My friend found a newborn cat and offered it to me. Where could I take the cat to get cheap shots or checkup?

Question

It's not that I'm cheap; I'm just not ready to spend four hundred dollars on a cat (like I said, he's a newborn). Could someone suggest places to bring the cat to for free or cheap checkups/shots. Does the ASPCA do this? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Just trying to save a cat

Answer 1

It is pretty much pointless to take a kitten to a vet until they are about 8 weeks old unless you think there is something wrong with him/her. I took my orphaned three week old to the vet and they just charged me $40 to tell me to bring him back in 5 weeks. Do you know how old it is? I'm not sure HOW newborn you mean. If it still has it's umbilical cords it's probably between 1 and 3 days old. If it's eyes are still closed it's are probably between 1 and 10 days old. By 10 days it's eyes should be open. At about 2 weeks, it should have teeth coming in. If it is attempting to stand. then it is possibly 2 to 3 weeks. If it is starting to play and it's ears are standing up, figure it's age at about 4 weeks. If it is running and is difficult or impossible to catch, it is probably between six and eight weeks of age. Don't feed human milk! This is bad for them. You can feed KMR which you can find at a petstore, or if it is around 4 weeks old, you can begin feeding wet and dry food. 1 and 2 week old kittens need to be fed 6 times a day, and 3 and 4 week old kittens need to be fed 4 times a day. After that, you can give him/her free choice or feed on a normal schedule such as morning and evening. Make sure it has somewhere warm to go as well. Young kittens need to be kept at between 75 and 80 degrees. You can use a small heater or hot water bottle or heating pad if necessary. Also, if the kitten is under 3 or 4 weeks of age, you need to stimulate after feeding. This is where you take a damp towel or cotton ball and gently rub their tummy or anus to make them do their business. If it is around 4 weeks of age, you can do this in a litter box to begin potty training. Do not bathe the kitten unless absolutely necessary because this drops their body temperature too low. Ok, now, if the kitten is about 8 weeks old, a local shelter can probably do the shots at a discounted price. My vet only did two shots every 2-3 weeks on my kitten, so be prepared to take it pretty often. At about 4 months of age, a kitten can be either neutered or declawed if you decide to do this. There are also discounted shelters and clinics where you can do this. I don't know what one would be in your area, but if you go to a petstore or vet, they should be able to tell you where one is close to where you live. Petsmart gave me the name of a wonderful local discount clinic, so they should be able to do the same for you. Hope all this helps and good luck with your kitten!

Answer 2

Well, if the kitten is atleast 8 weeks old, the only shot you absolutely NEED to get is a rabies, which will run you $10, put that with a regular vet check which runs from $30-$50 here, depending upon the vet office. So, you cant invest 60 bucks in this kitten for now? If not, then find it a new home. If you are unsure how old the kitten is, you need to take it to the vet. Are its eyes open? Does it have teeth? The vet can tell you the age, when to start solid food, when to come back for shots,neuter,etc.

Answer 3

If you know its a stray cat and you know that you and your other cat will get along with the new cat then yes go and get it it's shots and a nice flea bath and let him stay with you and your other kitty!! Hes not always going to be a outside cat, we got our cat was he was like 1/2 a year and of course he wants to go ouside, its cat instinct to want to go outside but Mr. Cooper should be able to live a happy and healthy life inside with you!!

Answer 4

what do yo mean by newborn??
a kitten doesn't start shots until they are 6-7 weeks old.
if it's newborn meaning it's under 4 weeks it need mother replacement milk which you can buy in pet shops, wal-mart and some grocerystores.
Tehy need to be bottle fed and stimulated to go to the bathroom by taking a warm washcloth and rubin around where tehy pee and poop.
When they are 4 weeks old they need to be started on moistened kitten food which you slowly add dry food to until they are eating dry food.

Answer 5

i would just call around to the different places in your area. that way you can also find out if there are any aditional charges. and you can find out which places recommend what kind of shots since some don't sugest certain ones that you might want for the kitty depending on its condition.

Answer 6

when it is bout 8 weeks old go to farming store like co-op and get a 7 in 1 shot. cost is under 10 bucks.

Answer 7

You could try the local Humane Society or I know Pet Smart has clinics, just call and get the hours that they are in.

Answer 8

NEWBORN?? Don't woory about shots and check ups yet, worry about KMR [kitten milk replacement] and warmth for the kitty!!

Answer 9

Caring for a newborn kitten is very difficult:

http://www.acfacats.com//orphan_kittens.html

for more info.

Answer 10

Most veterinarians will give you a stray discount. Neuter Corp. also spays/neuters at a reasonable cost. Look in www.whitepages.com for things like that in your area.