4-6 week old kitten rescue

My husband & I caught a tiny kitten outside of a strip mall last night after a three hour "chase", brought it home, and set it up in the bathroom. The kitten hasn't used the litter yet (or gone at all actually).

Our older cat is mad at us for bringing home a baby, she is pouting under the bed right now.

A friend said the vet can't do anything for the kitten at this age, but I want it to have shots and disease testing, with eventual spay/neutering, before it hangs out with our other cat. So, I'm going to call the vet to see what they think.

We are currently feeding it milk replacer, wet kitten food, and water. It's skinny for a kitten this age so we added milk replacer to help it gain weight back.

Does anyone have any tips I might have forgotten? Edit: Should I treat it like a feral cat? It is extremely docile and quiet and only seems scared when you're standing over her or make sudden movements or noises, typical cat antics. It seems to like cuddles and wants to curl up by my neck.

Thanks!

Wow, thank you so much for rescuing this kitten.

I'd definitely take it to the vet asap.  You want the vet to confirm the cat is healthy but for its weight.  You want to make sure the cat is negative for FIV/FELK before introducing it to your resident cat (who will probably pout for a while and then get over herself).  The vet should also be able to determine more precisely its age and whether the cat could be safely dewormed.  4 to 6 weeks is young to be away from its mother, so milk replacer is a really good idea.  (Be prepared for some really kitteny antics, the cat hasn't learned all it should from its mother and/or siblings.)

I'd talk to the vet seriously about whether the cat should have any shots immediately, the kitten may develop a stress-induced URI or one from simply change of temperature (outside cold, inside warm).  A shot may exacerbate the symptoms (I learned that the hard way).

Finally, I would keep the cat in a small place so it can get use to everyone and everything.  The cat doesn't seem feral based on your description, so let it cuddle as much as you/it wants   

Seconding Ritz in all.

Feral?  Perhaps. But it prob doesnt matter much at now. For tiny kittens the most visible is they are kittens. That is why ferale kittens are usually easy to foster.   If he himself curles up by your neck, is a good sign. It makes it very possible him accepting your cuddles is not because it is a way, a strategy to copy and survive, but it is actually OK for him.

So do proceed. Dont force yourself on him, but use the occasions when it is given. As long he is young it will be much easier than if you wait several weeks.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!

Thanks! I figured since its so young it would probably be easy. I heard he/she let go a normal meow earlier, kinda cute, it is also using the litter box, so that is good, and we are going to the vet Monday. Kitten is eating very well. 

Ritz, you are right about not learning everything it needs to yet! I expected kitten to hiss or scratch when I reach for her, but s/he's kind of un-phased. Luckily for the baby my older cat doesn't fight, she's a super scaredy cat.

Here's a picture! Do you think 5-6 weeks is close-ish? The more I'm around it the older I think it could be.

Kitty weighs 14.5 ounces according to my food scale, and that's after eating about 1 ounce of wet food and several ounces of milk. Poor tiny baby.

Six weeks looks like a good guess to me. If it's eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping normally, you have the battle half won. But if it's been exposed to a couple of nasty diseases, it can all go south in a matter of hours.

Agree with Mrblance about being exposed to nasty diseases and south in a matter of hours which is why I urge a vet visit asap (oh, one knowledgeable about kittens and cats, too).

Again, learned that the hard way (kitten died shortly after it was adopted out).