Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 12/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been fostering a kitten for 3 months since she was about 6 weeks old because of a broken leg. She got better and I gave her back to the shelter about a week ago. I went out of town and then came back and they told me she hasn't eaten anything and it is because of depression I went on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and I will continue to go this week to feed her. Even with me she barely eats. Yesturday I noticed she had ocular discharge so they said she would be started on meds. I did research and found that through depression their immune system is lowered. But my question is is it possible for her to be depressed because she misses me? And can it get better or would  it be best for me to adopt her.  ( untill goin back to the shelter she had never been around cats she is up to date on her meds, and spayed)

ANSWER: Of course she misses you! In her eyes you were her Mom, her owner, the one that was everything to her. They don't know they are being fostered. When you bond with a cat that young she will immediately be yours in her eyes.

Fostering is a tough job to do. I fostered a puppy with a broken leg from work in 1998 and she is now lying at my feet, 12 years old.

I don't know how you ever gave her up! If you wanted to leave her there, she will get over it eventually and get well- but she is going to be sick for a while. Everyone's immune system is effected by depression, not just cats.

The choice is yours, but if it were me, I would get her out of there and back home. Next time you foster you should make it for less time, that way they are not as bonded to you.

But this is just my opinion!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: trust me I did NOT want to give her upbit was one of the hardest things I had to do u bonded to her as well iblove with othe people who can't stand the smell of cats so I am still trying to convince  them. That being said do you reccomend  anything to help lessen the smell?  

Answer
Cats don't smell, their litter boxes do. Clean it daily and never let it get wet and they won't smell her at all.

Kittens especially are clean little things!! Feed her good food like Science Diet and her stool will be very small and very odorless. I can't even smell my daughter's cat's litter box until it's really wet as she eats Science Diet sensitive skin.

They digest it so completely that only a small stool is left over. Other cat foods make very smelly stools.
Try it and you will see. Get her the Kitten Growth formula and switch her over SLOWLY over 7 days.
Here is a chart of how to do it.