Ben is breaking my heart...I don't know what else to do.

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #21

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
Ben had a good night. He even walked towards me this morning.

I have put him on A/D as when comparing nutrients, is was higher in fat etc.

I had mixed in an egg yolk with one of their feeding yesterdays. How often can I give this?

Thanks "CatNamedPanda". I will look for it as I will have to get a few other ingred. If not,

I"ll use reg corn syrup.

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks to all...
 

catdoll

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
14
Purraise
10
Hi Levi68, could it be that some intestinal bacteria is causing all this distress? I had this problem with 2 kittens. Two completely different stories, but long story short, just an hour after giving 0.1ml (or little more depending the size of the cat) of antibiotics (clavamox drops) the kittens would start eating with appetite and one would immediately know that the problem was that. 

Apparently there is this bacteria called coccidia that is often present in adult cats and they can balance it with no signs. But it makes kittens unable to digest, especially once they stop being breastfeed since the mom's milk helps them cope with the bacteria. So when you take away the mom, the cat simply can't handle the bacteria because his immune system is not strong enough. The antibiotics helps them to grow stronger until their immune system can handle it. 

I don't see what you have to lose in trying this, (except, that, at least in my country, to get them you need a vet vistit+ meds which they overcharge). I was totally ripped-off by the vet that instead of simply giving me antibiotics (which was what I had suggested in the first place after almost 10 days of diarrea) wanted me to try all sort of exams, claiming the cat was still strong and active and eating. So few days later when the cat stopped eating the vet finally asked me to leave the kitten there, and then tried the antibiotics, then called me to say "your cat is eating fine with appetite" >.< (and charged me for the day recovery).

Another suggestion, I once was given (for this same problem), as a an attempt at making the cat eat, a product called fortiflora. Other than being nutritious, the kitten seems to love the taste and would make them love to eat anything I would mix with that.

One of these stories was one kitten (out of a litter of 5) that had this bacteria issue, other 4 were fine. So you see, that somehow, some can get it and some don't. It was the baby of a stray cat, who dropped two kittens out of my backyard since they both were sick, and since she noticed I had cats and would take care of them. Those two stray abandoned kittens made it. One simply needed his eye cleaned until a very small piece of fiber came out. The baby girl, I thought she was fine, but instead she was very weak and small. She eat a bit the first days but slowly stopped and wouldn't want to eat anything (so she was doing better when fed from the mother which makes sense), and one day she was totally fainted, which took me a while to realize because I though she was sleeping (also I didn't really know she wasn't eating because I would give food to her and her brother with the eye-thing, and didn't realize he was the only one eating, plus she was eating the first day. I even trapped the stray mother and put them together hoping she would feed her. But she didn't and I had to release her since I suspected she had other kittens (which I later discovered she did). Took me a while to realize and try the antibiotics, (which luckily I had some left). For a couple days I would make her wake up if she fainted, by rubbing honey with a q-tip on her gums, then try to feed her with a baby bottle, but she would eat then throw-up. She would always sleep and I would feed her every 2 hours, also wake up every 2 hours at night to feed her some fluids with honey, trying to increase the amount a little at a time and see if she would handle it. Then my mother told me to give antibiotics, once I tried the clavamox the kitten got up and ate cat food, so much that she looked like she was about to explode (I have some cool pictures). The next day she was playing with her brother with the clean-eye :). gave her antibiotics for a week and she made a full recovery. A month later the mother cat brought the other 3 kittens to eat food I put outside purposely, and I saw they were all doing ok. All kittens were then trapped and adopted and the mother was trapped, spayed :) and released. I still see her around every once in a while. We actually also got the (suspected father) neutered :) then released.
 

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,886
Purraise
28,287
Location
South Dakota
You can put an egg yolk in one meal every day if you want. . .they're very nutritious. And, yeah, Karo is just a brand name of corn syrup. Any brand will do.

How's he doing tonight?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #24

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
So, I got all the ingredients for Kitten Glop and made it tonight. I mixed it with some A/D canned food. He seemed to like it.

The brand my store had was Crown but it was the clear kind. I got some very fresh goat milk from my friends farm. She conveniently lives just around the corner.

He was def walking around more today. He even went for a little walk about outside their "bed". (I have them in the bottom half of a large dog crate but they can come in and out as they please. He even purred for me tonight. I haven't heard him purr in over a week. He's so tiny, I cup him in my hands to keep him warm and just his head and front legs drape out. He is quite content to sit there and stare at me as I talk to him. He was reaching out touching my face and lifting his chin to enjoy a scratch. <3

The little bugger... god I love him. He's been such a little fighter from day 1. I keep telling him he can't give up now..he's just come to darn far!
 
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
Granted we never knew exactly what was wrong with Delilah or Penelope and they were 6 weeks when they really declined. Ben reminds me of them, they had coccidia and were malnourished. Delilah felt like a bird too for a long time, like she might just break when I picked her up. But I fed them a mixture of a kitten glop, a/d food, and this stuff called viyo the vet recommended. If he can handle the wet food, I would syringe feed him that with some form of milk. If you can look into viyo or something similar it might help. It is full of vitamins and nutrients. I wouldn't give up unless he is suffering. You never know he might just surprise you.
When I read about little Ben Delilah and Penelope automatically popped into my head. I can't give any better advice than what you have gotten, I just wanted to remind you to try and keep having faith. If he were clearly suffering and in pain then I agree it may be kinder to let him go but that doesn't seem to be the case.

When I first read about Delilah and Penelope I admit I didn't think they were going to make it. Boy did they prove me wrong! And, I think that was partially because CatNamedPanda never gave up on them. Nothing says that Ben can't do the same and beat the odds. You are doing everything you can and doing it all right- just try and make sure you keep your attitude positive (I can tell you are based on your last post I just wanted to try and reinforce it). Cats are so in tune with our energy. If you believe he can turn it around and survive then he may start to believe in himself. Keep giving him something to fight for!  

Hang in there- you have gone above and beyond for this litter and done more than most would have. I'm sure you are exhausted and starting to feel defeated, and that's where we come in. Anything you need we are here for, even if it's just a virtual hug (which I am sending your way right now)! Know that you are doing an absolutely amazing job! Keep it up! 

C'mon Ben! We are rooting for you! 
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Catdoll, Levi DOES treat them for coccidia, this is his point.  :)   I think also fortiflora had been mentioned somewhere.

That said, thank very much for your input and examples. Useful and eductional... Adding our experiences enriches us all.

I see you also mention honey as an emergency sugar source. Interesting, it is not often mentioned by cat fanciers, but I myself often suggest.  Although dextrose (=glucose sugar) is the best of them sugar additives / sugar boosters.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #28

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
He's doing pretty good! He's starting to gain finally. I am still worried about the health of his intestines. He was quite bloated today and twice tried to go poop and couldn't. The kittens had an overnighter with my sister last night as I had plans with my daughter in Toronto. She said he was eating well but had some diarrhea. The skin around his bum is very dry and reddened. I am putting polysporin ointment on it. He's walking around alot more and instigating play with his siblings.

So, improvement all around..now i wish he would just start getting some meat on his bones. He still looks like a skeleton with a bloated belly.
 

catnamedpanda

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
1,405
Purraise
58
That's great to hear. I am sure he will be putting on weight in no time. Hopefully everything with will sort out with his digestion soon. I know Delilah used to really bloat too.
 

kris78

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
79
Purraise
23
Location
UK
That's fantastic to hear about little ben. He's defying the odds and doing well! Post a picture of him when you can!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
Ben is finally gaining weight but  unfortunately, his bum is still so sore and now he's constipated! This poor guy cannot catch a break! He's playing and actually tried to run yesterday!

Here's some photos from yesterday.


 

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,886
Purraise
28,287
Location
South Dakota
Eee! Little chupacabra alien baby! Wow he's cute.

I bet a good strong probiotic (not just Fortiflora or Benebac) would do him some good. I have no idea how much to give such a teeny guy, but an "overdose" usually isn't a problem.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #33

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
Eee! Little chupacabra alien baby! Wow he's cute.

I bet a good strong probiotic (not just Fortiflora or Benebac) would do him some good. I have no idea how much to give such a teeny guy, but an "overdose" usually isn't a problem.
 Lol..yes he certainly is a funny munchkin. Especially with his wispy fur and silver undercoat. I actually picked up Probiotic 8 Plus two days ago. It's made by Omega/Alpha. It has  8 probiotics, all the enzymes plus kelp, guar gum, spirulina, slippery elm bark, brewers yeast, marshmallow root and linseed meal.
 

vball91

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
3,853
Purraise
252
Location
CO, USA
No advice but lots of vibes and hugs. We're all rooting for tiny Ben. He's absolutely adorable.
 

catnamedpanda

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
1,405
Purraise
58
He is seriously too cute and tiny. Hopefully the constipation resolves soon, poor little guy deserves a break. Keep up the good work he sounds like he is doing wonderful!
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
Aaaahhhh I agree that he could not be any cuter! He does look like a little alien baby! 

I love that you have that toy in the first picture (the spiky rubber ball). It's by far been the most popular one with all my kitten fosters. Although I have never seen a kitten his age so tiny- the ball is almost bigger than him! 

I'm 99% sure you are already doing this but are you putting diaper rash cream on his bum? It will really help with the soreness (although not with the constipation but the probiotics should). 

What a trooper. I can just picture him trying to run and play on his tiny wobbly legs. Keep it up Ben! 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38

levi68

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
569
Purraise
30
Location
Ontario
I have been putting polysporin ointment which worked well for his brother but his was getting so nasty that I asked my girlfriend who is a goat farmer if she had any "Bag Balm". She said she had a step up from that and gave me a bit of it. I started it earlier today, and it actually looks better tonight. Not as red and inflamed.

He is still very constipated. I even bought children's glycerin suppositories and put a piece in a 1cc syringe, put one of those white tips used for feeding kittens on it. Lubed him up with KY jelly and dipped the white end in. It worked like a charm but he's only getting tiny bits out.

He's still active and wanting to eat so I'm trying not to get too worried.

Here another pic I took that night when he picked up the ball in his mouth.

 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
I have been putting polysporin ointment which worked well for his brother but his was getting so nasty that I asked my girlfriend who is a goat farmer if she had any "Bag Balm". She said she had a step up from that and gave me a bit of it. I started it earlier today, and it actually looks better tonight. Not as red and inflamed.
That sounds like an awesome step up! Hopefully the suppositories will help him too. Sometimes I don't know which is more miserable to watch- diarrhea or constipation. I suppose the one benefit to his being stopped up is that it gives his bootie a bit of a rest. 

Oh Ben, You are such a lucky kitten to be with someone who cares so much about you! 
 

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,582
Purraise
22,961
Location
Nebraska, USA
Ben is the most adorable 'munchkin' I have ever seen! He deserves all of our prayers and vibes, what a tiny fighter! Please keep us posted on his wellbeing, may you be blessed with good luck for this beautiful little kitten. I will pray for his health. Vibes for growing power!
 
Top