It is unusual to hear about a single kitten that has been abandoned while still too young to survive alone. There are often litters of kittens that lose their mother and need to be bottle fed. The single babies, though, are not common.
When Carmen was found, she had one eye slightly open; the other still closed shut. She was nine or ten days old. An employee at a power plant found her alone and crying. He contacted another rescue group and they offered to help him with medical bills if he found a home for the kitten. He dropped her off at the vet and never returned. In a panic, with no one able to pick up the once-every-two-hour feedings, they called us.
Carmen weighed just a few ounces and had a large sore on her paw when they dropped her off. But, she was strong and she ate well. Within a few days, however, it became obvious that she was having some problems with her bowels. Sometimes, baby kittens are abandoned by mama because of genetic problems that they can sense and we cannot, making any unusual behaviors a concern. Two trips to the vet later, however, we all cheered when she finally had a normal movement. (As a child, I never imagined I would have a career where I would throw parties over bowel movements!)
It has been over a month since Carmen joined us. She now eats on her own and uses the litter box (how they figure out the litter box all on their own is a true miracle). She weighs a pound now and, even though she stumbles the whole way, she will run across the entire room when her name is called.
We are still keeping a close eye on her. But, today, Carmen is the miracle I am grateful for.
