Now I'm really worried! Abandoned kitten update.

[suzbaby]

We took this poor little abandoned kitten to the vet today. He's 3 weeks old. We have formula and soft food for him. Every 4 hours I've been giving him a little of both. He's pooped 3 times today. 1st time seemed normal, 2nd a little watery, 3 diarrhea. Then he vomited twice and is now refusing to eat.

Of course, it's now almost midnight and the vet is closed. AHHH! I'm so worried. I thought we were doing ok with him. I don't know what I've done wrong or what to do now. What if this dehydration means he'll die before I can call the vet in the morning?

Sorry to keep harping the lounge with this. I just want the little guy to be ok.

[Inchworm]

1. Dunno if you have already

but call Humane Society near you.

Bebbe cats get certain stuffs from mommy.. like butt licking.

At 3 weeks you need to know what these things are to help a critter live.

:hug:

[Quantess]

2. I sure hope the kitten pulls through.

I once found some barn kittens who didn't make it. I think they had distemper. Best Wishes to your kitten!

[Skip Intro]

3. Step back for a sec, does he seem underweight to you? Is he acting weak or lethargic?

[barb162]

4. Whatever you do, don't give him regular milk as that will cause

more diarrhea. Leave a message on the vet's line and beg the vet calls you back!!!! What do you have to lose by doing that?

[barb162]

5. the reaction he's having may be simply because he's off mom's milk

Call the vet now and leave an urgent message that he call you back.

[LeftyMom]

6. Try just the formula, he might not be ready for kitten food yet.

At three weeks he'd still be nursing exclusively and maybe just starting to eat a bit of what mom's eating experimentally. You can also get some stuff to add to the formula to help build up his immune system since he's not getting colostrum, that might help with the runs.

Are you currently feeding him via a bottle or dropper or is he eating from a dish?

[AwakeAtLast]

11. I have to agree with you about the food

:thumbsup:

[suzbaby]

7. Found an emergency vet clinic open 24 hours.

We took him in, they gave him fluids. Now it's just wait and see. We'll try to feed him again in a few hours. Thanks for all the support.

[lillypaddle]

8. That was going to be my suggestion

those 24 hour vets are as expensive as hell, though, but I guess you found that out.

Good luck with the kitty.

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. *hugs* Hang in there...both fo you!

[debbierlus]

30. I am pulling for that little sweetheart. Light and positive energy to your kitty and you

If he has fluids and he is kept warm, he has a good shot.

You are a love for taking care of such good care of him.

[Callalily]

9. Just read your update.

Hope the kittie will be okay.

You have a big, kind heart.

:hug:

[busybl]

10. I doubt you've done anything wrong. They are so vulnerable

when away from mom at that age. A couple of my fosters got diarrhea too. All you can do
is follow the vet's advice. It may end badly, but you have done a troupers job in caring for him.
We are sending good thoughts to you.

[stray cat]

12. posting just to see how kitty is hanging in there

[Lyric]

13. I second what LeftyMom said--forget the solid food and just feed him formula.

He might not like it at first because it doesn't taste as sweet and yummy as Mama's milk, but he *will* eventually eat it. How are you giving it to him--via a dropper, a bottle, or from a dish? If you're trying to use a bottle, chances are that he won't be getting enough. Those kitten nurser bottles feel a lot different than Mama's nipples, and he might not be willing to suck on them. Try an eyedropper instead.

Also, the fact that he IS pooping is a good sign, even if it's diarrhea. It means that he's getting something into his system. You might need to try a different formula (did you get KMR brand?) or make it at only half-strength for a day or so until his gut has a chance to adjust and recover.

[greenbriar]

14. How is he today?

he is too cute for words

[stray cat]

15. Oscar Milhouse (the kitty) is doing better (based on another thread)

Good news! :applause:

[suzbaby]

16. He is doing much better.

He seems to be learning something new everyday. He was a big boy and peed all by himself in the litter. I felt like such a proud mamma and then immediately felt silly that I was so proud of a cat peeing in litter.
He has been very playful, which I take as a good sign. He's eating like a champ again.
So far, so good.

Now I just have to get Bo (our 11 year old cat) to stop hissing and running away every time Oscar is near.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I'm so happy to hear this!

Yay for the little guy!

:woohoo:

[barb162]

18. Oh wonderful...I was really worried about the little guy!!

You ARE a good mom!

[kas125]

19. I know how scary it is to be a kitten's mom. I have one who is

eleven years old now but I got him when he was one day old. I was terrified that he was going to die because I had no clue how to raise a kitten. I read what I could find on the internet then and checked with my vet, but after all the reading I'd done, I knew more than he did. I was scared that I wouldn't do the wet cloth thing right and he'd never learn to use the litter box, I was scared that he wasn't eating enough with the bottle, I was scared about everything... for a few weeks, anyway. Then I relaxed and realized that he was thriving and doing well. A few months later, my sister in law gave me another abandoned kitten to care for. I was so confident that I knew what to do after having done it with the first one. Ha! That one seemed fine, but he died during the first night. I was devastated.

You SHOULD be proud of a kitten peeing in the litter - you're his mom and it's up to you to teach him about the litter box. Congratulations on your success and best of luck to you and your kitty!

[WolverineDG]

20. hee hee

I felt the same way with my street urchin, but as with human kids, positive reinforcement works very good with kittens. When he's in the box doing his thing & you see him, say "good boy, good boy" and then when he's done & out of the box, pet him & continue saying "good boy." That way he knows it's something you really want him to do. :)

Glad to hear he is doing better!!! Continued good vibes for baby kitty!

dg

[stray cat]

27. Poor Bo - give him/her lots of extra attention to let him know he is still your special cat

if possible feed them closer and closer to each other to help them associate the presence of the other cat with good things like food!

[suzbaby]

21. Just wanted to say thanks for the well wishes everyone!

:hi:

[Skittles]

22. PICTURES PLEASE YOU SWEET GAL!!!

:hi:

[suzbaby]

23. I posted these in another thread

[ThatsMyBarack]

24. His dirty little face needs washing, but....

:loveya: x 10! KITTEH!!!!!

[driver8]

25. I think I just OD'd on cuteness..., he is beautiful!

Best of luck with your new family member and thank you for taking care of this little guy!

[Skittles]

26. OMG

absolutely freaking adorable

reminds me of my own Riff Raff who I also got off the streets - here's a pic of him as a stray living in bushes in front of my bedroom window

[stray cat]

28. They could be siblings they look so much alike!

[applegrove]

31. Awe. He is so cute. And so young. I'm glad it is you who found him.

You are a good mom.