Sick kitten, What else can I do?

I found a stray cat and two 3 week old kitten under my porch. The mother cat has rejected one of them. The cats are covered in fleas, I treated the mother and washed the kittens in Dawn and fleas combed them. I've been feeding the kittens formula and water through a oral syringe for a day.

One Kitten, Gizmo, is weak and his gums are a whitish. I've read about flea anemia. Yesterday, she was cold and weaker and she could barely keep herself up or her eyes fully open.


Today, She ate about 1-1/2 oz of formula and drank a good amount of water. she moved her bowels, her waste was solid and not bloody. She meows then drinks water but her breathing is labored after she moves around. Shes warmer but is sleeping most of the day.

I work at a pet store, is there any suggestions on what I should get or do?


I'm unable to make it to the vet today and I know its going to take my whole paycheck to help this kitten. I just need her to make it until I have afford either a vet visit or a surrendering fee.
I really just want this kitten to be make it. It sucks because all of the shelters and vets I've called can't do anything without money. It's a strain on them also. I hate that its an excuse but I really wish I could do more.

You are apparently doing a marvellous job, as she is better...

I hope you are keeping her warm? So she doesnt need to use her little energy for this... (although beware of too warm either).

If you can get goat milk, it is also good.

Dehydration is a danger, so good she drinks match. But I think even better would be if she can drink something nourishing instead of water.

A quicke booster of energy is a little of white caro syrup on the gum. I presume a little honey OK alternative. Or perhaps best - dextrose "grape sugar".
If you dont have nothing of this - common sugar may be used, but the others better.

If you give her water, you can mix a little of this above + some kitchen salt; it will be a basic pedialyte, giving also some electrolytes.

The basic recipe is: 1 soup spoon of dextrose or honey (or a little more if you wish), 1 tea-spoon of kitchen salt (or some other salt containing minerale-salts), mix into 1 litre of water. Cook up so it boils. Let it get cooler, about body temperature....

Dont spare too long, better make new portion.

Btw. You know surely substitute milk and water should be at body temp, and cats bodies are a trifle warmer than humans.


A very useful site for orphaned kittens is
www.kitten-rescue.com. Our forum-veteran Hissy stands behind it.


Tx for helping this little sis!

Good luck!


ps. Welcome to the Forums!

any updates on the kitten?

Gizmo passed away. She was hunched over her water dish. I had a feeling she might of been premature because she was so small and was not developing at a "normal" pace. She seemed to be doing better but with someone so fragile, you can never really know what will happen. We tried everything we could. My boyfriend going to be so distraught. He was the caring the most for her.

Thank you for your words of encouragement and kindness. I'm just happy she's not suffering anymore.

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear about Gizmo. But sometimes, no matter what you do, our babies leave us. And you did all you could.

Many vibes to you and your boyfriend for the continued recovery of kitten 2. Please keep us posted when you can.

Play happily at the Rainbow Bridge, little Gizmo. You were loved.