Upon arriving to work this morning I found a lonely, emaciated, filthy kitten. Kitten looks to be about 8 weeks of age and is ALL skin and bones. Being the animal lover that I am I went right to the pet store and bought all the essentials. I bathed the kitten, gave it formula, food, water, and a bed. Its eyes are really goopy still, even after the bath. I made an appointment with the vet, but its not for 5 more days. What is the best treatment I can give this little survivor over the next few days until the vet?
2006-06-28 13:52:00 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The formula is the best thing -- it's nutritional and hydrating. You can mix it with canned kitten food so it's soupy, too -- they usually like that.
Bathe the eyes several times a day with a warm wet washcloth. Since you've bathed the baby and gotten rid of the fleas, etc. -- that's excellent.
Lots of food, water, love & cuddles and security. Just keep it full and contented and comforted. And I'd call back the vet and say it's a bit important and fit you in before 5 days.
You've earned your karma points too, btw. The baby is lucky to have found you. And that's what happened, you know -- you've been sought out. Congratulations and blessings to you.
2006-06-28 14:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by Shadycat 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First, you have done well with the basics. At 8 weeks, a kitten needs more than formula, they should be weaned. Get a can of cat food (no dry stuff at this young age), the smellier the better, and just put a little on your finger and introduce it to your kitty's nose. It will be so hungry that it will go right to the dish and eat. I have used this method and it has worked every time...better than milk or formula. Put the litter box right next to the dish, and as soon as kitty is done eating, introduce it to the box. It will dig around, and voila...instant litter trained. Use a warm, wet cloth to wash out the eyes several times a day until you can see the vet. No eyedrops, as they can be harmful to a cat. Only warm water. Dry the kitty off with a warm towel and it should be ok.
2006-06-28 15:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by MountainWoman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if your doing all you can for the kitten. The only thing I could suggest is to see if you could get in to see another vet sooner. There are 24 hour vets all over the place. Keep a close eye on your kitty and if it shows any signs of getting worse, just take him to the animal ER in your area.
I'm a vet tech and we would never ask someone with a sickly kitten to wait 5 days before coming in! No matter how busy we are, we ALWAYS make room any sick animals. Even if we have to do it as a "drop off". Meaning the owner drops their pet off in the morning and we keep it all day and work it in during luch or between appts. There are always lots of eyes around to keep an eye on the sick pets and if they take a turn for the worse then we immediately start treatment.
I would have to question any vets priorities and abilities that would ask you to wait 5 days with a sick kitten!
2006-06-28 14:15:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're doing all you can. Be sure not to give it any cow's milk...that will cause major stomach problems.
Check the ears and if you see dark, icky stuff that sort of looks like coffee grounds, that could be ear mites. There are over the counter remedies but if you can't get one, keep cleaning the ears out each day until the vet gets a look.
I'm betting your kitten will start looking better in a couple of days just from getting enough to eat and not having to deal with the stress of being on its own.
(We have had good fortune with cat rescues...we're up to 7 now. LOL)
Enjoy your new buddy!! And good on you for CARING!!!
2006-06-28 14:00:12 · answer #4 · answered by rakuchild_shines 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the kitty's eyes, try dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm (not hot) water. Use this solution on cotton ball or tissue to gently bathe the kitten's eyes. DO NOT try to put in inside its eyes though, just the outside is fine.
You can buy kitten milk for the kitten to drink if you haven't already, and specially formulated kitten food is the best nutrition you can offer it. I found with my orphaned kitten that if you warm the food and milk up just a bit (like tepid tap water heat) if helps them to eat more without wasting energy trying to keep warm. Make sure it doesn't have a flea infestation, as these bloodsuckers can cause anaemia and thinness in weak kittens.
Other than that, keep it warm, give it plenty of attention and keep that vet appointment. Lucky you!
2006-06-28 15:15:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need to go to a different Vet. For now, just talk a warm, wet washcloth and gently clean his eyes.
I really do not understand your Vet not giving you an earlier appointment since from what you describe you have a very sick little kitten. This is a possible emergency case. He probably has a eye and/or upper respiratory infection. He also needs to be checked for internal parasites(like tape worm) and tested for FELV and FIV.
Best of luck!
2006-06-28 14:03:48 · answer #6 · answered by i_am_the_dida 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the best thing to do is just to make sure it keeps eating food. Sometimes if the animal is sick or something it doesn't eat for a while. The vet can probably give you eye drops or something for the kitten as well.
2006-06-28 13:58:18 · answer #7 · answered by Sami 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep it warm and make sure it is eating. The vet can best tell if it has a URI, which it most likely does... keep watch for coughing and sneezing so you can tell the vet. URI (upper respiratory infection) is very common in stray animals and she'll need medicine for a month unti she is better. But she should be ok. Feeding her gentle food that is easy on her stomach is the best bet right now and making sure she has a clean, warm place to sleep.
2006-06-28 13:57:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the kitten is drinking water. When we found our kitten, he could eat food but refused water, so I gave him drops of warm water from an eye dropper and forced him to drink a dropper full every hour or so. Also, never feed a kitten cold (like refrigerator cold) food or formula. We fed ours regular (canned) cat food and supplimented it with potted meat and jars of meat baby food to encourage eating and help him gain weight. Keep him warm after he eats. Our little foundling turned out to be the most loving and affectionate of all our cats!
2006-06-28 19:35:36 · answer #9 · answered by boysmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did get kitten formula, I assume. People formula is not good for them. Goopy eyes are usually an upper respiratory infection. It can wait until you see the vet. Until then, just love her, feed her, and thank you for rescuing the kitten. May Bast smile on you.
2006-06-28 13:59:18 · answer #10 · answered by warriorwoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋