In over my head?

Hey guys! I'm very new to the world of cat lovers, as I grew up very much a dog person until my four year old son made it very clear he wanted a cat. This site has been invaluable to me since adopting my two year old brown tabby, Elle, last month, and then my kitten, Howard just a couple weeks ago. (My avatar is a recent picture of him!)

Anyway... Elle has been well taken care of by the VCA hospital, since they work together with the Humane Society. Howard, however, is somewhat of a rescue. I was scoping out Craigslist for a kitty condo and came across this handsome ball of fluff. I knew I shouldn't have been looking at the ads again!

I called the lady who put the post up who told me he was dropped up with the rest of the litter and their mother at animal control, where she works. I figured since she works with animals, I could trust her when she said he was 7 weeks and healthy. I was a bit put off when I saw he had a couple fleas (she said he'd just been bathed!), but I thought to myself that I would just wait a couple days and give him a nice bath. No problem.

He was adorable. I figured I would vet him myself as I did my dog with shots and meds from the local feed and seed store. I simply can't afford to take him to the vet immediately. Needless to say, the little guy came home with me and we all love him. I've bathed him twice, the first time finding 11 fleas, the second finding maybe 5. He's due for another bath tonight.

I've bought two rounds of 3-in-one vaccines and I'm planning on buying him some Revolution for kittens very soon (That's what Ellie is on).

Now, do you think I will also need to buy Drontal tablets and follow through with a traditional worming regiment for him even though Revolution treats/covers worms, heart/lung worms, fleas, ticks, and mites? Should I even bother with worming?

I've read every article I can find on worm ans worming cats and kittens, but some of them contradict each other regarding ages, weight, and whether to worm a kitten at all if there are no symptoms. Elle just took her second and final Drontal tab for hookworms the vet found via fecal test.

Howie's only symptoms are a round, semi-firm pot belly, and what I *think* is dark colored stool. It's not especially "loose", but (excuse me) resembles little coiled snakes rather than firm, distinctive poops.

He only weighs 3/4 lb., though he has doubled in weight since I brought him home. Is this indicative of being the runt? Being younger than 7 weeks as the lady had assumed? His final premolar is coming in, and his eyes are halfway set to a green color.

Too long/ didn't read version:

I'm not sure how old this kitten is

not sure if I should wait a few more weeks before administering 3-in-one shots

to worm or not to worm?

If you guys would like some more pics of him, I'm sure I can accommodate that.

Please don't chime in with "take him to the vet immediately", unless you think it's life or death. I plan on taking him when I can afford to- probably the beginning of next month.

Bathing really only gets the ones on animal.  I would go with advantage at the moment and in us revolution is rx only thought can be had from other countrys.

I would be concerned that he really should be FELV/ FIV tested.  FELV is very bad FIV is to to an extent.  It is good to know if cat has it but can live with other cats.

If his eyes still have a blue tint I would say he is 5-6 weeks.  The weight sounds kinda low.  Considering in shelters usually it is 2lbs and 8 weeks old.  All my 8 week olds were over 2 lbs except one who was 1lb 15 at 8 weeks and he was the runt.

I wouldn't be doing any shots until he was bigger and had a vet exam first. 
 

Also for worms could see if they will skip the fecal and go with most kittens have them and just dose them. 

Thank you.

I know baths will only get the fleas that are on him, thus the frequent baths to nip the eggs/larvae in the bud. I also know I can only get Revolution and Drontal via rx. I planned on ordering them from either Canada or Australia.

I guess my main nagging concern is the low weight, and without the knowledge of his age I'm afraid to administer his shots. I was originally planning on giving them to him 2 weeks from now. Should I wait for him to be a specific weight?

I would wait for him to hit 2lbs before shots unless it states a higher weight on website/package(maybe email the manufacturer?)  I have had kittens get shots at the 6/7 week mark but if in a low risk house and since you are doing it without vet visit first I would err on the side of extra caution as if something happens you are in no position to go to vet/er vet.  I would try to build him up.

I would trust advantage over revolution in a week or two.  If they are together at least the older one has up to date flea protective on.  To be honest though if you research it you could break a dose of rev/stronghold down from the older ones supply when at min weight. 

I would also look into neutering options for when that is needed-some have quite a wait for low cost others don't-see what is around and also see if they hold free exams at all or any vet for a package deal where you pay one price and get the kittens exam/any testing and a neuter all in one price.
 

I was wondering about splitting a dose of Revolution, actually, but thought I'd err on the side of caution since he's so very tiny. Thanks very much for the advice on the shots, too. I had another friend check him out and she agrees that he's about six weeks.

I've been looking into several different places about neutering him. I'm not worried about kittens, just my furniture and hardwood!

Thanks again!

Ally