm
Good to hear the kitties are well.

Try using Scoop Away multiple cat clumping and definitely used an enclosed cat litter. I have 4 cats that use the same litter box and my room never ever smells. Highly recommended.
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