Stray kitten medical problem?

A little stray kitten (maybe 2 months old) came to our house and has been coming by for food and comfort. I think it's a "she" though she is orange. Anyway, she is very thin and her little belly really pumps even when she's resting. At first I thought it was because she's so thin and so you can see her breathe, but now I'm not so sure. She eats well. We have 5-6 other strays coming to feed and I want to protect this little thing. Some of the others have shown aggression towards her. My sister is considering taking her in, but I'm sure she won't want to if there is something wrong with her (she's not mean, but one of her other cats died last week after expensive medical care.) Has anyone seen something like this before?

Hi,

Have you tried trapping her?  A drop trap will allow you to be more selective.
 

Your best course of action is to take her to the vet. If she is unfixed she is very likely pregnant. I am not sure where you are located but you can contact a local rescue group for help. 

She's only about 2 months old so isn't pregnant. I can hold her so it will be easy for me to take her in. Just wanted to be prepared in advance for possible diagnosis. I hope it's minor.
 

The best would surely be to take her to the vet for a check up.  It the problems are easy to treat, or nothing much, take her in and adopt as planned.

If the problems are serious and costly, pay for the last injection. 

Both ways, her problems are solved, and you had given her the help she needs.

You can wrap her in a soft towel, if you dont want to risk be scratched.  Wrapped up, they got submissive and let you do what need to be done.

That is my advice here!     

The vet will understand the pts decision if you dont afford or want costly treatmensts.  In fact, Im convinced they often say to owners of moggies  "this is hopeless, I recommend pts" or "this will be very complicated, I would recommend pts" - to give the owners of moggies the chance to honourably let the cat be pts.

They know owners of moggies usually dont have insurance for their cats, nor afford costly treatment nor have the dedication for long and bothersome work it - even if a treatment is fully possible.

They dont want people to feel embarrassed or ashamed.

The tip is, if you REALLY want to give all - in therapy work or in payment - you must tell so the vet.

Good luck!

Dorymb said:

A little stray kitten (maybe 2 months old) came to our house and has been coming by for food and comfort. I think it's a "she" though she is orange. Anyway, she is very thin and her little belly really pumps even when she's resting. At first I thought it was because she's so thin and so you can see her breathe, but now I'm not so sure. She eats well. We have 5-6 other strays coming to feed and I want to protect this little thing. Some of the others have shown aggression towards her. My sister is considering taking her in, but I'm sure she won't want to if there is something wrong with her (she's not mean, but one of her other cats died last week after expensive medical care.)

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OK. Home from the vet. Thanks for those who posted. Well, seems that little "Molly" is only 4 pounds, but about a year old. Geez don't ask me to judge a kittie's age! She is extremely tiny. Don't know where she came from. A drop off? We live next to vet clinic and have six ferrals outside that we feed and shelter. Anyway, our vet suspected a problem and comped an x-ray. Turns out she was either injured or born this way, but has a hernia and her intestines have crowded her lungs. Hence the heavy breathing. He said it would be thousands. Luckily, the tech who attended is involved with an animal rescue and (owing to the very sweetness and beyond cuteness of Molly I am sure) requested and was able to get, agreement from the vet to perform the surgery at no cost. This says so much to me about our vet. He is truly a compassionate human and I have so much respect. I signed Molly over to them and they agreed that if the surgery goes well, my sister will be able to adopt her. I am hopeful this will be the case. Without surgery she is doomed and this is her best hope!
 

Good news for Molly. The surgery went well. The vet said her liver was also affected and that she was probably born this way. She came through like a champ and is recovering nicely. My sister can pick her up in a few days. Yay!!!

Yeah Molly!!!!!!! Thank Goodness I'm happy for you all.

I am so glad to hear of this happy ending for Molly. Hooray. That vet is amazing to do the surgery for free.