Found orphaned kitten....HELP!

[Shari]

So today my boyfriend comes in holding thi box, first thing he says is, "You're going to kill me."

Hands me the box and lo and behold, a teensy tiny gray kitten is warbling around in the box. Its eyes are closed and it is about the size of my palm.

So animal lover that I am, I rush over to the petstore and buy a can of that animal formula and one of those way fucking rediculously priced bottles for it too.

Long story short, it seems to be okay now...I've been reading about how to take care of an orphaned kitten, and he seems to be doing okay.

I'm not though, because apparantly I have to...how should I say this...stimulate the cat with a wet towel to make it go to the bathroom. I mean this cat had BETTER live after having to do something so...

ANYWAY, I have it in box, with a heating pad on the bottom and a layer of blankets ontop of that. I feed it every 3-4 hours and uh...make it go "potty" every time I feed it.

My boyfriend has always HATED cats...hated them. But it seems he has started to take a liking to this one and has even opted to keep it should it survive.

I don't do anything this summer aside from go to school for 2 hours in the afternoon and I'm going to feed him before I go everyday. Ontop of that, by the time I go on vacation he should be at least 4 weeks and capable of eating wetfood and move around okay on its own.

So, does this sound like the dumbest plan ever or do I seem to be on the right track? I've always wanted a kitty and since my boyfriend seems to be getting attached, I don't want to send him to a no-kill shelter if we can keep him.

Any thoughts? Or more importantly...am I missing anything I should be doing to take care of the little guy?

[Edaarin]

Stick it in the microwave, set it to HIGH for 20 minutes, and watch the fun.

[HarmNone]

Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job being a proxy kitty-mom. Since your boyfriend seems to have taken a liking to the little tyke, I'd say the kitten is yours. ;)

HarmNone

[Shari]

You know, Edaarin, leave it to you to say some asshole comment.

[Scott]

Originally posted by Jesae
You know, Edaarin, leave it to you to say some asshole comment.

I would have said it first, but he posted too quickly. :(

[The Korean]

Keep the kitty. I hope he does ok.

[Scott]

On a side note, I hate cats.... Needless to say though, if I had seen a cat on the side of the road or whatever, I'd pick it up until it got better then taken it to a shelter. If you want it, keep it.... but make sure you want it and won't decide later down the line it isn't worth having.

[Shari]

Oh I would love to have an addition to the family. I'm just concerned that it is so young and I would feel horrible if I screwed up in trying to take care of it. Posted here to see if I forgot anything to keep him alive.

[Marl]

better get it fixed if it is a girl cat, we picked one up once about 6 months old, come to find out it was pregnant, had 4 kittens, 2 months later had 6 more, we got smart and got it fixed

[Mint]

Originally posted by Jesae
Oh I would love to have an addition to the family. I'm just concerned that it is so young and I would feel horrible if I screwed up in trying to take care of it. Posted here to see if I forgot anything to keep him alive.

Call a vet. I am sure they would be happy to give you advice. Best of luck with the little guy.

[Shari]

Yeah, its definitely getting fixed regardless of what the sex of it is. I'm going to go with my mother to a vet and see what they can suggest and check and make sure everything is okay.

[ThisOtherKingdom]

If you do keep it, don't declaw it.

[Shari]

I wont. I think its horrible cruel and it leave the cat with no defenses. Its just as bad as having ears docked on a dog.

[Wezas]

I love cats, had two growing up and whenever I go over to someone's house I spend alot of time playing with their cats. Definately keep the kitty. Do kittens need to be burped? (I thought dogs did, not sure if kittens do)

[peam]

http://www.weatherrite.com/Products/appliances/images/BLENDER.gif

[HarmNone]

Kittens do not need to be burped, but they benefit greatly from lotsa petting. :)

HarmNone has raised kittens from this age

[The Eternal Klaive]

Originally posted by Jesae
I wont. I think its horrible cruel and it leave the cat with no defenses. Its just as bad as having ears docked on a dog.

I disagree with ear docking too and am VERY against declawing... but ear docking isn't harmful, it's just body modification.

Ear docking = circumcision.

I'd have my kid circumsized if I had a son, so I can kinda understand people having their dog's ears docked for cosmetic purposes.

Declawing though... that's damaging to the cat.

[SpunGirl]

:heart: Jesae! I love my kittyfaces. I'm glad you're taking care of that one.

It's proven that indoor cats live longer, because they don't have to contend with cars, coyotes, owls and sadistic neighborhood kids (who are soon to be serial killers).

I agree, take it to a vet and name it after the street your boyfriend found it on. And snuggle it! I've held all my cats constantly from the time they were kitties, and they're all really lovey, even the mentally challenged one.

-K

Edited to add: Post a picture!



[Edited on 6-3-2004 by SpunGirl]

[crazymage]

:moon2:

[Miss Jade]

Thats how i got my cat! like 9 years ago. I'm like his mom hes never far from me. infact when i'm at home i can reach out and touch him most of the time. he doesnt know how to purr. hes clumsy.
but all in all hes the best cat i have ever owned. very friendly cat. I say keep you new cat!
________
Lexus gx specifications (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/Lexus_GX)

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Jesae
I wont. I think its horrible cruel and it leave the cat with no defenses. Its just as bad as having ears docked on a dog.

Defenseless from what? The vacuum cleaner? Mop? For an indoor cat, declawing is not only smart, but has zero bearing to the cat's health. It also saves furnature/carpet/wallpaper/doors/human skin/ankles from getting the shit scratched out of it. When I had my dog, my cat was FAR FAR FAR from defenseless.

[LordSagan]

Actually, that's not true Parkbandit. It's incredibly damaging to the cat.

A cat's claws are actually part of their paws. They use them to feel things. Declawing a cat is akin to cutting off the first digit of your finger. How would you function if you cut off the first digit of your finger? You would be clumsy and unable to feel things properly. That is exactly what it does to a cat.

There is no excuse to do this. Proper training...emphasize "Proper"...is all it takes to prevent a cat from clawing on things they are not supposed to. Properly train the cat and give the cat alternatives to claw on, and you will never have to worry about your carpet, drapes, furniture or anything else.

I've done volunteer work for animal shelters most of my life up until my last move, when I can no longer have animals due to where I am living. I've had dozens of different cats in my home over the years and never had a problem with them clawing my things.

Jesae,

when I was doing volunteer work the primary thing we did was take in pregnant cats and raise the litters until the cats were old enough to be adopted by folks. One time, we had a litter brought to us who did not have a mother with them, so we had to raise them just like you are doing. Two of the five cats from that litter ended up staying with us, because they just never could get attached to other people. Raising a cat from infancy is a really touching thing. It forms a pretty special bond between you and the animal.

From what you have posted, you are doing all of the right things. Give the cat lots and lots of attention, they need it at this age. Just sit there and hold it when you're watching TV or playing the game. Having them close to your body, where they can feel the warmth from you and your heartbeat, gives them a sense of comfort that they need. Since the mother cat is no longer around, you will also need to "potty train" the cat as well. Once you stop needing to stimulate it to go to the bathroom, and the cat starts going on its own, you will need to put it in the litter box and stimulate it there before it has an accident on its own. You may even want to start doing that now, because it will give them a sense of where to go. It will associate the littlebox with you stimulating it...and then associate the sensation of going to the bathroom with being in the box.

Happy to answer any questions you may have as you go through this. I hope the kitty is healthy and happy ;)

[Edited on 6-3-2004 by LordSagan]

[CeltarLomion]

<<---- Points at large bird:: Eat's cats. ::nods::

Jim

p.s: our 14 year old cat moves carefully through the house with the two macaws about. :rah:

[Parkbandit]

Damn.. I did not know that.

Thanks for the info Sagan. Now you made me feel bad. :(

[Wezas]

Jesae, if the cat becomes too much for you just let me know your address and I'll pick him/her up. :saint:

[Hips]

I'm with Spun, post a picture! It sounds adorable. What are you going to name it?

[Nakiro]

You should kill it. Stray cats are the single most ecologoicaly desctructive force in the world.

Do you have any idea how many species of birds have gone extinct due to cats? Its amazing.

[LordSagan]

Actually alot of people don't know how bad it is for cats to be declawed. Don't feel too bad, because it's become a part of our society to change nature to suit the needs of our species. Eventually, nature will have had enough and begin to fight back ;)

Edit: That sounded very tree-huggerish. Make no mistake, I am not a tree-hugger or enviormentalist by any means. I'm just realistic.

[Edited on 6-3-2004 by LordSagan]

[Shari]

Well...I just had one of the top five worst days of my life.

After a nearly sleepless night, I realized how unfair it was to the kitten to keep it. We have a dog door that the cat could easily get through when its older and an indoor/outdoor cat can get sick and injured easily, shortening its lifespan. Ontop of that we likely would be able to aford the shots, and fixing it as we have just bought a house a few months ago.

So...I took it to the Humane Society after having gone to 3 other places that wouldn't take it, and one that was simply going to put it to sleep. After going into a hysterical sobbing fit at the county shelter (where they were going to put him to sleep) I went to the Humane Society and gave him up.

According to the people there it was very weak and undernourished and was told even if I were to take care of him as best I could he would likely not survive. They promised that they would try to do what they could but they didn't think he would survive do to current state he was in. I was crushed.

So sobbing again, I signed the release to let them take him. They have got a pretty good program there and they even have people who act as foster parents that will raise sick/injured/baby animals until they can go up for adoption.

I have no idea what is going to happen to him. I just kept praying that they wouldn't kill him. I realized I'm not interested in owning a cat and while he was SO CUTE now, I know he would be better off (should he survive) than he would with me.

Its so frustrating seeing any animal that young in that position. This is why people need to SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PETS! My boyfriend and I have been looking to get a second dog and it just breaks my heart to see so many animals with no place to live.

I'm hoping I did the right thing, it was likely one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. I know people here were slamming on cats and it isn't even so much the fact it was a cat, but a small defenseless animal that was neglected and it kills me to see that happen.





Wezas-you are a tricksie bastard.

[Edited on 6-4-2004 by Jesae]

[HarmNone]

Sounds like you gave the issue good consideration, hon. You did what was best. If you cannot afford to get the necessary innoculations and neutering for an animal, you really should not keep one. The monetary costs involved in hand-raising a kitten like the one you describe can mount up pretty quickly.

Hopefully, the shelter will be able to find someone who has experience dealing with these little ones, and has room and time to take him in. I've fostered any number of little kittens, and it's a huge job. :)

HarmNone raises a Bailey's to Jesae for doing what was right for the kitten

[Nakiro]

Welcome to reality. Things that can't live must die, unless they're humans. Then they diserve to be taken care of by other humans.

[LordSagan]

Why should a human be any different than any other living creature?

Jesae, you did the right thing...if you can't take care of something, allow others who have a better chance of doing so to try. I know how upsetting it can be, but do not blame yourself for making the right decision.

[AnticorRifling]

Even though I hate cats you can't be faulted for trying. Compassion is a good thing even if we all don't possess it.

[Shari]

Thanks for the support guys. My boyfriend was somewhat supportive and even offered to get us another dog (since we've been looking) today to make me feel better.

I've had enough of an emotional rollercoaster yesterday, so another family addition will have to wait.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by The Eternal Klaive

Originally posted by Jesae
I wont. I think its horrible cruel and it leave the cat with no defenses. Its just as bad as having ears docked on a dog.

I disagree with ear docking too and am VERY against declawing... but ear docking isn't harmful, it's just body modification.

Ear docking = circumcision.

I'd have my kid circumsized if I had a son, so I can kinda understand people having their dog's ears docked for cosmetic purposes.

Declawing though... that's damaging to the cat.

And imposing circumcision on a child for cosmetic purposes is...what exactly?

[AnticorRifling]

Originally posted by Nieninque

Originally posted by The Eternal Klaive

Originally posted by Jesae
I wont. I think its horrible cruel and it leave the cat with no defenses. Its just as bad as having ears docked on a dog.

It helps keep duck butter to a minimum.

I disagree with ear docking too and am VERY against declawing... but ear docking isn't harmful, it's just body modification.

Ear docking = circumcision.

I'd have my kid circumsized if I had a son, so I can kinda understand people having their dog's ears docked for cosmetic purposes.

Declawing though... that's damaging to the cat.

And imposing circumcision on a child for cosmetic purposes is...what exactly?

[Latrinsorm]

:spammer:

[The Eternal Klaive]

Originally posted by Nieninque

And imposing circumcision on a child for cosmetic purposes is...what exactly?

Kind.

If you're not a guy, please don't bother with this subject.

If you are, then you should have no doubt that circumcized is better. As an infant, it's really great. Cause it'll hurt like hell if they do it later in life, and while it doesn't NEED to be done... uncircumcized males (in America) often find themselves unhappy with the fact that they have not been altered.

It can be a particularly difficult thing to deal with when approaching the subjects of locker rooms or sex. You'd be surprised how many people are completely unaware that circumcizion exists. These people may well think an uncircumcized male has a deformity of some sort.

Now, if we were talking another country here, I may agree with you. Comparitively few European males are circumcized. But we're talking America here, and if you aren't physically "standard" you will encounter criticism for your difference.

[LordSagan]

Hate to say it, but I agree with Klaive.

Many kids growing up have no idea that someone who is circumcized is not born that way, so a kid in a locker room who isn't circumcized is ridiculed. There are also health and hygene issues with being uncircumcized, which I am not versed enough in to quote here...so I won't go into them.

Suffice it to say, if you have a male child...you are doing him a favor by snipping it when he's an infant.

[Ravenstorm]

Well, from what I've read, the hygeine issues are negligible. Learning how to wash properly which takes a mere extra few seconds (the learning and the washing) will solve that problem. However, there are indications that being uncircumsized might make one more susceptible to STDS, HIV and bacterial infections as the penis under the foreskin is more permeable due to lack of frequent external contact. Of course, a condom pretty much fixes that.

And yeah, as much as I hate agreeing with Klaive, I'm forced to do so as well in this case. Further, it's not even close to being comparable to cutting off one's fingers at the first knuckle.

Raven

[LordSagan]

Raven, those are some of the hygeine issues I was talking about ;)

[Jazuela]

Parkbandit, don't feel bad. I've had 3 cats so far, each picked up from shelters as kittens. Each one was declawed - the first two when they were well over adult age (7 and 8 respectively).

Not one of the three showed any signs of missing their claws. It's the pads that they use to feel things with - they're very sensitive. Their digits provide them with dexterity, not sensitivity (though all of them were sore for a day or two after the surgery).

Make no mistake - it -is- a mutilation of important body parts. However if it's an indoor cat, and you're only doing the front claws (I was SHOCKED when my doctor asked me if I wanted the back ones removed), and it's done by a reputable veterinarian surgeon, then the risks will only be the same risks as with any surgery. Infection, bad reaction to anasthesia, etc.

My oldest cat Frenchie had never been all that affectionate prior to her declawing, and after it she started doing the "happy paws" thing for the first time. She continued this occasional kneading of the skin on my shoulder and neck up until she died at the ripe old age of 18.

It is definitely cruel to do to an outdoor cat. THey can still climb -up- trees but they can't climb back down again because they need their front claws to latch onto the wood to back down.

As for my current cat, she was declawed at 6 months, along with getting her spayed. The scars on my feet and bite-marks in my arm are proof that she has -no- problem defending herself. And that's just her being playful. Her back claws are still razor-sharp, and her teeth can bite through skin just fine.

As for the kitty of the subject heading, I'll leave advice to people who would know. I've never had to care for a kitten under the age of 3 months.

[Jazuela]

Hehe - just scrolled to page two and saw that the topic has been chanced to circumcision. I thought I'd chime in - having actually done the research for another forum...

The "data" about circumcision vs. disease is actually erroneous and outdated. The current research shows that an uncircumcized penis is -less- prone to disease. Personally I think an "uncut" wanker is just too weird-looking for words. But that is social conditioning for ya.

Medically, an UNcircumcised penis is the more healthy of the two. Aesthetically, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Ravenstorm]

Originally posted by Jazuela
The "data" about circumcision vs. disease is actually erroneous and outdated. The current research shows that an uncircumcized penis is -less- prone to disease.

I'll amend my original statement to remove reference to other than HIV. Though a study in 2000 suggested there might be an effect, this more recent one limits it to HIV. Of course, a condom is still the most effective.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/040326/137/2c7uf.html

Raven

[Kuyuk]

I think if you believe a boy should be snipped just cause you're in america and 'everyone else does it' you're a fuckin idiot.

My kid isnt gonna get snipped in 2 months. There's no need.

K.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by The Eternal Klaive

Originally posted by Nieninque

And imposing circumcision on a child for cosmetic purposes is...what exactly?

Kind.

If you're not a guy, please don't bother with this subject.

I have never been raped or subjected to racial abuse...I dont have to be to know that they are bad for you. I have never had cosmetic surgery but I do know that doing it for the sake of it, is foolish and bad.

This isnt something that only guys can know about, since there is research on it, and women and mothers can actually be able to hold a view on something that affects male children.



If you are, then you should have no doubt that circumcized is better. As an infant, it's really great. Cause it'll hurt like hell if they do it later in life, and while it doesn't NEED to be done... uncircumcized males (in America) often find themselves unhappy with the fact that they have not been altered.

That has to be the lamest argument for circumcision I have ever heard. "there is no need for it, but lots of males are unhappy that it hasn't happened to them." :lol:

There are times when it is important. My little brother had to be circumcised because he couldnt urinate without being in pain.

It hurts infants just as much as it hurts adults. They are sentient beings and can feel pain just as you can. The only difference is, they cant tell you what they feel or why, they just show discomfort. The argument about doing it when they are younger applies to memory rather than pain thresholds.

To cause someone else to be circumcised just because you think it looks better is nothing short of abuse.



It can be a particularly difficult thing to deal with when approaching the subjects of locker rooms or sex. You'd be surprised how many people are completely unaware that circumcizion exists. These people may well think an uncircumcized male has a deformity of some sort.


So education would be the key, rather than the knife.



Now, if we were talking another country here, I may agree with you. Comparitively few European males are circumcized. But we're talking America here, and if you aren't physically "standard" you will encounter criticism for your difference.

That is utter crap, and I pity any children you may have now or in the future.


Baaaaa!

[Edited on 5-6-04 by Nieninque]

[Sean]

How about someone create a second topic for the subject of circumcision if you want to discuss it. Its a bit odd discussing cat welfare and circumcision in the same thread.

[Kuyuk]

Thank you Nieninque, you did a much better job than I did ;p


K.

[The Eternal Klaive]

Originally posted by Nieninque

I have never been raped or subjected to racial abuse...I dont have to be to know that they are bad for you. I have never had cosmetic surgery but I do know that doing it for the sake of it, is foolish and bad.

This isnt something that only guys can know about, since there is research on it, and women and mothers can actually be able to hold a view on something that affects male children.

That has to be the lamest argument for circumcision I have ever heard. "there is no need for it, but lots of males are unhappy that it hasn't happened to them." :lol:

There are times when it is important. My little brother had to be circumcised because he couldnt urinate without being in pain.

It hurts infants just as much as it hurts adults. They are sentient beings and can feel pain just as you can. The only difference is, they cant tell you what they feel or why, they just show discomfort. The argument about doing it when they are younger applies to memory rather than pain thresholds.

To cause someone else to be circumcised just because you think it looks better is nothing short of abuse.

So education would be the key, rather than the knife.

That is utter crap, and I pity any children you may have now or in the future.


Baaaaa!

[Edited on 5-6-04 by Nieninque]

Yes, memory is EXACTLY the point. If you hurt a baby to modify them, they won't remember the pain when they're older. That's WHY it's best to do it when they're young.

As for you having no valid opinion on this subject in my eyes... if you have no penis, you don't understand. You only know what you read.

You can call it abuse as much as you like. I call abortion murder. It's still legal.

Educating children who are a part of our public school system DOES NOT WORK. They are herd-minded little beasts for the most part and that is because of the way their parents raise them at home. You can't educate kids if their parents have closed their minds over the years.

As for you pitying any children I'll ever have... you and many others do. But I'll still have them, and they'll be quite happy with their lives, which will be very different than the lives you would wish for a child to lead.

[Edited on 6-5-2004 by The Eternal Klaive]