ASK THE VET

Posted in: Pets on June 25, 2010 at 2:51 pm |

Dear Dr. Jill,

I found a litter of kittens around my garden shed that appear to be abandoned.  I heard from a friend that our local shelter is overrun with kittens and I am scared that they may be put to sleep.  What can I do to help these poor babies?

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Holly, Palisades Park

Dear Holly,

Most people don’t have a clue what to do for an orphan kitty. Doing the right thing when you first find a kitten can make the difference between whether the kitten makes it or not. It is always best to have your vet give them a quick once over to make sure they are healthy.  The following are orphan kitty care tips courtesy of Dusty Rainbolt, kitten rescue expert and the author of Kittens for Dummies.
1. Keep the kitten warm. Wrap her up in a towel or tee shirt to place her under your shirt to warm her when you first find her. A week old kitten needs to be kept at 90°.
2. Feed her replacement milk formulated especially for kittens. Don’t use human milk or puppy formula.  Kittens have specific nutrient requirements that you can only get from kitten formulas.
3. Never hold a kitten on her back to nurse her; she could choke on the formula. Rest her on her tummy and hold the bottle from above.
4. Kittens under three weeks can’t go to the bathroom on their own. Moisten a cotton ball with warm water and massage the kitten’s private parts. Soft, gentle circles mimics the mother’s tongue and stimulates the kitten to potty. Don’t use any pressure; it’s the stroking motion that gets the job done.
5. Most stray or feral kittens will come to you infected with worms or parasites. Diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms. But the kitten could also have a potbelly, little appetite bloody poop, weight loss and just look unhealthy.  Check with your vet immediately if your kittens look unhealthy.
6.  Check your orphan for fleas. Remove them with an extra fine flea comb with metal teeth. Never use flea treatments on a kitten unless your vet says it’s okay.
7. Any time you notice your kitten just isn’t right, take her to the vet. She’s much more susceptible to disease than kittens with real mothers. Keep an eye out for diarrhea, congestion, not eating, or constant crying.
8. When you start to find a stool or notice the linens are damp, it’s time to teach her to use the litter box. Just put her in the litter box after he eats, when he wakes up and after he’s been playing.

For more kitten tips, check out Kittens for Dummies, by Dusty Rainbolt.

Tags: Kitten Palisade Park