6 Week Bengal Kitten! Help!

mouseysmonsters

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So I recently (as in earlier today) ended up buying a Bengal cross kitten. Problem is that the little guy is only 6 weeks old and not really ready to leave mom. I know this yet I took him, because if I didn't take him, someone who didn't have the time, money, etc would be the one buying him. The BYB that had him, was run over by a car and only just got out of hospital. She is not in any shape to care for kittens apparently. The poor little guy is very thin, and smelled bad when they brought him out of the carrier he had been shoved in all day.

I know a bit about taking care of normal young kittens, but I know Bengals tend to be different then other cats. So I was hoping someone on here can give me advice on how to take care of the little fella. Anything would help. The thing I'm most worried about is getting his weight up, as his ribs are very visible and it's just not good.

I'm keeping with me as much as I can, but I do have to go out tomorrow for a couple hours, and am very concerned about leaving him by himself.

Any advice or tips on about caring for him, would be very appreciated!
 

catpack

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The very first thing I encourage you to do is get him to a vet. Have him tested for FIV/FeLV and also tested for parasites and get his first round of dewormer. You will also get a base weight on him. If he is underweight, getting a scale and weighing him daily will be a lot of help as well.

Start him on a high quality wet food diet. It sounds like a little TLC will go a long way for this little guy.

Though I have not dealt with bengals personally, I believe the biggest difference is the energy level. So,lots of play time and cat trees/shelves to climb. They are smart and tend to get board easily. I know several people who leash train their bengals and take them for daily walks to help with the energy as well.
 

tulosai

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6 weeks is actually young to test for FIV and FeLV because mom's antibodies may still be in the kitten' body and so any test may not be accurate. I do agree that a well-kitten visit would be useful though.

for you and for him.  
 
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mouseysmonsters

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Thanks for the advice. I will get him to a vet ASAP and invest in a scale for him.

Turns out it's worse then I thought. A friend of mine, who knows a lot about cats, came and took a look at him. She says he looks more like he's 3-weeks. His belly is bloated but the rest is so thin. I will be having my friend stay with him while I'm gone tomorrow. I will be getting him some KMR ASAP as well.
I have a feliway plug in thing, with the pheromones put in my room for the little guy. I wish I had been able to get more of the kittens because they were all in rough shape, but she had sold the rest already. I just hope they went to good homes.

The lady was feeding him condensed milk. I'm really worried that it might have long term effects on him. What should I watch out for?

I currently have a little bit of high quality canned food diluted with water, as well as a small bowl of water out for him until I can get him KMR or something. Is there anything else I should do?
 

StefanZ

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Kmr, or goat milk as yet, if he seems so young.   Goat milk is a not bad tips also when he gets older, as an extra at that time.

But is OK even now.  fresh or bottled.

why was he on condensed milk?  Is their mom dead?

Being on condensed he could have problems with diarrhea and such.

dont bother much as yet he is a bengal, give him a good orphan kitten care, =>you will get a good bengal kitten care...

A stuffed animal  should be good as company.    A low temperature heat pad...  (unless it is very warm at your place, but cats likes warm spots, so try with this anyway)

Later on, yes, you will need to give him plenty of occupation to do.   :)

Good luck!
 
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mouseysmonsters

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I have no idea why they were on that nasty stuff. I assume mom is alive, as when I was asking her about the parents health history (which she didn't really know what I was talking about) she spoke of them like they were alive. My room gets pretty toasty with the door shut, but I will get something for him to be sure. He managed to sneak out of my room when some one opened the door, and then proceeded to chase two of my other cats, one of which is the size of a small dog, into my roommate's room and corner the little wusses till I came and rescued them from the little terror. So I guess that means he's healthy enough?
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by mouseysmonSo I guess that means he's healthy enough?
I hope so.   :)   Also, being so movable he is surely these 6 weeks as assured you.  But being  undernourished (and probably with diarrheas too) - he is smaller and thinner than his well cared for compatriots.

Which is good, it means you CAN begin and try on wet canned food, minced meat, Gerber baby food stage 1...     Not too much in the beginning.  An  undernourished kitten and lotsa of first rate, fat food is a dangerous combination.   So mind you, small portions but you may give them often.

But nothing wrong with KMR and or goat milk, as said.    If salomonella in eggs is no problem at your place, you can give egg yolk with this goat milk or minced meat....    Again, small portions in the beginning.

Good luck!
 
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mouseysmonsters

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I took him to the vet and they were all really shocked at how tiny he was. They think he's around 4 weeks old. He's a lot better thanks to everyone's advice on what to give him and what not. The vet says he's going to be just fine and shouldn't have any long term issues.


Here's a picture of the little guy, who I have named Felix, curled up with me while I write this post. I'm very thankful for the help, and how supportive this forum is. Thank you guys!
 

msscream

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Awe! He looks just like my kitty, identical even. I got him on almost the same circumstances. The previous owners didn't take care of him very well, they don't seem to even like cats so I'm not sure why they had a cat in the first place. 
 Also, thank you CatPack because I had no idea why he was is so hyper hehe :eek: I didn't even know what breed he is. When I seen the picture of Felix, I thought it was my kitty.
 
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