Help!

[halcyon08]

My brother and his girlfriend found two stray kittens last month. We believe they came from the same litter. Anyway, One of them eats and whines a lot. I've been keeping watch of their stool and I believe he may have worms. I can't tell because he covers up too fast. The other one had diarrhea for quite a while, but I can't afford to take two kittens to the vet. What should I do?

One belongs to me and the other belongs to another person, but they can't have her until they move.

[kellywess]

You should really take them to a vet.

[mmr]

even if he covers it up too fast you can still dig it back up and take it outside to look. If he has worms 9 times out of 10 you can see them. Also humans can get these worms from the cats! Now I bet you will find a way to get him to the vet! LOL. Seriously humans can get the tape worms, hook worms, and whip worms from your pet!

But he really needs to go to the vet for shots anyways. See if your vet will let you make payments! Some do this cause they want to help you and the pet. My vet does this.

[Lori~D]

If you cannot afford to take them to the vet then you should really take them to the local humane agent or cat welfare. Kittens have good adoption rate and they will get wormed, spayed and shots. You can also get cLAMYDIA FROM KITTENS

[lola31]

firstly what beautiful kitties and well done for the rescue but you should really consider rehoming them if you cannot afford the vet bills, however should you decide to keep them can you maybe see if its possible to buy a de-worming treatment from a pet store? they aren't very expensive. also you CANNOT get chlamydia from cats or kittens. yes kittens can carry a strain of the chlamydia virus but it is designed specifically for cats see this link I'd hate to see a truck load of kittens being dumped because of the fear of chlamydia infection! it just wont happen.

[Addicted to Tequila]

There may be an organization in your area that might help. Here, we have Angels of Assisi.

They do routine vet work and low-cost spay and neutering based on income. They also provide traps (deposite required) to trap hopelessly feral cats. They then fix the feral cat and tip it's ear (yes... I know some of you will scream about that... but it really IS the only cost effective way to easily identify an already altered feral cat)... then you can pick it up and release it back where it was if you wish and feed it and whatnot, never worrying that you will soon have growing families to deal with. I cannot say enough good things about them. They are one of the few organizations actually doing something useful about the animal overpopulation problem in this country.

Anyway... check in your area for something of the sort.

[DarwinTheSun]

What cute kitties. Yep, they need a vet though and even if they don't have worms (which they probably do from being born) they need kitten shots. If you can't afford to have them, then the humane thing to do is relinquish them to the humane society.

As for the worms, you can stop using litter for a day or two and put down paper or paper towels (something so that you can see it) and check for them. But either way, they need to see a vet.

[Lori~D]

Humans can be infected with Chlamydia but the organism that infects cats, Chlamydophila felis, is highly adapted to this species. There have been one or two reports that have suggested human conjunctivitis has occurred following contact with a cat harbouring Chlamydophila felis, but the risk appears to be extremely low. Routine hygiene precautions are recommended when handling and treating infected cats (washing hands after stroking or giving medications, and avoiding close face-to-face contact until the infection has resolved).

[shosh]

Ah the joy (AND PAIN---FINANCIAL) of rescuing animals. Been there....

Trouble is, when you rescue an animal, you really do assume the responsibility for the welfare of that animal. It is a sad truth that despite our well-intentions, love is just not enough. Animals cost money....and kittens cost a bundle because of the vaccinations they need and the worming meds and the eventual spay/neuter you MUST get. It gets easier after that ( with a little good luck but initially, they do cost a lot of money...that's why adopting an older cat is often a GREAT move), A big heart is one thing, but you really do need to find the funds for these necessities if you wish to have an animal. Not to provide these important medical musts would be dangerous and unfair to your animal. I do agree that there are often free spay/neuter clinics in cities and often organizations that will offer discounts on medical necessities--I, too, would search them out.

On another note, please bear in mind that not all worms are visible in the stool. There are parasites that can exist and not be visible and even tape worm is only shed intermittently and may not be seen in the stool or on the cat's rear.
Essentially, kittens are routinely given a sequence of deworming medications because, well...kittens get worms and they can be serious in nature and need to be treated. Fecal tests and Worming medications are generally NOT terribly expensive but waiting is not a wise option. In addition, a lot of vets will be very sympathetic to the plight of someone who has rescued an animal and many will cut you a break. If not, I would also recommend your local ( no-kill ) humane society or private shelter.

Good luck...you've done a really good deed...but now both cats do need to be seen by a vet for a once over.

[Addicted to Tequila]

If it is a kitten, and it or it's mother is/was outside... it has worms. Trust me. I will make bets on it!

They certainly do have GORGEOUS faces.

For birds... you really do need a specialist vet. But for rescued kittens that you never planned for or saved money for... a clinic is just fine. Call the local Humane Association or no-kill shelter and ask what is available where you live. I can guarantee they will help.

Whines a lot? I have a flame-point Siamese... wanna compare? LOL