Not Sure If I Did The Right Thing Here.

Saramander

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Earlier today I got a call from my uncle saying he had kittens in his car's engine and he needed help to get them out. I went over, and after nearly an hour and a half of struggling in the Florida heat, we finally got one of them. He was lying on the muffler and I had to reach up into the wheel well to drag him out. After looking for another thirty minutes, we determined the mother must have came back and gotten the other one.

I put the kitten in a cat carrier while we tried to figure out what to do with him. I saw the mother with her other kitten off in the distance, staring at the garage, looking for her baby but afraid to get close. I didn't want to just let him out of the carrier though, as he would most likely get back into the engine again, and my aunt said that she wasn't going to check for kittens in her car every time she had to drive (insinuating she would just let them die.)

We ending up setting up a raccoon trap with cat food in it, hoping to catch the mother and baby. I took the kitten home with me, and I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow morning.

Should I have tried to put him back with his mother? He looks pretty young. I really didn't want her putting those kittens back up in the engine, and my uncle said she's been putting them up there the past couple nights due to the rain. They live in a heavily wooded area, with hawks and owls and such, so I didn't want to leave him in the woods either.

I weighed him and he was about a pound and a half, so he's probably about 4 weeks old I think. I went to petsmart and bought him some kitten weaning formula and some wet food, but I'm still not sure I should have brought him home at all.

Does anyone have any advice? I'm kind of conflicted here. Thanks.
 

Jcatbird

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It sounds like you didn’t have a lot of choice to me. He was at risk of getting seriously hurt or killed in the car or from predators in the area. Do try to get him to the vet and make it your goal to catch Mom and the other baby. It would be best if you can reunite them. Especially since they are all at risk where they are. If the baby is about four weeks he can survive on kitten formula and he is safe. If you get his family, all will be safe. I know you feel bad that he is away from his family. That’s understandable :alright:. You did a good thing by saving his life. A very good thing! :heartshape:
Please keep posting as you find out more. I’d love to know how the kitten is doing. Hoping you catch the others too. :rock:Thanks for caring about them!
 
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Saramander

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Thanks Jcatbird. :) We did set up a little trap, so hopefully the mom and baby will get in there.

I'm worried about this little guy though. I've been feeding him weaning formula (is that the right kind? the internet said moms start weaning their babies around 4 weeks) but he has yet to use the litter box. I saw him assume the position a couple of times, but he looked like he was straining then meowed at me. I think he might have urinated on the muffler in the car where I snagged him from (there was a little stream of some liquid there) but I'm not sure.

He also has this funky green discharge coming from his eyes, so I think he's pretty sick. I really hope he doesn't have some kind of urinary blockage. This little guy is adorable, but I just don't have the money to pay for a kitten surgery right now.

Also, here's cat tax, lol.
gizmo.jpg
 

FeebysOwner

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Ditto everything Jcatbird Jcatbird said!!!!

Keep his eye clean by wiping away the gunk with a clean disposable soft wipe until you can get him to the vet. I am sure he is going to need antibiotics for a possible URI.

As far as the peeing/pooping, most kittens (and cats, for that matter) typically use the litterbox shortly after eating. So, when you are done feeding him, place him a litterbox of non-clumping litter. You can even try taking his paw, or some utensil, to scratch a little bit in the litter when he is sitting in there.

If he by chance poops outside the litterbox, pick it up and place it in the box for him to be able to smell his scent in the box.

Check out information from this web site - regarding feeding needs and related ages, peeing/pooping help, and much more.

Kitten-Rescue.com

Keep us posted!!
 

Willowy

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That's an older kitty. At least 6 weeks old, probably closer to 8 (kittens' ears are still very small at 4 weeks) (and 1 1/2 pounds is the usual weight for 6 weeks old). He/she can eat regular dry and canned kitten food. You can add the formula to the canned food for extra nutrition. But the kitty shouldn't need any extra special care.

Kitty doesn't look too sick. Keep the eyes clean and see if the eye gunk clears on its own (could just be irritation from dust or car stuff). If you don't see any improvement, or if the kitten stops eating or drinking, it's vet visit time.
 
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Saramander

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Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. He finally peed last night and again this morning. Never thought I'd be so excited about cat pee lol. He pooped a little while ago as well. He was probably just dehydrated/malnourished or something, so needed a little longer to get things going.

We got him to the vet today and he gave us medicine for an ear infection, but nothing for the goopy eyes; he said he wanted to avoid over-medicating him since he's so small. We scheduled a 2 week checkup, and he said to bring him in earlier if he has any other symptoms. Kitty had no fever, breathing was pretty clear, and he's 1.7 pounds.

The vet said he's probably about 6 weeks old. I bought him some dry cat food and he seems to like it! It took him a couple tries to get it, but after licking up the bits he figured out he could chew them. I'll try some wet cat food later.

Again, thanks for the advice everybody. Little Gizmo and I appreciate it. :)
 

Jcatbird

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Gizmo is adorable. Thanks for the “cat tax!” Lol Wet food should be something he likes. Pooping may get easier and his urine output may increase. Wet food helps to hydrate. Just get his adjusted to it slowly. Poor little one probably was dehydrated. The ear medicine may be antibiotic so perhaps it will help him all over. You’re doing a great job with him. I want to snuggle that little baby! Give him pets from me! :heartshape:
 
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Saramander

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Good news - we caught his sister! The mother put her in the car engine again, and luckily my uncle thought to check the car before it was moved. We named her Molly.

She seems to be healthy, but we're going to take her to the vet with Gizmo when he goes for his two week checkup and shots. The first day(yesterday) she was really scared, and Gizmo kept attacking her and hissing at her. Maybe they didn't recognize each other? They're getting along better now, but keep playing pretty rough, which my grandma really doesn't like lol.

Unfortunately we couldn't catch the mother. I told my uncle to call animal control or the TNR people but I'm not sure what he's going to do. The first night he had the trap out for the mother and baby, he accidentally caught a raccoon. So I don't think he wants to put out another trap lol.

At least Molly and Momo are safe now, and in a loving home. :)
 

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I'm so happy you got both kittens. They will have better futures now. Not sure if you intend to keep them or not but they are still socilizable and can be adopted out. A TnR group would help catch mom and get her vaccinated and spayed so no more kittens in the car engine in another few months. Considering the age of the kittens you caught momma could already be pregnant again.
 

Jcatbird

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That’s wonderful news! I’m so glad. Please keep trying for Mom. If you don’t get her then there will just be and endless repeating of all of this. I understand about catching a raccoon , we’ve all caught other thibgs, but it is really important to get Mom! She needs to be spayed. You might explain to your Uncle that it’s the only way to stop lots more kittens! The sooner, the better! Without her babies she will quickly come into heat. Get her now and she should reunite with the babies. I wouldn’t worry too much about the kittens being afraid of each other. They should adjust and remember each other. Kittens do play rough at times. If they don’t settle, please write back. I feel sure they will though. I really hope your Uncle will understand the importance of catching the Mom and trying quickly. A TNR group would be great. Maybe you could help him find someone!
Thanks for the update. I’m so happy to hear this wonderful news! Yay! Excellent job kitty hero! You saved two lives.:clap2::goldstar::heartshape:
 

maggiedemi

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A TNR group would be better than animal control. They might put her to sleep.
 
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