4 wk old kittens so sick

shodack

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Hi, new here, but I am just looking for some advice.

I work on a farm, and about 2 weeks ago we found a littler of kittens in one of our barns. The next day the mom had moved two and abandoned two (we did wait a couple days hoping she would come for them), so I decided to take on the job of raising them. They are two sweet boys, about 3 weeks old when I took them in. I took them to the vet immediately just for some advice on how to care for them, etc.

For an entire week they did so great, were thriving and growing like crazy. The vets advice at 3 wks old was to wait 2 weeks to deworm them (didn't really show signs of worms), flea treatment, shots etc., because they were so small.

Well on Sunday afternoon they both got sick, seeming lethargic and not wanting to eat. I assumed it was the different food I had fed them that day. On Monday I sort of waited it out, hoping that they would perk up. One was worse than the other.

Anyway, this is getting long, but on Tuesday I took them to the vet again, they were treated for worms (hard swollen bellies, and she said it could also be the cause of them being so sick). They told me if they don't seem better in a couple days to call them.

Well, it's Wednesday, its been 24 hrs since their worm treatment and both still seem very sick, still aren't eating, etc.

I guess my main question is how long until the medicine should help them? I am so worried about my poor babies. I am very attached to them, and I just feel helpless watching them so sick. I have been trying to get them to eat (still with medicine dropper), but they will eat a tiny bit and then cry, and I can hear their tummies gurgling..... And on occasion one of them is still vomiting white foam (which I have read is normal with ringworms).

Any advice? Do I just need to give it another day?

The vet is SO expensive, and I really can't afford to keep taking them, but I also don't want my babies to stay sick : (
 

momto3boys

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Have you been using the bathroom regularly?

I don't know why but if their bellies arehard and they're vomiting it kinda sounds like they're blocked??

I really have NO idea but Im sure someone will come along soon that will.

Sending some vibes for those poor babies
I hope they make it!
 
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shodack

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Thank you for your reply. They have been using the bathroom regularly, well, today not so much (a tiny bit of poo from each), but they have had so little to eat that I think that's why. I wondered about a blockage at first, but they seemed to be pottying fine... Thank you for the good vibes, I'll take them!!
 

mrblanche

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Are they showing any signs of upper respiratory infection?  That's extremely common about that age.
 

feralvr

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:eek:hno: I think we should request this thread be moved to the Pregnant Cats/Kitten Care forum. YOu might get some experienced advice on helping to save these babies there too. Maybe post a thread in that Forum too :dk:. I don't know what to say other than I am sending you SOOOOOOO many prayers for these little ones. Thank you for taking them and rescuing them. How sad and sometimes there is just not much more you can do. I hope they do pull through :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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shodack

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thanks! How do I request to move my thread? I didn't even look for the right place, I just stumbled upon the forum and was desperate!

No signs of any respiratory infection that I can tell. The vet said no fever, which is good.

Tonight I am trying something new. I am sort of force feeding them a tsp of food every hour, sort of hoping to get them a little food and maybe break the cycle... They seem to have moments of feeling better, so i HOPE hope hope that we are pulling through this.

Mods, if you see this, can you please move it to a better area? Thank you!
 

feralvr

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Hi, to ask for help from a mod. Just click the red flag at the bottom of your posts. I already asked that your thread be moved. I really hope these babies get better and hope you get some helpful suggestions on the how to's for raising kittens. :wavey: :hugs:
 

ldg

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Well, switching foods can cause gastric upset. :nod: I don't know about caring for bottle babies, I'm so sorry. If the vet thought it might be worms, it could be just that they were really packed with them. My understanding is that abandoned kitties that have been on their own for a day or two can really grub around and have QUITE a worm problem. :nod: So it may take more than a day to get sorted.

That said... they may have trouble passing the worms? :dk: I don't know if this will help, but it won't hurt. Pumpkin is great for regulating water in the colon, and its a safe fiber for cats. You can try mixing a little pumpkin - PLAIN pumpkin, preferably organic if possible, into the formula your'e feeding them. It help them pass poop if constipation is the problem. Try mixing a teaspoon into the formula - it "dissolves" well. Just make sure it's plain canned pumpkin, not spiced. :lol3:

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: !!!
 

zeety

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Hi shodack, welcome to TCS. You came to the right place.

I rescued a litter of abandoned kittens myself three weeks ago, they were only a few days old when I found them and I basically had no idea of what to do for them. The folks here have been of immeasurable help to me, and my babies are doing very well today.

The thing is that caring for them is pretty much a full-time job. At that age they need to be fed every 3 - 4 hours, and it should be either KMR (kitten milk replacer) or you can make a homemade formula out of goat's milk. You also want to try to avoid changing their food as much as possible as their little digestive systems are just developing and are very fragile.

The main things they need at this age is warmth, food and sleep.

I too used a medicine dropper up until a couple days ago, and while it was adequate, I found that it allowed them to get too much air and they become colicky. They need to be burped just like a human baby. I stick them up close to my ear and gently tap their little backs until I get an audible belch.

There's lots more info and I could make this a very long post, but here's a link to a site that should help: Kitten-Rescue.com.

Much
and
to you and your babies.
 
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shodack

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So, I see a marked improvement in them both today, but I do think they are both blocked up now. Energy levels are soooo much better, but after each time I feed them (and they really do want to try to eat) they act as if they want to throw up, and have dry heaves. Neither of them has pooped in 24 hrs, so I'm assuming that's the problem : (

Today I'm going to give them just KMR, hopefully a little gentler on their digestions, and I will try the pumpkin. Conveniently, my mom gave me some cooked pumpkin (homemade) when I was home for Thanksgiving!

Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to get their bowels going again? Like I said before they do seem much better energy wise, and their personalities are showing a bit again.

Oh, I did give them each a tiny bit of olive oil this morning... hopefully that will help...
 

zeety

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There are several methods used to stimulate a bowel movement, you basically want to mimic the motion and affect of the Queens tongue on their belly because this is how they are actually trained to poop on their own. You can take a warm, most cotton ball and squeeze the water out and stroke their bottoms and tummy with it. You can also use a washcloth, Kleenex or even your finger. Just be very gentle as too much will irritate the skin. Another way is to simply run some warm water (careful not too warm) and just hold their bottoms under it. This helps them go and cleans them up all at once. Then wrap them in a warm towel.

What I'm doing with my two is using my finger moistened with warm water and gently massaging while apply light pressure to their tummies. This is working best for me.

Good luck!
 
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shodack

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Yeah, we've been doing the belly massage... Just this week we started litter training, with relative success, but I'm still massaging to make sure they're emptying. And since they've been sick they have regressed a bit in the potty department, but now they haven't pooped in a couple days.

One is holding down the little bits of food i give them, but the other seems to be throwing back up most of what he gets... Well, I have started the pumpkin, and will keep it up for today. I am really just giving them a few ccs of formula at a time now, because I don't want to irritate their bellies more. They seem so hungry, but after they eat even a tiny bit they both feel badly again for a while. After 20 mins or so they usually perk back up.
 

zeety

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I somehow misread your initial post and was under the impression your babies are three weeks old


Perhaps it is the dewormer causing the nausea, I can't say for sure. You probably know already but the big danger to them is in getting dehydrated. I wouldn't worry too much about the slow frequency of elimination, especially if you've started litter box training. My vet told me 48 hours between poops in nothing to be concerned about. And I have heard others say they believe their babies digestive systems are absorbing most of the formula so there is very little waste.

You can pull the skin on the back of their necks and if it snaps back rather than sort of sticking in place, they are not dehydrated. Check inside there mouths for moisture as well. You might want to try a few mls (same as cc) of Pedialyte.

More
for those babies.
 

emsalee888

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Hi Shodack,

I am sorry you are having so much trouble after doing such a nice thing for those babies! I hope it resolves. 

Blockage and intestinal trouble are common dangers in a lot of animals, and I have had to deal with it in rabbits, parakeets, and cats within the last year! The worst part is, they do get so backed up that they feel hungry but immediately sick. And as you have mentioned, they can vomit. 

I guess it depends how "brave" you are; for the worst cases, and as some other members have posted, you can moisten something fairly rigid but soft (think a good quality Q-tip) with a little lubricant (like a KY) and warm water and actually probe around their rear and even VERY gently insert. If one piece of excrement is blocking the path, it makes adjusting the diet or using other softeners that much less useful... 

The massages are good too, but they can hurt, so be gentle! 

Keep us posted. Hope the vets can provide any other info you may need about getting things "moving". 


Good luck, and you are being a good mom! 
 
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shodack

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Well, Ricky, Rocco and I are just back from another visit to the vet with some MAJOR relief!!!

Basically the vet said that they were just both very blocked up and very gassy. She gave them both water enemas, fluid under the skin, and gave me all of the supplies to do both of those things for them as needed. She also told me that instead of giving them pumpkin she prefers baby gas medicine (Mylacon?), so suggested I give them a few drops of that a couple times a day as needed.

With just the enema both babies are SO much better already!! Thank goodness, because I have been such a wreck.

And the best part, the vet knew my financial situation, so I was only charged $20 total!!! She even gave me their doses of the next worm treatment (to give in 2 weeks). So wonderful!!!
 

zeety

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What great news!
I know from experience how worrisome it can be when they are suffering and I'm feeling powerless to help them. I'm so glad they are feeling better and your vet was able to help without totally gouging you on the fee. She sounds like a keeper.

I'm also encouraged by the problem only being gas, as that is the same problem I'm having with my babies, Larry and Mo. It's a major celebration around here when they have a nice bowel movement


You are doing a wonderful job caring for Ricky and Rocco, I look forward to continued updates on their progress
 

feralvr

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OH what a wonderful vet you have YAY :clap::clap::clap::clap:. That is just so nice of your vet. I am thrilled that Ricky and Rocco :D are doing better!!! What lucky little babies that you took them in and saved them. Just heartwarming. I am so glad you are getting some good advice here on this forum :D. Sending loads more vibes for the little ones to continue to do well !!:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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shodack

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Thanks everybody! It's funny about kittens... how one day they are so great and the next you can think they are dying.

I actually just got off the phone with the vet, because Ricky had another rough 24 hrs (of course 2 hrs after I put the call in and was waiting for the return call, he seems to have turned a corner and feels better), and she said that with kittens so young, and raised without their mothers, this is a constant roller coaster for at least another couple weeks! Phew, I'm pooped, and broke! haha

She said she is going to put have them hold some Albon for me, which she said is a banana flavored antibiotic for baby kitten tummies. So I'll go pick that up. Has anyone ever used it before?

They both just woke up from a nap and are hanging out, cleaning themselves. Ricky has discovered the joy of laying in a sunny spot :)

Zeety, how are your babies?
 

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I'm so happy they're doing better! I rescued my current cat and her 3 babies, all starving, then a pregnant cat that had 6 babies the day I brought her in! All healthy but she abandoned them so I bottle fed them and did everything a momma cat would do, yes there was a lot of up's and down's but they were the BEST kitties when they got older! All got spayed and neutered and went to a good home, while I got all that done, my current cat got out and got pregnant, CRAP! Haha, but she had her kittens yesterday late afternoon, 6 beautiful colorful kittens! Calico, 2 pure white, 2 black/grey tabbies one with white, and an orange tabby! And once all are ready, they'll be spayed an neutered!! Thanks for rescuing them, it's a risk but it's the right thing to do!
 

zeety

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Thanks everybody! It's funny about kittens... how one day they are so great and the next you can think they are dying.

I actually just got off the phone with the vet, because Ricky had another rough 24 hrs (of course 2 hrs after I put the call in and was waiting for the return call, he seems to have turned a corner and feels better), and she said that with kittens so young, and raised without their mothers, this is a constant roller coaster for at least another couple weeks! Phew, I'm pooped, and broke! haha

She said she is going to put have them hold some Albon for me, which she said is a banana flavored antibiotic for baby kitten tummies. So I'll go pick that up. Has anyone ever used it before?

They both just woke up from a nap and are hanging out, cleaning themselves. Ricky has discovered the joy of laying in a sunny spot :)

Zeety, how are your babies?
That's exactly what it is - a constant roller coaster...I'm totally out of gas...(pun intended
)

My babies are still blocked up and colicky, they probably need an enema. I've slowly been transitioning from goat's milk to KMR the last few days and tomorrow they will get 100% KMR. I've also been supplementing the formula with pumpkin, but not sure how much it actually is helping. Their little tummies are just a bit too taught and bloated, so I'm closely watching their intake of food while helping them to poop.

They are okay, they get grumpy at times, but what they want more than anything is just to be held and loved.
 
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