I've added a new member to my feline family. A first grader found a 3-4 day old kitten on the playground this morning at school. It was wet and lying in mud. The child told her teacher and of course, that teacher came to get me. I wasn't even sure the baby was alive. It was wet and very cold to the touch, but still breathing. We had had storms the day before and either the mama cat had dropped it when moving her litter to safety or it was washed out of its "nest" by rain water.
I picked it up and carried it to the cafeteria where I got a carton of low-fat milk then headed to the nurse's office. I wanted to get a syringe or eye dropper and maybe a towel to wrap the kitten in. The nurse wasn't much help but she did have a wash cloth I wrapped the kitten in. I got an eye dropper from another teacher.
I took the kitten back to my room, made a nest in a box with some towels I found in my room. I noticed it had mud around its mouth so I tried to gently scrape it away. Imagine my surprise when the kitten's mouth opened and a big wad of mud came out! This baby has got to be a fighter. I just couldn't believe it was alive with all that mud in its mouth and nose. I mixed the milk with water and tried to feed it. I managed to get a bit down. Then I put it back in the box to go get my class from computers.
My class is not one that needs distractions like the kitten. They did nothing the rest of the day. All they wanted to do was watch the kitten --I did manage to get the idea across that it was too young for everyone to handle. I fed it again but was still worried that its body temp was too low. Then I had to do a "nasty" thing. LOL I had to stimulate the baby's bottom area so it would urinate and defecate. Mama cats take care of all that until the kittens are a few weeks old. But no mama to do it so guess who got the golden opportunity? LOL Didn't bother me but the kids were grossed out.
Tried to keep it warm and fed it twice more and did the motherly jobs. After school I took the kitten to the vet. The actual vet was already gone but one of the techs has raised a lot of orphan kittens so I got a lot of good advice from her. Yes, the kitten's body temp was too low but right now it's asleep in a cat cage with a heating pad on the bottom, 2 layers of newspaper and 2 towels. It's about 77 degrees in there and needs to be a bit warmer. The tech also said she thought the kitten was a girl. Of course, why else would it be so tough? LOL Anyway my little girl is asleep right now snuggled up to a beanie baby dog! I need to wake her soon to feed her so I can give her one more feeding before I go to bed. She will have to go to school with me for awhile as she needs to be fed, etc., every 3-4 hours.
I also used a bit of flea stuff on her as the fleas were just crawling over her. You can't actually spray a kitten that young but you can spot treat them when you see fleas. I also treated the towels she's using.
I'm optimistic about her chances but you never know. I hope she becomes a permanent family member but if she doesn't make it, I know she will have made a lasting impression on me through her toughness and will to live through the rain and mud.
If she makes it, her name will be Lucky! 
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| New family member....temporary or permanent? |
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whatagal
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Apr 28 @ 9:58PM
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Awwwww Sign. You know how I love kittens!! Good luck, Lucky!!
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Redwicket
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Apr 28 @ 10:00PM
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I'm thinking that she was found early enough and she was lucky enough that you were there and knew what to do...She will make it!
On the ranch I remember a beautiful red angus calf that didn't know how to suck...I worked like the dickens to save her, but alas she had been brought to me a bit too late in the game. But, I know that the time she was here had been made more comfortable by what little I could do for her.
She is a fighter and so are you...She'll make it.
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missliss78
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Apr 28 @ 10:50PM
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Oh sign, how sad....but how touching...and how wonderful are you!
I have always been a sucker for little kittens. It's a small miracle that it was even found! Hope you'll keep us posted on the progress.
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Redwicket
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Apr 28 @ 11:02PM
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Yes, please keep us posted..
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lazareth
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Apr 28 @ 11:12PM
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bless your heart.... I'm the same way about kittens.. can't stand to see one hungry or homeless.
There is a product I buy called Bio-Guard,, it's a shampoo for all ages of kittens and it will kill fleas. I used it on the litter (along with the mother) that was dumped in my ditch the year before last. Those nursing babies were crawling with those huge fleas that I call "dog fleas"..
I know you'll do your best for the new baby....  .
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silksox
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Apr 29 @ 12:43PM
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Hello Signme 
Thanks for the great tale!! Save that KITTY!! And post a photo when she gets a little olfer 
Silk
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SpiritOrnery
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Apr 29 @ 1:53PM
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Maybe instead of poison, a warm bath to drown the fleas and raise her body temperature. I have done that with small animals before that were flea coated. Good warm bath with a mild shampoo and wash dang fleas off then fluff their hair up real good, bundle them up. The soap makes the fleas drown. I put on a snug shirt and keep the baby inside the shirt for body heat and heartbeat to keep them alive and healthier.
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Rosie6512
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May 2 @ 11:21PM
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Awwwww Sign....you are such a sweetheart to take this little orphan in. There is a special place in heaven for you!!! God Bless!
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