Found a poor baby!!

We found an abandoned kitten today... We searched for hours to find momma or the litter but she was gone and there was no litter to be found. I got her to eat a few drops of KMR through a syringe, but now she seems to be breathing shallow and gasping I really hope we dont lose the little girl. She is so cute and sweet. Any tips or tricks?

Right now she is snuggled up in a box with a bunch of towels and a heating pad on low on half the box. She is literally only a few days old, eyes closed and her umbilicus is dried up but still there a bit.

Someone tell me the little one is gonna make it!!!

It does not sound promising for this wee one. It's extremely difficult to raise orphans this young. Keeping her warm and feeding her small amounts frequently is the best you can do. Contact your local animal shelter if it looks like she's thriving..perhaps they have a momma cat that 's lactating...sometimes, they'll take on other kittens.
Good luck.

This with shallow breathing and gasping doesnt sounds good... Ie, it sounds like perhaps pneumonia. If so, only shadow of chance is a good vet.
Pneumonia in small kittens takes away many kittens even from breeders...

But as long she is fighting on, so you do it too. What you describe sounds a proper treatment. If she is weakish, you may try with a little honey or white Karo syrup on her gum.

You know the site www.kitten-rescue.com?

Tx for helping this little sis of ours!

Good luck!

How is the little one doing now?

As everyone has pointed out she likely has phenomena . It is most likely IMO from aspirating the KMR. But do not blame yourself, it is VERY HARD to raise such a young kitten.

My only suggestion is to try and contact a private or public rescue and see if they have a female cat that is lactating for your kitten to nurse off . Best of luck to your kitten .

Originally Posted by Cat Person

. Pneumonia. It is most likely IMO from aspirating the KMR. But do not blame yourself, it is VERY HARD to raise such a young kitten.

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I wouldnt put this so. IF its pneumonia as we suspect, so its way more probably she had it coming. And is was why she got abandoned.
That is quite common. Some cat moms try to help their sick kittens, but many, perhaps most, leaves the sick if they have several others to also take care of.

Although it is true, proper feeding or forcefeeding isnt easy, and misshaping occurs also for folks who do it OK.
I myself am get my own salivia the wrong way now and then...