underweight kitten

[luvmyhimis]

One of my kittens is 15 weeks old, I've had it for only a couple weeks. I took it to the vet the day after I brought it home. At that time I had to treat it for coccidia and had it de wormed by the vet. On top of all of it, she also had ringworm. I took her back to the vet this weekend for a recheck, and the coccidia is cleared up. He said to keep bathing her in the anti fungal shampoo just to be certain that is cleared up and that it does not pass on to my other cats, as well as for us too. He was still alarmed about her size, just as much as I am. He said that I really need to try to start putting the weight on her. I leave the food out so they can eat whenever they please and she does go to that dish to nibble many times a day. I feed each a little teaspoon of the soft stuff in the can each morning with their breakfast. Of course she loves that, but I don't want to feed her too much because it may loosen her up a bit and that will not help any to get some meat on her either. At this time being only 15 weeks she only weights about 1 lb. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to start packing the weight on this poor little thing. Currently I feed them a mix of Iams and Nutro kitten chows and a teaspoon of Fancy Feast each morning. I'd like to get a little bit of weight on her where my vet can draw some blood out of her to start running some tests to see what is going on with her. He wanted to do that this last visit, but her being so tiny he wouldn't be able to find a place to get anything out of her. She still has litterbox issues as well, but I don't think I can conquer that completely until I have her completely healthy. Anyones input or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[annabradley]

When my cat wouldn't eat, the vet gave me some food that was "high calorie". It was a prescription diet. Maybe your vet could get you some. It wasn't for long-term feeding, but it might help put some weight on your little kitty. She is lucky to have you looking out for her.
Anna B.

[Ash]

I would see which food she likes most and then feed her that as often as she wants, always offering it to her, encouraging her. I don't know your kittens personality but I found with my Tommy that he simply loves to eat when I sit next to him and baby feed him, so to speak, make a fuss over him. If I only put the food in a bowl, he will eat some when he's really hungry but often simply leave it. He wants the attention as well!

And like annabradley suggested you should ask your vet for an appropriate food. I'm surprised he hasn't given you advice since he was concerned as well. If you feel he's not taking this seriously enough please see another vet.

[Traci]

Ask your vet for prescription diet P/D, and feed it exclusively for a few weeks (no Nutro, no Fancy Feast, nothing else), feed her as much of the P/D as she wants, kittens need to eat several times a day because they are expending a great deal of energy.

If your vet gave her oral medications for the ringworm, talk to him about ceasing it, and re-testing for any evidence it has eradicated. Re-testing (new culture) is the only way to know for certain if the ringworm has erdaticated totally. After initiating a the P/D food for a few weeks, and providing she is getting healthier and gaining weight, I would strongly suggest a full blood profile for her ASAP.