Week old orphaned kitten HELP!!

[Ash]

You find a lot of info here http://www.cathelp-online.com/health/kitten1.php. Developmental stages are also decribed there. The eyes can open any time between one and two weeks, so just wait. Litter box training will have to wait for some weeks still. My friend has a kitten which is 7 weeks now and just learned it this week. She has to learn many things - and you have to learn to be patient

[jenni0214]

Hey! My kitten opened her eyes last week!! Now, she's teething!! I'm worried about two things though. I've read that solid foods should be introduced by at least 3 weeks old. I would have thought she would have to be older. Also, her eyes are watery, not bad, looks like she wants to cry (very lubricated but doesn't run). Is that normal for her eyes to stay that lubricated? Thanks!!!

[Traci]

What do you mean, lubricated? If there is any discharge in or around the eyes, she could be developing (or already have) an upper respiratory infection. Watery eyes is not normal for kittens.

Please get her re-examined by your vet, if he determines she has an upper respiratory infection, he will prescribe oral antibiotics for her. You need to keep the discharge gently wiped away from her eyes with a soft, dampened, warm cotton ball or gauze pad.

Kittens can usually be introduced to solid food at or around 3-4 weeks of age, but some may not be interested for a couple weeks past that. You can start to introduce her to solid food on a daily basis, but if she is not yet interested, continue with her formula.

Regardless, get her back to your vet for a recheck. If she has a URI, she may not be able to smell her food, or even show interest in her formula, you can't take the risk of anorexia and other problems associated with a URI.

[jenni0214]

Thank you everyone! But now I need to know what to do about her growing out of her box. What do I do with her now. I thought about putting her in our smallest bathroom with her heating pad, blankets, and her stuffed animal she sleeps with every night. Is this a good idea or do you suggest something else?

[Tambrey]

I kept ours in the bathroom...we had a space about 2 feet between the sink vanity and the wall, where i put the warmed bottles of water around the edges, and towels over them, to make a nest there for the kittens...then they get more of a place to run around and exercise those growing leg muscles!!...Get some little toys for her to play with, make sure the door stays closed, and when people do go in, they close the toilet lid and be careful shutting the door...
keep any bathroom chemicals, soaps and shampoos out of her reach...childproof the place!!...no hair thingies and stuff for her to eat...and she may shred the TP...so you might want to put that on the tank or somewhere for now...

[Traci]

Did you get her to your vet??? If not, get her seen NOW, you need to know if she needs treatment for a potential upper respiratory infection. Don't wait on this!