Help!!! Problem with rescued kitten

[vsecord]

Hello. My nine year old daughter found a 3 - 6 month old kitten today in my mother in law's shed. The shed had been locked up since last friday and the temp's have been in the 80's.

The kitten is skinny, her gums are pale. She is a little lethargic but she will play not as activly as a another kitten her age but she will. She is drinking, eating, and will use the litter box. We didn't have any cat food at the time and we gave her some tuna. She was so hungry she ate the whole can. I also have been giving her some Nurti-Stat. (I have some form when my cat was really ill)

My mother in law has decided to keep her, since her cat passed away a short time ago. She bought a huge bag of kitten food, all the supplies for having a cat.....

My question is this---will the malnutrition cause the pale gums? She seems healthy otherwise. Is there something else that we should be doing to help her gain weight until we can get her to the vet??? She also has fleas. I am using a flea comb with warm sudsy water to remove them.

The vet can't get her in until next Monday....

I appreciate all the advice I can get. Thank you for any help you can provide.

[Mona]

vsecord wrote:My nine year old daughter found a 3 - 6 month old kitten today in my mother in law's shed. The shed had been locked up since last friday and the temp's have been in the 80's.

The above tells me this kitten is very dehydrated and could have liver damage from not eating for a week. You MUST get the kitten to an ER vet or other vet immediately. This cannot wait until Monday, (if kitty is dehydrated etc she will not make it until Monday)which by the way is Labor Day Holiday. My vet has saturday hours and will take emergencies, please start calling for one that will take you now.

With the fleas, the combing is good, but do ask your vet about treatment, but DO NOT apply any over the counter products or anything yet esp with the weakened condition this kitty is in right now. Your vet will know what to do for her.

Good luck and please post updates.

Mona, HOneybun and Chloe

[Traci]

I concur wholeheartedly, this kitten needs immediate emergency veterinary exam RIGHT NOW. The pale gums could indicate anything from severe dehydration to anemia to infectious disease. She needs to be tested for FELV/FIV immediately, and flea anemia needs to be ruled out quickly.

The flea comb is fine to use at this point, but if she is anemic from the fleas, she needs prompt veterinary attention immediately. Your vet can also deworm her if he deems necessary, and will discuss dietary measures with you.

Don't wait on this, as Mona mentioned, this weekend is going to be tough enough as it is to get in to be seen, with the holiday, you can't risk it.....today is Thursday, get to a vet or ER vet ASAP today, no later than tomorrow, or you may not have ANY services available once the weekend is here.

[vsecord]

Thank you all for you help and advice. I have an appointment to thake her to another vet tomorrow morning. I will let you know how we make out.

Vikki

[vsecord]

We took her to the vet yesterday. She is healthy, she is FELV/FIV negative. She does have roundworms and ear mites but she is now being treated for them. She has gained 2 pounds since Wednesday and her gums are now pink. The vet put her on some extra vitamens to help her.

[jason]

We took her to the vet yesterday.

thats great vsecord, thanks for the update and taking the initiative to get this kitty feeling better.

let us know if situations change...better or worse.