Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   I rescued my little fella (10 week old kitten) from a very suspicious breeder four days ago. Even though he cost me a lot of money, I get the sense that I have saved him from a bad situation. A few hours after returning home with him, the breeder sent me an email about his prior situation. He was living with an elderly couple that kept him in a small carrier all the time. This makes perfect sense, because the little Himalayan doesn't walk and just usually likes sitting on my lap (he always remains close to me). He has yet to explore anything! When he does get up to move around its usually walks in a small circle! I think I have even seen his legs shake a little when he was walking on them. He sleeps a lot, and doesn't eat very much, but my gut tells me he is fine, just a little stressed about his new environment. I continue to give him many opportunities to roam and explore his new environment, but he just plops right back down after two-three steps and remains there instead of exploring.

   The day after adopting the little Himmie I took him to the vet. The vet said to give it some time, because he is extremely stressed about his new environment. I am not too worried about the eating and sleeping situations as I am the possibility of atrophy of the limps. I cannot imagine forcing a kitten (at god knows what age) to sit in a carrier for weeks!! I am also worried he missed his socialization period with humans.

   If you have any suggestions about how to motive this little guy to get out there and explore, it would be greatly appreciated. At the moment I force him to stand and take a few steps several times throughout the day in an effort to add strength to his poor limbs.

   Thanks,

   Cassie

   Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

2. 

   Poor wee darling. I can't imagine what his life must have been like until now. We sometimes have to keep kittens in cages for a few weeks at the shelter I volunteer at but they are usually still bouncing off the walls, playing with their siblings or little mice and balls. Have you tried playing a little with him? Throwing a crumpled piece of paper, a stuffed mouse dragged on a string, a pingpong ball? A laser pointer might get him interested, or a cat dancer. Play is a kitten's natural state, after all. Had you thought of adopting another kitten as a playmate? Maybe he needs someone to show him what to do. It may take him a while to get it.

   But I wouldn't panic too much just yet. I think the vet is right, he is stressed and traumatised but he will come right, given plenty of time and love. I wouldn't worry too much about socialisation as he obviously loves you to bits and is clinging to you. If he were hissing and running from you, that would be more of a sign of not being socialised.

   If he always remains close to you, you will just have to keep moving! and encouraging him to come along with you, calling him by name and giving him plenty of praise and pets when he comes up to be with you (and maybe some licks of natural yoghurt off your finger as a treat).

   And I would seriously think about reporting that breeder to whatever appropriate body there is in your country/state.

   We'd love to see pix of your little one. Let us know how he comes along. Bless you for rescuing him from a bad situation!

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

3. 

   I forgot to mention that he has a URI. He is currently on an antibiotic to treat the illness. After two days of the antibiotic he is breathing normally and all the mucus is gone. I must continue the medication for 10 days. I believe this could be contributing to his loss of appetite.

   I have tried several times to play with him and I practically bought every toy at PetSmart. He's just not interested at the moment, but from what I can tell he did not have any toys, etc. You should have seen his previous environment--tons of dogs barking and just a lot of loudness. I could tell the environment was stressing him out. He was fighting mightily to get out of the owners arms. So I immediately thought he was going to be feisty, but not yet. I've read that Himalayans tend to be considered "lazy."

   Getting another kitten might just do the trick! I'm just trying to take it day by day.

   Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

4. 

   Cassie, in that case it's not surprising that he's a bit down. Yes, it probably is contributing to his lack of appetite, if he can't smell his food, he won't be interested. Things you can do that might help -- give him pure chicken baby food (US TDKers often recommend Gerbers), with no onion or additives, give him smelly food, such as fish, and warm all his food gently as this makes it much more appealing and easier to smell. There's also a high calorie paste called Nutrical which you can smear a little of on his mouth to try and give him a bit more energy. The sooner you can get him eating normally again, the better, as it can be hard to get them eating once they stop.

   He may not know how to play. Feral kittens sometimes don't. But I am sure, with patience and care, and as soon as he's feeling less sick and more secure, he will start to act more like a normal little kitten every day...

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

5. 

   Cassie, be patient. Wait for your kitten to recover from his URI; expect that he'll be lethargic, tired & exhibit poor appetite until he's feeling better. Once he's recovered, then go ahead and use a string or wadded up ball of paper to see if he feels more like playing.

   If he's been tightly confined for most of his short life, or if he's been immobile for other reasons, his muscles have little tone and flexibility. Likewise, his tendons may not be all that flexible. You'll want to play with him, but don't overdo at first.

   In the meantime, while he's still not well, go ahead and pet him, gently massage him, and do range-of-motion stretches for his limbs several times per day. If you don't know how to do this, please ask your vet on your follow-up visit. Likewise, talk with your vet if your kitten doesn't show significant signs of improvement and activity levels within 2 weeks. It may be possible that your kitten is affected by something that's causing him difficulty with walking.

   Good luck, and please keep us informed of his progress!

   Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

6. 

   Great advice. I know with time he will be a happy and healthy little boy. I will be posting pictures soon (and hopefully picking a name)!

   I guess my worry came from the shock of confining a kitten to a small carrier. I think with time his little (actually very long) limbs with be strong and he will be more secure with walking around. He really is the sweetest little guy with big beautiful blue eyes.

   I will be taking him for a follow-up visit next week. I will keep everyone posted.

   Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

7. 

   You may be able to get him to walk a bit more by sitting on the ground in front of him. He'll head for your lap and you can pet him and let him rest a bit, then pick him up and put his as far away as you can reach. Then he'll head back to your lap. Eventually you should be able to put him down, walk several feet away and sit down. As long as he views your lap as his "safe place" he'll walk a little more each day to get to it.

   Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

8. 

   Hello all -- Well, we are still where we started with Dolce (finally picked a name). He continues to take a few steps and then plops down. It's almost as if he is still walking in a carrier. His cold seems to be getting better and he is eating more and drinking TONS of water.

   The other thing we have noticed about him is his shaking/shivering. I own a large old Victorian filled with drafts, so I bought him a few sweaters and turned up the heat, which seem to do the trick. However, sometimes even when he is warm, he shakes a lot. Perhaps he is still nervous around us? However his legs shake when he walks around. I'm not sure.

   WE continue the limb exercises and I place him on the floor in front of me (as suggested), but he seems to run out of steam after only a few steps and never makes it. I also encourage him to crawl around on my body.

   Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

9. 

   He is probably a little developmentally behind a normal kitten. His little muscles are probably not as developed as they should be for his weight but your massages and exercise will improve that. He may also have some co-ordination issues since he has not had the practice.

   Play focus games with him to get him to watch a moving object.

   And wait. I bet in a month or so you will have a lively curtain climber.

   Posted 2 years ago by ailuromaniac #

10. 

    You're so right Ailuromaniac - he's just not physically a 10 week old kitten yet -- I haven't been able to wrap my head around it until you said it.

    Thanks, I feel so much better now.

    Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

11. 

    I have wonderful news to report!!! Dolce is making great progress! He is trying to walk more and more :)

    His shaking/shivering is PURRRRING. My husband discovered it last night. I thought he was just a little guy that wasn't going to purr very much. Now, it's all the time.

    He is eating and drinking like crazy and the very best news -- he sat up on his own to clean himself this morning. It was the very first time I have seen him attempt to do this.

    Thank you all for the advice and positive good thoughts. Have a wonderful holiday!

    Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

12. 

    I'm so glad he's doing better :-)

    Posted 2 years ago by wolcar #

13. 

    That's great news! Now that his cold is better he should get stronger each day. You do need to report that breeder, she should have told you in person what you would be up against.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

14. 

    Thanks! I totally agree about the breeder. I would have taken him anyway!! After the holidays I am going to report her.

    By the way, I'm so sorry about not posting pictures yet. My digital is toast and the picture of me just ended up on the page and I am not sure why -- I never uploaded it. Is this account tied in with another account?

    Posted 2 years ago by CassieForsberg #

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