Cold Kitten

A friend of mine found an orphan kitten that is probably only a few days old. We let one of our older female cats take care of him overnight. Everything went well but then the kitten went cold. I thought it was dead so I went to pick it up. Then it began to twitch. At first I thought it was just a muscle reflex, but then the kitten groaned. I laid it on top of a heated blanket with a towel in between so the kitten wouldn't get over-heated. I also have been giving him milk every 2 hours. He still feels cold but he moves around a lot and likes to lay on his back. I'm not sure what to do. Please help!

Keeping him warm is very important, although not too warm (so good you are careful with this electrical blanket). A warm water flask or such a rice sock is often used by rescuers.

Being cold he loses forces, and has difficult to digest properly.   You can also massage him a little now and then. 

Another tip may be to carry him at your body.  It is easiest for a woman: having him between breast in the bra (use some old bra, he may eliminate).

You can also give him extra energy by giving him sugar in the gum.  Do it especielly if he seems to fade - this is a sign of lowing blood sugar.

Best is a little wetted dextrose (glucose sugar), but white caro syrup or honey can also be used.

As he moves a lot, I hope this means he is OK...

When you give him milk do it with him laying on tummy, head up - like when he is suckling mom.

A forumist found the tip to lay his hand on the kitten when he suckled the bottled.  The appetite rose immediately.  

What milk are you giving him?  kmr or goat milk is best, cow milk is the last alternative.

do weigh him every day at the same time. This is one of the ways to know if he develops OK.

Use a kitchen/mail scale in grammes, best electronical. They dont need to be costly, or you can probably borrow from some neighbour.

Some links for places with handrearing of kittens, and one is here on our site, btw.  Look to the right of this here forum.

www.kitten-rescue.com

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/kittens/handrearing.html

Tx for helping this guy!

Keep reporting and asking!

Good luck!

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