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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

URGENT tiny 5 week old kitten

31 replies

OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 18:13

I was given a stray kitten today, from a farm - there was 4 found, they've all been handed out to people that can care for them, I have had one before and its now a terror, but this one is smaller

took it to vets, it weighs o.4k thats tiny!!!!

Help me, im scared it will die :(

ive fed it 5ml of kitten milk with a syringe and its now in a box on a hot water bottle

its a bit sleepy, was more active earlier but now seems very sleepy / floppy

OP posts:
ShoutyBag · 09/08/2011 18:34

bumping for you and hoping pinot sees this!

lubeybooby · 09/08/2011 18:36

Keep an eye on it and try and feed every couple of hours - but yes bump for pinot who will know more...

thisisyesterday · 09/08/2011 18:42

did the vet not give any advice on how to care for it?

i think they are quite sleepy aren't they?

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 09/08/2011 18:43

Ok don't panic. The smallest in my litter who are 3 weeks 2 days is 299g. Try feeding little and often and keep nice and warm. They do sleep a lot and look a bit alarming sometimes, we were a bit worried about one of ours earlier but he was just tired.

After you have fed it, wipe it in the bottom area with a piece of towel to help stimulate it going to the toilet. Not sure they need it at 5 weeks but better safe than sorry.

ShoutyBag · 09/08/2011 18:54

link to pinot's kitty thread, just in case you hadn't heard of it

here

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 18:55

well it shit all over me in the vets so I dont think it has a problem, its just had another 10ml of milk and is crying :(

OP posts:
5inthebed · 09/08/2011 18:59

Can you shove him own your top? Poor little baby, hope he perks up.

Try PMing Pinot, she might have some sound advice.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 09/08/2011 21:11

I guess it is missing the other kittens and also isn't used to being handled yet. I hand reared a cat from 2 weeks once and used to stick her under My neck which she liked. Down your top also a good idea.

Sorry, I know how stressful this is Sad. Have you got some scales you can weigh it on? Seeing the numbers go up hopefully will help.

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 21:19

Im taking it back to the vets on Thursday for a weigh on their super acurate scales (they arent charging me or any thing0
)

think they were pretty impressed that I'd taken it on as this is the 3rd cat ive had this young.

My lab keeps licking it :)

OP posts:
WynkenBlynkenandNod · 09/08/2011 21:27

You are a star for doing this, a huge well done. Keep your nerve, it is difficult when they are tiny but it may just have been very small at birth and could be that as a percentage of birth rate is has done OK.

Sounds like your vet is great which helps a lot. You do know what you're doing (far more than I do), am sure it will settle down soon and things will feel a bit better.

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 21:39

5ml every hour so far, DP has been convinced to cuddle it as its crying - as Im trying to write an essay!! It's bloody cute see

OP posts:
mycatsaysach · 09/08/2011 21:42

ooooooo so cute well done you

blacktreaclecat · 09/08/2011 21:48

Gorgeous babycat. Bless

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 09/08/2011 21:55

Oh how completely gorgeous ! I thought mine were the cutest in the world but will let yoursMihe club.That sounds good that it's taking dome every hour. Do you know if it is male or female yet?

Sorry, that should say into the elite club, can't correct it.

ClaireDeLoon · 09/08/2011 21:58

Oh adorable, well done and good luck onlywantsone. It feeding regularly is a great start.

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 22:01

it nibbled some kitten meat from the bowl, thats a super good sign isnt it?

OP posts:
Purplebuns · 09/08/2011 22:06

So cute and looks quite healthy to me, glossy fur and clear eyes and eating meat is a good sign. Good luck :)

hellymelly · 09/08/2011 22:19

That is the world's sweetest kitty.All sounds good to me,and I second the "down the jumper" tip.I took in two kittens found in a shed and that was the one thing that comforted them.I think they were about 6 weeks old.Even in old age they liked to sleep close up to me,on my head being the top place,I would try and sleep with a big furry purry hat on.

5inthebed · 09/08/2011 22:40

Oh he is adorable!

Ys, eating kitten foo is great. Does he have a name?

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 09/08/2011 22:48

DD1 has named him/her as Bubbles to replace the first Bubbles that died last summer unexplained at the age of 1... just died, out stretched on the kitchen floor one morning like she was fast asleep :( we both still cry about it now.

OP posts:
5inthebed · 09/08/2011 22:50

Oh how sad Sad

Joolyjoolyjoo · 09/08/2011 22:55

Sounds like you are doing everything right Smile Keep feeding every couple hours or so, it's good if she (?) will take the kitten food, as it will stay in her tummy longer, and she will not get hungry again so quickly. Lots of cuddles to keep her warm, which won't be too much of a chore, by the looks of her!! I'd gladly help out in the cuddling stakes Grin

Nihilisticbunny · 09/08/2011 23:06

That is one sweet kitten, grr dp for hating cats, sounds like your doing everything perfectly.

Original poster
OnlyWantsOne · 10/08/2011 07:53

well i fed her last at 1am when i went to bed, since then she's drunk her own milk from a ramekin :)

since shes been here 4pm last night shes eaten a whole pouch of kitten meat and used the cat tray twice!!

OP posts:
Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 10/08/2011 07:55

Awww, it sounds like she's thriving. What a total cutie. I would very much like to steal her and have her forever and ever please.

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