4 week old orphans

[Betsy]

Hello,
I hope someone can help me please. I have 2 four week old kittens. They were abandoned at birth so I've been Mom. They have been doing fine except that one had a bout of vomitting and diarrhea this past weekend that required an emergency vet visit. She and her sister have not been eating well ever since.
Let me start at the beginning. They were fine at 6 a.m. Saturday morning but at 10 a.m. one would not eat, was lethargic and vomitted what little food she ingested. Then came the explosive diarrhea! So took her to the vet at 11:30. Vet could have cared less-I will not be going back there
So, took her to the veterinary teaching hospital nearby and they were very kind. Gave her fluids, wormed her and could find nothing wrong from her fecal slide. So we were sent home with instructions to watch her attitude. She had perked up at the hospital. So, she plays with her sister now but is in no way eating like she was. They both have their kitten teeth coming in. She acts frantic when I nurse her. Will suckle vigorously for a few seconds, then commenses to biting the nipple and digging with her front paws very fast...So now I feed her about every 1 1/2 hours. She is not eating 80-100 cc's maybe only 50-60.
She has gained back the weight she lost over the weekend plus a little bit but these kitties are small. They only weigh 10 - 11 oz. Vet said not unusual for bottle fed kitties. Also, they did not receive colostrum.
I'm worried sick over these kitties. I've taken every precaution to help them make it. Please if you have any advise, I would very much appreciate it. Oh, their temps are normal. They still have their heating pads and hot water bottles. Thanks!!

[davet]

can be of help::

http://www.cathelp-online.com/health2kittens.html

http://www.thecatsite.com/care/hand.html

and here too;;but too complicated to give a short answer:

Kitten replacer

http://www.petcarerx.com/affiliate_prod ... 5&upsd=512

http://www.healthypets.com/pupkitmilrep.html

http://www.petco.com/search/mercado_sea ... te=1207464

[Traci]

What kind of kitten formula are you using? (I only recommend KMR)....have you attempted to feed them solid food yet? (canned Iams Kitten food). Are the nurser bottle's nipples pierced correctly? Are you feeding them at least 4-5 times a day?

Kittens who do not recieve their mother's colostrum can pick up just about any bacterial or viral, and can begin to fail quite rapidly. I'd ask your vet about possible bacterial overgrowth in the GI, and get another fecal to rule out coccidia and giardia and salmonella. The formula you're currently using may also be a culprit, especially if you are not using a quality brand specific for kittens, or if you are using whole milk products (a no-no for kittens)

[Bets y]

Thanks Traci and Davet.

They are on a kitten replacement formula, though not KMR. The vet gave us something called Vet Solutions on Saturday. They started out on Hartz kitten replacement which is all I could get at the time. They were progressing fine so didn't see a need to change.

The vet teaching hospital ruled out bacterial, parasitic or viral cells present in her feces.

I have to note, that she is playing very hard with her sister and otherwise behaving normally. I have a chart of weight gain for them and they are progressing, though slower than kitties who have a real mom.

I am wondering now if this all has something to do with their mouths being sore or if they just don't like the new formula. I do have a new container of KMR 2nd step to start-I was going to try to incorporate this starting next week but do you think sooner?

There is no more vomiting or diarrhea. A little loose stool and not much of that.

Thanks so much!

[Traci]

Betsy, I'm not familiar at all with Vet Solutions, so I do recommend the KMR, it's the only thing I trust. It could very well be the vet solutions is not agreeing with them.

Please note, that one fecal may not always show parasites. Coccidia and giardia may on one fecal, but best to do an elisa essay if your vet has it available. It may not be parasites at all, but again, another fecal may be warranted before this is over.

Yes, they are teething, but you can try to introduce them to solid food. Sometimes, that helps simply by allowing them to chew and minimize the pain of newly developing teeth. If they don't take to solid food right away, don't fret, sometimes they won't until around 5-6 weeks, so in that event, keep trying a couple times a day to spark their interest, in the meantime, supplement with their formula as needed.

[Guest]

Thanks a bunch!!!

[Sara]

Do you still have to stimulate them to do this? Are they eliminating enough? I remember that being a big issue with my babies, making them go after every meal. I can't remember at what age they used the litter box. Just wondering if everything in that department is working out alright. Sara

[Betsy]

Thanks all for your help.

The little kitty that was sick is using the litter box to pee but I still have to stimulate her to poop. Her sister is not yet interested in the litter box. I offered a little bit of Iams kitten canned mixed with KMR last night and they did lick it off my finger but still wanted their bottle. They seem to be eating a little better. Almost all of their teeth have erupted now. How long does that take? I still think their little mouths are sore. But they are eliminating well and playing like mad
They are so sweet. I know I might be a bit weird but I 'stroke' their little faces with my nose like their mama would do and they flip upside down and purr like crazy.
This has been an amazing experience. Never have raised any this young. Only problem now is convincing hubby that they have to stay. We have 4 other adult cats - all having come to us as older baby orphans throughout the years. Mamas were all ferals that had been hit by cars. Sad huh?
Thanks again!!

[Sara]

and then fostered 7 babies, found homes for them all and kept 3. Now I have 6! The 3 that I kept have been the best little buddies to one another. It was the best experience in my life I can tell you although a little sad when I placed the other 4 in homes. I get along well with 6 now and when I get a bigger place someday I will probably end up with more. Something about nursing them with bottles, there is a bonding. I think I do remember a wierd stage when they were being weaned, where I worried if they were eating enough. All of mine got through though. I remember a few bouts of diarhea. My vet was over constantly checking up on them. Allot of work but they are the thing I am most proud of in my life. I sure hope you get to keep 2 of your babies. I really recommend keeping them in pairs at least. It's so rewarding watching siblings interact in your home. Just make sure they are eliminating after each meal. I remember putting one in each robe pocket while I played on my computer. *memories* Keep me posted.

[Traci]

Almost all of their teeth have erupted now. How long does that take? I still think their little mouths are sore.

Kitten Teething Schedule and dentition chart

Remember, bottle feed as necessary until they are taking complete interest in solid food.....