Sick Kitten in litter of 3

[daones]

Hey guys, 

Been around a few times before here. Well recently I noticed a mom and her kittens just in the back of my house (there is a 6ft wall then drops down to a grassy area where they been staying).

Anyway I have been feeding them for 2 weeks, they would climb up a tree to get on the wall and eat up in my yard. But recently we had a lot of rain and they got wet a few times. I noticed the white one was no longer eating, so i got really worried on the 2nd day and managed to go down there and get him in a cage (the other 2 kittens scurried away but he just layed there) he is really skinny now. Im glad I took him though he ended up with a 104 fever. He got a few shots and we were given some kind of gel nutrition tube to give him that if he wouldnt eat.

So anyway we are now keeping him in the house away from the mom and other kittens until he is better we cannot take on 4 more cats. The thing I was wondering is if he is gone for awhile will the mom forget about him and turn him away if he were to rejoin them again? Ideally I wanted to keep them all in the house while the one gets better but the kittens are almost a month old and the 2 others are pretty quick and usually run away when i approach them. I am also taking a lot of complaining from my girlfriend because she tells me I care too much about cats outside, but I cant stand to see an animal suffer and just ignore it. 

 

[Primula]

Can I ask if you are planning to get momma fixed? If not, she is going to get pregnant many times over & will return to you as you are feeding her. You will have a cat colony out there if she is not fixed.

As to your question, the best thing is to keep the kitten as your own. It's cruel to put him outside again.

 

[daones]

Yeah we can get her fixed as she is friendly with us and not scurry like the kittens. But the thing about putting him back out there its not really my decision my girlfriend doesnt want more cats in the house as we have 2 already and its a small home. We already have our oldest who wont leave the room due to being scared of our other rescued cat.

One thing I can perhaps do is call a rescue group for cats and perhaps see if he can find someone to adopt them.

 

[Primula]

Yeah we can get her fixed as she is friendly with us and not scurry like the kittens. But the thing about putting him back out there its not really my decision my girlfriend doesnt want more cats in the house as we have 2 already and its a small home. We already have our oldest who wont leave the room due to being scared of our other rescued cat.


One thing I can perhaps do is call a rescue group for cats and perhaps see if he can find someone to adopt them.

Or you could get another girlfriend. [emoji]128526[/emoji]

Seriously though, the kitten won't survive outside. It's too dangerous! Get momma fixed ASAP & call around to a no-kill shelter to take the kittens. Actually, see if they will take momma + the kittens. Many shelters do this.

 

[daones]

Yes that was what I was thinking, although last time I called them they said they have a lot of cats and asked me to send photos and would try to find someone to take them. I guess they could be persuaded with a donation though. 

 

[Primula]

Yes that was what I was thinking, although last time I called them they said they have a lot of cats and asked me to send photos and would try to find someone to take them. I guess they could be persuaded with a donation though. 

Most definitely with a donation. Tell them you have a momma + kittens. Will you be able to trap them? If not, they will have to send someone out to get them. As I said, if you don't nip this in the bud, you will soon have a cat colony out there since cats can have at least 2 litters a year.

 

[daones]

If the kittens come up into my yard I can probably get them as there isnt many places to run, especially the black one is pretty brave and not scared of me. The bigger grey male though might be a bit harder to catch. Only problem is they havent been up here since when it rained im not sure why. Ill see what I can do.

 

[Primula]

If the kittens come up into my yard I can probably get them as there isnt many places to run, especially the black one is pretty brave and not scared of me. The bigger grey male though might be a bit harder to catch. Only problem is they havent been up here since when it rained im not sure why. Ill see what I can do.

Do what you can. If you catch even one, that is major. I would focus on mom - if you can't get her, she will bring you another litter in the summer. If you can get momma, her kittens will come looking for her.

 

[daones]

If I bring the mom in the house do you think theres a chance they will come in the house? I mean if i keep the door open. Ive noticed lately when she calls them to eat (after i feed the mom) they havent been coming like they usually do.. thats my only concern it would be easier to get the mom because she just walks in the house like she owns the place so getting her isnt an issue just the other 2 kittens outside.

 

[Primula]

If I bring the mom in the house do you think theres a chance they will come in the house? I mean if i keep the door open. Ive noticed lately when she calls them to eat (after i feed the mom) they havent been coming like they usually do.. thats my only concern it would be easier to get the mom because she just walks in the house like she owns the place so getting her isnt an issue just the other 2 kittens outside.

It's good that momma sounds like she is tame & adoptable. No doubt someone has dumped her. So we're talking about two more kittens. If it were me, I would take momma inside ASAP. Hopefully you will hear the kittens calling for momma. Worst case scenario you never see them again. But you will have saved momma & one kitten.

Call a shelter ASAP. You have to consider what might happen if you can't find someplace that will take them.

 

[tayfam12]

I never was a cat person but I recently adopted two 12 week kittens after adopting a 6 week kitten last September. I've never been able to get the mothers to come close enough to help,or adopt but the kittens, I now have three of them and I'm grateful tbh. In my experience the older they are, the less they trust but it may just be because I live on a farm.

 

[daones]

So just an update, i got one more kitten in the house, but their both pretty scared now... before the sick one was scared but would stay on the spare bed. Now the other one is in there their both hiding in the corner. I managed to get the bigger kitten when it looked like it was in hunting mood on my wall, i snuck up and grabbed it but it put up a good fight and nearly got away and i got scratched in the process... he was the harder of all 3 im sure.. I will try to get the mom and black kitten soon... once I got all i can call the adoption/rescue place i know of.

Also i had the mom and 2 of the kittens in the room but without the black one i let her back out ( i know you might be mad about it) but i know the mom she comes in the house everytime i open the door to feed her. Even after i had her in the room for an hour she still trusts me and when she came out of the room didnt seem to care she left her kittens in there and was rubbing my leg. The thing with that is the mom managed to get the black cat out of hiding... the mom and black cat are down in the grassy area over my wall. Technically i cant go down there as its someones property but i will just use the mom as bait next feeding.

 

[tayfam12]

Personally I'm not, then again I'm not the most experienced in these cases. Yet I've not once been able to get Mom to come inside just weaned kittens. I'm always going to have cats/kits needing me as my landlord will not stop dropping them off in the barns on the property.

 

[daones]

mom has been coming back and forth to their den out in the grass and the room where i have the kittens, she only stays in the room for about 5 minutes before she starts making that angry noise. But not aggressive towards me... Could be either because shes not comfortable in that room or because her one kitten is still outside.

I almost got the black kitten but i think hes aware now im trying to catch him, seen him briefly on the wall then he jumped back down to the den. Think it is gonna be tough to catch him alone.

 

[tayfam12]

I'm not sure myself. In my experience I can only get close to the kits and sometimes the dad...Mom cat has always been skittish and growling for me. To my dismay, I've found Mom perished before I could trap and take her to the vet. I'm currently really not fond of humans [emoji]128529[/emoji]

 

[daones]

Yeah, it is pretty weird as I never encountered a mom cat that was so quick to trust me, only took a few days of giving her food and she was rubbing my leg already. Im thinking maybe she had a previous owner it may even be possible she has owners now but the way people are here they just say its their cat but barely do anything to actually take care of it, and not even spay it.

Also I did call that shelter and unfortunately it sounds like their closing down things now and moving back to their home country, where im at the only other way is try to find a home for them myself online. They told me i can send them photos but they said lately its mostly people wanting to give them cats and not many people calling to adopt.

 

[tayfam12]

I completely feel you, where I live people I care about don't understand and think we are strange for taking our fur babies to the vet. Almost everyone except our fur babies doc(the vet) sees nothing wrong with throwing dogs n cats into the wild to "save money cuz they can hunt"...

 

[daones]

I forgot all about this thread, I know it has been a long time but some good news... The 3 kittens we did end up taking them all in and the mother went on her way, i only seen the mother cat one other time she walked by the catwalk near my house stopped only a few seconds and seen her cats grown up and went on her way i never seen her again.

Anyway this was years ago, I no longer have those cats but my girlfriend at the time ended up taking them to her home up north and their still alive and well they seem happy there... Unfortunately one of the 3 kittens maybe a few months after we took them in had disappeared when it got out of the house.

I still miss them but im happy they are still around and keeping my ex gf's mom company... Apparently they sleep with her everynight, especially tigger.

Anyway sorry for the overdue update on this, but real life got my off track.. Thought id share what happened with them. But good story as the mother cat to these were keeping them in a bad environment basically a jungle behind my house and I gave them food everyday until they were able to trust me to take care of them.

Brother and sister these are the ones who still live together with my ex gf's mom, this pic was from 2018
Daisy is the black haired female, and Tigger is the other one

This one disappeared a few months after we took them in

I have some more recent pics of the 2, but couldnt find them on facebook they are just a bit fatter now from being spayed lol.

 

[smartcat009]

Your priority was to get that little Mumma cat off the street & desexed. ASAP. They can become pregnant 48 hrs AFTER DELIVERING KITTENS. You say the Mum cat "Walked by your house & noticed her kittens were all grown up and went on her way" - NO. A mother cat will FORGET her kittens surprisingly quickly. They will attack their own babies; soon after separation. Since you have not spotted her, I just pray she has been rescued & desexed. She sounded v.adoptable - poor little thing. That very pretty sandy/pale gray (almost an exotic) that "disappeared" would most likely have been stolen - or run over & injured or killed. Hopefully you can keep future cats indoors - they are quite happy and so much safer from injury/disease (or theft - as you found out.) A cat who is cared for & fed @ home just does not "disappear" - they like their laid-on food and comfy beds too much! It is awful not knowing what has happened to a pet - that just "disappears" - they have almost always died of some kind of injury (vehicle hits). So, if you have any other female cats who happen along with their little family - IMMEDIATELY contact a rescue group/shelter - not so much with a view to taking them - but to advise & help you deal with them. MAINLY:- you must bring the kittens & Mum INDOORS and off the street ASAP. To "chase" & grab any terrified, fleeing kitten - as you found out - is a great way to get scratched and bitten. You left it all far too late to "rescue" them. If kittens have not had human interaction/socialising by 5-6 wks age - instinct kicks in to be cautious & mistrusting of the unfamiliar (yes, on the way to becoming FERAL) - after which time - at best - they will have to be (humanely) trapped - and ..... sadly - euthanased - they will never be adopted. This is so tragic because a bunch of little kittens is such a joy to "work" with - it is a real "labour of love" for us foster Mums - to have these gorgeous, rambunctious little kittens in our homes, making sure they have lots of cuddles, heaps of climbing poles/trees and toys - for "environmental enrichment" in preparation for them to be adopted into loving homes. Who can love a kitten/cat you cannot even catch? We carers get to keep the little "Timid Tessies" who were 'rescued' later than that 6-7week window - I still have two - now 10 & 12 yrs. We love them, & this is their forever home but most people would not have the patience we have with them. Like other rescue people on this site I am still thinking of that poor little mother cat - perhaps still out on the street, still pregnant several times a year & bringing more (feral?) kittens into a world where thousands of healthy ones are put to sleep because there are just not enough homes. What a shame your then GF could not have appreciated the joy of having 3 gorgeous little kittens to cuddle for a couple of months - until you could place them with a rescue for adoption - or help you to do so. As you were told, the shelters are all full of beautiful healthy kittens. Sorry I have really gotten on my soap box - I am REALLY PASSIONATE about spaying/neutering of all pets - I have been too often the one to take beautiful little kittens on a one-way ride to the vet - because there are just too many of the poor little things. Glad your GF is now your ex-GF. Choose a cat-lover next time! I know you tried your best for this little family. Best wishes.VP