New Kitten: unsure what to do

At first I posted this on the cat health forum for reasons that will be stated below but then I found this forum so I thought why not put it on both? So here is my previous/original post


My family recently got a kitten that was given to them outside of a grocery store. He's very rambunctious and playful but raising a kitten is beyond my area of expertise. We've mostly had dogs in our home until about two years ago when we took in a stray who we named Tiger. Tiger has been no problem at all and we found him when he was nearly fully grown (so no kitten stage, fairly easy/simple to raise and keep him)
But since we got this kitten (who after doing some reading I assume he's about 4-6 weeks old) I'm kind of at a loss on how to raise him? And when it comes to health things, I'm more knowledgable when it comes to puppies so that's why I come to you all so I can maybe get some help? So here's what I've noticed about Stitch

He has peed in the time we got him, but no feces yet. His second (or is it third?) eyelid is showing in his right eye (not a whole lot but enough to make me check online to see what it is) His breathing is normal until he gets playful, then it sounds like he's breathing out of his mouth more, he also sneezes every so often. And his eyes are fairly watery at times

And that's what I've noticed in the past...12 hours or so? My family is having a variety of financial troubles and since my sister is going into her first year at a university this fall and I'm going into my third year, money is a bit (read:really) tight and so we can't necessarily take him to the vet until we have enough to pay off his bills so...

In addition to all this, I would appreciate some tips and tricks on raising this little guy, we've all grown attached to him already and I want to ensure his longevity in this family. So, thank you so much for reading this and if you could help it would be much appreciated

Hi and welcome to TCS. It is very common for kittens, especially orphans, to get upper respiratory infections (URIs). Unfortunately, without treatment, these can rapidly get worse and a small kitten can go downhill very fast. There is no safe home remedy I can recommend - can you talk to your vet about a payment plan, or manage to borrow something if necessary? Because he really does need to be seen. In principle, any young kitten should have a vet check as soon as possible, but for one who is sneezing and has watery eyes it is essential. Keep him warm and hydrated - the first things to worry about with a sick kitten. And watch that he does not lose weight by weighing him every day with a kitchen scale in grams - kittens that can't smell often won't eat.

You do need to determine how old he is - 4-6 weeks is far too young to be away from his mother, and you will really have to step in. Is he eating solid food? Can he use a litter pan? If the answer to these is yes, then you do not have so much to worry about in physical care. Can you post a photo so we can make some judgement on his state of maturity and help you further. Of course, if he sees a vet then you can ask there. Once we have more idea then we can suggest some articles for you to read that cover every aspect of kitten care.

I am deleting the other thread because it is better to have all replies in one place.

Re the third eyelid.  It usually  is a sign he has an infections somewhere.  Not seldom its "just" worms.  He is surely not dewormed, and in short time, you must deworm.  Round worms are common in kittens, tapeworms not common, unless they were flea infested.

He has also this  URI - which it too can give him this symptom of the third eyelid.

I mean, the third eyelid is by itself no sign for a eye problem.

Re  litter: use some unscented  non clumping litter.  Being so small, he may test to eat anything, including the litter.  You dont want him to get clumping sand inside.

Be very mommy to the little one.  He is tiny, should be with mom and littermates perhaps  6-8 weeks more...   You will manage, but you must work on it.

You do live in the USA?   We do have adresses on cheap spaying clinics.   The same clinics are probably willing to do common treatment a lot cheaper than your average fashionable vet clinic...

Good you are aware there are differences between cats and dogs.  Much is similiar, but for example, some medicines  are NOT the same, or at least, they have different dosages.  Even if the brand name is the same - you must look up if it is the version for cats...

So, a knowleable person can take some shortcuts.  But if you really dont have a clue, the safest is to go by the official ways, ie take advice from a vet who is used to work with cats and kittens.

Good luck!