My 5 day old kitten seems in trouble today.

My cat had two kittens last week. They were preemies, maybe a week or two, I'm not sure. The first one was dead when I arrived home from work and the second one would not nurse and even though I was dropper feeding, he choked and died two days later. Needless to say I have been grieving.

Five days after the first two were born I came home from work and my Lucy had kitten number three! I was so happy and she was nursing and looking pretty good. She is able to hold her head up and doing alittle bobbing and scooting around. Today is day five and I noticed this morning she is breathing hard, acts like she is sucking everything but I have not seen her nurse. She is crying and acting frustrated. Now I am worried that she is going to die too. I tried giving her a tiny bit from the dropper but she acted like she was going to choke so I have just left her quiet with her mom and only peeked in every few hours. I am trying not to handle her too much and let nature take it's course but I'm afraid of the outcome.

I checked Lucy the mom and she appears to have milk but today the kitten has been scooting to one side of their little bed and mom has just stayed on the other side.

Help! Anyone have any clues or advise or know what is going on?

I am sure one of our resident experts will be along shortly with all kinds of wonderful advice. One thing, though, is kitty warm enough? A cold kitten will not eat easily. With it being so hot, maybe a/c is making the little one a bit chilly.

Besides keeping the kitten warm, putting a bit of Karo syrup in its gums - just a drop - will raise its blood sugar to give it energy to nurse. How is it going now?

Thanks for responding. Yes the kitty is very warm. The one that died last week was cold even on a heating pad.
The little one is still panting very hard but is sleeping. I have not picked her up this afternoon, just letting momma take care of her.

Karo syrup? I'll give it a try! Just a teeny bit right?

Originally Posted by kittiekrazy

Thanks for responding. Yes the kitty is very warm. The one that died last week was cold even on a heating pad.
The little one is still panting very hard but is sleeping. I have not picked her up this afternoon, just letting momma take care of her.

Karo syrup? I'll give it a try! Just a teeny bit right?

Click to expand...

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
Have you seen this liink? It helps with kittens with mothers, too, that need a little extra help.

Sorry I couldnt answer earlier, wasnt not home a couple of days...

I suppose it is now over, this way or other...

I found one tip from a forumist about kittens who are reluctant to eating:
"
Try soaking the corner of a clean washcloth in any solution you're trying to feed them with. Sometimes the texture of the cloth can stimulate them to suck, I don't know why. Also, whentrying to feed them, gently stroke their backs. It might help to stimulate them."


ps. Cats arent good at prematury deliveries. Humans are much better.
So the 2 first were more or less chanceless. This third has a better chance, but if he is also a premature, the chances not excellent.