I am completely new to this forum and I am sorry to be so needy right away. A beautiful kitten was in some sort of scuffle and appeared on my back patio. I think the is about 6-8 weeks old but I am not sure. For the one day we have known her, she seems very friendly. I live in an area where there are many barn cats that keep their distance from humans but this kitty is not afraid of people at all. She eats, pees, poops, purrs and plays. The problem is, my husband, who meant well, gave her wet adult food. She had the worst gas I have ever smelled!! She didn't have a runny BM but a little stuck to her and she didn't like it when I cleaned her up. She also started sneezing. She has no discharge or eye goop. She has no sign of ear mites. Her belly is a bit distended so I am thinking she might have worms. OF COURSE this had to be on a holiday weekend so I can't even think of taking her to a vet until Tuesday because it isn't an emergency.
My Limited Kitty Rescuing History
The last kitty who came to our door had a URI, worms and ear mites.He was only 4 pounds and he was 5 months old. He was precious. Very friendly. I kept him for two months and he was 9 pounds when we got him neutered the week before Christmas. It ripped my heart out, but we decided to give him a home so he could be an indoor/outdoor cat. He was always trying to get out and we live on a busy road and I didn't want him hit, nor did I want to have a nervous breakdown trying to keep him inside or fighting with my husband if he clawed anything. He is now living with a lovely family who needed a kitty his age to replace a cat for an autistic boy who adores him. I was very sad to see him go but he was such so good with children (they had visited before and loved him, and he them, there are three kids) that we thought it was a good idea.
Plus, my husband wasn't too keen on cats. His last day with us was on Christmas Eve.
Then BAM, this TINY (compared to his predecessor) little girl comes here and STOLE MY HUSBAND'S HEART. She is all black and very shiny. He named her Velvet. She follows him around the house, licks his face, nuzzles him, even tries to climb up his leg so he can hold her. She seems to want to be in my arms to get to him if he is around and kneads on him and does all of the kitty marking behavior. Mr. "we can't afford another pet" named her, got her food, a toy and is letting her sleep in a bed on the floor in our bathroom closet, which is very roomy. She has her litter box near by and fresh water.
My questions:
Do you think she could be healthy? The last kitty was negative for everything (feline leuk, HIV, etc) and I suspect she came from the same people who won't get their cats spayed or neutered and it drives me mad. OR she could have been dumped. That happens out in the country. I am a city girl and have never had a kitty just show up, never having been to a vet.
She sneezes now and then, but she has clear eyes, but her meow doesn't sound loud at all. It is like she lost her voice- could she have a URI? She is breathing normally. She is drinking. Not a ton, but a normal amount.
She had horrible gas like I said but it seemed to go away. She was literally starving. Perhaps she ate too much? Her belly seems very full and she is very playful. I am just concerned about the sneezing and gas. I didn't see any worms in her stool. I don't know if her belly is bloated or just full from finally having food in it. I guess time will tell.
Sorry this is so long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheryl
