More orphan kitten problems =(?

Question

Theres 2 orphan kittens that i have, someone dropped them off at my doorstpe and i began nursing them back to health about a 4 or 5 days ago.. I've run into a few problems... with one of them, every time they sleep and i go in there to check on the kittens, he has a bunch of eye boogers all over his eye, one day it was closed because of that stuff, is there any form of treatment needed to be done? it has been slowly going away recently...

With another kitten, they eat canned food fine, i poured some water in it so they can get plenty of fluid. Are they not eating enough? They gobble that stuff down like theres no tomorrow, i always put my full attention on them and let them cuddle with me all the time, but they just keep meowing like they're wanting something, i cant determine what it is! Every once in awhile they'll just lay down on me and purr really REALLY loud, i often let them sleep on me for a couple hours, unless i have to go do someting. Any ideas on what they want?4.5weeksol

When the kittens sleep, one of them often lays down on the other, like the neck more often... is that bad? Im worried it may suffocate the one on top, this is my first time caring for kittens, just lots of stress on me :(

I have little money currently, the family is in a bad financial state, we cant afford much for these kittens but a recepie i saw online for kitten milk formula, im saving up my allowance for these kittens :( there goes my new processor :'( Im keeping one of htem, hes a little fuzzy chunky kitten, with a monkey face, looks adorable :P

The eye boogers are quickly dying down, all that happens now is the occasionall little uber light green ball at the tip of the eye mostly white.. i hope that will be cleared out in a day or so...

And if there were worms would i be able to see them in the kittens droppings? Their drops seem perfectly clean and normal to me..

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

About the bowel movements...

I see them poop and pee all on their own... i havent had to help them at all, they poop alot too, so i guess they may be older than 4.5 weeks?

Answer 1

First off, how old are your kittens? If they are under 4 weeks, then they need to still be on milk. You can get some KMR milk replacer (available on drsfosterandsmith.com) if you can find it in the store. Petsmart also has milk replacers. Just make sure it isn't cows milk! Feed every 2 to 4 hours depending on age ( if 3-4 weeks, milk every 4 hours and a little bit of wet food to start a transition) If they are 4 weeks or older, you can feed them wet food. I suggest pouches of wet food that have cutlets. That stuff contains gravy which will help keep them hydrated. My rescue kittens are now 7 weeks old and they still meow like the are starving! So, as long as you're feeding them a can about twice a day, that is enough. If you feel like they are still hungry, try feeding them dry food in between meals. About the eye. Your cat has an what we call "cold in the eye". It's basically just an eye infection. It needs an antibiotic ointment. There is some ointment you can by called Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment for Cats. No need for a prescription (drsfosterandsmith.com not petsmart: maybe another pet store). You just put some ointment directly on the eye 2 to 4 times daily as needed. It will clear up in a week. Eye infections are typical in kittens especially if they were feral. I've used the ointment many times and it works wonders! Until then, just wipe its eye everyday with a warm, wet cloth. As soon as you can though, despite all my recommendations, this one is the single, most important! Take your kittens to the vet! Most kittens have tape worms and it needs to be treated. An annual is a must!

Sorry, ignore the first part, I see how old they are :)

Answer 2

I got a kitten that was just a couple days old a few years back (It was a sick, abandoned stray not a kitten I yanked from its mom). You can't give it a flea dip until it's at least 6 weeks old (or whatever it says on the bottle) but you should comb out the fleas daily. Go to the pet store and tell them the age and they'll be able to show you a nutrient rich milk alternative to feed it. They usually run about $10. I had to use a dropper until my kitten could drink from a bowl. Put a warm soft sweater or blanket in a box for it to nuzzle into during the night but with it being summer it'll probably be okay outside for now depending on where you live. If it's got the sleepy eyes use a damp cotton ball on each one giving it a quick swipe. I'm guessing your mom won't pay for it to see a vet and if you love the kitten it means doing the right thing even if its hard. Post an ad on your local craigslist explaining the situation and give it to a family that will spend the money on a vet. My kitten ended up costing over $1,000. Since it's so little it will be easy to find a family that will take care of it. Since the other two died already you need to be quick getting it to a family that will have it checked out and treated. My kitten is now a healthy pretty six year old cat but when it was a baby nobody would touch it because it was so sickly looking so don't assume it's just going to die unless you keep it. Good luck!

Answer 3

They sound like they're acting pretty normal to me.Kittens meow a lot at that age.Are you feeding them any dry food? It's got more calories.I would get some dry kitten food and some KMR milk replacer and moisten the dry with it so they can chew it. You can add a little canned food,too.Feed them 4 -5 times a day.You need to take them to a vet for vaccinations and worming,because they are vulnerable to all kinds of viruses at this age,especially when they are not getting mother's milk.As for the kitty with the sore eye,this is very common in kittens,too.Wipe it with a cotton ball and warm water a few times a day,and if it doesn't clear up,you will need to get an ointment from the vet.

Answer 4

Well, the eye boogers is what sparked me to try to answer your questions.

If this kitten starts to cough or sneeze, it could be URI, upper respiratory infection, or, a cold. It starts off with runny eyes or nose, leads into coughing and sneezing. If left unattended, it can cause the cat to sleep a lot, become lethargic and can even cause death. It can be cured tho with anti biotics from a veterinarian. So, it would be a good idea for you to watch this kitten for any sign of a cold. URI is very contagious between cats as well. It could be an irritation to his eye, you could wash it a few times a day by using a white wash cloth or paper towel with warm water. If it doesn't go away after a few days, then it would be time to call a veterinarian for further advice.

I would also suggest to you that you introduce these kittens to dry food, also known as kibbles, but, my favorite expression, crunchies. Can food is okay for cats, to a point. It can cause their teeth to decay very badly. Where as crunchies helps keep their teeth clean of tarter build up. So, pick up a box of kitten crunchies and give them some every day.

As far as them laying on you and purring? They love you and are so happy to be a part of your life. Besides, they like the warmth from your body.

I hope this advice helps in your new kittens. Enjoy them!

Answer 5

Take them to a vet. They can answer all of these questions. But most likely they are just eating a lot because they are kittens (my kitten will do that too). Another suggestion is getting some dry food. It isn't as appealing as canned food so they might not eat as fast, and you could just leave out a bowl of dry food, so they can eat some whenever they want. As for the meowing and loud purring, most likely just normal kitten behavior! But still, you should take them to a vet if they haven't gone already.

Answer 6

They're probably eating like crazy b/c they're kittens and they most likely have worms. Is the kitten w/ crusty eyes sneezing? If so, the it's probably an upper respiratory infection. If not, then it could be something serious like distemper. Maybe you should take them both to the vet for a check. Canned food is much better for them than dry b/c it is much higher in moisture content. Many cats who are fed dry only develop problems w/ urinaty crystals, etc b/c they're constantly dehydrated.

lahoma
http://www.ahealthierpet.com

Answer 7

kittens normally live some sleepy seeds in their eyes, the mom usually licks it off.
you did not mention much about the kittens bowel movements.... they are unable to have bowel movements on their own. To simulate the mother who licks the kittens anus to get them to have a bowel movement, use a wet cotton ball and rub their anus. (sorry this sounds so bad... but it is true.)
Al;so use a wet cotton ball to wipe their eyes off.
Felines usually eat only when they are hungry so you can put down as much as they will eat.
Some Cats are prone to talking to you. after you have them for a while you will know what their different meows are. it sounds like they are happy to be with you and want you to know it. When they purr they are definitely happy! Are they using a liter box? Cats can learn up to 50 words. my cats like to sleep with me... and I can tell by their actions if someone is at the door, and many other things by watching them. Congratulations on your new pets you will find them very interesting, and they will add much to your life!
If these Kittens are real young, be sure and give them milk for a while. Adult cats should not be given milk as it gives them diareah. If the puss on its eyes doesn;t go away, check with a vet they could have pink eye.

Answer 8

I've nursed tons of kittens back to health. One of the key things is electrolyte fluid. Like pedialite for babies, they can drink it straight or mix with water. It works excellent on dehydration. With the eye crust I would clean it daily with a warm clean cloth and try to get most of the crust out and also any puss around or in the eye. I would try to also get some neomycien for it soon. Good luck

Answer 9

well most kittens as well as pups will eat until they make themselves sick... they don't really know when to stop...this is kinda gross for some people but kittens need help going potty when they are young this my be why they are meowing all the time.. take a small damp towel and rub their bottoms it also could be just because they are young and don't know what else to do (just like human babies).. for the eyes also take a small damp nuke warm cloth and genitally rub the eyes clean.... yes it can be because it is sick .. be sure you are feeding them kitten food because they need more protein then older cats so the food is diff.

Answer 10

You should take the booger eyed cat to the vet rite away he has some parisite maybe tapeworm. Its not going away its going deeper into the cat and will eventually kill it if you don't take it to the vet. The second kitten may want a toy or food. Try toys they need lots of attention 4 hrs a day.