New Kitten!!!

[Kobster]

If the kittens/cats are confined, I change the litter daily or twice daily anyway, and haven't had an issue. I've found it to be pretty absorbent.

[athomas]

I got Tidy Cat non-clumping litter. Target didn't have non-clumping, but the grocery store did...Weird. Anyway, so that issue's fixed.

Now, socialization... So this kitten is raised right what I'm doing is just playing with him constantly... laser pointer, balls, toys, crumbled up paper, toy with a bell and foil on an elastic string... and I'm picking him up constantly. Is that all I need to do?

Cutest thing, we had a thunderstorm here in MD last night, got home from being out, and he comes from under the bed and runs over to my wife and I purring away...like he knew we were there to make him better...since obviously he was scared.

[dweamgoil]

Socializing Kittens: Proper Socialization, the Best Gift You Can Give Your Feline Friend

[kittywitty]

Aww sounds like you have a great little kitty there. I am glad you found a friendly companion after what you went through with the other cats.

[athomas]

So the above link is all I really need to do?

It mentioned not letting him bite or scratch. When I rub his belly sometimes he grabs my hand and nips at it, I assume that's just playing? I don't see how this makes for aggressive behavior. How do I "not allow" him to bite me? Just pull away?

[Heidi n Q]

"Don’t allow kittens to bite or scratch when playing. This causes aggressive behavior."

This simply means do not let the kitten treat your hand as just another play-toy. It may be fun to play 'snake' and let the kitten leap and attack your hand and forearm ... BUT ... it is cute when they are little and not-so-cute when they are bigger and their teeth/claws can really hurt and do some damage. They won't understand they are hurting us because we *taught* them that playing in that manner was acceptable.

When you first begin to rub a kitten's belly, depending on age, it can be seen as a signal to play and/or it tickles so the kitten will instinctively try to kick your hand away or claw/bite it. If you want to get it accustomed to having its' belly touched, just move your hand slowly and if it bites/grabs, stop moving your hand and say "No". When the kitten stops, continue moving your hand. You could also use your other hand to gently disengage the kitten from your hand.

[athomas]

Well I got home from work today and he's stuffy and sneezing more. One of his papers said there might be some sneezing because he had some shot, but now he sounds congested. His vet papers said they checked everything... Liars?

Off to the vet...Wish me luck.

[Heidi n Q]

Probably not liars. Visual and physical exams can only tell the vet so much information. Bloodtests can provide a more comprehensive picture of the pet's health but some issues simply won't show up on a bloodtest until infection sets in.
It is perfectly possible that your kitten was incubating something and the incubation stage has ended and the virus, or whatever, is on the loose inside him.

[athomas]

Well, here's the prognosis:

1. Ear mites, dead ear mites. She cleaned a bunch of brown gunk out, and in there were ear mites. She said his ears were cleaned with whatever they put in them, but not rinsed out after.
2. Cold/fever. Obvious cold, and a degree or two too warm.

She gave me interferon and some white stuff, antibiotic I guess, and I give him 1 cc of each twice a day until it's gone. He has a follow up appointment in a couple weeks.

According to her, they have a lot of cats coming from this group that are sick. They also neuter them as kittens which is bad apparently.

[athomas]

Also, he's obviously feeling better because he's 10 times as hyper, and he's licking, batting at my face and nibbling at me in the middle of the night. I assume he just wants to play, and the attempts at clawing and biting aren't out of hate?