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

Really worried about our new rescue kitten, any advice?

52 replies

TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/06/2013 19:55

We've had him just over 2 weeks. Background is that he was more or less dumped at a supermarket with his siblings (there were 8) the owner was there and claimed they were 8wks old but seemed pretty clueless.

Anyway, we took him to the vets a few days after he was rehomed with us (so, 9wks by owners dates) and the vet felt that he was very small for his age - maybe only 6wks old, but he could just be a small build of cat. So he's now anywhere between 7-10wks old.

He is very thin. His hips are extremely pronounced, and he barely eats anything. The recommend amount of wet kitten food for him to eat is 2 pouches. on a good day he might eat one. We've bought different/brands types of food and offered him a variety but he still doesn't eat enough - and favours complimentary cat food eg cooked chicken or dried food (but worry he doesn't drink enough water for that) but doesn't eat very much of those either.

He sleeps a lot and doesn't seem to want to play, very clingy to me and DH.

He doesn't scratch either, not anything at all, his claws get stuck in everything and he just hangs from his claws and waits for you to rescue him.

His fur on his back is starting to look a little greasy too.

Am I worrying about nothing? He's back at the vets Friday after next, and hates being in the cat box (honestly, goes insane) so reluctant to take him back sooner unless they can help.

OP posts:
TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 15:26

We've just got back from vets - he was totally placid the whole time (including in cat box!) He's lost quite a bit of weight in the 10days since they've last seen him, so they gave him fluids and antibiotics and are running blood tests to check organ function. I should get the results later today.

Would really appreciate crossed fingers for him.

OP posts:
out2lunch · 12/06/2013 15:34

Ahh bless him x just seen this.We had a rescue who was only about 4wks old.We had to syringe feed it was a stressful time - he had terrible diahorrea too so lost weight and took ages to pick up.Once he got eating and growing he got stronger and stronger.
Fingers crossed.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 16:05

Unfortunately results are back - very low protein in blood, so either a liver or kidney problem.Sad either way prognosis isn't great.

DH gets back tonight and we'll decide how to proceed.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 16:39

Poor wee lad. So many troubles in such a short life. At least he's had some love in it as well - from you.

Did the vet give any indication of what might be wrong or where you might go from here?

TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 16:52

We can do a urine test to pinpoint whether it is the liver or the kidneys that is the issue, and then if liver a liver screen to see what the problem is there - but it's most likely something he was born with and either way their may be nothing that can be done, big surgery, long term drugs... there's no simple solutions.

I'd like to do the tests and get a clearer idea of what's wrong, but if after that the prognosis is very bad. i'm not sure whether I can put him through all that.Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 16:55
Sad
TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 19:24

I think we have decided to put him to sleep.

I feel awful, but I just can't see him surviving any of the treatments the vet discussed with me. I forgot to mention but there is a neurological issue she spotted as well, probably related (eg, if it's an infection it's reached his brain, or if it's a birth defect there are also defects in the brain) he weighs about 500g and is so underweight they can't treat his fleas - how is he going to survive surgery? Specialist diet was another one of the options but vet felt it wouldn't work as he hasn't got enough energy to actually eat anything...

I can't see a test result that will save him.Sad

He's asleep on me right now.

OP posts:
StuffezLaYoni · 12/06/2013 19:25

I really am sorry.
It's a horrible decision but you've got to consider his quality of life. Poor little thing.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 12/06/2013 19:39

Yes. We've always said that we would put quality of life first. Following through is another thing! Especially with such a tiny kitten. He hasn't lived yet. He's never walked on the grass.

The friend who rehomed him with us is getting in touch with the owners of his siblings so they can be checked out, just in case.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/06/2013 21:54

Give him lots of love tonight. My heart goes out to you all.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 13/06/2013 16:14

He's gone now. We saw a second vet this morning who agreed pts was the right thing to do.

Thank you all very much for your help.

OP posts:
TeWiSavesTheDay · 13/06/2013 16:15

By the way... I took him outside this morning so he could walk on the grass for a few minutes - he loved it Smile

OP posts:
Justfornowitwilldo · 13/06/2013 16:20

That was a really lovely thing to do. You're very kind.

georgedawes · 13/06/2013 16:28

How sad but I think you did the right thing. Hope you're ok x

cozietoesie · 13/06/2013 16:42

Yes - hope you're OK, TeWi.

ClartyCarol · 13/06/2013 16:48

Blimey I'm all choked up, it was the bit about him walking on the grass and loving it. Poor mite. Hope you're okay OP.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 13/06/2013 16:57

I'm okay... bit teary. It cones in waves I think.

He was even worse this morning - licked some gravy off the MrsT because he didn't have the energy to chew, perked up when we went outside - there was a bit of a breeze pushing the longer grass around and he was batting at it Smile but got very tired again quickly.

I know it was the right thing to do, and I think he enjoyed living with us.

I'm not sure I can face burying him though. I might ask DH to do it.

OP posts:
TeWiSavesTheDay · 13/06/2013 16:57

Mrst? Chicken...

OP posts:
ClartyCarol · 14/06/2013 14:16

Yes, get your DH to do it and plant a nice flowering shrub or rose or something.

I laughed at MrsT randomly popping up!

Madratlady · 14/06/2013 14:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 14/06/2013 15:44

Ratlady - this thread is only 2 pages long. It's really insensitive not to read all the ops posts at least.

It was a bit random Clarty! Grin DH buried him.past night. It's got a slab on top for now, but I think we're going to paint a big stone with the kids.

OP posts:
lljkk · 14/06/2013 16:00

You did good, OP. RIP kitten.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/06/2013 16:28

I'm sure it was a genuine mistake. She did ask mnhq to delete it but they haven't yet.

I pm her as soon as I saw it. I was hoping you wouldn't see it.

cozietoesie · 14/06/2013 16:38

We've all made mistakes on threads, I'm sure (I know I have) - it's just that the OP is a bit raw.

BristolFashion · 14/06/2013 17:21

Tewi, I'm in tears and letting him walk on the grass is the very kindest thing I can think of. I'm glad he was with you and I'm sure you made the right decision, even though it was hard. xx