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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

Young kitten care...

22 replies

girliefriend · 21/09/2014 20:34

My mum has picked up a very sweet but tiny kitten today, approx age 6 weeks old. The mother cat had killed one of the kittens 2 weeks ago so had been separated from the kittens and the general conditions the kittens were being kept in were less than ideal so hence why my mum took him early.

He has drunk some kitten milk but not eaten anything all day, he is very sleepy and he has been sick once Sad he was seen by the vet nurse earlier as he was covered in fleas and been sprayed with frontline. Will obviously take him back to the vets tomorrow if he hasn't picked up but was wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2014 20:46

If he's had fleas taking his blood plus a poor diet/maternal care he's not going to be well.

Poor little thing. We knew a breeding queen who killed all her kits. On the third litter the breeder had her spayed. She just didnt like being a mum.

He needs warmth and plenty of food. He must feel like crap. I wonder if mum was stressed so she killed the kitten because of that?.

What about mum though? She doesn't sound like she's in a good home.

Original poster
girliefriend · 21/09/2014 20:55

Thanks fluffy he is being given lots of cuddles but has been sick again Sad he hasn't eaten anything since this morning altho drank some milk but am wondering if that is what has upset his tummy?

The queen is being spayed next week - thank God, she is only young herself and had at least 3 litters Sad. The conditions in the home aren't ideal but could be worse and I think she will be fine once she has been spayed.

Am hoping this little one will make it through the night Sad he is looking very sorry for himself.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2014 21:07

She has to be prepared for the worst then. He must feel so poorly.

Hopefully the spray is working on those fleas.

Keep offering milk but don't force it, you don't want it aspirating into his little lungs.

Hopefully he will bounce back.

Original poster
girliefriend · 21/09/2014 21:15

Thanks, we were picking the fleas off him this afternoon - bloody big things!

Think we are all prepared that he may not pull through praying he will.

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MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 21/09/2014 22:15

Is he pooing and weeing by himself? I know by 6 weeks kittens should be, but if he is undersized etc he might need stimulating to poo and wee and won't go otherwise (in which case he won't be able to eat). (You stimulate them by holding them up and wiping the bum and bits with a damp flannel or similar)

Poor little thing.. at least you have tried to save him.. hope he makes it .

Original poster
girliefriend · 21/09/2014 22:20

Funnily enough Medusa I did suggest this to my mum earlier, she pulled a bit of a Hmm face but was willing to give it a go Grin he did wee a small amount by himself but no poos yet.

Am feeling bad as it was me who asked my mum to take the kitten and now its really not well.

Any tips for getting him to eat something?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2014 22:29

If he feels poorly he won't want to eat much. Leave him overnight and see how he is in the morning.

You wouldn't want to eat if you felt ill.

cozietoesie · 21/09/2014 23:00

Poor wee soul.

I would sleep with him/next to him all night, fleas or no fleas (ie a bit more than cuddles.) Sometimes just having a big warm body breathing next to you can buck up the life force/morale enough to get you through the night.

Best of luck to him and let us know how he gets on overnight

cozietoesie · 22/09/2014 09:28

Did he make it through the night?

Original poster
girliefriend · 22/09/2014 19:13

Hi sorry for late reply, been at work and then dd had a friend over to trash the house play.

Yes my mum ended up sleeping on the sofa with him, he slept on her shoulder all night. He seems better today, I saw on another thread someone suggested mushing up kitten food with some hot water to encourage them to eat so she tried that and he did eat some.

Am hoping he is on the mend now Smile

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cozietoesie · 22/09/2014 19:17

That's great news - maybe he's on the mend indeed.

Is your Mum bonded to him now? Wink

Fluffycloudland77 · 22/09/2014 19:20

Oh good. I hope he makes it.

Original poster
girliefriend · 22/09/2014 20:01

Yes just spoke to mum, she is feeling very relieved i think! He has picked right up, eating small amounts of soft food every 2 hours and even a few biscuits earlier. Phew!!

Thanks for supporting ystd Smile

Mum spoke to the vet this morning who said as long as he is eating not to give him anymore kitten milk, this may have been what made him sick ystd.

Mum is completely in love, she said she had to pop out earlier for a bit (after lots of deliberating about whether he would be alright Wink ) and when she got back he ran to meet her his favourite spot is on her shoulder tucked under her hair.

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Original poster
girliefriend · 22/09/2014 20:03

Will try and get you a picture at some point, he has such a sweet face.

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cozietoesie · 22/09/2014 20:09

Ah right. I forgot to mention a possible consequence of sleeping with him other than her bonding with him - which is no bad thing. He may become an 'I-have-to-sleep-in-bed-with-my-Mom-every-night' sort of cat! Grin

Once the fleas are gone of course.

It all sounds so much better - so best of luck to them both and let us know how he gets on.

Original poster
girliefriend · 23/09/2014 23:08

He is feeling much better Smile

Young kitten care...
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isseywithcats · 23/09/2014 23:16

awww hes georgous if hes got an upset tummy just make sure he has access to clean fresh water at all times as it will help to flush through any bugs that may be lurking as some cats are lactose intolerant the dont need kitten milk and it can be too rich for their little tummies

cozietoesie · 23/09/2014 23:22

He is just gorgeous - tiny as well?

I'm glad he's better.

Smile
fackinell · 23/09/2014 23:36

Aww I can't see pic on mobile site. Mine can always be tempted with lik e lix cat yoghurts but they're not suitable until 3 mths. Worth keeping in mind for future reference though.

Original poster
girliefriend · 24/09/2014 13:14

He is gorgeous, lovely face and very sweet and soppy. He is tiny, the smallest of the litter and apparently was given a hard time by his bigger brothers, I am sure he wasn't getting his share of any food as well.

Wouldn't have taken a 6 week old without good reason but think he was taken just in time tbh.

Now going from strength to strength though Smile gaining confidence, still eating small amounts every 2 hours. Have not given any more milk and he has constant access to fresh water.

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cozietoesie · 24/09/2014 13:28

That's good to hear - and with your Mum dancing attendance on him (?) he stands a much better chance of making a good strong boy although he's not completely out of the woods yet.

Did the vet worm him as well or was he just too weak and frail for that when he was taken in? That (and the timing of his first shots) might be worth discussing with the vet practice in the near future. (They might be a little surprised he's still with you!)

Original poster
girliefriend · 24/09/2014 13:49

They didn't worm him as thought the stress of spraying him with frontline and changing home it would be too much. He is booked in for jabs at 9 weeks and mum will definitely be asking about worming him then.

My mum is slightly obsessed with him Wink and is panicking about having people over incase they accidentally tread on him Hmm he now has a little barrel tummy as well Smile

I am really hopeful that he will be o.kay now

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