Topic: HELP! ABANDONED KITTENS FOUND! (Read 5231 times)

Ela · « **Reply #47 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:14:56 AM »

Our vets don't test kittens for FIV until 6 months. Having said that the situation has only risen once in the last 8 years or so. Those kittens (now about 8 yrs old) did prove to be FIV+ and are all still alive and well, but we didn't home them until they were over 6 months old and we knew the score or thought we did as we would offer to pay for another test at some time in the future to confirm.
Sadly their mum was a feral (as wild as they come) and very sick and had to be gently PTS. How she managed to raise those kitten I will never know. If only people would contact us about strays (even if they only think a cat is a stray), feral or otherwise before there is a problem the plight of many would not be so bad.

As we keep cats/kittens from each situation completely separate there would be little chance of passing on any disease and we would not home a potential FIV kitten or a kitten with any other potential problem to a home where there were other cats, so I am quite happy that the chance of passing anything on would be negligible. I think in our area we would be hard pressed to home a cat or kitten if we did not know what the prognosis was.

I know there is a FIV injection in the USA but I understand that the jury is out as to its safety. I think one of the problems is that all current methods of testing for the FIV virus will most definitely show a FIV+ for cats vaccinated with the FIV vaccine. So if we vaccinated our cats against FIV and one of them got lost and is picked up and taken to a vet and tested it would prove FIV+ and with some rescues that would be it. However, I think that problem could easily be overcome if vets insisted that all cats injected for FIV were chipped and then the FIV injection information could be passed on to the chip company.

Having said all that If an owned kitten was taken to the vets with a problem that could not be pin pointed, then I am sure a vet would test for FIV and FeLV at any age hopefully if it proved FIV+ would advise them that it may not be the end of the world and to test again at a later date.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #46 on:** July 19, 2009, 08:12:03 AM »

Quote from: Ela on July 19, 2009, 02:35:31 AM

Quote
Hunny, hate to say this but were the surviving kittens tested for FIV/FeLV

At that age FIV testing is not reliable as if mum was poss then the kittens will still have mums antibodies and could be tested a false FIV+. Best to wait until kittens are about 5-6 mths old.

Sure Ela, I know that. I'm sure the vet will say that too. But at least if an initial Pos test is shown, owners are prepared for bad news ahead of time and can take precautions to avoid it potentially passing to other resident cats while they wait for confirmation. It's much easier to throw a party and celebrate a clear result at six months, isn't it, than not be prepared for a deterioration in health and not realise the cause behind it? I've had to battle this situation several times, as you know, and I've had foster kittens passed away suddenly. By getting early tests we were able to forewarn adoptive owners about the risk of remaining litter mates being FIV/FeLV pos and needing to live indoor only lives. As it happened, early tests were clear on the surviving kittens and were confirmed clear at six months. So we did have a little party.

Ela · « **Reply #45 on:** July 19, 2009, 02:35:31 AM »

Quote

Hunny, hate to say this but were the surviving kittens tested for FIV/FeLV

At that age FIV testing is not reliable as if mum was poss then the kittens will still have mums antibodies and could be tested a false FIV+. Best to wait until kittens are about 5-6 mths old.

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #44 on:** July 19, 2009, 00:26:48 AM »

Its always best to be caustious!.. the little guy is as cute as a button and I wouldn't like to see him become unwell. I'll talk to vet when we're next down there.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #43 on:** July 19, 2009, 00:17:04 AM »

I didn't wish to alarm you, hunny. Just be cautious and trying to help.

But I'd be interested to know what the presumed mum and other kitten that were spotted in the other garden died of.

Perhaps one kitten passing away, OR the mum... but both being found dead together strikes of an infection or disease as being possible. Sudden death like that always has a reason and there may be things which need to be done to protect the surviving kittens, or warning signs to look for.

It is also possible that the dead kitten and mum were poisoned, so FIV/FeLV is not the only possible cause behind the deaths.... but I'd think it wise to rule them out.

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #42 on:** July 19, 2009, 00:04:33 AM »

Quote from: Pinkbear (Julie) on July 18, 2009, 23:54:53 PM

Hunny, hate to say this but were the surviving kittens tested for FIV/FeLV?

I'm going to be the odd one out and say the kittens in the pics looked 4/5 weeks to me. I wouldn't expect them to have put up any resistance to handling at that age if born feral.

No Jess hasn't been tested - I did explain his history, but she didn't mention anything about needing to carry out any tests

I have to take him back in 2 weeks so I will ask. Thanks for bringing this to my attention Julie, most appreciated.

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #41 on:** July 18, 2009, 23:54:53 PM »

Hunny, hate to say this but were the surviving kittens tested for FIV/FeLV?

I'm going to be the odd one out and say the kittens in the pics looked 4/5 weeks to me. I wouldn't expect them to have put up any resistance to handling at that age if born feral.

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #40 on:** July 18, 2009, 23:26:05 PM »

All 3 kittens have been rehomed - little Lucky - the last kitten to be found has been taken in by neighbour of OHs mum. Tigger is with OHs cousin and Jess is with us. They are all doing great. We took Jess to the vet this week, had a check up. Vet says he's doing great, reckons he's about 7 weeks old, 900g.. got prescribed some flea spray and worming paste. He was a real star throughout the visit and had the nurses cooing over him.. what a show off!

Janeyk · « **Reply #39 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:52:21 PM »

RIP little one xx

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #38 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:50:18 PM »

Sorry I didn't make my post very clear, the kitten with the dead adult cat had also died.

Janeyk · « **Reply #37 on:** June 21, 2009, 11:58:12 AM »

thank goodness those poor babies are being helped

RIP mum cat xx

Shirley · « **Reply #36 on:** June 21, 2009, 11:27:08 AM »

Sorry Jean, just re-read your post-a few hours old!!!!!! I despair of this nation of so-called 'animal lovers'

Shirley · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2009, 11:24:10 AM »

OMG it just gets worse! Thank goodness for people like you and your partner's family. Did you manage to get the FORTH kitten, by it's poor dead mommy, or is it the third one just moved away. Sounds like they're happy to have found someone to love them! x

How can 'people' just dump a kitten a few days old??? I wish your friend the best of luck in rearing the poor little mite. x

Bazsmum · « **Reply #34 on:** June 21, 2009, 11:09:22 AM »

Quote from: Cat_Crazy on June 20, 2009, 20:57:14 PM

It was all fun and games again today - partners mum has found a THIRD kitten!

I thought there may be more! Glad they have been found but what about mummy cat?

Did anyone get the kitten that was still by her?

JeanH · « **Reply #33 on:** June 21, 2009, 10:21:09 AM »

The kittens are lucky to have been found by someone who is willing to go out of their way to care for them. I should know better by now but I still get shocked by stories of animals just being abandoned. My friend is currently caring for a kitten that was abandoned within a few hours of birth - how could someone do that the

She has a mother cat who's kittens are almost weaned and it has taken an interest in the kitten but so far the kitten hasn't yet suckled. We're keeping our fingers crossed for it

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #32 on:** June 20, 2009, 20:57:14 PM »

It was all fun and games again today - partners mum has found a THIRD kitten!

she saw it on top of her garden fence.. I have no idea how it got there!. She rang us in a panic this morning because she couldn't catch it. My partner and his sister had to break a couple of fence panels to get to her, she was trapped and crying out. Unfortunately while talking to a neighbour, he tells us that in the garden of the next house there is a dead adult cat, with a kitten

About 30 minutes after being rescued the third kitten is off exploring the front room. She has a healthy apetite, and is very similar looking to Tigger, the first kitten captured. She has already been named Lucky.

Lucy has an overly playful nature.. the chances of her becoming a surrogate mum were slim. When the kittens were here she was answering their cries, but then ran away when the kittens came near her, plus she is still young herself and plays rough.

Shirley · « **Reply #31 on:** June 20, 2009, 11:35:23 AM »

Awwww naughty Lou Lou Flump!

Daisymac · « **Reply #30 on:** June 20, 2009, 11:28:19 AM »

Quote from: Shirley on June 20, 2009, 11:09:22 AM

Not that i know a lot about cats, only what i've picked up on different forums, but wouldn't Lucy have acted as a surrogate mom and let them snuggle up to her? Just a thought!

She might do, that is not a bad idea, one of mine looked after Gracie Dirty Face's kittens, but on the other hand Lou Lou Flump who we thought would be lovely with the kitten just bashed them over the head everytime she saw them

Shirley · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2009, 11:09:22 AM »

Not that i know a lot about cats, only what i've picked up on different forums, but wouldn't Lucy have acted as a surrogate mom and let them snuggle up to her? Just a thought!

Janeyk · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2009, 07:40:51 AM »

All those poor little kittens missing their mums.

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2009, 07:16:46 AM »

Kittens seem ok. They are eating well, but neither is drinking very much, is this something to be worried about?.. I syringe fed them some kitten milk last night, which they both happily took. We bought them back for first night, they were crying their little hearts out for their mum - my youngest cat, Lucy started answering their calls.. a few times Lucy came into the room and tried to carry the kittens off!. In the end I had to put all our cats in the bedroom, which calmed things down quickly.. my partner was too scared to move, as he had one of them fast asleep, curled round the back of his neck!. But everytime they heard Lucy crying (she hasn't been down yet) it would set the Kittens off. They have gone back to my partners mums house, which is alot better for them, quiet and stress free as there are no other cats about. Unfortunately there has been no sign of mum, the food that was put out for her got hoovered up by the local ginger tom

... If I didn't already have 3 cats I would of kept them both, for sure.. Oh yeah, kittens have been named now, kitten 1 is called Tigger (she growls if you try and touch her while shes eating) and kitten 2 is Jess.

The kittens are absolutely adorable, I really dont understand people who can abandon poor, defenceless animals. There is no need for it, they must have hearts of stone.

Shirley · « **Reply #26 on:** June 19, 2009, 16:35:37 PM »

I've just got back from Cramar cat rescue. There they had a tiny kitten (about 4/5 weeks old) which had been dumped in a park-the person who brought it in had seen it done yesterday. The poor little thing keeps crying so the manager said i could give her a cuddlle if i wanted to! DID I!!!!!!!!!!! She snuggled up into cardigan and stopped crying immediately! She wants her mommy. She was so cute and had obviously been handled before, and used her litter tray (She even took one of her little toys in with her!)
How can scum do this to a living creature? Did they think she would just fend for herself? It's so heartbreaking hearing these tragic stories day after day. Will it ever end?
A bit of good news tho, if it turns out this liittle kittie is ok healthwise, they will put her with some others they have there.

How are your 2 doing?

CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls · « **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2009, 11:02:50 AM »

They are gorgeous

Suppose you have added 2 new ones to your home

JackSpratt · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2009, 10:43:57 AM »

Definitely older than five weeks, and certainly at ease round people indicating as MM said, a dumping situation.

They're gorgeous - have you seen their Mum or just the kittens? Are you keeping them or do you already have a full house?

Millys Mum · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2009, 10:34:57 AM »

Quote from: Bazsmum on June 19, 2009, 07:58:39 AM

Oh wow what lovely kittens....although I defo would now say that they are not feral....They also look about 6/8 wks old! I wonder if these are someones kittens as they are too comfortable with humans not to have been socialised already!

I agree, even if not feral in hissyness they wouldnt be that comfortable in human surroundings so quickly, makes me mad people can dump them so young

Well done on taking them in and posting pics so quick we didnt have to ask

Sheli_80 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2009, 09:16:57 AM »

So glad you found the other kitten, they are stunning.

Shirley · « **Reply #21 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:45:27 AM »

Morning Catcrazy

They are sooooooooo beautiful!

When we've had our ferals at work (loads of litters from poor mommy cat) most of them were caught and rehomed at a very young age. One litter (my grey baby and his sister) were older and caught, neutered/spayed and returned to us. He was ok with us (me and my ex boss) almost from the start and , 6 years down the line, he would run up to us, rub round your legs etc. His sister was completely different. She disappeared a couple of years ago but we'd never been able to touch her, not that she was nasty, she'd just move away. Mommy cat (who we'd looked after for about 9 years) had only recently started walking in and out boss's legs, but even HE couldn't stroke her, she was so nervous. (Don't know if you've read their story on Catchat under 'advice needed on factory cats after redundancy'-very frustrating for me and a terrible outcome-mommy was found to have leukemia and a tumour so was pts and he has escaped from the sanctuary i'd taken him to for a wonderful life)

BTW i'm only in Bilston!

Daisymac · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:20:46 AM »

Oh and just to say, CatCrazy, you are FANTASTIC for taking them in

blackcat · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:11:32 AM »

The feral kittens i found were a bit of a mixed bunch in terms of friendliness. Three were happy to be picked up (if a little cautious at the first approach) the others would have happily torn me limb from limb. So friendliness does not necessarily exclude feralness I would not have thought. If they are as famished as my wee little ones were then that too may reduce their willingness to struggle too hard - glad they have been found by someone who cares ... they are very young, and very cute too ...

Daisymac · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:07:41 AM »

Just had a thought, here is a pic of two of the kittens we had, they were 16 weeks in this picture, just so you can compare size etc:

Daisymac · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:03:46 AM »

They are lovely, like Bazsmum I would say that are 8 weeks old or quite possibly older, they look really healthly and cared for, I am wondering the same thing, are they kittens that belong to someone and have just escaped, I know when we got Gracie Dirty Face and she was dumped she was in awful condition and you couldnt get near her for weeks because she would attack you, she didnt even like being inside a house, we had to first have her in the shed and gradually she came into the house.

LesleyW · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2009, 08:02:59 AM »

They are gorgeous but I would also say they seem to calm around humans to have been born feral, and defo look older than 5 weeks, more like 7/8 weeks old if not more. Well done for taking them in.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #15 on:** June 19, 2009, 07:58:39 AM »

Oh wow what lovely kittens....although I defo would now say that they are not feral....They also look about 6/8 wks old! I wonder if these are someones kittens as they are too comfortable with humans not to have been socialised already!

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2009, 00:29:08 AM »

Kitten 1

Kitten 2

Kittens together

Cat_Crazy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2009, 23:34:13 PM »

Update:

Second Kitten was found earlier on this afternoon, hiding in the next door neighbours garden. Both are in better shape than I was expecting. We had a quick check and think they are both female. Both are tabby coloured, first kitten is short haired, second is long haired. Both have been fed small amounts every few hours and given plenty to drink. I sorted out a cardboard box with a cardigan they had taken taken a shine to. After a few hours sleep they were both feeling braver, so they ventured out and had a nosy round the front room, under strict supervision. They have both had lots of fuss, kitten 1 loves snuggling down to sleep on your chest and kitten 2 was very wary of us, but is now alot more playful. Unfortunately there has been no sign of their mum.. have put some food out for her in case she returns. Visit to vets is going to be organsied.

I'm in Wolverhampton. Thanks everyone for your help, will keep you all updated on their progress. Pictures to follow soon.

Shirley · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2009, 20:00:05 PM »

Any news yet?

Sheli_80 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2009, 19:44:09 PM »

Hope you find the other kitten soon.

Good luck.

Bazsmum · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2009, 17:41:27 PM »

Hope little one is found....chances are there will be more!

Good vibes being sent~~~~~~

Millys Mum · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2009, 13:35:39 PM »

If the missing kitten is as young as you say it wont have run very far, i hope you can find it

CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2009, 13:27:15 PM »

Phew thanks Les- thought I had given the totally wrong advice

Author Topic: HELP! ABANDONED KITTENS FOUND! (Read 5231 times)