It sounds like you have a new friend. Good luck with him, Mom.

I'm sure you'll do better than that.

I tell the stories on my Pet Tales website:
http://pettales.homestead.com/otherkitties.html

...HonkyCat. The song "Get Back, Honky Cat," was popular at the time. He was a character.

After generations of cats and cat names, I've taken to calling our cats by color. Black Cat, Brown Cat and Gray Cat are always accurate labels in relating their antics. I think the real genesis of the shift was a few years ago, when our daughter didn't want to call the latest black cat by the name the rest of the family agreed upon, Bolshoi, and decided to call him Izaya instead.

Gets me thinking about cat names over the past couple of decades...

Sid
Nancy
Desdemona
Othello/Otto
Aristotle
Slash
Panko
Gomez
Pepe
Pandora
Calliope
Bolshoi/Izaya
Sophie

Not original, but it fits her. we found her running in a gutter at night about to be hit.

A pretty chunky tabby... no idea of his name so we called him Fat Cat. Couldn't find his owners so he lived with us for many more years.

and you found him as a little ball of fur.

As in the case of Boy Cat and Sissie...

We got two Siamese kittens years and years ago. We couldn't agree on names for them, and in the meantime referred to them as "the boy cat" and "the little sister." Before too long, they were answering to Boy Cat and Sissie and continued to do so long after their official names of Captain Chaos and Little Miss Melee.

Other Kitty Kat names in our History: Mr. Squeeks, Gatita, Manchester (aka Mannie), Mythrandir (aka Mythie), Habibi (aka Bibi), Tator Tot, Pepperpot, Catling, Amber, Annie, and Nod.

Give it a few days. The right name will come.

isn't much to see. I put the sunglasses beside him so you can get an idea of his size (small).

Great quote, In_The_Wind!!

So true

and sometimes it's a kick in the tush.

The only option we have is to accept it as graciously as we can and move on.


Thanks for the complement, ailsagirl.

He's got a ways to go and he's certainly not a good looking kitty yet, but we'll see. He's all black, but he's got a few places where the hair is really thin. His head looks too big for his body and his ears are enormous. It's too early to tell what color his eyes are and right now they're kinda yucky. I have to keep cleaning them.

she spent the whole next at at the vet getting wormed, and having her fleas and ear mites cleared up.

Your baby might have other parasites than just fleas, and getting rid of them would help him a lot.

I thought Tango was maybe 6 weeks old when I adopted her because she was so tiny, weighing just 2.4 pounds. But after being treated for all her parasites, she gained weight rapidly. She was 5 pounds one week later, and 6.7 pound just 2 weeks after that.

As it turned out, she was much older than we thought at first--actually about 10 weeks to 3 months old, not 6 weeks. But she was so malnourished that she looked like a tiny kitten.

She is a Maine Coon cat, so she is actually the largest of my 3 kitty girls, weighing 13.4 pounds now. But what a wee thing she was when I first met her!

I expected him to die, quite frankly. He'll be going in the next few says.

(again, see my longer post below)

He probably needs a simple eye ointment to clear it up, which you can get from your vet. If left untreated it could get worse and endanger his eyesight. It is very common in kittens coming in from outdoors, but it does need medication.

One of the six kittens I'm fostering right now has one sore eye and we are on the third medication--and it is finally helping. These things can be stubborn.

I was blessed on 2002 with two doxies, I assume sisters, lost one in 2012 and rescued another this past November. I lost the other sister this month but my little blessing is there to greet me now. The losses are hard but the love I got was worth having them in my home. Good luck with your new one.

I don't know what your finances are but there are vitamins in tubes that you put on the cat's paw and he licks them off.

He certainly knew where to go when he needed help.

I wish the best of everything for both of you!

I'm sure a little extra protein and fat will be good for him and I think it will be easy to digest. He's been eating wet cat food with milk and water on the side.

I keep saying "him", but I'm really not good at telling the difference when they are so small. I could very well have a little girl.

It can give him diarrhea and dehydrate him.

edited because I see you got more good info below.

Good luck with your new fur baby. I hope this works out for both of you. I'm really glad he seems to be pulling through. I have rescued dying kittens before and it is so wonderful to see them coming back to life. You'll be a great Mom to this little guy.

thank you so much for your good heart and kindness; you no doubt save his/her life.



I have five of my own and am currently caring for a sick adult male -- hoping it's nothing deadly (he stays outside to protect my kitties). He'll be going to the vet later this week when I have a break in my work ...

Here's to the tender hearts of the world.

I was searching for a phrase like that, and English teacher though I am, I couldn't come up with anything that succinct.

AK Granny's post made me cry. I'm afraid I have too tender a heart.

I sometimes avoid reading threads like this for that reason.

Now, for a slight change in the topic. I think there is a network of communication that animals (and humans) tap into. In this case, the little character heard there was a cat opening at AK Granny's house. AK Granny's conscious did not put out that message, but her subconscious may have.

That's my theory, anyway.

Does anyone remember the post from a DU-er earlier this year when we had all the bad weather in the winter about how their dog was running circles in the entryway, trying to get the human to open the door? And when the human did, the dog led to the forest where the human found an icy kitty and rescued it from the weather?

Well, how do you think that dog knew that? Hmmm?

I have told that story to at least a dozen people and just about everyone comes up with the same conclusion I came up with.

Anyway, AK Granny, I hope you keep us posted on the progress and I sure hope the little character survives. I want to give you a big hug for what you did.


Cher

..."SUCKER" (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) tattooed on our foreheads in a light wavelength only cats can see.

Or maybe "softie" or "easy mark." At any rate, I think they know us when they find us.

Almost 2 years ago, my sons brought a kitten back to their college in Kenosha WI. They found the little guy all alone on a cement footbridge near their hotel in San Antonio, where their soccer team was staying for an out-of-state tournament. When they could not find a shelter to take him in, several team members chipped in and bought the kitten a ticket on their flight back to Wisconsin. He is why we now have 5. He weighed 1 lb 4 oz when they brought him home, and is now a big, beautiful, lean and muscular 14 pounds.

Over the years, my husband & I have rescued 87 cats who came to our door. There are 3 priceless, furry little ex-refugees snuggled up next to me as I write this. Rescue animal companions are the BEST.

as in, "Honey girl, come here for a hug." Usually after she had described me as being tender-hearted when I cried over animals or birds or something like that.

Those phrases will stay with me til the end of my days.


When I posted last week about the stray male cat ("Cory&quot I'm caring for, others commented that animals can feel the compassion vibes; if they need help, they know where to go (hopefully, most of the time, anyway).

NJCher

Last edited Tue Jun 24, 2014, 03:16 AM - Edit history (1)

It often hurts to be so sensitive, but I wouldn't give up my personality for anything. The hurt is more than eradicated by all the happy times spent together. (Even writing this makes me a bit teary-eyed)

It looks like you have found yourself a good pet.

fat and sassy and the love of my life. Keep this kitty. it came to you for a reason.

Isn't it?

Good on ya. Seriously.

First, here is a website to help you figure out how old he is, based on looks and behavior:

http://www.raising-happy-kittens.com/kitten-development.html

Feed him canned food, and if you can get some KMR powder (kitten milk replacement) to add, so much the better. Mix it into the food at the rate of about a teaspoon of powdered formula to a 5.5 ounce can of wet food, add a T. of water and mix it all up. One kitten that size might eat a half a can a day, something like that, plus you can leave out dry food for him to start on. At six weeks old he will no longer need the milk.

Precautions: if you let him overfeed, he might end up with diarrhea, so watch that. Kittens can also get it from stress, a change in diet, or having a cold. If it isn't caused by parasites, adding a T. of canned pumpkin can help. If it is parasites, the stool will probably look mucus-y and/or streaked with blood and a trip to the vet is in order. Small kittens' stools are soft, but should be somewhat formed, not liquid.

Eyes: if they crust over or the eyelids are red and swollen, he needs to get medication to avoid serious complications to the eye.

These are the things orphaned kittens are prone to, especially the ones who come in from outdoors.

Give him a warm place to sleep with something fluffy to cuddle up in. An old stuffed animal might be nice, since he's all alone. I use an old sheepskin and the kittens love to "nurse" on it and it comforts them.

Handle him, wash his face and bottom when they need it, get him used to having his paws handled and get him used to being brushed. Easier to teach these things when they are young. Inspect between his toes for pieces of kitty litter. They don't get the hang of cleaning themselves consistently until six weeks or so. The easiest way to wash bottoms I've found is to simply fill my laundry tub with about an inch of warm water, then dip and swish kitty until clean. Soap isn't really necessary and can irritate. Dry well with a towel and he's good to go.

Good luck and enjoy! Sorry if you know all of this already, but maybe someone else can benefit too.

His tummy is rounding out and his stool looks okay. I've been cleaning his backside and paws several times a day with unscented diaper wipes. I had a length of polar fleece that I'm cutting up for his bed. He's starting to explore and play a little. He found this morning that he can climb my pant leg to get on my lap.

Thanks for the link. Good info.

No kitten who climbs your clothing has given up. This one is clearly interested in being in your life.

Every day he's showing signs of improvement. I really didn't think he'd make it for the first couple of days. He was just so tiny and frail.

He may be older but just small for his age. If he's climbing...does he run yet? They kind of "toddle" before 5 weeks, and by 6 or 7 get really good at running. Mine chase each other and get a good gallop going at 6-7 weeks. Yours might need to build up strength first, though. You can dangle a string and get him to exercise a bit and build muscle.

And is it indeed a "he"? What are you naming him?

He's kind of clumsy with his walking, still a little unsteady. He is past the stage where they splay their feet way out with their bellies close to the floor. He has played with my fingers when I wiggled them, but he wasn't interested in a bit of yarn that I dangled in front of him. He climbed my pant leg this morning to get on my lap. He is purring and pushing his head against my fingers when I pet him. I think he'll be a real sweetie.

My guess on his age is 4-5 weeks, judging from other kittens I've raised. He's really small, less than 6 inches from nose to base of tail. He fits nicely in the palm of my hand. I think it's a he, but either way, there is spay or neuter in the future. I don't know about a name yet, it will come to me.

He probably is four weeks old. That play behavior sounds like four weeks. The first thing my four week olds learned was to climb onto my lap.
So small! Hopefully he'll make a good recovery. But how did he ever make it to your doorstep? The mother may have brought him--hard to know how else he'd have gotten there.

There are some feral cats that hang out around and under the house. I'm assuming that he belonged to one of those cats. I've been feeding them so they won't hunt the birds. I used to find bird remains in the yard on a regular basis, but hardly ever now. I wish there was a TNR program in town, but there's not one.

...the most endearing behaviors.

(I'm totally crying right now)

Would love to see a picture of him/her. I also think a trip to the vet in in order to make sure all parasites, internal and external, are gone.

And I had a beloved black cat named Pyewacket after the black cat in the old film "Bell, Book & Candle." He was a lover and I still miss him. If all goes well and you do find yourself the owner of a black cat, make sure to make him an indoor cat. People are strange and do kidnap black cats.

You have been rescued!

Thank you for taking this kitty into your home. Thank you for caring so much for him/her. Sending lots of good thots. I can imagine you with the kitty in your lap.

the needle of course, to feed a cat a little extra if he won't eat or take supplements. The important thing is to make sure they are hydrated. I rescued a sick cat one time and had to do exactly that. She had an abscess and was ill on Christmas eve. I took her out of the freezing cold and brought her home where said abscess promptly ruptured. Lucky I knew what to do. It was midnight. She let me clean her and I flushed her abscess. She was septic and I had to give her antibiotics and force feed her fluids and food for a day and a half.

Congrats!

I hope that you can give him/her the love that she deserves. It already sounds like things are moving a positive direction and if things work out then please post some pictures. Thanks for being there.

"It's funny how things happen." ...No it's not funny at all.
The correct word is "wonderful"

Something to think about. A kitten can be so badly infested that they become anemic, and die. Keep an eye on that kitteh. Are his gums pink? Or deadly pale?

even though he was too young. I wasn't sure the bath had gotten them all and their eggs. I've been checking him and he got another bath yesterday.

The best cats have heroic tales...

The kitty knew where to go for sure.

When I lost my old girl 2 springs ago, I knew I'd want another cat at some point, but didn't feel ready...until someone in a parking lot handed me a little ball of fluff that fit easily in one hand. Really. A feral rescue, not yet big enough for kibble. Today, she's healthy, energetic, and quite a pest, but I wouldn't be without her.

This kitty is small enough to curl up in the palm of my hand and was too weak to be scared of me. I guess his age between 4-5 weeks. How he got to my back door, I'll never know, but he should still be with his momma. He'll just have to make do with me. This morning he came to the sound of my voice and was purring when I picked him up. Shows all the signs so far of becoming a real sweetie.

and sounds like he's regaining his health quickly. Congratulations!

I'm tearing up here. You're a good momma cat.

when I told them about you:


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...that there are so many catlovers here on DU.

We have 5, all rescues. If I lived by myself, I could probably be in serious danger of being the crazy cat lady in the neighborhood. My husband keeps that from happening -

We have two of our own and I am working on convincing him to get a third. These two have never been friends and I think my tabby needs a friend.

But in the meantime I foster kittens and cats, and volunteer taking photos at the animal shelter, so I get to meet and interact with many cats.

house at night!

I hope we'll get to see some photos of the little sweetie soon.

without a picture!

His grooming himself is a very, very good sign! Congrats!

little being a chance. may you have many happy years together.

meant to add: so sorry for the loss of your girl. I know how much it hurts. but it sounds like she sent this little one to you.

She had some white patches on her underside. When she rolled on her back it looked like she was wearing a white lace bra and panties. This little guy doesn't have any markings at all.

keep us posted on his progress please

My 5 rescues (who own me, lock stock and barrel) appreciate it as well.

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Not a very good pic, but the sunglasses give you an idea of his size. He has chosen a drawer in a little organizer I keep for my knitting supplies. When I came home this evening he came to me as soon as I started talking to him.

Glad he's getting stronger. I have a 13 year old black cat that I got when she was about this small. She used to hide anything and everything she found on the floor, including her toys, in a pile under my bed when I first got her. I think it's a feral thing.

let us know how the baby is doing!

that I keep beside my chair, so I've made his bed there. Oops! He has just figured out how to get up into my chair and has strolled across the keyboard, so I'm blaming any typos on him. He's pretty scrawny, but I think he's going to be OK.

and sleeping on your keyboard (my old girl did that unless I turned the keyboard up. never could understand why she did it)

The rescue kitty from San Antonio whom I mentioned upthread was a little bit bigger than a smart phone but not as big as a TV remote when my sons brought him back to their college. I hope this little kitty thrives the way Winston has.

They are huge! Makes me think that maybe he is older...time will tell I guess.

...had huge ears initially. He looked like Yoda after they gave him a bath. He has grown into the ears.

You can keep the eyes clean with saline and cotton balls.

Some people say that when another cat shows up at your door shortly thereafter, that they've been sent by the one who passed on.

Who knows?

My rescue kitty Claire had just died of cancer in May when a kitty who looked similar appeared on my rescue mailing list. Her case was also similar: a white cat, kitten really, outdoors in the Texas sun. Kids throwing rocks at her, killing her kittens...I made a great case for her, but when no one stepped forward, I took her in.

A little over a month later she had another litter, must have got pregnant while she still had her others. She's very happy now--and very protective. Yeah, I think Claire sent her. She was pregnant when we took her in too.

I just learned about bathing kittens in Dawn dish soap to get rid of the fleas. My vet said it was okay, and it sure worked, even diluted. Dead fleas everywhere!

Let us know how his vet appointment goes!

sometimes our friends choose us . we had a cat by the name of rabbit, yes rabbit. hed hop like a rabit , and another one called dog biter . a german sheperd came into our yard and attacked , and we heard this dog yelping and retreating . thought the worst was over . but turnd out that dog biter bit the shepard on the nose and sent him packing. hope the little guy makes it .

Cats ROCK!!

Thanks for sharing this. I believe you have bonded to a little boy who will never leave his mom.

Okay, whatcha gonna name him, or did I miss that in the thread?

an elderly cat, my 1st boy lasted a few more years. then NO cat for over a month. so after losing my 2nd male, i got SPARES and i gotta say THREE cats is a blast. i hate to look forward, but the spares are almost 11.

Their lives are so much shorter than our own.

...to open our hearts, our arms, and our homes. It takes me about 30 seconds to fall in love with a kitten.

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Mozart, Bach, Lennon, Madonna, Pachabel, Streisand and then my son got into the act named our last cat Stewie after the character in Family Guy.

Such a moving story. Fate seems to step in when we think we know better.....that kitten is so lucky to have made it to your door.

You are right, you will never be able to part with him now. You have a cat!

posted on how he/she is doing.



If there was a kitteh smilie I'd use that too!

to get stronger every day. It sounds like the little one is getting everything that s/he needs--especially the most important thing--lots & lots of love. That is SO important to tiny--and not so tiny--creatures. Again, keep us updated.

But to please you (and the feline overlords) >^..^<

Your thread is ON FIRE!!!!!!!

Lol.

How is he doing?

Overall his condition is much improved, although he still looks a little ratty. His fur is thin in spots, but I'm thinking that was due to the flea infestation. He was encrusted with them. His eyes are looking much better with regular cleaning and are no longer stuck shut. His appetite is good, he's using the litter box pretty consistently and he's gaining weight. He is very alert and responsive and loves being petted and snuggled. He's playing more now and last night he even made it up onto the bed during the night. He was sleeping at my feet when I woke up this morning. I hadn't been encouraging that because his bottom is likely to need cleaning after a trip to the litter box, but that's getting better, too.

I've been feeding him canned cat food with water alongside. Last night I got some dry kitten food to go with and he has eaten a bit that, too. I'll soften it with water until he can eat it dry and then reduce the canned food to once a day.

A week ago I thought I was just giving a little comfort to a dying animal. I was sure he was too far gone to save.

I'll try to post more pictures this weekend.

I have what I'd call a "runt" in my current batch of six fosters. He had the messy bottom while the others didn't. Just seems a little behind developmentally for whatever reason. But at six weeks old now, he's gotten his act together and no longer needs the twice daily cleaning. So hang in there.

I also took advice from this thread and found an old toothbrush to groom this one with, just for emotional comfort. He loves it! Loves the personal attention and mother love. So give that a try. After brushing him this way for a few minutes, he began to wash his own paws--so cute.

He plays less than the others and isn't gaining very fast even though he eats a lot. I may have him checked for parasites even though he had a routine de-worming at the shelter. No diarrhea but he does have a pot belly and the rest of him is skinny. While researching I discovered that the way they get tapeworm is from fleas. So if your little guy had a lot of fleas, be on the alert for that too.

in 2010 months apart we lost SOPHIE (she was 14) and SNICKERS.

jUST ABOUT KILLED ME. MY LITTLE GIRLS DIED OF CANCER.

3 months later we adopted ANNIE & TAFFY from the metal recycling place hubby takes his metal. 3 months later we adopted a darling BLACK feral kitten ... INKY. Last year we adopted 2 more feral kittens ... SADIE & SALLY.

We rescued all 5 cats and they would have died if we hadn't taken them in. Now they have a "furever" home. So BLESS you again GRANNY. I hope your little boy lives "furever "



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Some people have such a hard time losing a pet that they say, "no more". I can't imagine not having a cat or two. I take the attitude that all cats share a great cat soul, so if you have one, you have a little bit of all of them. Your former cats would be proud of you.

We will keep our fingers crossed for the little guy. I think he's choosing life.