A few questions about my new kitten Angel

Hi there,

  my word its been 6 years since I had a kitten and I need some help please.

  Angel is quite snuffly in her nose and has sneezed a few times,I have asked the foster carer who looked after her and she said she was vet checked last week and the vet said it was nothing to worry about,she is up to date with everything.She is fine in herself am I just worrying over nothing?

 Also she has a litter tray but has pooped 3 times in my bathroom and also used the litter tray,shall I just keep putting her in the tray so she knows she has got to go in there only?

Any advice would be appreciated,thanks

x

When I got my Loki from the rescue he had upper respiratory issues...runny nose and eyes and sneezing. He would also blow snot bubbles...so gross. I learned since then that L-lysine can really help speed up the course of the infection. My vet also told me that if he gets a cough or if it lasts more than 4 weeks to bring him back in. Sadly...he has recurring issues with his sinuses.

The pooping thing. I'm not sure where you're keeping Angel but I'd keep her in a small room for at least a week so that she's not confused about where her litter is. (you might be doing this already?) Maybe leave some poop in the box at all times until she's consistent. What kind of litter do you use? If it has a scent it could be masking her own scent (plugged nose) and maybe she can smell herself better in the bathroom. Just brainstorming. I know when we had a kitten...like 18 years ago...she pooped behind the couch on the first night then we just locked her in the kitche for a week and she became a fastidious litter box user.

Good luck with your baby!

Hi Ruthy . Angel !!!!! Is the litter box easy for the kitten to get into? Maybe try adding another litter box too. Also, you could try Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract litter - or there is an additive (herbal) that you can buy in a plastic jar by Dr. Elsey. You can sprinkle that into any litter. Also, make sure the litter is not heavily scented because that could make Angel avoid the litter tray too. It is possible she has a URI starting . Pretty common with rescue babies and all the stress they have had to deal with. Poor little sweetie - Please keep us posted on how she is doing.

Hi,

  I use the wooden based litter and she has used it fine while I am around her,she is in our bedroom with food and litter available,I bring her down at night and she plays in the lounge when everyone else is in bed.It just seems when she is alone she is pooping places,I think one of the kids left our bedroom door open earlier when she pooped in the bathroom.she has been down with us tonight and has used the litter tray 3 times,she has quite runny poops,I think this may be due to her nervousness s I have kept her on the same food that she was on before she came to us??She is a lot better tonight and has been playing all the time while we have been wrapping pressies,it just seems when she is alone she is pooping out of the litter tray.Her eyes do seem a little watery,I will keep my eye on her,she hasn't sneezed as much tonight and doesn't seem as snuffly,if she is no better tomorrow I shall get her into the vets.x

Hi Ruthy! Just seconding the advice already given. :nod: URIs are really common in kitties, as is the herpes virus. I would definitely get L-lysine. It's a supplement available most anywhere here in the states - you can probably get it wherever supplements are sold. :nod: Just look for a powder - or if tablets, the ones with the fewest additives. I'd give her 250mg per day. If a tablet, they usually come in 500mg or 1000mg. You can just cut them, and then crush it, and sprinkle it on wet food for her. :nod: This should help clear that right up!

As to the pooping and peeing... I know you're anxious to integrate her into the house and with the other cats, but it really is best to have her separated in a smaller room for a week or so. :nod: If she's set up with a litter box, her food and water, and she gets attention and play in her room, wherever it is, I expect her using the box won't be a problem. And any time you see her using it, just praise her to high heaven! Most importantly, don't scold her if you see her going outside the box, it won't help her learn, and she doesn't know what she's doing wrong.

Also, it is a good idea to pick up her poop and put it in a box near her rather than throw it away. This helps her figure out where she should be going. :nod:

Because scent is SO important to cats, you do need to make sure you clean up any messes with an enzyme cleaner. it's the only thing that will remove the scent to the cats' noses. :nod: Regular cleaners only "set" the stain, even if we can't smell it, they can. The scent alone will continue to encourage them to go outside the box.

I don't know if Dr. Elsley's Kitten Attract litter is available there - I think it is. It'll be more expensive than what you use, but since it's so effective, it is probably worth it for a little while.

I don't know how many litter boxes you have, but having some on each floor might be important for a little kitty. Just like a small child, they don't always realize they have to go to the bathroom until it's a little late to look around for a litter box. :lol3: Just FYI, the rule of thumb is that you should have one more litter box than you have cats, and you should have litter boxes on each floor of the house.

!!!!

Thank you,she has her own litter box that the others can't use and she is in my bedroom during the day,only one accident last night which is a lot better I just keep putting her in her tray and she seems to be using it better.I don't mind paying more for litter,I will have a look around probably try pets at home as I have only seen the regular brands in supermarkets near me.I will have a look for some lysine,it bothers me as she was born on a farma and her mother was feral.She doesn't seem as sniffly today and has been running round my bedroom like a mad thing  x

I have found these L-lysine tablets,can you tell me if they will be suitable?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Source-Na...ultDomain_0&hash=item43a8a93bdb#ht_1611wt_905

Thanks.x

Even though Sophie came from a vets surgery and Jack from The Cats Protection, l still took them to my own vet to let him give them a checkup. Their first consultation was always free 

Ruthyb said:

I have found these L-lysine tablets,can you tell me if they will be suitable?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Source-Na...ultDomain_0&hash=item43a8a93bdb#ht_1611wt_905

Thanks.x

Click to expand...

The pure powder is better. The tablets have these ingredients also:

Other Ingredients: sorbitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum and magnesium stearate.

And are probably rather large, and may have a taste. I use the Source Naturals pure powder


and others here like the NOW pure powder:


One jar lasts a long long time, because you only give 1/4 teaspoon a day, you aren't paying for all those other ingredients.
'

Rosiemac said:

Even though Sophie came from a vets surgery and Jack from The Cats Protection, l still took them to my own vet to let him give them a checkup. Their first consultation was always free 

Click to expand...

Thank you,I shall ring up and get her in I would like to be reassured that she is well before she sends time with my other kitties.x

otto said:

The pure powder is better. The tablets have these ingredients also:
Other Ingredients: sorbitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum and magnesium stearate.

And are probably rather large, and may have a taste. I use the Source Naturals pure powder
and others here like the NOW pure powder:
One jar lasts a long long time, because you only give 1/4 teaspoon a day, you aren't paying for all those other ingredients.
'

Click to expand...

Thank you,I shall order some of the powder,do I mix it in with her food?I am also going to get her in for a vets check just to reassure myself.x

Yes, just mix the powder in the food. For a kitten her age and size I would probably start with 250 mg a day, which is about 1/8 teaspoon. I am not a vet, but have been using l-lysine for at least 11 years. When Queen Eva first came here and had URI symptoms my vet recommended the 250 mg dose instead of the usual 500 mg dose because of her size and age.

Taking her to your own vet is a good idea. I always take newly adopted cats to the vet right away, regardless of where they came from.

Keep us posted!