stray baby.... please help!

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, so please help me out a little Alright, well tonight, I picked up a stray kitten that can't be more than a month old. She's tiny tiny tiny. We have a lot of strays around our appartment complex, and I saw this one a few days ago, right before it got cold. When I first saw her, I knew that it was going to get cold that night, and I kind of freaked out. I came home and got some milk and a big bag to take her back to my place in. She was very hyper, and everytime I bent to scoop her, she would run off... but tonight, when I went to see her again, she just kind of sat there and let me pick her up... she was very sluggish and tired looking. So I got her, and brought her back to my house, where I fed her milk, and she's still sitting in the bathroom on a heating pad. Well, she went poo in there, and while cleaning it up, I noticed that it was runny and a little bloody. I talked to my mom and she suspects that she might have feline distemper or something like that... she suggested that I take the kitty back out to the place where I found her. I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me what they think is wrong with her. I mean, it might be nothing, but I just wanted to get some other people's opinion. I want to keep her here for the night, but I have a sugarglider, and my mom seems to think that if the kitty is sick, it'll get my glider sick. Does anyone have any ideas for me?! I don't know what to do!!!! thanks everyone.

Welcome Jessica!

It could be any number of things. It could be something as simple as worms. This baby really needs to see a vet ASAP!

Also, please don't give her any more cow's milk. Many cats are lactose intolerant, which could also explain the loose stool. If you can get to a store, get some KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement). They have it at Wal Mart and even some grocery stores.

Keep baby kitty warm, and give her water. If you have any kitten/cat food, try feeding her that, soaked in lukewarm water (or the KMR). If she's about a month old she may be able to eat semi-solids.

Most times, diseases aren't easily spread between species. To be safe, I would keep her separated from any other pets you have though.

thank you so much. How much do you think it will cost to get her checked out? I'm a starving student, you know how that is. Also, I was wondering. Would she be so tired just from being out in the cold and being sick? I mean, she's just purring away, and talking my ear off, and she's going to the restroom alright, she's just slow and tired. I hope I'm doing the right thing by keeping her here... thanks again!

Some vets will give a "Good Samaritan" discount. Also, you might want to call your local animal shelter/SPCA/Humane Society and explain the situation, and ask if they can recommend a vet for you.

Best of luck, and thank you for saving this baby!!!

And please if you have her on a human heating pad, please be sure it is buried under layers of thick towels, for it can burn her. I would also get her to the vet or call your local shelter and see if they offer vet services. Bloody streaks in the waste could be colitis, parisites, or something else. Vets are good at taking payments as well-

Yeah, I have a few towels wrapped around the heating pad. You guys should see her... she's sprawled out on that thing like white on rice!!! it's so cute! She's doing better... she seems to be more alert and comfortable here. Do you think she'll be ok in the bathroom for the night? Like I said, I have a glider, and she's loose in the house, and I don't think having a kitty out and about would be the best thing... anyway, that's it, and thank you all so much for your advise!

It is best for the kitten if she stays in the bathroom even if the sugar glider was not loose in the house. The kitten will feel more safe being in a smaller room for now. You could put a night light in there too.
Keep up the good work!

Well, I just wanted to write and say thank you to all the people that posted to me last night. The little baby died in her sleep... I went in there this morning to check on her, and she was gone. My boyfriend helped move her and made me feel better by telling me that she died with a full stomach and crumbs on her face. God rest her little soul. thank you all again

Awww I am so sorry, but bless you for taking care of this baby in her last moments. Knowing that she had someone to help her at moments when she needed it is a blessing. Bless your heart

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Thank you for helping her when she needed you. You gave her a home, she felt love and warmth for once in her short little life.
RIP little kitten.

Thank you all very much. I just wish I could have done more for her... She deserved so much more. thank you again for all the support. I'm forever grateful.

:angel2:

I just wanted to add my thanks for taking in that little ball of heaven. I'm glad she was warm and well fed before she passed. at least for a small amount of time, she knew what it was to be loved.
You're a wonderful person!

Jessica, I'm so sorry. You gave the little baby more in the one night she had with you than she had in her whole life. She was loved, she had food, and she was safe.

Bless you for making her last moments ones filled with joy and love.

Ohhhhh I'm so sorry to hear that

thank you all so much for being so sweet to me. I've been having a really hard time with this little baby's death... It's been really easy to blame myself for what happened, but when I read your comments, I feel so much better about taking her in. Thank you for your kind words and your support. I just hope that she has 8 more lives full of love, joy, warmth and a full belly! Sweet little angel

Thank you all

I'm so sorry you lost the sweet little kitten at least the baby got to know love and you tried your best. don't blame yourself. It is really hard to lose them, but you do the best that you can and that is what counts. you have alittle kitty angel watching over you know

I'm so sorry
She was comfortable in the end
though, I'm glad you took her
in so she could know what that
felt like.

so sorry