Abandoned kitten found with eyes closed, umbilical cord and yellow dried flakes?

Question

So I was running through my yard with my dog when he stops to sniff what I thought was a dying mole with FLIES all over it! I thought it was a dying adult mole with rot on it cause of the way it moved and the YELLOW FLAKES on it's skin! Eventually I picked it up with a towel and found it was an infant kitten that retorted with a HUGE fearful "MEW!" It still has its umbilical cord so I'm a bit alarmed to see this. The vets are closed now but I managed to buy a formula and other required items after doing extensive research.

PLEASE NOTE: I just want to know what are those yellow dried flakes that attracted the flies. It's crusty and slowly peeling off of the kitten but I can see a thinner layer underneath the fur (all over the back!) Is this the mother's fluid?? Should I wipe it with a cloth or leave it?? Is this normal??

Thanks for your time...

Answer 1

I agree with DANCES WITH CATS. The flakes sound like the amniotic sac that came out with the kitten and it dried out. Normally, they come out with the sacs covering them and then the mother bites them off and eats them. The thing I'm wondering about is how the poor kitten ended up in your yard. It obviously was abandoned. In the meantime, you can clean it off with a cloth just like the mother would when she cleans her kittens after they are born. I do recommend taking it to a vet as soon as you can to make sure it's all right and thank you for rescuing the kitten.

Answer 2

sounds like the half dried amniotic sac was still on the poor thing. try to gently clean it off with a warm damp cloth but do not give baby a bath yet as it will chill and die. good luck to you and baby! rearing newborns is not an easy task.

Answer 3

could be fluid or the actual birth sac...mom usually licks it off...eyes closed is normal...

Answer 4

that needs to get to the vet now! for now keep it very warm keep giving it formula and keep it away from ur dog!

Answer 5

Take it to the vet when they open. The cat could easily die. Their cord is not supposed to be attached, and they need their mom so young. You will have to bottle feed it, but I would totally take it to the vet. Don't you have an emergency vet clinic around?