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Original poster

Stray kitten, do I keep it in?

27 replies

POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:25

Cat sitting for a relative, and a sorry looking kitten has been showing up. I say kitten, it could be a very malnourished young cat. I can feel her ribs Sad I’m here 2/3 times a day feeding the residence cats.

I contacted a rescue earlier in the week but it was late, and the kitten had ran off by the time I managed to speak to someone.

Anyway, kitten is now back, it’s freezing outside and there are fireworks going off all over the place.

It’s too late to contact a rescue, and I’m not sure whether to keep her in? I’ve got to leave shortly too.

My main concern is that she has fleas, I don’t want the house to get infested (don’t feel comfortable giving flea treatment, not knowing her age and she weighs about a feather).

I can keep her separate. Alternatively, there is an outside cat B&B set up in the garden (area is full of strays, charities are aware of this and relative does what she can)

I wouldn’t like to post a photo (sorry!) as she has a very distinguished face, and I’ve sent the photos to rescues which will probably end up on their facebook etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:27

Sorry, sounds callous about the fleas It’s not my main concern, but the only one I can’t think of a solution for.

OP posts:
HoleyCoMoley · 27/10/2018 20:28

Fleas can kill kittens, is there a vet she can see for treatment. Can she stay in the outdoor b&B if it's warm and dry, is it in your garden.

SpottingTheZebras · 27/10/2018 20:29

A local vet surgery will take her and scan her to see if she has a home.

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Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:32

It’s my relatives house/garden, I have to go to work shortly so can’t be here overnight to keep an eye.

I can’t find a nearby vet that’s still open (online anyway)

OP posts:
Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:33

Either way I will be back in the morning and can be in touch with cats protection just not sure what to do tonight

OP posts:
NotSoThinLizzy · 27/10/2018 20:35

Shut her in somewhere warm with food that's easily cleaned out after then you have a chance call a vets and get her looked at tomorrow. If she disappears tonight you might not find her again

BabyMoonPie · 27/10/2018 20:37

You could try ringing a local vet. Their phone may divert to the emergency /out of hours vet or give the emergency /out of hours vet's number and they may be able to help

Jlynhope · 27/10/2018 20:40

Put her in the bathroom or something. Please do not leave it outside!!

Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:41

I have to be at work for half past (and home before) so I don’t think I’ll have time to call vets. Though I can on the way to work and can nip back on lunch break if I get through to a close one.

Do you think the kitchen is ok to leave her? How quickly to fleas infest rugs?

OP posts:
viccat · 27/10/2018 20:48

Can you not take her home? Not ideal to leave at your relative's house... But if you must, then the bathroom is best - obviously toilet lid and any windows firmly closed, and the door needs to be closed so well that the resident cats can't force it open. And you'll need to leave a litter tray and food/water of course...

Fleas don't infest a house that easily - nearly every litter of foster kittens I get in has fleas and my house has never got a flea problem from it as the kittens are kept in one room and my own cats are flea treated.

Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 20:56

My relative wont mind (if that’s what you meant) and I’ll be back early tomorrow morning to check in and call CP.

I have 3 cats and family visiting so nowhere to keep her in peace (only one bathroom which would be probably used a lot you see)

She was terrified when I showed her the litter tray Sad but she knows it’s there.

OP posts:
SputnikBear · 27/10/2018 20:57

Id keep her in, poor little soul. Give food and blankets, take her to a vet or rescue tomorrow.

Shinesweetfreedom · 27/10/2018 21:02

Cats protection are on Facebook

CFSKate · 27/10/2018 21:17

Keep her in, it's very cold and fleas can be fixed later.

Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 21:18

Right, thanks everyone. Had to get home to get ready for work so I’ve left her in there with food, a blanket (last glimpse of her was awkward kneading with one paw) and a tray but she cried when I put her in that.

When I’d spoken to a rescue last time, it had been after office hours and all they could advise was to get her to a vet the next day. They informed CP for me anyway, so I will email CP tonight and take it from there.

It’s so heartbreaking, she wasn’t hissy or anything but just terrified stiff if I so much as breathed too loudly. She wasn’t even trying to run away this time, just curled up in a corner.

OP posts:
bringbackthestripes · 27/10/2018 21:26

Please come back and update us op when you manage to speak to CP. So glad she let you get her in so she is nice and warm.

Original poster
POPholditdown · 27/10/2018 21:51

I will do! She looked so confused. I tried to get her to play a little but she took no notice, so I just sat there for a bit and she eventually came and sat next to me. Still no playing though!

OP posts:
Original poster
POPholditdown · 28/10/2018 10:40

I got through to an emergency vet early this morning but they just offered to check if she’s chipped, and take her in if she was poorly. They said ‘she might be owned and unfortunately, some people just don’t believe in fleaing and neutering’. Sad The neutering comment was because of some other details I’d mentioned.

I get that ‘different people’ and all that, but I don’t think I can face sending this little bag of bones back outside in this weather, if she’s not chipped.

Luckily, CP have been in touch and said they use a different vet, and have put a call back on for their welfare team. So as soon as they let me know I can take her to their vets, we’ll be on our way.

She had a few poosplosions too, and ended up stepping in it Envy she was not happy with being cleaned up.

Oh, I’ve only iust realised I posted this in chat too, do you think it’s best moved to litter tray or shall I just leave it?

OP posts:
bringbackthestripes · 28/10/2018 18:50

I hope the CP vet is more helpful. Poor little thing. Maybe the poop issue is the reason she’s so thin. She is lucky you spotted her and let her in & are trying to help her- yes maybe move to the litter tray.

Original poster
POPholditdown · 28/10/2018 19:49

CP have taken her in, yay!

They think she’s actually a year old - I could almost fit my hand around her waist area so that should tell you how small she is Sad

She has an infection, and there was blood in her poo but I spoke to them later and she has settled well with meds. There’s a possibility that she’s pregnant, not 100% sure.

She was just a little angel, I’m so happy she has somewhere warm now and that she will hopefully be rehomed to a good owner.

OP posts:
Jlynhope · 28/10/2018 19:51

OP I love that you have taken such good care of her and gotten her help. You are awesome.

retainertrainer · 28/10/2018 20:02

Well done,you’ve done a wonderful thing. She’ll have a lovely life now.

bringbackthestripes · 28/10/2018 20:06

So pleased she has been taken in and will be getting all the help she needs. She was lucky you are so caring and got her somewhere safe, sleep well tonight knowing you have saved her and ensured she wasn’t going to be suffering. Well done. If they ever update do pop back on and let us know

Shinesweetfreedom · 29/10/2018 11:07

Lovely job op.You saved her.Cats Protection are fab.They will always help.

Hippychick78 · 29/10/2018 11:24

This has warned the cockles of my ♥