2 weeks old cat, - kinda emergency :(

katherinep1225 · Nov 11, 2015

Hi, guys, I found this new abandoned baby kitten on the street this morning - seems like only 2-3 weeks old.

I spotted the kitten two days ago (alone) but I thought the mommy cat was only absent for that moment.

It’s been two days and I just took the kitten into my house, and fed him some milk for kittens.

But there’s blood in his stool (diarrhea, to be exact). It looks like the blood comes from the anal region, not intestinal blood. The anal region is red and puffy, so I just gently wiped it with warm wet towels. Is it normal for a baby kitten to have blood in his stool? I called my vet (I already have many many pets) just a minute ago and she said that 2-3 weeks-old babies are unpredictable and the symptom could be caused by all kinds of problems. She just said ‘give it some time and feed him well,’ But I’m so nervous right now - Does anyone of you have an experience of rescuing very very young kittens? Help me please

talkingpeanut · Nov 11, 2015

You are going to need supplies. You need kitten milk replacer (powdered by PetAg is best), a needle-less syringe, a kitten bottle, a hot water bottle or microwaved sock filled with rice for warmth, and a kitchen scale. You should weigh the kitten to see how much food it needs and also to make sure it's gaining each day.

For it's sore bottom, you can put a bit of olive oil on it to soothe.

The kitten needs to be fed one drop at a time from a needle-less syringe for now - let it swallow and then repeat. Once it gains some strength and gets the idea you can probably switch to the bottle. Feed it like it would nurse from mom, on its tummy with its head up. Burp it afterwards.

You also need to help it go to the bathroom. Try stimulating it before and after every meal. You can use a warm damp cotton ball.

Also can you post photos?

NewYork1303 · Nov 11, 2015

Thank you for rescuing this baby!

Blood in a kittens stool is not normal, but can be caused as your vet said by a ton of different things, often parasites. For now keeping the kitten warm and fed is very important. The kitten needs to eat every two hours or so (through the night as well) and be kept warm with a heating pad on low or a sock filled with rice and microwaved for a minute.

Work for now on taking care of the kitten and get it to a vet (that knows a lot about young kittens) in the near future. It may be good if you can find a vet that will let you just bring in a stool sample so the kitten isn't exposed to more illnesses. Though with the inflamed bottom area it probably is because of that. If it is bright red blood, and not black dried blood then it is from the lower intestine area or even just the anus itself.

Here's an article about baby kitten care: [article="0"]Hand Rearing Kittens[/article]

juleska · Nov 11, 2015

You've got great advice already so first I'll just say THANK YOU for rescuing this baby and good luck! If you don't have a heating pad and can't do the rice trick, I've also used a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. If you don't have a rubber hot water bottle then use an empty glass bottle if you can (I've used empty vodka bottles, work great) as it holds the heat longer than a plastic bottle would. You can also use your body heat to keep him warm. Body temperature is sooooo critical at this tender age.

Do pick up kitten milk replacer, it should be easy to find in your area. Over time you can start to introduce him to soft food. Since you have a vet, see if they'll do a de-worming treatment for him. Also check him for fleas. If you do see fleas you can wash him from the neck down in warm water and Dawn dish soap. Otherwise don't bathe him.

YouTube has some videos about how to stimulate the bowels and bladder without hurting him.

When you find orphaned kittens, the odds are really stacked against them. He's very lucky to have you no matter what happens next.

katherinep1225 · Nov 12, 2015

talkingpeanut said:
this is him yawning! he's smaller than my galaxy s6 phone. thanks for your advice

I'll update how it goes including more photos after getting some sleep!

thanks!

katherinep1225 · Nov 12, 2015

I think it is always hard to raise babies - throughout all the species.

thanks for the link and useful advice

katherinep1225 · Nov 12, 2015

thanks for your advice too

I am actually using both a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and heating pad.

And I have cuddled him whenever he's asleep. so I think I keep him warm and good!

he seems healthy now - no more blood in his stool for now!

thanks

talkingpeanut · Nov 12, 2015

He's adorable! How are the feedings going? I'm sure it's exhausting caring for him all through the day and the night, but it will be well worth it!

zed xyzed · Nov 12, 2015

He is insanely cute!

handsome kitty · Nov 12, 2015

Two things not mentioned yet. The kitten and the food must be warm, not hot but warmer than room temp. The kitten cannot digest the food properly if it is cold. You should also give the kitten unflavored pedialyte so he/she doesn't become dehydrated due to the diarrhea. You can mix the powdered KMR or use half water, half pedialyte.

Watch for fleas, they can be deadly, but don't wash the kitten. Use a flea comb and dip the comb in a water and blue dawn solution to kill them.

You can also use a warm damp rag/cloth to wipe the kitten down like a mom cleaning it.

dbljj · Nov 12, 2015

was told my little rescue could not have had his eyes open more than 3 days, He looked like a drowned wet rat. First night all we had was soy milk and an egg, we took the yolk out and mixed it with soy milk. Had a straw my sister tapped to pull a little in the straw while I held his mouth open. After 5 small swallows he fell asleep and was purring. He slept all night long never even woke us up. Next morning about 8.5 hours later we went thru the same routine. I was leaving the campground and returning home So I stopped by a Pet-smart Banfield hospital, they looked him over combed out one Flea,( but said there were probably flea eggs) said he was too small for flea meds but to bathe him in Dawn detergent twice a week for 2 weeks. bought a bottle and formula while there, they made an appt. for the next day, and gave me all the meds and deworming he needed for the next week or so. He was tiny there was very little medicine in each syringe, they were labeled what to do for each day . Later had him declawed and fixed. He is a whopping 25 pounds now and runs the house.

StefanZ · Nov 12, 2015

DBLJJ said:
was told my little rescue could not have had his eyes open more than 3 days, He looked like a drowned wet rat. First night all we had was soy milk and an egg, we took the yolk out and mixed it with soy milk. Had a straw my sister tapped to pull a little in the straw while I held his mouth open. After 5 small swallows he fell asleep and was purring. He slept all night long never even woke us up. Next morning about 8.5 hours later we went thru the same routine. I was leaving the campground and returning home So I stopped by a Pet-smart Banfield hospital, they looked him over combed out one Flea,( but said there were probably flea eggs) said he was too small for flea meds but to bathe him in Dawn detergent twice a week for 2 weeks. bought a bottle and formula while there, they made an appt. for the next day, and gave me all the meds and deworming he needed for the next week or so. He was tiny there was very little medicine in each syringe, they were labeled what to do for each day . Later had him declawed and fixed. He is a whopping 25 pounds now and runs the house.

Nice story, including this about the emergency feeding with soy milk with a en egg yolk added - using a straw. But Im sorry you did declawed him. I understand it was your way to show," Im adopting him now for real, I even put into him good money paying the vet to declaw him". I do understand it. Still, its the wrong way. A nice fancy climbing tree with several scratching places would cost as much, but be much better.

Welcome to the TCS forums!

ladybellac17 · Nov 14, 2015

He's soon cute!!!! Your a great mommy. Keep up the good work. Too sweet this poor baby. Lucky to have you. [emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128570[/emoji]

dbljj · Nov 14, 2015

I understand your point but he refuses a scratching post we have had 3 different ones Also he still religiously sharpens his paws daily on a fave upholstered chair.my older deceased cat was the same way. His fave was the end of couch daily. He also goes up 2 shelves on the cat tree,sits in bathroom window for hours. Has no trouble jumping on the counter to top of refrigerators which is where he resided for 2 days observing new kitty.also he observes the grand kids from there when they visit

Quote" it was your way to show," Im adopting him now for real,"

I always take my rescue to be fixed and declawed(front only), get their shots etc. Not to prove any point but just taking care of them as well as my furniture.When I was really young we had lots of outdoor cats and a barn. I always loved black cats etc, But each one I have had since then picked me 2 were orange striped Tabbies, first a female that got stolen, then Tigger who some one thought was the female . I put up a notice and phone numbers in case he was lost, 2 responses but it turned out not theirs, so we got him fixed and had him 15 years...

we will just agree to disagree declawing is the right choice for my house and my kitties..

dbljj · Nov 14, 2015

We always warmed a handtowel or receiving blanket for my little one before putting him in for the night. we had him in the master bathroom in a Petmate carrier. Of course by morning he would peed on it, took everything out for washing, cleaned carrier, as he got a bit bigger we left Petmate open to give him access to liitter box and water. He still managed to tear up the carpet by the doorway trying to get to us in the next room if he heard us move in the mornings.

funny part was I was told Mama cats lick kittens butt to stimulate the bowels,"'well I NOT licking this kittens ass", was my response(lol) but a warm wet rag gently rubbed there did work.

talkingpeanut · Nov 14, 2015

DBLJJ said:
I understand your point but he refuses a scratching post we have had 3 different ones Also he still religiously sharpens his paws daily on a fave upholstered chair.my older deceased cat was the same way. His fave was the end of couch daily. He also goes up 2 shelves on the cat tree,sits in bathroom window for hours. Has no trouble jumping on the counter to top of refrigerators which is where he resided for 2 days observing new kitty.also he observes the grand kids from there when they visit

Quote" it was your way to show," Im adopting him now for real,"

I always take my rescue to be fixed and declawed(front only), get their shots etc. Not to prove any point but just taking care of them as well as my furniture.When I was really young we had lots of outdoor cats and a barn. I always loved black cats etc, But each one I have had since then picked me 2 were orange striped Tabbies, first a female that got stolen, then Tigger who some one thought was the female . I put up a notice and phone numbers in case he was lost, 2 responses but it turned out not theirs, so we got him fixed and had him 15 years...

we will just agree to disagree declawing is the right choice for my house and my kitties..

I understand what you're saying and it sounds like you give your cats a great home. I would like to encourage you to try trimming your new cats claws weekly or using soft caps instead of declawing him. It's a painful, destructive surgery that is illegal in many countries. It sounds like your cats have adapted well, but you've gotten lucky. Especially with having this kitten almost from birth, you have an opportunity to train him and protect your furniture as well as your cat.

fostersrule · Nov 15, 2015

DBLJJ said:
I understand your point but he refuses a scratching post we have had 3 different ones Also he still religiously sharpens his paws daily on a fave upholstered chair.my older deceased cat was the same way. His fave was the end of couch daily. He also goes up 2 shelves on the cat tree,sits in bathroom window for hours. Has no trouble jumping on the counter to top of refrigerators which is where he resided for 2 days observing new kitty.also he observes the grand kids from there when they visit
Quote" it was your way to show," Im adopting him now for real,"

I always take my rescue to be fixed and declawed(front only), get their shots etc. Not to prove any point but just taking care of them as well as my furniture.When I was really young we had lots of outdoor cats and a barn. I always loved black cats etc, But each one I have had since then picked me 2 were orange striped Tabbies, first a female that got stolen, then Tigger who some one thought was the female . I put up a notice and phone numbers in case he was lost, 2 responses but it turned out not theirs, so we got him fixed and had him 15 years...
we will just agree to disagree declawing is the right choice for my house and my kitties..

Your cats scratching your furniture is a behavioral problem that can be fixed in a much more humane way with patience, understanding, and the right methods. Declawing is a cruel quick-fix. You've been lucky with your cats that have been declawed. Someone adopted a kitten from the shelter I volunteer at (even signed a contract agreeing to never declaw) then declawed the kitten then she returned him because he wouldn't use his litter box afterward. They can also develop arthritis since they are forced to walk differently than nature intended. Some of them become biters because they don't have anything to defend themselves with but their teeth. Some shelters euthanize declawed cats immediately due to this. I understand that declawing is normal to you and sometimes it is difficult to try and understand that something you've known to be normal is no longer accepted as humane but please reconsider and try looking into behavior modification techniques as well as the many problems that declawing can cause both behaviorally and physically. People and countries aren't against declawing for no reason. My guess is that your furniture is not more important to you than your cat's well-being. We just bought a new couch and are using this opportunity to train our cat to not scratch it. He ruined the old one. It is not easy but it is going well. Also, he's 10 so he's not a baby anymore but he's living proof that old cats can still learn new tricks

katherinep1225 · Nov 15, 2015

thanks for your advice and .. more stories about declawing.

I'm feeding him KMR - never knew I can give him pedialyte. thanks

the poop is a big more solid than before and he's well rested. - I try to get some sleep whenever possible.

It is incredibly hard to take care of a baby. (Thanks mom, and dad!)

here's another picture of him.

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 11.35.35 AM.png

katherinep1225
Nov 15, 2015
1

good day everybody

fostersrule · Nov 15, 2015

That face! So cute! Has there been any more blood or has he still been clear of that? Keep up the good work!

zed xyzed · Nov 15, 2015

omg he is so cute

2 weeks old cat, - kinda emergency :(

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