Merlin just had his first vet visit

[Siwsan]

The staff was SO surprised to see such a tiny kitten. I think they all took a turn holding him. The best 'guesstimate' of his age is just turning 3 weeks, so he was about 10 days old when I found him. I saw the vet tech but then Dr. Schwartz made an appearance, probably due to Merlin's small size and his curiosity about my latest fur baby. He's taken care of all of my kid cats.

Merlin is small for his age but appears to be very healthy. I will be giving him anti-biotics and eye drops and he received a de-wormer. I think his next visit will be right around the holidays when he will be big enough for a regular kitten check/vaccinations and to get scheduled for neutering.

Merlin was VERY well behaved. He's still in his carrier, fast asleep. I'm going to get something for breakfast and then start him on his medications.

It feels good to get this process started and to hear that he's healthy.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. How in the world do you feed a 3 week old kitten? I apologize if it's a dumb question.

When my kids were small, once we fed an abandoned baby rabbit with kitten formula and an eye dropper (as per our vet’s instructions). I hope Merlin continues on the path of growing up and staying healthy. He certainly is in good hands.

[Siwsan]

5. I use an eye dropper and a bottle

I give him a very thin slurry via an eye dropper and use the bottle to give him the kitten formula.

Arthur's litter was 3 weeks old when I bright them in with bad eye infections. Until they are old enough to eat from a bowl, feeding 4 tiny kittens is a challenge. Merlin is a breeze, after that.

[3catwoman3]

2. What excellent and welcome news!

Everyone here will be letting out the proverbial sigh of relief right along with you.

[biophile]

3. I wonder why he was all alone?

My brother found a kitten all alone in the woods - he has a neurological disorder and has seizures. So perhaps the mother abandoned him; we don’t know. He was only a bit older than Merlin when found. He almost died but he’s now 12 years old and still with me (my brother brought him to my house back then). The seizure meds don’t really work so he isn’t much better but he is not any worse than he was.
Anyway, you are a very good person to take care of the lost ones!

[TexasTowelie]

4. Aww, it's wonderful to start the day out with such great news.

I thought that kittens didn't open their eyes until 10 days after birth. I'm happy that you have another kitten to play with over the fall and winter. I'm certain that Merlin will bond with the other members of the feline family soon.

[EverHopeful]

6. Wish you guys a happy journey together

Once "fostered" (yes, he was a failed foster) a little lost kitten about Merlin's age and it took him a long time to figure out how to eat. It wasn't until he pulled so hard on the formula nipple that all the formula spilled onto his face that he said, okay, let's see about that Gerber meat stuff you always offer on your fingers.

He was found in the woods with his deceased mom and another deceased litter mate. The vet said he had every parasite known to felines and he was so malnourished and dehydrated that he really didn't think he'd make it but we took shifts to medicate and bottle feed and he was with us for many happy years.

Always look forward to your stories about the kitties.

[Polly Hennessey]

7. I am excited about going on this journey with you and Merlin.

I now have another reason to smile.😊

[CaptainTruth]

8. Glad to hear he's healthy!

[Jean Genie]

9. Merlin

So happy for both you and young Merlin. May he remain in excellent health, and grow to be a big, strong, delightful member of your family. Bless you Siwsan, for devoting so much of your life to needy kitties.

[pansypoo53219]

10. my dad dropped off a 4 week old kitten on his parents. he was weened i guess. cutest little baby.

[PatrickforB]

11. The story of another Merlin...

Five years ago in a cold February, three tiny kittens were left in a barn to die. It was a mixed litter - one was a ginger, one a tortie and the other a snowshoe Siamese. The little ginger froze to death, but the tortie and Siamese were rescued by a young lady. She unfortunately could not afford to keep them, and so put them on NextDoor.

We saw the picture and gave them forever homes.

Both kittens were very straggly, rough, and dirty, so my wife began with giving the tortie a bath in the kitchen sink. She didn't like it and was yowling.

The little Siamese, who we named Merlin, actually climbed up my wife's back during the process to 'save' his sister.

How can you not love a little guy like that?

These kitties are now five years old and have been wonderful. We have a four-cat family actually - two tuxedo cats, a brother and sister, and the tortie and Siamese, sister and brother.

[Dear_Prudence]

13. What a brave kitten!

So glad you could help them out. ❤️

[ShazzieB]

12. I'm thrilled to hear Merlin is healthy!

The way things were going, I was optimistic, but I was sort of figuratively holding my breath a little until the vet saw him.

I hope he continues to grow up strong and healthy and goes on to spend many happy years with you and the rest of your kid cats!

[scarletlib]

14. I have so much love and respect for you.

Your love and care for cats goes above and beyond. Thank you.