Expert: Becky - 6/13/2006

Question
Hi. My little sister found this baby kitty n acctaully saved it from getting run over by a truck. We took it in and we all love it. We think its about 3-6 weeks old. Our family never had to deal with baby cat before. The problem with this cat is that its sick. Its eyes have like eye boogers and it sneezes. It eats and sleeps but in the past two days it hasnt had a bowl movement ... but it has taken a couple of pees. We let her sleep and eat when ever she wants. But her eyes were swolen but they went down. This morning her eyes were gunked up and she couldnt walk straight. I have been wiping her eyes with a warm towel when they get like that and then shes able to walk better.  My question is should we take her to the vet or would she be okay if we brought her out to a farm to live out there as an outside cat?

Answer
Hi Nyssa!
If you take that little kitten out to the farm to live with the other cats, it will surely die. It is way too young to be put out on its own.  You need to take it to the vet as soon as you can.  This kitten will die if you don't.  You can save a kitten at this age but only if you know what you are doing.  Since you are not experienced at this, I hope you will take it to a Vet so that you can learn how to take care of her.  When kittens are this young and do not have a mother to clean them, they will not urinate and defecate as they are suppose to.  Please do not hesitate to get this kitten to a professional.  I think you will do fine with her once you learn how to properly care for her. She may be in need of nourishment and deworming too.  I hope all goes well for you.

God Bless,
Becky