Need good thoughts for my new 3-week old kitten, Sam

[joeybee12]

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]

1. good luck to her

here's hoping she'll be back in focus soon. :toasat:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Hurrah for Sam..and for you.

[bunnies]

3. awwww!

What a sweet person you are for taking care of her. Good vibes for you both.

[yellerpup]

4. You are a sweetheart for rescuing Sam!

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]

5. Wishing the best for her and a long,

happy life together.

[Triana]

6. Awwwr. Keep treating, feeding and loving her...

...that'll be her best chance. Best wishes for furbaby Sam! =^..^=

[MadrasT]

7. Bless you for taking care of the little one.

[Tikki]

8. Strong vibes miss kitty Sam's direction...

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]

9. Goodness and love

for sweet baby Sam. Precious little angel.

[niyad]

10. very strong and loving healing vibes coming to sam from my own little ones, who are wishing her

and you the very, very best. please let us know how she is doing. thank you for rescuing this little darling.

[LancetChick]

11. All the best to Sam!

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]

12. She still needs milk at that age. The vets have a kitten formula or if you can't get it

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]

20. I have the kitten milk replacement also...

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]

13. Sending healing vibes Sam's way!

What a kind heart you have!

[Politicub]

14. Sending positive vibes for your kitteh

Your TLC plus the vet's skill will likely save Samantha's life.

[snagglepuss]

15. <<>>>>

Healing vibes for Sam.

[mgc1961]

16. Good luck to you both.

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]

17. Poor little kitty...

I hope Sam beats the odds.

[titanicdave]

18. Bless Your Heart

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]

19. Awww ,.. so cute.

Good luck, little Sam! And congratulations, she's adorable, and so thankful to you. Can't wait for better pictures.

[Gamecock Lefty]

21. Rescue Animals Rock!

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]

22. Awww. Sweet baby! Hope she makes it!

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]

23. What I have done that makes sick kittens come back is to act like I'm their mother

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]

24. Awww, what a little sweetie!

to you for rescuing her. All the best to the little one!

[sunwyn]

25. Good thoughts for your kitty and for you...we get attached so easily

to such precious little babies

[magical thyme]

26. more healing vibes to Sam

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]

27. I have a rescue kitty I was told was a male, even the vet missed it, she was so emaciated. When I

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]

28. What a blurry little cutie

Another cat owner wishing Sam the best.

[ZRT2209]

29. you can also try giving her Gerber baby food, the meats

like pureed turkey or beef

[bettyellen]

65. make sure it's "baby's first" and not toddler food- they have spices and salt in the toddlers

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]

30. We love you Sam!

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]

31. She looks exactly like the 3 week old very sick kitten I once rescued from the middle of the road.

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]

32. May your little Sammie be blessed and healed.

[AnnieK401]

33. Good luck to you and Sam.

[libodem]

34. Female black cats have been favorite companion

Animals for me. I have a special place in my heart for your kitty. Hope she makes it.

[Booster]

35. Bless you, Joeybee. I'm sure you're doing this, but hold her as much as you can and lick her often

(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]

36. Good luck, Sam!

You've found a good home, and a lousy photographer.

[MuseRider]

37. You are good at this Joeybee

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]

38. good thoughts and wishes for Sam

What a sweetie - and bless you for saving her.

Hoping for a full recovery and long life!

[TuxedoKat]

39. What a sweetie!

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]

53. I was just at the vet last week with one of my kittehs . . .

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]

96. I read that

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]

40. White light, going her way!

[CarrieLynne]

41. awww get better soon sam! I have two little black kittens of my own :)

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]

42. Good vibes incoming for Sam!

Hang in there.

[missingthebigdog]

43. Isn't it awesome how these babies are able to find just the right person?

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]

44. Good vibes for Sam!

She already is lucky she found you!

[Blue Owl]

45. Hang in there Sweet Pea!

[Beacool]

46. Even with in that poor quality pic she looks like she's a cutie.

Best wishes for a quick recovery for Samantha.

Good vibes are going your way.

[AndyA]

47. Best wishes to Sam for a long, happy, and healthy life!

She deserves it, as they all do. It's heart breaking that so many of them suffer.

Sending good thoughts...

[Ednahilda]

48. Keep up the good work!

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]

49. Warm fuzzy hugs from my furry kids...

They're dogs, but cats are growing on them...sort of.

[Freddie]

50. I have a Sam (Samantha) cat too

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]

51. Vibes, vibes and more vibes . . .

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]

52. Thinking good thoughts - really HARD!!!

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]

54. Awe!

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]

55. good on ya, joe

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]

56. She's a little cutie.

I have a black cat named Belle - she sends her love, too.

Hang in there and get well, Sam!

[99Forever]

57. Lots of strong DU pet lovers...

... 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]

58. (((vibes))) to Samantha and you for being a good hoomin!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

59. Vibes{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

Get well, Samantha.

[LoveMyCali]

60. Best wishes for a healthy kitty

If my Raven (also a rescue) is any indication, black kitties are tough. She looks like a survivor to me.

[Warpy]

62. I think 4 weeks is a safer bet

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]

63. You & Samatha have all the good thoughts I can muster for you.

[ellie]

64. Just a wee little kitty!

Bless you for taking her in and taking care of her.

[secondwind]

66. I just love black cats..... Hope Sam pulls through, I think she/he will!!!!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

67. On their way in abundance.

[dionysus]

68. i'm pulling for ya man, kittehs are man's real best friend :)

or overlord.. mileage may vary.

[nolabear]

69. STRONG Kitty vibes for Sam. If she's eating and purring you're in good shape.

Rub that belly so her digestive system will work right.

[LittleGirl]

70. my last kitty was a Sammie

she loved her name and answered it right away. sniff...she's gone now but good thought for this one!

[Lizzie Poppet]

71. Hang in there, Sam...things are going to get better!

You obviously have a terrific human there, Sam...you're gonna make it.

[Liberal_in_LA]

72. get well sam

[Voice for Peace]

73. love love love to little sam

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]

74. My rescues are joining with me to send lots of strength, warmth and love

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]

75. Thank God for people like you.

God Bless you & Samatha both. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.

[Tom Ripley]

76. Sending good thoughts for Miss Samantha

[blkmusclmachine]

77. .

[Luminous Animal]

78. My tiny rescue kitten (found in a dumpster) grew up to be one of the

most stellar cats I've ever had.

RIP Two-tone.

Good luck to you and Sam. She's a cutie.

[dem in texas]

79. Thank you for rescuing this little creature.

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]

80. black kitties rule. good speed for both of you, honey.

[Samantha]

81. Her name is Samantha and you call her Sam -- that is so wonderful

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]

82. Good thoughts for Sammy.

My kitteh Brigid is a black kitteh. Purrs from her and my other kitteh, a black and white one named Ruby.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

84. People who rescue helpless little creatures

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]

85. Here's hoping you and Sam have many happy years..

[lib87]

86. Awww!

Good thoughts & positive vibes to you and Sam.

[DainBramaged]

87. All of my kitteh's best to Sam, she will make it just fine

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]

88. Best of luck to her!

Hope she makes it.

[Ferretherder]

89. Good thoughts on the way!

Sam will be just fine.

[Bertha Venation]

90. lots of loving good vibes for Sam

kitty

[OneGrassRoot]

91. So many good vibes for {{{{{{{{{{Sam}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

How is she this morning?

[Greybnk48]

92. I hope Sam's your buddy for many years to come!

Good luck you two!

[Fla Dem]

93. How's your little girl this morning?

Hope you both made it through the night OK.

[shenmue]

94. Hugs!!

Luv.

[IdaBriggs]

95. Best advice (that helped with puppies): Keep Her Warm/Away from Drafts

At least for another week or two.

Bless you for helping her and congratulations!!!

[virgdem]

97. Aww, what a sweetie she is..

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!!!

[warrior1]

98. ((((HUGS))))