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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

Need urgent advice for a tiny kitten!

484 replies

3littlebadgers · 03/05/2012 19:00

I've rescued a kitten who has been rejected by it's mum. It was one of two, Mum took the bigger one and never returned. Poor little thing was calling for her all yesterday and it broke my heart keeping my distance but today it started to go very quiet and shakey so I've taken it in. I know nothing about kittens no idea how old it is (fits easily into my hand, massive eyes and ears, very skinny wobbly legs that look a bit too long for its little body). I've given it tiny drops of milk from a syringe (sp?) prob takes 1ml at a time before it starts to refuse. What do I do (mostly regarding feeding but other advice would be much appreciated)? Live abroad so no shelters or rescue homes so I'm on my own with this one.

OP posts:
ripsishere · 18/05/2012 11:47

Brilliant kitten, I am going to show DD later. She can amaze and astonish her friends in their IT lessons.
How's coco and Freda?

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 18/05/2012 19:59

Ok I'm meant to be on date night with DH so keeping it quick but Coco licked me hand Grin and her paw. I think you will agree a very clever kitten indeed! I'd say pretty much a genius. Freda however is still eating all my food but refussing to step foot inside the house. How rude!
I took some more pictures today while my DD (2) was having a snuggle. I'll try and pop them up tom when I have more time.

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Jux · 18/05/2012 20:09

Just gradually move the food closer to your door. Don't rush it though.

ripsishere · 19/05/2012 07:40

oooh, I properly love her. She's got the big ears of foreign cats. My two in Oman had gigantic lugholes. The vet said it was to lose heat.
Where are the new pictures

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 19/05/2012 17:47

Righto new pictures up. One having a snuggle with DD. DD is properly in love with her Smile. One on a furry pillow and one sleeping on my snoopy pjs. Still a tad worried she isn't growing much. DD is only 2 and look how tiny the kitten looks next to her (Just to clarify-not that I imagine kittens would be the size of the average 2 year old).
Pinot how heavy do you think she should be about now? I remember in your thread you weighed yours religiously. Coco is 250g exactly. Which means +75g in three weeks? Is it too little or about right?
Freda had gone missing. Went out this morning to take her breakfast out to her and she was nowhere in sight. Later saw a big pack of dogs chasing the bin cats. I really hope they've not had her Sad.

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DameHermione · 19/05/2012 18:00

Sooo sweeeet!

She is teeny. And i love r ears.

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 19/05/2012 18:04

Thanking you, I am very proud of her and she is very fond of a good cuddle which is the perfect excuse to while away the hours on MN Grin. I do hope she doesn't abandon my lap when she starts to notice the boys at the bins Shock I might have to get off my arse do some house work!

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Jux · 19/05/2012 20:10

Another aaaw moment!

ripsishere · 19/05/2012 20:11

She is lovely and glossy. I don't know anything about what kittens should weigh I'm afraid.
I don't want you to think I am presumptuous, but is there a way you can keep her in? When we lived in Oman we had cats, the bins were full of really hard cats and packs of dogs roamed around.
AFAIK, litters of kittens were * scroll down if you want to know. IMO it would be safer to keep her in indefinitiely.

*eaten Sad

ripsishere · 19/05/2012 20:12

Bollocks, that went down a lot further when it was on m computer.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/05/2012 20:43

She is very young still though, her eyes havent changed colour have they? I wonder what colour they will be.

How much is neutering and vaccinations in Turkey? I would have her done anyway even if she isnt having free reign to go out as if she gets out and has a fight they can get infected that way.

Jux · 19/05/2012 20:57

You should keep her in until she's had her second injections anyway. If you had a courtyard space which was enclosed that would be OKish as long as other mammals can't get in; you don't want her catching anything from other cats while she's so young. Normal in UK is about 12 weeks. Wouldn't recommend you let Freda in until Coco's been vaccinated, either.

Hope Freda's OK.

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 20/05/2012 06:01

Thanks ladies I will take her back to the vets in a few weeks or so when I can be arsed to do the two hours there and I'll ask about injections and worming then. We live in an apartment. We have a couple of balconies one of which is quite large which I've made safe and she likes to spend time on and I've been taking her out for a bit of suppervised play when I take my DC's out. Freda still missing Sad

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ripsishere · 20/05/2012 08:00

Sad at Freda, but you have to focus on yours.
They are a worry, not quite equal to children but sometimes close.
The first time one of my boys had a fight, I was in a bit of a quandry. I didn't know whether to go out with a jug of water (no bucket) or leave the to it.
Ginge put up a good performance and he, grey and that bloody black cat live harmoniouslly sharing the shed when it rains.

ripsishere · 20/05/2012 08:01

That bloody black cat is what it's called in our house. There is a catflap in the shed, if it rains they all go in there. When I call them in, TBBC is often second trying to get into my house.

PrincessPinot · 20/05/2012 10:43

3 she's doing great! I'm so pleased for you! Well done x

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 22/05/2012 16:20

Sad oh no Coco's died Sad

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JustFab · 22/05/2012 16:53

Oh 3 Sad.

I am so sorry.

ripsishere · 22/05/2012 16:55

What? how? when? why? what a big fat bag of bastarding arse. So sorry.

Sparklingbrook · 22/05/2012 16:56

Oh 3, I am really sorry. Sad

Pinot · 22/05/2012 16:57

Oh no!

No!

What happened? I have absolute faith that you did everything you could.

I am so so sorry.

Elephantsteaparty · 22/05/2012 17:02

I'm so, sorry.

At least she had a loving home and was surrounded by people who loved her. Her life could have been so much worse.

Hugs

CaptainHetty · 22/05/2012 17:04

I hadn't replied before but had been lurking and reading your updates, I'm really sorry to hear that :(

She was well loved and you gave her a good home x

EmpressOfTheSevenStars · 22/05/2012 17:05

I'm sorry too. As everyone else has said though, she had a lovely time with you.

Original poster
3littlebadgers · 22/05/2012 17:05

I don't know. When I took the children to school she was fine. When I got back she was fine and we had a cuddle while I checked up on Toddles developments. She likes to be near the warmth of the laptop. Then I had an English lesson and she was on her balcony which is nice and shaded but warm. I went to give her a quick love before collecting my boys and she didn't get up as soon as I opened the door Sad normally she is in like a flash. I went over to check her and she had died. Sad She just flopped in my palm and her eyes looked a bit sunken Sad. She is still in her bed at the moment not sure what to tell the DC but DS1 has his grommits op tommorrow and I don't want to upset him as he is already feeling a bit low. My dd has had a cold do you think Coco could have caught it? I feel really guilty now she was calling athroughout the night and I had a moan to DH in the morning about how I'd been up all night with her Blush Sad. DD keeps wanting to give her a cuddle and i just keep saying she's sleeping Sad.

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