Advice for abandoned kitten - Paw Talk

Neth · #1 06-18-2006, 03:33 PM

Just a while ago, my brother called from the truck stop and said there was a kitten in bad shape lying next to the doors. We drove over there, and a kitten about 1 month old (maybe a bit more) was laying out in the 97 degree heat with a bowl of water the owner gave it. It has a sore on its tail, scratches on both hind legs, and smelled terrible. We took it home and I washed him off. He's now in a cage with a small bowl of food and a bowl of milk, along with some water. He's not really skinny, but I'm worried about his legs. He staggers around his cage and isn't using his right hind leg. He hasn't touched his food or water either. I'm thinking he just might be weak from the heat, but if he doesn't get better in the next few days, i'll take him to a vet. I felt his leg all over, and it's not sore to the touch and doesn't feel broken. Does anyone have any advice to make him more comfortable? Thanks a bunch!

Millimi · #2 06-18-2006, 03:34 PM

I think this kitten needs to see a vet ASAP.

Neth · #3 06-18-2006, 04:47 PM

We can't really see a vet if there's nothing very wrong (like a broken leg or a bad injury) because we're a bit low on money right now... We're still trying to pay off our vet bill for our horse. The tip of his tail is broken, but healing. It's just kind of hanging there, but he doesn't seem to notice. He hasn't eaten or gone to the bathroom yet. If he still hasn't eaten (or drank) by tomorrow, should I force feed him? I gave him a little milk earlier with a syringe, but he didn't seem to want to eat. I want to take him to the vet badly, but we just can't right now..

Keritsubo · #4 06-18-2006, 05:34 PM

I agree, vet ASAP if you can find a shelter willing to have a look at him for reduced price or something.

You said he's only a month, so about 4 weeks old, yes? It may be possible this little one has no idea what to do about food because he isn't weened yet. I'd perhaps get yourself a bottle and a milk supplement from the pet store and see if he'll take a bottle. Get some food and liquid into him is probably the biggest concern now. If he takes that, great! Maybe you can get him taking that at least and then get him slowly onto the food. Start with wet food since it may be more amusing and easier to handle for him. Plus you can put a bit more water with the wet food and hopefully hydrate him faster. The milk you are using should be a feline milk supplement as I said, not just regular milk. Cats can have issues digesting this, especially being so young.

A kitty in a new scary place may take a while to use the litter or go anywhere else even. They do when they are frightened but sometimes not at all. I would not handle him moer than need be if he seems frightened and hiding.

Keep him separated from the other cats. Don't let him use the same litter box or even make contact since he might be carrying something icky. Check for fleas too and take care of those qick before they infest your home.

Hope that all works out well.

Neth · #5 06-19-2006, 10:25 AM

Thanks for your replies. I'm taking him to the Humane society as soon as it opens. Yesterday while I was holding him, he started to pee on me, but then blood came with it.

No vets or shelters were open last night, so I gave him water and bedded him down for the night. Luckily, he's still lively this morning but no poo and still not hungry. I held him for a while and got him to play with a string. He acts like a normal kitten except for the appetite problem and the leg. What's odd about his leg is it just seems paralyzed or something. He can control the thigh but not the leg below his knee. I really want this kitten to survive, so if yall could give him your thoughts i'd be really grateful. Thanks again.

petpredicaments · #6 06-19-2006, 12:17 PM

My thoughts are with your little kitty. Let us know how he gets on, I'd love to hear

Neth · #7 06-19-2006, 01:10 PM

Update: I called all the shelters in my area; 3 of them said they couldn't take strays for some reason (including the humane society), and one said by the description I gave them, they'd probably have to put him down. The kitten (which i've started calling Neko) suddenly got his appetite back and tried to eat a whole bowl of cat food/water (a small bowl) but I'm not letting him eat too much at once. Some great news too! He finally pooed!

I've decided to keep him for a few days longer and see how he progresses before taking him to a shelter. The only apparent problem now is his leg. He seems to be able to scoot around pretty well on 3 legs, but he always wants to go back to his cage. Right now i'm just going to let him sleep, eat, and hopefully get better. I'm about to go right now to the store and get him some high quality wet kitten food. If we do keep him, and he always has a limp, we're going to make him a house cat. Here's a couple pics of his temporary home and him, of course.

yay! poo!

yeah, sorry, i'm wierd.

He doesn't look too thrilled, does he?

His "home"

Sorry about the bizarre pic sizes, photobucket is being stupid.

petpredicaments · #8 06-19-2006, 01:28 PM

he a real cutie.and i'm happy to see his poo look good!

Nara · #9 06-19-2006, 02:03 PM

He's adorable and I'm glad he's doing a little better. He reminds me of a little lion, lol.

jewels · #10 06-19-2006, 02:59 PM

what a pretty boy!

i bet if you keep him and keep nursing him, he'll turn out to be huge!! that's what has always happened anytime my family has nursed a stray scrawny boy kitten - they're all 10 pounders!

kathydip · #11 06-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Oh you should definitely keep him! You just cannot take a chance they will put him down b/c of his leg! I agree with the bottle feeding. It really makes the kitten bond with you. I bottle fed kittens and I still have Bean. She lets me do anything to her!
I should have realized this before if he seems to not be pooing hold him on your lap belly up. Gently rub his belly and if need be his tush. Like a momma cat cleaning him. It helps them "go" although that poo is pretty well developed so I am not sure he will need the help. Just make sure you have something on your lap that can get pooed on. I had to do this with the runt of the little I bottle fed. Definitely got him replacement momma cat milk. No cows milk as that can really upset thier tummies. He probably needs the momma milk for at least a little while longer.
He is just too cute! I so miss having a kitten. My baby is one of the kittens I nursed and she is now 10!

Keritsubo · #12 06-19-2006, 04:09 PM

Very adorable!! I'm so glad to hear he's made a great turn around. He'll get around on 3 legs no problem once he gets his strength up and gets used to it. I hope that'll start working too but just may not...

kathydip · #13 06-19-2006, 04:11 PM

3 legs only makes him even more special!

jewels · #14 06-19-2006, 04:18 PM

you could even try a tablespoon of cottage cheese for him - it's a little easy for them to digest and it'll be easy for him to eat since he's so young, you could even mix it into his kitten chow to make it softer and easier to eat

millie121 · #15 06-19-2006, 06:05 PM

Awwww, good luck! I just can't fathom someone abandoning a baby like that. I hope he can have a healthy, happy home with you! Someone on a different forum linked www.imom.org , you may check that out. I don't know about the criteria you have to meet or anything, but they help people with finances of pet illness/injury.

He's a doll!