Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: maccat on May 29, 2008, 12:46:36 PM
-
Hi Everyone
I really need some advice on feeding a stray kitten.
We are in France and we found a stray kitten a couple of days ago (pissing with rain poor thing was drenched, shivvering and hiding in a drain). We asked around but it appears we have found a feral barn kitten (sadly France is very poor for netuering animals!).
We have taken him in and adopted him. We visited the french vet who agrees he is just over 3 weeks old. We have him on kitten replacement milk but the vet and instructions tell us to give him 10-15ml about 5 times a day (60-75ml) but the little fella wants more like 120ml! There is a bit of a language barrier as we are still learning french (and didnt expect to get a cat this early on our adventure) so we cannot get our point across that he wants more the vet just tells us follow instructions on the KRM.
So can someone please advise, should i feed on demand or stick to the instructions. We have had frankie for 2 days now and he is settling in well the little chap has really fallen on his feet with us and wont leave my lap (expect to play with his new toys)
Thanks so much in advance
Helen xxx
-
Well done for taking in the little one. In my opinion, if he wants more and he is not bringing food back up, then let him have more. He's hardly of an age where he is going to turn into a fat kitten - "fat kittens" don't really exist. He is probably making up for lost time and food. If he is happy to take more, let him have it.
Did they give you any advice re: worming the little one, this could be another reason for him being very hungry?
-
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,15158.new.html#new
There is some very good information on this link, if it has worked correctly.
-
Thanks Lesley. He is not bringing anything up, does have an upset tummy but then again i think its becuase for 24 hours we had to give him milk before we could get him to the vet - i think his tummy is getting used to the new KMR.
Re worming we have been told he is too young and cannot see anything in his poo. we will drontol worm him as soon as he is old enough, thats on order too.
He was riddled in fleas when we picked him up. I spent 3 hours cuddling him and killing fleas as they hopped off him and onto me!We now have a flea comb which seems to be working. I have ordered frontline so will do that as soon as he is old enough.
He is just so cute, his little eyes melt my heart. Good job we work from home as he gets loads of attention which he seems to be lapping up.
xx
-
If you ordered the frontline spray, that could be used on him immediately, as it is okay for kittens of a very young age. What I tend to do rather than spray the kitten and frighten them, is to spray a damp piece of cotton wool and then wipe that all over kitten.
I expect the normal milk would have upset his tummy a bit, but you did the right thing in getting the replacement. That link I showed you does have recipes for making emergency milk replacement - just in case you find yourself in the same predicament again, I expect there are a few more feral kittens who would like your love. ;)
-
about 16 or 17 years ago my oh and I picked up a three week old feral, they didn't have special milk or anything in those days I don't think because the vet advised minestrone soup and melted ice cream! anyway he lived with us for almost 15 years, take photos, you'll never remember how small he is!
-
here is a piccie, i used my computer webcam so he does look big but actually fits in my hand
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
He is very cute :Luv2:
-
Frankie is just beautiful. So long as he is keeping his food down I would feed him on demand. He is only a baby and would have been getting food on demand from his mama one hopes.
-
Awww what a cutey, he looks a bit older than 3 weeks though, or maybe not, my parents ended up having to handrear a little kitty a couple of years ago and she was teeny tiny, she looked exactly like a little mole rather than a kitten, maybe she was a LOT younger... but then they change so quickly at that age :Luv:
-
Well done on your first rescue :1st place: :1st place:
Can he run about? Id say he looks bigger than 3 weeks :Luv:
-
Hi Maccat, welcome back on line!! Smidgen sends greetings! Your little foundling looks a real sweetie :Luv: , luck kitten to find such a good home! How are Smidgen's siblings getting on with the new baby in the house (I seem to recall it was due some time in February ...
-
Yeah Millys Mum he can run around and he loves playing with shoe laces - he has changed so much in 3 days. the first day he just sat in my lap now he has really come alive and loves all the attention.
Hi blackcat. Well tilly and talloulah (smidgens sisters) are now big sisters to the baby. They are very protective apparently and they stopped peeing as soon as the baby was born. My sister had to give the cats a dummy each as they kept pinching the babies one - apparently they walk around with them in their mouth. As soon as i get some piccies i will post up. I can't believe they are now a year old. But yes they love the baby and love all the toys and new platforms which are in the house.
Great to be back on the forum, a wealth of information :)
-
I would LOVE to see a photo of a Smidgen clone sucking on a dummy :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
-
That kitten is gorgeous and so pleased he has found a home with you ;D