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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNeed good thoughts for my new 3-week old kitten, Sam
Below is a lousy photo of her...
I found her in the food bin where I feed yesterday morning at 3 a.m., and picked her up. Her eyes were closed shut because of an upper respiratory infection...took her to the vet's, got her cleaned up and she's now on antibiotics. Her eyes were bad again this morning and her fever returned, but after she ate and got her medicine I could tell she was better. She has a really good appetite...today I started spoon feeding her wet food and she gobbles that up. She walks and explores when I let her out, as you can see her doing now, so her energy is good. Vet said she was 3 weeks, the tech thought 4 weeks. He said she has a 50/50 chance because of the infection, but the good appetite is a good sign, and she purrs when I hold her and has bonded already.
Sam? Well, they asked for a name at the vet's, and I was sure the kitten was male, but she isn't, so I decided it's short for Samantha.
Think good thoughts!
Enrique
(27,461 posts)here's hoping she'll be back in focus soon. :toasat:
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)bunnies
(15,859 posts)What a sweet person you are for taking care of her. Good vibes for you both.
yellerpup
(12,252 posts)We rescued a kitty once who had a horrible respiratory infection and I was afraid he wouldn't make it, but he did! He was so tiny and starved. He never did get hefty or large, but he lived to be 15 and he was a very good kitty every day of his life.
alsame
(7,784 posts)happy life together.
Triana
(22,666 posts)...that'll be her best chance. Best wishes for furbaby Sam! =^..^=
MadrasT
(7,237 posts)Tikki
(14,549 posts)I have always wanted a little black girl kitty..just hasn't happened yet..
But, if I had a little black kitty I would name her Marsha and call her Mars.
Hugs to you both for finding each other...
Tikki
get the red out
(13,460 posts)for sweet baby Sam. Precious little angel.
niyad
(113,029 posts)and you the very, very best. please let us know how she is doing. thank you for rescuing this little darling.
LancetChick
(272 posts)Hunger and energy are very good signs. Based on what you've described, I'm very hopeful. She has everything she needs, thanks to you, so let's see what happens. Now that I'm rooting for her, please keep us posted! (I have two nine-year old cats, and am an unabashed cat lover).
Cleita
(75,480 posts)I have had success with a mixture of water and goats' milk fed through a small animal baby bottle, available in pet stores. The bottle is necessary because even though they can lap up milk, there is the nursing experience that they seem to need to feel contented. Also, for solid food, I use human baby food until they are bigger and able to eat regular cat food. Best of luck. Keep her warm and feed her frequently. They grow amazingly fast at that age.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)So she drinks that as well...thanks. I know, having kittens before it seems like you turn around and they've gotten bigger!
City Lights
(25,171 posts)Politicub
(12,165 posts)Your TLC plus the vet's skill will likely save Samantha's life.
snagglepuss
(12,704 posts)Healing vibes for Sam.
mgc1961
(1,263 posts)Our first salvage attempt was Fanny. She was in the middle of the street, almost run over by the vehicle in front of us, when we found her. Eyes closed from infection, she was thoroughly infested with all kinds of parasites. Fanny barely made it through the first full day with us.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)I hope Sam beats the odds.
titanicdave
(429 posts)and bless Sam........about 5 years ago, I had somewhat the same experience with a 9 month old very pregnant female cat who I coaxed into the house and took her to the local no kill shelter as I did not want a bunch of feral kittens running in the yard.......they aborted her and held her for 2 weeks and of course, no one claimed her.....they called me and asked if I wanted to give her a home.....to make a long story short Shayera is now the queen of this house and is a spoiled brat but just a real sweetheart....
I hope you have a similar experience with Sam.
polly7
(20,582 posts)Good luck, little Sam! And congratulations, she's adorable, and so thankful to you. Can't wait for better pictures.
Gamecock Lefty
(700 posts)And so do No-Kill Shelters (Stray Rescue here in STL is a great example)!
My dog is going on 13 years! Woo hoo! Good for you for taking care of Sam.
Who rescued who???
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)If she is having trouble breathing due to the respiratory thing you can "steam" her in the bathroom -- turn on hot water, put towel under door, let her stay in the warm air for awhile.
Good luck and thanks for helping this precious kitty!
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Hold the kitten as much as you can and take an old toothbrush and gently brush it every so often. It'll feel like they're being cleaned by their mother. I have a small mole on my neck that looks like a mother cat's teet and some of the kittens latched on to it. I've never lost a sick kitten.
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)sunwyn
(494 posts)to such precious little babies
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)and bless you for taking her in and taking such good care of her.
I have a good feeling about this. The appetite and energy are all good signs...
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)took her in to be spayed, the vet's office called and said it would cost $35 more because he was a she.
Her name is, still, Amos, eight years later.
What a sweet little kitty you saved!
matt819
(10,749 posts)Another cat owner wishing Sam the best.
ZRT2209
(1,357 posts)like pureed turkey or beef
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)which is not good for them. But yes- baby food - pure finely ground chicken and turkey is good. Milk may not be. Smidges of yogurt are good too.
GOOD LUCK!
Metro135
(359 posts)I rescued a pregnant female cat in front of my building 25 years ago and named her Samantha. She had 5 kittens and I found homes for all of them. She was with me for many years. I called her "Sam" of course and sometimes "Samwich." She was one of the sweetest cats I've ever had.
Wishing you and little "Sam" all the best. The fact that she's eating and purring are very good signs.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)He had such a bad URI his eyes were just about glued shut. He fit in the palm of my hand when I found him.
He eventually weighed 18 pounds.
Good thoughts!
meti57b
(3,584 posts)AnnieK401
(541 posts)libodem
(19,288 posts)Animals for me. I have a special place in my heart for your kitty. Hope she makes it.
Booster
(10,021 posts)(just kidding). You're the closest thing to a mama she has. You're a good person for taking her in, but then all of us here at DU knew that already. Nothing but good vibes from my kettehs to yours.
bluedigger
(17,085 posts)You've found a good home, and a lousy photographer.
MuseRider
(34,095 posts)so if anyone can persuade this little one to keep fighting you will be the one. If anyone can take good enough care of her to keep her alive it will be you. Bless your heart, you are so good. Sam is lucky and you will be too. Just keep it up, that is awfully young for a kitten to be without it's mommy.
We had a young rescue, not that young, who was very sick. He had been dumped in the ice under a car in the freezing temps. He took some time but he is a big, healthy cat now. He is FIV pos so we have to watch him closely but so far he is just a big strong hunk. I woke up with one of his back feet on my nose this morning and his tail twitching under my chin.
My 3 rescued, FIV pos but very healthy kitties and I are sending kind thoughts, helpful purrs and boosts of energy to you and Sam. When I saw this post your name was not on it, I knew it was you.
CitizenLeft
(2,791 posts)What a sweetie - and bless you for saving her.
Hoping for a full recovery and long life!
TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)Hope she pulls through and it sounds like she will -- encourage the purring, some scientists think it is self-healing for cats. Keep feeding wet cat food too, it is better for cats than dry (healthier for their kidneys), and the wet cat food will help her stay hydrated.
fleur-de-lisa
(14,624 posts)the vet said the same thing about purring and healing. She said she believes that it's a self-calming behavior as well. My poor little fat cat was purring her heart out while the vet was giving her shots. The vet said she sees that trait in a lot of cats when they are stressed out.
And I thought they only purred when they were content! Silly me . . .
TuxedoKat
(3,818 posts)years ago and in the article it said that scientists were proposing experiments to use vibrations (simulating purring) to see if it would help osteoporosis patients. I never heard anything again about it so I wonder if any more research is being done on this. It sure makes me feel good to have a purring cat sitting on me!
colorado_ufo
(5,730 posts)CarrieLynne
(497 posts)well I guess they are 'teens' now lol.....Officially Named Sandy and Katrina, because they destroyed the christmas village I had set up on the table over the holidays lol
Nicknamed Big Kitty and Little Kitty cause my fiancee kept getting them confused lol
except now Big kitty is becoming little kitty and Little kitty is becoming big kitty.....
hmmm....lol
Call Me Wesley
(38,187 posts)Hang in there.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Of all of the places she could have crawled into, she picked someplace where YOU would find her!
I'm sure she'll make it, but even if she doesn't, she knows love, and warmth, and care, thanks to you.
Faux pas
(14,643 posts)She already is lucky she found you!
Blue Owl
(50,238 posts)Beacool
(30,247 posts)Best wishes for a quick recovery for Samantha.
Good vibes are going your way.
AndyA
(16,993 posts)She deserves it, as they all do. It's heart breaking that so many of them suffer.
Sending good thoughts...
Ednahilda
(195 posts)Our youngest kitty came to us a year and a half ago from a local barn. She was four weeks old, really tiny, had a respiratory infection and a nasty chlamydia infection in her eyes that took several rounds of drugs to clear up. Since then she's had two urinary tract infections, but she is absolutely worth the effort. Charlotte is the sweetest cat!
Best wishes to you and Samantha. She's lucky to have you.
a la izquierda
(11,791 posts)They're dogs, but cats are growing on them...sort of.
Freddie
(9,256 posts)She's a tortie and we adopted her on mischief night, so she had to have a witch's name. She left her mother too soon also and tried to nurse one of our other cats (male) who didn't seem to mind. She's almost 10 now, our "old lady".
Best of luck, she looks like a real cutie pie!
fleur-de-lisa
(14,624 posts)You are an angel for taking in this lovely little kitteh! I'm sure she has already secured a spot in your heart. It's amazing how quickly we bond with the furry ones.
I have 4 felines in my house, 3 ferals that live in my backyard/storage shed, 2 ferals that live in my front yard/garage and a couple others that come and go for food. I have had them all spayed/neutered and made sure they are vaccinated, but I have never been through the experience of caring for an abandoned little cat like your new baby. How sweet of you . . .
Best of luck to Sam and you! Please keep us posted on her progress . . .
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)Bless your heart for helping her, and I send my good vibes, good thoughts and prayers.
I had one of mine at the vet this morning for a well visit and there was a little kitten there who needed a blood transfusion. (This particular vet does not keep clinic cats...but he does enough for rescues that we forgive him!!!)
My guy got to be the "hero" and be the blood donor. But at last update the little kitten wasn't doing well. So some good vibes for THIS one would be appreciated to. You never know...and it can't hurt.
Wish the world was a safer place for them all!
Aerows
(39,961 posts)Even through the blurry picture (and considering her poor eyes, that's probably how she sees you), she's precious.
Nothing is any better after a bad day than a cat to get in your lap, purr, and essentially tell you that they love you .
navarth
(5,927 posts)Sending healing vibes to your little beauty. Makes me want to go home and hug my boys.
There are some really nice people on this thread.
Granny M
(1,395 posts)I have a black cat named Belle - she sends her love, too.
Hang in there and get well, Sam!
99Forever
(14,524 posts)... vibes and thoughts headed Sam's way. There really is something magical that happens when people ask for good thoughts for our furry friends here. A couple of weeks ago, our 12 yo German Shepard rescue, Nakita suffered a heart attack, no one will ever convince me that the love sent her way from here, hasn't played a part in her recovery to almost back to normal. So Sam, you get better soon, you've got a lot of love to give and get.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,576 posts)Get well, Samantha.
LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)If my Raven (also a rescue) is any indication, black kitties are tough. She looks like a survivor to me.
Response to joeybee12 (Original post)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Warpy
(111,124 posts)She might just be undersized because of poor condition. The fact that she's standing instead of still "swimming" across the floor also indicates she's a bit older.
Three week old kittens are bottle babies, and even 4 week old kittens still need Kitten Milk Replacer, something you can find even at WalMart these days. If you need a bottle, get that too as the kitten will likely take to it a lot better than kitten food off a spoon. Bottle feedings will only last a week or two, but are quite important.
I agree that you can't save them all, but I've seen kittens in a lot worse condition make it, so there is room for hope with this little girl.
She looks like a homewrecker, my favorite kind of kitty.
EV_Ares
(6,587 posts)ellie
(6,928 posts)Bless you for taking her in and taking care of her.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)SalmonChantedEvening
(31,950 posts)dionysus
(26,467 posts)or overlord.. mileage may vary.
nolabear
(41,930 posts)Rub that belly so her digestive system will work right.
LittleGirl
(8,277 posts)she loved her name and answered it right away. sniff...she's gone now but good thought for this one!
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)You obviously have a terrific human there, Sam...you're gonna make it.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)we just briefly fostered a found litter of 5 babies about 3 weeks of age. They need a LOT of attention at this age!!
Keep her always with you, if you can, in a pocket or little kitty-body sling. Lots of touching, essential for her development. We bottle fed the babies and I'd recommend it because when they would latch on and suck it seemed to make a huge difference. With five it was hard to exclusively bottle feed but one would be easier. Takes some patience/practice to help them get latched on to the nipple.
Best chance of survival if you mimic as closely as possible the mother-care.
Sorry for all the unsolicited advice ! But we said goodbye to these babies only two days ago and I miss them so much, it's still very fresh. They went to a shelter to be fostered and then adopted (we couldn't keep them here b/c of other animals). Still I keep worrying. Love love love love and belly rubs. Belly rubs good for digestion. Yogurt mixed in formula or w/a little honey also good.
tpsbmam
(3,927 posts)little Sammie's way! She's so lucky to have been found and rescued by you....I suspect you'll have a long, loving relationship with this little one.
1620rock
(2,218 posts)God Bless you & Samatha both. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.
Tom Ripley
(4,945 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)most stellar cats I've ever had.
RIP Two-tone.
Good luck to you and Sam. She's a cutie.
dem in texas
(2,673 posts)Hope she gets better, those little kitties have lots of resilience. We live at the edge of the city and get a lot of abandoned animals. Over the 30 years we have lived out here we have had so many abandoned animals show up at our house. We always check lost pets and pet finders and every once in awhile we will find the owner and return their pet. For the others, we have been lucky in that we have been able to find homes for them or we have kept them. My two current pets, a calico cat and a pit bull mix were both drop-offs and showed up at our door.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Samantha
(9,314 posts)Do you have a woolen or fuzzy-type glove? If so, put it on and pet her. I have been doing that this week to the cat that adopted me, and today she licked my hand twice. I felt so much love coming from her; that is the first time she has ever done that.
Sam
Postscript: In all seriousness, good vibs coming your and Sam's way. I do not know if the following pertains to kittens as well as puppies, but I think I should share it. I had six puppies two weeks old to try and save when their Mom suddenly passed. The vet told me I could try to save them if I wanted, but what would probably do them in was the fact that the Mom made the puppies go to the bathroom after they ate, and she was no longer there to do that. He advised me to rub a warm, wet towel underneath their tails until they went after I bottle fed them. Another dog I had that was one year old realized what I was doing and immediately ran over and started licking the puppies until they went. She did that with each of the puppies I fed, every time I fed them. She saved their lives. They all made it.
Brigid
(17,621 posts)My kitteh Brigid is a black kitteh. Purrs from her and my other kitteh, a black and white one named Ruby.
Response to joeybee12 (Original post)
rhett o rick This message was self-deleted by its author.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)are my favorite people in the world. Good on you and good vibes for both of you.
My aunt and uncle in Des Moines got a gorgeous grey kitty they named Sylvia after they were sure it was a girl. When SHE turned out to be a HE, they renamed him Silly.
agracie
(950 posts)Good thoughts & positive vibes to you and Sam.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)Digit was stuck between PetSmart and Babies are Us cold, dirty and snow covered when she was found a year and a half ago. I brought her home in my jacket, she was maybe 6 weeks old. She said to tell Sam to be strong.
RyanThomas
(23 posts)Hope she makes it.
Ferretherder
(1,445 posts)Sam will be just fine.
Bertha Venation
(21,484 posts)OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)How is she this morning?
Greybnk48
(10,162 posts)Good luck you two!
Fla Dem
(23,573 posts)Hope you both made it through the night OK.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Luv.
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)At least for another week or two.
Bless you for helping her and congratulations!!!
virgdem
(2,124 posts)the best of luck to you in getting her well. Lots of TLC and good food will do wonders for Sam. I had a Sammy-one of the best kitties who lived to 20-just lost her last year. Sam looks just like a cat I had that I rescued many years ago-black cats are the best!!!