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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-25-2003 11:40 AM         

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I have 4 kittens from a stray and the runt is sickly with a scaly patch around on eye,the ankles, on the edges of her ears, and 1 place on her shoulder. All the kittens have this to a small degree but none as bad as her. Does anyone have any idea what this is? She is smaller and kind of feeble. Could it be mites? I am trying to feed her kitten supplement but she only eats a very small amount. I'm not sure she is small because she's sick or if it's because the mother is favoring the stronger kittens. Any help would be appreciated. I know nothing about cats.

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Posts: 894
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-25-2003 07:33 PM         

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Could be mange or ringworm. Is it possible for you to get them checked by a vet? Or at least just the most severe one so you at least find out what it is and if its contagious. Ringworm is also contagious to humans and other animals so it would best to get to a vet as soon as possible. If funds are limited maybe one of the animal shelters in your area can give you some help. Good luck.

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Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-25-2003 09:47 PM         

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I will call and ask at the shelter. I seriously doubt it in this area. I can't understand why the mama and older kitten don't have it. I'm hoping to find a home remedy because I just recently spent a fortune on my birds. I'm going to force feed the runt tomorrow with some of that kitten formula to keep her strength up. The other kittens will lick it out of a saucer but she will only lick around the edges a little for some reason. I would just hate to lose her because she reminds me of the sibling to the older kitten that had to be euthanized. She is really sweet. We didn't get the mama cat spayed in time and got 4 more. I don't know what to do with them. We can't feed and take care of all 6. I hate to take them to the pound because it's certain death and I'm not sure that the shelter is discriminating in who they give them to. I don't want them to wind up with somebody cruel or neglectful. I'm doing the best I can for them. It's so sad. They just show up and you have to do what you can for them or take them to the pound. Not a lot of options.

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From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-26-2003 09:32 AM         

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Im sorry, I know its alot to deal with. Just continue to the do the best you can. Do you have an SPCA in your area? Im in NY and the SPCA has been very helpful here. They provided 2 strays I took in with low cost spaying/neutering and shots. They also treated them for worms, fleas and ear mites. We also have a cat rescue called Second Chance that helped me out the same way with a previous stray and her kittens. Hopefully, you can find something like this in your area. Try looking on www.petfinder.org .....at the top of the page click on "shelter and rescue groups" after doing this chose the State you are in and it will list all kinds of shelters and rescues in your State along with phone #'s. Please keep us posted.

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Posts: 473
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-27-2003 10:31 AM         

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Check to see if you have a humane society of the United States in your area. They have clinics with low cost vet services. The one in Dallas charged 10.00 for an office visit. Usually they wouldn't even charge me that b/c I was in there so much with strays. I would look at pictures of mange and ringworm online to see which one looks like what the kitty has. If it looks like ringworm and you want to try something at home, try some program as long as the kitty is old enough. Give twice the normal monthly dosage according to the package instructions. It works great for ringworm. Depending on the type of mange it can be treated with ivermectin. Other kinds require dips.

I ended up caring for a lot of strays just like you are. Many of them are part of my family now. When I found an orphaned kitten I lucked out and found a vet that would look at her between patients and not charge me an exam fee. Some vets have good hearts and help you out if you are caring for strays. Maybe you can find one that will work with you.

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