Skinny stray kitty

danih

We have a stray kitten, was just given to us this afternoon. A friend found it in the road a few miles away. Don't know anything about background.

We think he's about 4 weeks old. Very easy handled, a real sweet wee thing, and purrs so easily!

But he's too placid - has spent the last few hours sleeping and sitting looking around him. And he's very thin. I can feel the top and sides of all his spinal bones, all of his ribs

Everything is working - there has been some short walks. He has eaten, drank,and peed. he pood this morning while my friend had him.

I have wormed him, and will ring the vets in the morning, hope to get him in tomorrow evening.

Every couple of hours he is placed in front of water, wet food, and dried food turned into a mush with warm water - all good quality, high meat content products.

I'm worried about his weight, and how placid he is.

Anyone been in a similar position? Any tips?

balletshoes

you're doing everything right, and you're taking him to the vet asap - fingers crossed he just needs feeding up and you have a new furbaby .

Lilyjade

Kittens this young can go down hill very quickly, I would be getting him to a vet tonight. Or in my experience most cat local cat rescues will have experience of hand rearing so at least please call a local cat rescue tonight (not a big organisation), they will be able to advise you further. I know it's important to keep them warm and feed regularly (even throughout the night), but it all depends on how old he actually is.
Being placid can be sign that all is not right. Well done for taking him in though. Fingers crossed for him.

teddysmum

He's probably bewildered, bless him. Out in the big world when he should still be with is mum.


A few years ago, my son's newsagent employer found such a baby, while walking his dog around 4am and , as his dog was cat aggressive asked me to take care of it until the local pound could collect him.


He too, was quiet , but as my soppy large cavalier (who never had any interest in girl dogs) wanted to mount him and I feared he'd be hurt, I asked a neighbour, who had cats, to look after him.


He never went any further and grew up to be boss of the household.

ladymarmalade

You are doing everything correctly. I wouldn't worry about him being placid yet for a few reasons;
a. he is very young....too young to be away from his mum really. They are very placid at that age.
b. it sounds like he has been through a lot in his little life, he is probably getting used to his new surroundings
c. if her hasn't been eating he won't have much enery, but obvioulsy you are remedying that.

I'm sure he'll perk up when he's had a few meals anf got used to you.

Good luck

YorkiePud_3

First of all ... you are a diamond and THANK YOU for helping this little kid who can't look after himself ... !!!

I have recently taken in my 5th cat (I'm not doing bad to say I'm not a cat person ... !!) ... he was incredibly thin and it turns out it was worms so it's great you've got your lad sorted for that straightaway because it can really do a number on them ...

If he is drinking, peeing and pooing that is half the battle won ... !
He is so young to be away from his Mum ... he is going to be very scared and worried about what's happening ... that's maybe why he seems placid ... he's happen waiting to see what happens ... you are doing a cracking job ... !! Sprinkle water over his food to mush it so it's really sloppy so you know he's not getting dehydrated.

I'd maybe have him looked over at the vets and tell then you're happy to look after him and want to do the best for him ... then take him home, give him lots of love, food and let him rest ... it is amazing how quickly they come on when they feel safe and protected and really zonk out for a good sleep ... I wouldn't worry about walking him right now ... let him rest ... worms and fleas can really knock the stuffing out of them but when you get rid of them it only take a few days for you to see them start to thrive ... !

Oh, and if he doesn't seem keen on eating much ... (and you're going to hate me for saying this ... !!!) get him the stinkiest food you can find ... sardines, pilchards ... (am shuddering as I post that ... !!) .. basically right now, give him anything he'll eat ... !
Thank you once again for helping him ... God knows what would have happened to him otherwise ... you really are an angel ... !
By the way ... more important than anything ... what's he called ... ?!

gettingready

How is the kitty?

If he is really only 4 weeks, perhaps a kitten formula from the vets would be better for him than kitty food?

What did you worm him with? Did you weigh him before giving him a wormer? For such a tiny baby perhaps would be better to worm/flea treat him at the vets..

Thanks for taking the little one in.. poor kitty

danih

Thanks for all the replies!

I spoke to the vet today, got some advice, and he's booked in tomorrow

He is drinking cat milk as well as water, and eating wet food (hi-life I think - def has 70% meat) with mushed up dried food.

He perked up last night about 11pm, then again at 5 this morning, and went wandering (I had to be up at 6 to go to work - sleepy day!) Today he has been playing! Still lots of sleeping and sitting / lying and watching what's going on.

We called him little one yesterday, Bones today. He is horrible to stroke - I can feel every outer line of his spinal bones, right down to where they join the ribs. Poor pet is all sharp angles and fluff.

We used a wormer from the pet shop - one that can be used from 4 weeks. Vet happy with this.

Might try the smelly foods too - more the merrier for this one.

I keep saying "he", but I don't know yet what gender, wee thing is too fluffy!

Still peeing, pooping, well. Good overall improvement since yesterday.

gettingready

So good news.. great

Let us know what the vet says after seeing him/her pls.

Any pet shop bought stuff - avoid anything by Bob Martin like a plague, known to have killed cats/dogs so pls never buy this stuff (flea treatment or worming by Bob Martin - widely available in pet shops but pure poison)

fairy_lights

gettingready wrote: »

Any pet shop bought stuff - avoid anything by Bob Martin like a plague, known to have killed cats/dogs so pls never buy this stuff (flea treatment or worming by Bob Martin - widely available in pet shops but pure poison)

I didn't know that! :eek:
I've been giving my cat Bob Martin flea and worm treatments and assumed that because it could be bought without prescription it must be fairly weak, harmless stuff. Scary stuff.

gettingready

Google Bob Martin and see horror stories