2 week old Kitten Difficulty breathing

I brought the kittens I found to the vet but she just looked them over and said they were fine. I told her that one died and worried that others would too but she said just keep feeding them. The other one died very suddenly and was dehydrated but I think the 2 had genetic problems as they had crooked tails and were not putting on weight despite them eating a lot. I am worried about the last kitten as he was doing really well until recently. Seems to have trouble breathing/breathing heavily but no fever and no nasal discharge but having a hard time eating. Sometimes kitten is breathing through mouth. So maybe just a cold? At first I thought could be pneumonia but it is missing two symptoms which would be the fever and discharge. The kitten is not coughing. I have humidified the air and that helps but what else can I do while I look for a different vet?

Unfortunately unless your vet has breeders as clients or those who do rescue they're not too cluey on baby kittens. And depending on age and what's wrong there may be nothing you can do anyway. 

It does sound like you need antibiotics for the one who's open mouth breathing. If you can get Pet Nutri drops they work very well in perking up ill kittens. 

I have been to another vet. I think I just ran out of options with vets as you say. Vet couldn't seem to find reason for kitten to have weak cry and the noise but she said kitten is fine and just needs vitamins (Virbac Nutri Plus Gel) so we gave the kitten some and it did perk up but now seems to be going downhill again. :/ I am suppose to give vitamins supplement twice a day. Can I give it again or would it over dose the kitten. Vet did say I can force feed every two hours...but I am afraid it will choke. I was thinking of trying salbutamol as usually prescribed to patients pneumonia but the dosage would be a problem. I did say my concern about it might be an infection and vet said problem is they don't have medication in stock for a 2 week old kitten. 

Don't give the kitten human medications not prescribed for him. It's wonderful you rescued these babies, though I am sorry there is only one survivor. It's possible the mother abandoned them because she knew they weren't strong. Is the vet going to order the medication she said they don't have in stock? Follow the vets advice, and yes, continue to feed (are you using a syringe?) Praying for the little one.

I can try to ask if they are willing to order. I am using syringe now because it can't suck on it's own. He meows and I put it in and he swallows one big gulp but I know it is hard for him but he is trying. I gave him 3ml which is what he normally finishes off on own. What I was afraid of was it would get worse but the vets were like. no he is fine...and now he is worse.   and it is 11:00pm here. I'll have to call vet tomorrow morning if he doesn't get better to see if there is anything we can do. My horse scratched his eye once and was cloudy and I contacted a different vet. Again no medication for horses in stock so the vet prescribed erythromycin eye drops for humans  and just adjusted the dose and within 3 days he was fine. Maybe vet can do something like that I hope.

cinnamonbite said:

I did say my concern about it might be an infection and vet said problem is they don't have medication in stock for a 2 week old kitten. 

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clav is a very common ab that can safely be given to kittens, have never heard of a vet not stocking that. It does need to be broken down, mixed with water and syringed in. Perhaps they're just unaware of that?

3ml isn't much, but he must eat something.

How much should I give? Milk that is. The vet said they do have a tablet but for adult kittens and maybe break off a piece or something. Well I think my problem is I am in a place where vet supplies are really hard to come by. I was thinking with the absence of crackles/wheezing and nasal discharge. Maybe something wrong with larynx/pharynx or esopahagus. I have a stethoscope and check out his lung fields and sure enough clear except for pop at the end and what seems to be a wheeze but not in lung area so I am wondering if air way is swollen as he has trouble swallowing.  Vet not answering. They usually open 8 or 9 I think. Kitty seemed pretty bad last night. Was basically force feeding. This morning I was scared as he was weak and could not walk on own like usual and leaning to left side as left foreleg was not moving so I gave him the vitamins and force fed and he perked up and crawling but still week and still making noises when he breaths but he did let out some good cries. So hard to tell if he is getting better or worse as I suspect he had a fever last night as had watery eyes and felt warm then went cool all of a sudden and was very weak but now he is not as weak as he was at 12am-4am. I really think if a good vet could figure out what is the problem and address it he would do well as he is a little fighter.

Sounds like he has a URI, make sure to keep him warm and he'll need 55mls of formula over 24 hours feeding every 2-3 hours. 

Went to a different vet who thinks it has URI but no antibotics available for kitten. And no bronchodilators for kittens as she said too young. She prescribed a herbal medication " lagundi" it is for humans but I am to give .5ml 2 times a day and give feeding then dextrose/electrolyte water and supplement 3 times a day (0.2ml each dose) then let him breath in steam for 5-10 mins 3 times a day....  an then hope he can make it.  He was pretty dehydrated. Urine is a bit dark and greenish but not sure if that is because of medication as it is green. But starting to lighten up and not such a strong smell. So fingers crossed. He is breathing through mouth more though and very hard to feed him the milk but no problems with the medication or water. Maybe he wants to suck the milk but can't so gets frustrated as he opens mouth and meows.

Im admiring your fight Cinnamonbite.

Sorrowfully, I dont have good advices, just sending my best wishes for this little protegé of yours, and for you.

God bless you.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!

Glad I just ran across your post.

I have loads of experience in babies, in my rescue group it is me who gets the moms/ferals with newborns, the abandoned newborns, etc.

I am here to tell you, the large majority of vets do NOT have the experience that us in rescue do with newborns. They more or less will not know what they are looking for, other than the norm that an older cat's check up includes.

I can NOT diagnose this baby over the internet, but I can tell you some good info that will hopefully help.

It's often right around 2 weeks of age when you will see a change. This is the point where

1) the worms are maturing enough to cause issues

2) a flea infested baby is being taken down by flea-caused anemia

3) diarrhea will show it's ugly head

4) early signs of a URI will appear

5) an abandoned baby loses it's will to survive/fails to thrive

Your first and foremost danger is dehydration. A 2 week old can become dehydrated in a matter of a very short time, so a perfectly healthy appearing baby that decides to stop eating/thriving will begin dehydrating in approx. 6 hours after the last feeding.

Dehydration is the biggest cause of death in baby kittens.

So your most important task now at this point is to work this baby through it's bump in the road by making certain he gets the right amount of kitten replacement milk.

At 2 weeks of age he should be fed 6 times a day, and fed a minimum of 8-10 mls, and this is on the lower side.

To accomplish this via a syringe, baby should be on his tummy, NEVER tilted on his back like a baby!! One tiny drop inhaled instead of swallowed turns into pneummonia, then that's that. Babies will not survive this, and it hits suddenly and fast.

Another very important tip here is-NEVER feed a cold baby. No matter how long it has been since fed, no matter how dehydrated the baby is, a cold kitten's organs are not functioning and are not able to process food. This will kill him as well, and fast. Kittens are unable to hold body temp, which should be a steady 98-100 degrees, using a covered heating pad on low, or a water bottle with a towel or blanket around it. Also beware, most of the newer heating pads have an auto shut off after 2 hours or so and baby will get cold. A cold kitten can not survive.

Back to feeding-baby on tummy (warm baby) draw up the amt of kmr into the syringe you want him to eat. Be sure to heat the kmr under a hot faucet, I simply fill the syringe, put a coffee cup in the sink and run hot water into the cup continuously with the syringe in the cup.

Once it's good and warm bring the cup with you so in between you can set the syringe in the cup to reheat it up a bit or it will quickly turn cold.

Take your first finger and thumb of your left hand and gently pinch his neck scruff, enough to pull his head up to where you can see what's going in his mouth and where. The syringe should never be placed at his throat, if he was not ready to swallow it gets inhaled. Place it towards the back of one side of his mouth where it touches his cheek. Slight amt squeezed out into his cheek, like literally 2 drops at a time.

You will see him swallow, pause for 2 seconds because after a swallow he will take a breath. Repeat over and over until it's either gone, or nearly gone and he is resisting being fed and tummy is round and full.

Then poddy him, try not to use a rubbing motion, it causes redness and irritation. I use a tapping motion with my finger and poof!

Then return him to his warm and cozy spot for a nap.

In another week at least, he will be capable of holding his own body temp. Also in about 1 1/2 weeks you can begin supplementing with chicken baby food. Shallow dish, sticking his nose in it where it touches the food, which he will lick off and figure it out!

Oh I meant to say, if you ever find him cold (hopefully not, sometimes you can't bring him back and they go downhill) stick him in your bare armpit. Then go throw a towel in the dryer or microwave and heat that baby up!

Now then, as for antibiotics, clavamox can be given at 2 weeks, liquid only kind, (pink) and the dose is 0.1 ml, 2 times a day. Very small but does the job!

Also can be given pyrantel for worms, also liquid, and same dose, 0.1 mls. but just once, then repeated in 2 weeks.

I am concerned that your baby is dehydrated though and not going to make it through this without some fast supportive care. If I had this baby I would be tube feeding (please dont even think about doing this) and sub-q fluids now.

Another little tip, a baby can sometimes be revived, depending on how far gone he is.

If it looks like he is going down, has no interest in food and no crying from hunger, just sleeping and/or looking like an orphan (this is where one will sleep away from the rest of the litter instead of part of the dogpile) A kitten does this when they are dehydrated. It's like if they are not forced into getting through this critical time, they will allow themselves to die. Lose the will to live/thrive.

I have actually saved many kittens that for all I know should not have lived for one reason or another, simply by being on the ball, making damn sure that baby eats plenty, and if you are not able to get baby to eat the recommended amt, then give half the amount, but twice as often! When you do pull a baby through this period, it doesn't take more than ususally a few days to revive and get their spirit back.

If you see the baby at this point, grab baby, rub rub rub like a brisk body massage, exhaling your warm breath on baby, do this for a few minutes then dip your fingertip in some Karo syrup or even pancake syrup and rub on his gums. Then go back to rubbing and breathing warmth.

In a few minutes up to 10 minutes you will see a difference, less lethargic, etc and more alert. This is the sugar in the syrup giving a jump start and a second chance. Not alot of syrup, just a little on your fingertip, not dripping off either.

This can buy you time to get the baby fed and warm. It always thrills me when I see a wide-eyed baby after it was just knocking on death's door.

The last thing I want to say is this-

Many, many babies die. With moms caring for them, and without, but more-so without for some reason I believe is that it's not natural to be bottle fed, I don't know the answer.

But despite your efforts and intentions, he might not make it, but at least this little baby was lucky enough to have a chance.

In my opinion making it for 2 weeks gives me hope, but is also as I said a critical time for things to surface.

The biggest are dehydration, (due to either lack of food or diarrhea)  allowed to get cold, an untreated uri, and flea anemia. These are the biggest and most common causes aside from improper feeding causing pneummonia.

Best of luck to you!!

Great post Catwoman.

To Cinnamonbite - the Internet can be a happy hunting ground for stuff not available locally, including drugs though sometimes you need a prescription.

Thank you for the info. Greatly appreciated. He is not severely dehydrated but dehydrated never the less. This morning his urine was dark and kind of green but now it is a neon yellow. He was also able to defecate. Skin fold is 3 sec but he is walking around and pretty strong and resisting when I feed him (maybe because just so hard to swallow) as he moves a lot and can crawl and still climb up.  His eyes are open pretty wide except when he goes to sleep he is just breathing through mouth all the time now. Also I noticed he does breath through nose after I give the herbal medication for a little while but then goes back to breathing through mouth after and hour or so. If I could just clear up his airway I think he would be ok but in the meantime as you say. Keeping him from being dehydrated is a huge challenge. 

I really thought he needed an antibiotic but vet said "not yet" so when? The huge problem is. I can't not get [color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]  clavamox. Is there a subsititute I can use?   Also how do I know if this pneumonia is bacterial or viral? I can how ever get hold of [/color][color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]pyrantel. [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I was wondering if I was feeding improperly but I always feed on tummy and he never had milk come out his nose or would cough. He had a good attachment and drank up to 5-6ml on his own. then would rest and ask for more but now. I know he wants to drink and his body is still strong but his respiratory tract is just preventing him. Unlike his brother and sister they really failed to thrive as their bodies were weak to begin with unfortunately.  [/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Thank you for your support. I know there is a chance he might not make it but got to keep trying.[/color]

Lots of moving around and crawling doesn't strike me as good for him right now - I feel he needs to use all his energy to fight the infection.  Keep rehydrating until his skin springs back.

Ring round your local vets to see if you can find one who will prescribe antibiotics for him.  There is no way of knowing what the initial infection was, but small kittens are so fragile that antibiotic cover is probably essential to guard against secondaries if nothing else.

BTW how about adding where you live to your profile?  It's useful sometimes to know.

Have you given him a name? Names are important. Something you can call him, that he will eventually recognize as his. I have no other advice but plenty of admiration for your commitment to this baby. Praying for him.

:heart3:

I agree with you OrientalSlave. Was worried but I mean he is not crawling all over the place. He is just not lethargic but when I feed him and put him back in box to be warm he does try to pop back out or when I feed him he backs up if not ready to swallow. I try to keep his movement to minimum but little guy has other ideas. I will ask the vet why I can't give antibiotics because of the reason you stated. Plus if he does have an infection it would be good for him. I have been to the main vet clinics. The ones that are actually the medical suppliers of other clinics from what one of the vet said. The other clinics are just branches. Maybe there is one around but I'll have to hunt for a while.

I named him when he was 3 days old. Racket. Because he was so noisy before and active.

Best wishes to Racket! That is a good strong name! Do you call him by name all the time? Very important!

I have heard before that vet care in your location is not the best. But, with your determination and the help you are getting here, how could he not thrive now?

Racket :heart3:

Im not sure which kitten milk you do use. But if you arent happy with the sort, goat milk is useful for kittens.  Several of our forumites did and does use it, for both healthy and sickly kittens.

Good luck  Racket and Cinnamonbite!

I wouldn't say it is bad but they are not exactly "equipped" I think the vet services are improving though but slowly. I think because culturally most people rely on caring for the animals themselves (herbs and stuff like that) and vets not in demand but slowly there is a demand, but guess still hard to stock up on medications as usually all come from abroad and they will end up expiring as maybe get one person in a blue moon to buy it.... there is only one equine vet in area and she goes other places so not around all the time.  So makes it hard in times of emergencies.

I always have weird  random nicknames for my pets. so I call him Racket but a lot of times I call him Gamew I guess because "gamay" means small in english and my aunts always call cats mew-mews so I smashed it together.

He seems to be breathing a little tiny bit better and I was able to get 5ml in him but taking a breathing break. He also defecated again. a lot actually but normal. Urine still neon yellow. I hope he will do well. will have to wait till morning to call vet about antibiotics. Thank you for the good vibes Otto.

I am using formula 1 because that was all that was in stock. I will see if I can find goat milk but he was growing pretty well on the formula 1 just unfortunate he got sick

As for Racket (cute btw having pneummonia now, he does not, that is of course assuming he has not inhaled any formula in the last 24 hrs.

Clavamox is to keep pneummonia from happening. It is VERY common for a very young baby to acquire pneummonia without an antibiotic to ward this secondary infection from developing.

Also assuming he does indeed have an upper respiratory infection. I personally would say he probably does from your description but sometimes young babies have an open mouth while asleep, as in a relaxed state.

You said you used a stethoscope? Unless there is pneummonia already present, which I don't think so, you will not hear anything in his lungs, but would be able to hear in his throat and/or nose, some congestion sound, very small, but wheezing/squeaky/wetness, anything but a clear passage.

You should also be able to see some type of wetness drain under his nose.

If you can not hear sound, you never see wetness or nasal fluid, he may very well NOT have a uri.

In which case would be great!

As for his being active, this is an excellent sign!! Although true that it would be best if he would limit his mobility, it's not going to happen His brain is developing by the hour, what he sees, his coordination, smells, surroundings, all stimulate his brain. He is working on developing his tiny immune system as well.

Remember, warmth and keep hydrated. Affection and your voice are also excellent right now. A loved baby thrives, an abandoned, lonely baby will not. This all contributes to his recovery.

You haven't mentioned fleas.