We found this kitten, abandoned, with an infected eye about 2 1/2 weeks. Ago. We fed him formula and treated the eye with antibiotic ointment and it was back to healthy within a week. He is now weaned to wet food.

About a week and a half ago, he cut his ear (we're not sure how it happened), and passed out & lost control of his bowels. We tended to him, mostly cuddling and getting him to eat... by the next evening he was back to normal (playing, eating, drinking, sleeping).

Today he is acting funny... he is more stumbly and seems more sleepy. He hasn't fallen and has no injuries. His pupils are equal and reactive. Just checked his ears and no sign of anything wrong (no discharge, no swelling, no blood, no visible mites)

Any clue as to what might be going on? Growth spurt? Any ideas appreciated... we really don't have $ to go to the vet tonight...

Your description sounds like distemper symptoms. Does he seem to have respiratory problems? Eyes runny again? Mucus from nose?

Gracie, I think you should take him to a vet as fast as you can. You assume he is about 7 weeks or so ?

Yes, I know, money problems, but tonight will tell if the little thing will survive or not. I suggest keeping warm, try to get fluids down, if diarrhea occurs then you know there is no chance.

Tick

No, no breathing problems, eyes and nose have no discharge... I have a friend who takes in feral cats and has them spayed and releases them.She has had experience with kittens when mom has "disappeared".. I went to her when we found him and she said he was about 4 weeks. Old when we found him. Which would make him between 6 & 7 weeks today.

Gracie, he could have been a runt abandoned without the queen's milk; he could have had enough strength to wonder away. Just do what you are doing for the little thing and the next 24 hours will determine if he has distemper or not. Just look for what I have pointed out in my previous post. If he gets through all of that, he will survive but a runt is always a runt until the first year of life, until the immune system builds up. These cats will always remain small,but healthy. Take care and you may have a wonderful pet on your hands and a lifetime partner.

I don't mean to sound callous, but if you intend to continue on with care, he/she will still have to have first vaccinations and surely you can shop around for a vet that is reasonable. In my neck of the woods, which is southeastern Ontario, the vets who are most easily affordable are the ones that are called veterinary hospitals and not animal hospitals. I know that maybe not apply to you because you don't say where are from, but there are vets out there if you shop around who are affordable.

Good luck

Well, he's absolutely normal again... I'll be taking him for a regular vet visit next month... I'll bring in a list of his symptoms and see if they have any clue as to what is up with him. With the two episodes, I am thinking it's a neurological issue... hoping it's not something that will shorten his life :/