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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

FOUND! One tiny little kitten.....

27 replies

karmakoala · 13/12/2013 10:17

Dd2 just brought home a tiny little kitten, approx 4 weeks old. She saved it from being run over by a car but what to do with it now?!

OP posts:
everythinghippie29 · 13/12/2013 10:20

stamps foot Why do I never find tiny kittens Sad

In all seriousness though, 4 weeks is very young. I would keep it warm and try and get to the vets as soon as possible as it will need formula and will dehydrate very quickly.

I'm sure someone with better advice will be along soon!

Hope the little one pulls through. Sad

SummerRain · 13/12/2013 10:22

Oh dear, it's very young poor thing.

There's a chance it may manage solids but if it really is just 4 weeks it will still be relying on it's mothers milk for the most part, if not exclusively, so the first thing you need to do is ring a vet and have it checked over and get the vet to give you kitten formula and a feeding bottle.

Apart from that all they really need at that age is warmth and lots of sleep.

Can you post a pic and I can try and confirm it's age for you?

purrtrillpadpadpad · 13/12/2013 10:23

Eek, poor kitten, and your dd is absolutely marvellous for saving it. Definitely vets, also perhaps limit the contact you have with it, 4 weeks is very young and it might not have developed fully in a behavioural sense, I think they learn a lot about how the world works from their mum and siblings but need to be with them for 6 weeks (could be wrong on this).

Guttersnipe · 13/12/2013 10:25

Where ARE all these kittens people find? I wish I could find one!

I would take it to the vet and be guided by what they say.

Original poster
karmakoala · 13/12/2013 10:28

Thanks guys, no chance of getting to the vets as it's 9.30pm right now (we're down under). Will try to post a pic of said (very cute) kitten.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 13/12/2013 10:31

If its young it won't know how to lap to rehydrate.

If nothing else you need an oral syringe and cool boiled water so it doesn't die from dehydration.

Vets in the uk have to be open & available 24hr, that's why they have emergency numbers you can ring and speak to a nurse.

Original poster
karmakoala · 13/12/2013 10:34

Photo on profile, it's sideways sorry!

OP posts:
Guttersnipe · 13/12/2013 10:36

You need to make your profile public Karma.

Helpyourself · 13/12/2013 10:36

Can't see the picture. Have you got it to the vets? Are you eye dropping it water?

cjdamoo · 13/12/2013 10:40

where are you Karma? On the off chance you are near me who is also down under and has a nursing mumma cat :d

cozietoesie · 13/12/2013 10:41

Warmth, liquid and food. See if you can get to a vet as quickly as possible - but if there's really no chance of that, see if you can find a local cat rescue and try to call/speak to one of their volunteers. (They're sometimes available 24/7.) That way, you might be able to get some formula and a means of getting it into the kit, bottle or syringe.

It sounds as if the wee scrap has been through a dreadfully rough time so liquid, warmth and a soft quiet cuddle are important right now - it will likely be pretty shell shocked. Try to keep things quiet, darkish and calm and don't let DD2 get over-excited. The kit will have a rough few days - even if it survives - after what it's probably been through.

Best of luck

Original poster
karmakoala · 13/12/2013 10:45

Think I have fixed it now, he can lap so hopefully not as young as I first thought. Vets first thing in the morning for us after no sleep making sure he keeps feeding!

OP posts:
Original poster
karmakoala · 13/12/2013 10:46

CJ, you know me I'm on your fb friends list

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 13/12/2013 10:47

Ah good - he's taking in liquid?

Guttersnipe · 13/12/2013 10:47

He's so cute! I think at the age he appears to be, you could probably leave him overnight as long as you ensure he has had something to drink/eat, he is secure, and perhaps some sort of makeshift litter tray? You never know, he might know how to use it.

BertieBowtiesAreCool · 13/12/2013 10:48

It looks about 5 or 6 weeks to me - adorable! Try some kitten food as well very mashed up, it might be able to eat a small amount, but obviously keep going with the milk. Don't feed it human baby formula, you can usually buy special cat milk in pet shops and supermarkets, because cow's milk isn't very good for them either.

There are also these: kittenformula.blogspot.com/

cozietoesie · 13/12/2013 10:49

Yep - he's older than 3 weeks. (As far as I can see standing sideways!) Thank Goodness.

cozietoesie · 13/12/2013 10:49

Older than 4 weeks.

cjdamoo · 13/12/2013 10:51

hahaha Of all the people its you :o shakes head at shrinking world

cjdamoo · 13/12/2013 11:00

Btw hes VERY cute

Original poster
karmakoala · 13/12/2013 11:02

We went to the supermarket and bought kitten milk and food, he's lapped the milk quite well and has a few mouthfuls if the food. At present he is being cuddled as he cries a lot when put down.....

CJ, we're practically neighbours Grin

OP posts:
SummerRain · 13/12/2013 11:03

Yep, I'd say 5 weeks. His ears are uptight and his face has lengthened, plus his legs look quite long.

He still needs to be checked over but if he's drinking there's not as much panic to get him to a vet.

He's very cute Grin

stickysausages · 13/12/2013 11:09

Awwwww!!!

tabulahrasa · 13/12/2013 11:12

I'd guess older as well...one of mine was from a neighbour's accidental litter, so I saw her lots before she left her mum and she looked like that at about 7-8 weeks.

Though, she's a mini cat now, so it's hard to judge accurately, lol.

timtam23 · 13/12/2013 21:39

Very cute karma
It looks similar in size to the tiny stray kitten we took in a few months ago (found under our car bonnet) - I thought 5 weeks old initially but vet said 7 weeks old going on weight & general appearance (There are 2 pics on my profile of the first day we got him - he is now 5 months old & fast asleep on my lap Grin)

Keep us updated!