I have a approx 6 week old kitten that is a barn cat (I live on a farm and our animals are well cared for, this is NOT a house cat) its mama must have tried to take it hunting a and left it behind. I found it this morning VERY cold and dehydrated and brought it in. It was also covered in burrs (longer haired). So far I've given it a bit of warmed milk with kayro syrup just to get energy into it (I know milk is not good for them but had to get some fluids into it!) I also have gravy from canned cat food I can try to get into it later. Right now it is on a towel on a register and is sleeping, completely exhausted but more responsive, it will look up and meow when I check on it. When I found it there was no real response at all.
Now, what else can I do for it? And no, the Vet is not an option, DON'T FLAME ME! I work with several Vets with my other animals but can not justify the fees at this time. If I DO pull this little one through it will probably become my mothers house cat and well cared for, but honest, at this moment what additional things can I do? I know to be careful with fluids not to get them into the lungs, etc, am mainly looking for what to try feed wise, etc.
I'm pretty good at nursing and caring for young stock of all kinds and cared for my elderly CRF cat for 4 years before he passed on, carefully nursing him through 3 major crisis's with my Vets care.
Like I said, please NO flames, just help for this little kitten, ok?
Larrysmom
Help needed with kitten!
Re: Help needed with kitten!
First, this is not flaming or condescending, but this board strongly advocates veterinary attention, no acceptions.
In the immediate sense, *IF* this kitten is 6 weeks of age, he can be introduced to solid food, I would suggest canned Iams Kitten food. However, if he is younger than 6 weeks, bottle-feed with KMR kitten Formula and see how he takes to it. (bottle and nipple can be purchased at vet or any pet store, kitten bottles only please, and the nipple needs to be properly pierced first)
No cow's milk, goats milk or anything of the sort. Unpateurized milk contains bacterials and parasites, and most kittens and cats are lactose intolerant, causing vomiting, diarrhea. KMR is properly formulated for weaning kittens. If he can eat solid food, you can also drizzle the mixed KMR over the Iams canned kitten food to get him interested in eating sufficiently.
As for warmth, provide a heating pad set on low setting, cover it with a towel, and allow him to lay on the towel for warmth. If you don't have a heating pad, use a hot water bottle (or a plastic soda bottle filled with warm water) but do NOT place these directly on or beside him, wrap in towel first to prevent burns. His internal body core temperature needs to be kept warm to keep from suffering hypothermia, keep that warmth maintained at all times and don't keep him in drafty or cold areas.
If he seems to be "crashing" you can rub a bit of LIGHT Karo corn syrup on his gums and hope for a glycemic control response (Do NOT force feed this to him, just rub it on gums), but if there is no response, I'm afraid veterinary attention is the only thing to do (and the proper thing to do for this tiny kitten, you have yet to know if he is suffering fading kitten syndrome or any number of infectious agents and problems that cause fading kitten syndrome). Please don't risk this.
Please also see our Kitten Care Pages for more information on kitten care. Note that the temp kitten formulas there are NOT meant to be used long term, only as an emergency measure. KMR is only what I recommend.
In the immediate sense, *IF* this kitten is 6 weeks of age, he can be introduced to solid food, I would suggest canned Iams Kitten food. However, if he is younger than 6 weeks, bottle-feed with KMR kitten Formula and see how he takes to it. (bottle and nipple can be purchased at vet or any pet store, kitten bottles only please, and the nipple needs to be properly pierced first)
No cow's milk, goats milk or anything of the sort. Unpateurized milk contains bacterials and parasites, and most kittens and cats are lactose intolerant, causing vomiting, diarrhea. KMR is properly formulated for weaning kittens. If he can eat solid food, you can also drizzle the mixed KMR over the Iams canned kitten food to get him interested in eating sufficiently.
As for warmth, provide a heating pad set on low setting, cover it with a towel, and allow him to lay on the towel for warmth. If you don't have a heating pad, use a hot water bottle (or a plastic soda bottle filled with warm water) but do NOT place these directly on or beside him, wrap in towel first to prevent burns. His internal body core temperature needs to be kept warm to keep from suffering hypothermia, keep that warmth maintained at all times and don't keep him in drafty or cold areas.
If he seems to be "crashing" you can rub a bit of LIGHT Karo corn syrup on his gums and hope for a glycemic control response (Do NOT force feed this to him, just rub it on gums), but if there is no response, I'm afraid veterinary attention is the only thing to do (and the proper thing to do for this tiny kitten, you have yet to know if he is suffering fading kitten syndrome or any number of infectious agents and problems that cause fading kitten syndrome). Please don't risk this.
Please also see our Kitten Care Pages for more information on kitten care. Note that the temp kitten formulas there are NOT meant to be used long term, only as an emergency measure. KMR is only what I recommend.
..........Traci
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paulette2
Re: Help needed with kitten!
When my Poopie was a kitten I had a difficult time getting her to eat solids -- she only wanted to nurse. My vet recommended baby food -- only the meat varieties -- ones with no salt. I used Beech Nut chicken or veal. You can even put them on top of the IAMS kitten dry food. Poopie loved them and still enjoys them now. I also used the KMR for awhile and she loved that too. I hope kitty makes it through. Please keep us posted!
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Guest
Re: Help needed with kitten!
Thank you for all the concern, Skunk (yes, he now has a name) seemed to be suffering more from the hypothermia and exhaustion than anything else. I really thought I was going to lose him, he was flat out with his eyes open and unresponsive, I did close his eyes for him so his eyes didn't dry out. After about an hour he just came right too, he was so hungry he smelled some of the cat food on the towel he was on and tried to eat the towel.
Right now he's sitting on my lap and telling me off no end, he has definately adopted me. The hubby is the one that named him, so maybe, just maybe he'll be able to stay in the house here, if not I'm sure my mom will take him.
Thank you again.
Right now he's sitting on my lap and telling me off no end, he has definately adopted me. The hubby is the one that named him, so maybe, just maybe he'll be able to stay in the house here, if not I'm sure my mom will take him.
Thank you again.
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candylilacs
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:15 pm
Re: Help needed with kitten!
Also my mother used to feed baby kittens (about six weeks) pablum or baby cereal, mixed just like for babies. They loved it. And it intro'ed them to solid food quickly and easily.
c.
c.
Re: Help needed with kitten!
That's great news. You saved little Skunk's life!! What a lucky little kitty to have found an angel like you! Sounds like this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!!
By the way, what does Skunk look like??
By the way, what does Skunk look like??
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Guest
Re: Help needed with kitten!
Skunk is doing very well, and sucking up to the hubby too! Last night he fell asleep in the crook of his arm and all you could see was 4 feet and a little face, content as could be.
Skunk got his name because he's colored just like a skunk, a long hair, black with white blaze and full white legs/belly and the white goes up either side of his head and his ears are outlined in white. Actually, when he sleeps he looks just like a tribble, a round ball of fluff. He's also made buddied with our two rat terriers, following them around. Don't worry, I supervise closely and these dogs are used to cats and know not to hurt them.
Skunk got his name because he's colored just like a skunk, a long hair, black with white blaze and full white legs/belly and the white goes up either side of his head and his ears are outlined in white. Actually, when he sleeps he looks just like a tribble, a round ball of fluff. He's also made buddied with our two rat terriers, following them around. Don't worry, I supervise closely and these dogs are used to cats and know not to hurt them.