6 week old rescue, help!

haleyds

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Hey there, I just adopted/rescued a 6 week old kitten who's mother was somehow killed. (Might have been another cat) but they were both extremely feral, and I dunno if there were anymore kittens or how long this little one has been on her own. The vet says she's around 6 weeks old, but she's very tiny and was filthy. She's eating solid food with a little milk replacement added, and has already bonded with me. But my question is, what next? I've never had one so small and although I'm sure she will be healthy soon I dunno where to go from here. Also, her bum is very irritated from being so filthy, what can I do for that?
 

stormy bledsoe

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For her little butt, you have two options. One, hold a warm cloth to her butt. Two, hold her butt under a warm gentle stream of water. Every time she potties, you will need to do this to keep it clean. Your vet may be able to give you an ointment for her butt. Just keep it clean and dry unless you're cleaning it.

If you found her near your house, I suggest going to look for other kittens around her age and trying to get them homes. 

As for "what's next?": Love her, feed her, wipe her butt, play with her, give her a blanky, and spoil her.
I would supplement her dry food with KMR[kitten milk replacer] to get her to gain weight if she's underweight and tiny. Is she eating alot? She may be in need of a bath. Fill the sink with about half an inch to an inch of warm water and set her in it, holding her. If she freaks out, use a warm wet cloth to wipe her down.

Can we get pictures?

OH! and when she's old enough, get her spayed. About 12 weeks is a good age.
 
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haleyds

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@stormybledsoe thank you for the butt information! And I actually did not ffind her near my home, a friend of mine had been trying to catch the mother for weeks but didn't ever get close enough to realize she had kittens, I've completely searched the pplace over because I couldn't stand leaving them out there! As for the bath, I already accomplished that and she did very well with only a little complaining. She just pooed so I'm about to do the warm water over her since she seems to be in a great deal of pain with the rag. Thank you!
 

stormy bledsoe

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Awww, she's a cutie patootie!

What do you mean, no tail? Like a Manx no tail, or the tail was bitten/otherwise removed? You'll have to dry her butt[by patting a paper towel or rag on her butt, if its irritated, pat, don't rub].
 

stormy bledsoe

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I'd ask your vet for something for her butt, as well, if she's in a lot of pain from it.
 
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haleyds

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I've already patted her dry, and I've read that the gentle diaper rash ointment for newborns might help, but I plan on going back to the vet soon if it doesn't get better. And like a Manx, it's one little tail bone that wiggles. She even has slightly longer back legs.
 

stormy bledsoe

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She might be a Manx, can you post a pic of her rear end?

I don't know about newborn ointment, but I have a fat cat who is too cat to keep his own butt clean, so I have to wash his butt for him and I dab a bit of neosporin on his butt because it kind of hurts him after I wipe his butt. I can't see how newborn ointment would hurt him, though.
 

stormy bledsoe

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Also, if she's showing any type of separation anxiety from being away from mommy and siblings, get her a stuffed animal to snuggle with.
 
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haleyds

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That's the best one I can get, she's really hyper. But she's actually doing well on her own. I've been leaving her alone for about 30 minutes at a time just to help her adjust.
 
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haleyds

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More questions about my 6 week old rescue, but she has pooped twice today and has a generally healthy appetite (not over eating), both poops were wet but not necessarily running, but with the second one she took quite some time to finish and at the end there was a tad bit of blood, but not like mixed in. Is this from her straining or from like worms? She will take her first dewormer tomorrow.
 

momofmaxwell

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Hi haleyds.

it is possible from straining that yes irritation in the colon can cause blood.Great to deworm & then kinda go from there.Poops should be soft logs.Not balls ever.If you were to hypothetically pick up this log with a tissue it should droop at each end.Kinda hard to explain.The kitty litter should stick to it if using clumping as it lands.Great that you are observant!! I deal with people all over the world dealing with mega colon in cats.You can google it.Not nice and a lot of the times us humans pay more attention to an empty bowl rather than what we receive at the other end.Long term harder poops lead to chronic constipation which can lead to MC.it is an epidemic.So no after deworming no blood should be seen nor should your kitty have any trouble pushing a stool out ever.Hydration being key as kitties drink very little water originating from the desert.If you are feeding an all canned diet,which i hope you are, just adding a tsp here & there into the canned meat making a slurry like oatmeal goes a long way as per good Bm's.Not too much that kitty won't eat it though.HTH Hugs C.Your kitty may have diarrhea after deworming.Some kitts do.But it should not continue after say 2 days.if it does contact your vet.Also some kittens require deworming twice depending on just how full they are..
 
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haleyds

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Thank you!she's a little more runny this morning, so the dewormer is coming her way. Also buying milk replacement powder to see if she likes it more than the liquid stuff, jus want that tummy to feel good!
 
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