for future reference?

Question
Hey, I am a 16 year old and my neighbor has a litter of stray kittens under her porch. Recently, the kittens came out and one in particular, a girl, wandered into our front yard. She was very malnourished, you could see her ribs and back. She couldn't even walk well so I took her in my care. While in my care, I gave her a medicated flea bath which worked very well. I also gave her kitten food from a tin I got from Petsmart. I was in contact with a Pet nurse at an animal hospital. She was extremely helpful and I am very grateful for everything. Unfortunatly, when my friend and I went to the animal hospital, they could not see my kitten. For insurance reasons, I suppose, they can not see my kitten. Well, the nurse helped as much as she could and she stayed in contact to make sure the kitten was okay. Well, at that time the kitten seemed okay. It was just the fleas that we noticed. Later on though, I noticed that at night she started to shake and twitch, I assumed she was cold. Since we have two other cats and we weren't sure of any other conditions the kitten may have had, she stayed in our gazebo and I stayed in there with her to make sure she would be okay. I got a towel and did everything to keep her warm. In the morning, I awoke to a loose stool which was lined with blood. I was concerned but she ate a lot, I thought it was just the food she was unfamiliar with. Later, she threw up and there was blood in that as well. I called several hospitals and again, she was unable to be seen. She had her water and food but she wouldn't eat. She was also very inactive and limp. She couldn't even pick her head up so she walked very little. I started to get very unnerved when she began to hyperventilate. I picked her up to see if she was okay and I noticed a small, but worrisome, wound on her ear. It was very small but enough to become septic I think. Well, while hyperventilating, she became even more limp. She could not blink, lift her head up for water, nothing. I got an eye dropper and some water and gave her some that way. She took it happily. While doing this I noticed she released another loose stool, this time it had no blood. I didn't have that much time while doing this so I continued to call people and take care of her the best I could. Unfortunatly though...she passed away. I hope it wasn't something I did. I truly wish I would have been able to get her to a veterinarian but I couldn't. I was doing this by myself with some friends but the cost to do this was just too much. I could have gotten her checked the next day but she died. I want to know, did I do something wrong? What should I do in the future? She was a feral 2 month old kitten I foudn with fleas, nasal discharge, bloody loose stools, who weighed no more than a pound, if that. What can I do in the future if this happens again?

Answer
Hello Nicky -  You did a wonderful job caring for this little kitten. I am sure she was very ill and had many medical problems.  The vet may not have been able to save her.  She was very sick and very weak.  Many times stray kittens die because of intestinal viruses.  I believe this kitten has a respiratory and intestinal virus along with other problems.
 She did not have a chance.

You are a great young woman and I am sure you will be a wonderful mother someday for your children.  

sorry about your loss


Marie Peppers