I may have found another homeless kitten on a cold winter night…this is getting to be a habit!

There was a crying noise coming from outside the other night and I had to go have a look, of course. Out on the street, I could hear the crying as clearly as if it were next to me, but there was no creature in sight. Figuring it was likely coming from inside one of the two cars parked nearby, since outdoor cats are wont to climb into warm car engines when it’s cold outside, I opened the hood of my own car to check, but no cat to be found. I knocked on the door of my elderly neighbour, who owns the other car, to ask to check inside and lo and behold, what did I find but a very small, dirty kitten staring up at me with big blue eyes!

Bringing kitten inside, I was relieved to find that there were no signs of burns, so it didn’t seem like she had been in there when the engine was running, which could have happened if I hadn’t found her as she seemed unable to get out on her own. She was small, dirty, hungry and cold, but quite friendly and had a very good appetite when I gave her some dry cat food as well as some tinned wet food.

Playtime belly rubs

Do the wave!

Suddenly sleepy…

Kitten went to the vet the following day for a checkup which I was hoping would be just routine vaccinations and worming treatments. However, the vet found some lesions on kitten’s tongue, which is a pretty clear sign of feline calicivirus, which affects the respiratory system and can be quite lethal for kittens, especially if they contract a secondary infection. However, since she seemed pretty good otherwise, active, playful, good appetite and without any other symptoms, we are giving her a chance to see if she might recover, now that she’s inside and warm with food and my trusty hot water bottle.

Tired after the vet visit

So we are all keeping our fingers, toes and paws crossed around here that kitten pulls through, even if Penny isn’t sure she wants to share her home with another kitty, I think she’ll come around eventually. Still need suggestions for names, thinking something automotive, though I’m not 100% sure if the kitten is male or female at this point, everything is so small down there! Kitten is currently curled up on my lap playing with my hair so seems pretty content to leave behind life on the street, hopefully she will get stronger every day and make a full recovery