Having trouble with a foster kitten not growing

Status
Not open for further replies.

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
I rescued a litter of 5 Kittens when they were 2 weeks old. They had to be bottle fed and recently they decided they don't want to take the bottle anymore. They started eating regular food and they love playing in water, at least all but one of them. Teeny loves to play in water but will not eat food he still wants the bottle all the time, he always wants me to hold him, and is still only about 2 pounds. He fits in the palm of my hand. He has a short body, short legs, and a smushed face. I don't know what to do to help him. I plan on taking him to the vet monday but I would like to get an idea of what I could be dealing with. I know he has allergies. He is allergic to Lysol, and perfume, and anything with a scent, could that be causing this?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #2

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
Correction: he is only 8.9 ounces. I am terrified that something could be wrong.
 

rose123

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
6
Purraise
1
Why would you be spraying Lysol anywhere around a newborn kitten?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
No I use it to clean my furniture in another room the smell that gets in the air and he's allergic to the smell so I quit using it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
Also they are not newborns. They are 8 weeks old currently.
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,673
Purraise
32,857
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
He is so tiny for an 8 week old kitten. Was he 2 pounds and then dropped down to 8.9 ounces? I think this is something much more serious than allergies. From your description of his body and face it sounds like he could have been born with deformities which may affect his digestive system as well. Is there an emergency vet in your area that could take a look at him?

@RedTopRescue  @catwoman707 Any suggestions?
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
Correction: he is only 8.9 ounces. I am terrified that something could be wrong.
Hi there and welcome to the cat site.

At 8 weeks old, yes, there is something wrong with this little one only weighing 8.9 ounces.

With a bit more background hopefully we can help advise.

Was he always a runt or did he grow slower and not keep up with sibs?

By 9 weeks old the majority of kittens reach 2 pounds.

So he is very underweight.

These runty poo-doers are so difficult to diagnose. Is there diarrhea at all? Dewormed yet?

Do you bottle feed him KMR?

Do you know approx how much daily?
 

sheltieluver

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
100
Purraise
13
I had the same issue with my bottle kitten. Weighed about the same as yours did at 6 weeks old the two siblings left were about a pound. I ended up euthanize her bc she wasn't getting better even tho she was eating but she wasn't gaining and had liquid poos. I tested the two remaining litter mates and they came up positive for both felv and fiv. It could be possible with your kitty as well. I agree that it needs to be seen asap. Something isn't right with him. Please keep us posted sending good vibes
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Is Teeny OK otherwise, outside his allergies?  Plays, runs, climbs?  Or it is barely some play and mostly tired and its a fight uphill the whole time?

If he seems otherwise OK with lively playing climbing etc, you can still be hopefull.   there happens  mini-cats...

Of course, to be honest, they do have two big  triages, typically at 3 months, and at about one year - where they may collapse and go off downhill  in merely hours.

But some do manage into adulthood and many good years.

Of course do visit soon a good vet.  Not necessarily an emergency vet as its not real ASAP  emergency. But if the emergency doc IS the best vet available - so. -

My suggestion is if you can get hold of fresh goat milk.  Its not sure it will help him, but it may help him.

Use as addittive supplement, but also may be used as only food if necessary.

Bottled may be also OK, but fresh is better, especielly here.

Natural anti-bodies from the goat may even help up his allergies some.

Good luck!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
Teeny seems to be okay otherwise. I just assumed he was two pounds because of the feel when I held him but apparently I was wrong. He has energy all the time. We don't go outside but he has been fine since I stopped using anything with a fragrance I just use dawn to try to clean. He has been sleeping a little more than usual though. He just seems antisocial with his bigger siblings. He loves my othercats though and cuddles with them and plays. He just seems a lot sleepier than usual, at first I though maybe a growth spurt. Also he let's me know when he's hungry with a certain Meow that I have figures out means he wants his bottle. He does not have diarrhea, I feed him Hertz brand milk replacer, about 5 tbsp 3-4 times a day. He was always the runt and was the exact same size when we got him. I have a close up of his face from when he burrowed into his blanket. He just seems to not have grown at all. He has been bottle fed since 2weeks old because the mother was put down for distemper. The closest emergancy vet is about 2 and a half hour drive from me and I don't drive and my husband is working. He seems like he will be okay if he grew. I can't get goats milk but I can get cows milk none of the farms in my area have goats just cows and pigs
.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

red top rescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
4,466
Purraise
1,486
Location
Acworth GA, USA
You should be able to get bottled goats milk at any WalMart in the dairy section, also in most supermarkets in the dairy section.  You just said that his mother was put down for "distemper" which is a deadly disease.  He definitely needs to see the vet and get tested although at that size, you couldn't very well get much blood out of him for testing.  They could get one drop for a microscopic exam which would show if he has normal blood cells.  In the meantime, look for the goat's milk, or try changing to another kitten formula like the brand Petsmart carries (21st century) or GNC or KMR (the liquid KMR can give them diarrhea).  Goats milk is the best.  Cow's milk is not right for kittens.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
All of the Wal-Mart's are that far away as well as any other pet store. All I have a convenience stores nearby. He only gets cows milk in a bad pinch, I boil it to sterilize and only use it to water down a meat baby food to get him to take that. My other cat won't leave his side and has been keeping him clean and warm and they play together. He will be checked very soon. As soon as my vets office opens his door.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Yes, your regular vet should do, if its a vet decently skilled  with cats.

Can you ask in the shops nearby if they can get bottled goat milk?  Most managers try to help out, if a customer asks them.  At least in Sweden, but probably in the USA too...

Mention to this manager, many people who dont manage common cow milk, do manage nicely goat milk. Even some of these who cant stand lactose.   If he makes a little marketing, he can surely sell  even a dozen bottles/paper boxes, not just  one or two to you.

I agree try some other brand of kmr.   Hartz isnt necessaryly the best of them, so to speak.   Although I know for some forumites it was OK.  apparently for you too.

But if you get goat milk, you can probably skip kmr, be it Hartz or some other.

If the only goat milk you can get is some low fat version, you can add egg yolk in it.  Hey, add egg yolk anyway.  Its a good nourishment easily digested.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
I contacted the on call service for my vet and they said he should be fine until monday. I am cancelling all of my anniversary plans just to take him down to be seen. He said it just sounds like he is a dwarf and that he thinks of me as his mama so he isn't going to take much else from me since I bottle fed him. Thanks for the help and I will keep you all updated.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
Oh and I tried the GNC brand before and he was allergic to it so Hartz was the next one the vet said to try and he tolerates it. I am scared to change it because of the anaphylaxis like reaction he had to GNC.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
How do I help him with constipation? I haven't given him cows milk in more that 2 weeks. It might be the solid food that I water down and give him through a bottle.
 

catwoman707

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 16, 2011
Messages
7,689
Purraise
2,263
Location
Vallejo, CA
You can add a few drops of oil into his food/bottle.

Mineral, olive, or vegetable oil. Best would be in that order.

Kittens play hard, then nap, wake and eat, play hard, nap, etc.

What I'm wondering is, does he play hard too or is he sometimes a little playful for a few minutes but would rather be snuggie on your lap? Not social with his sibs?

I sure worry about other brands besides KMR. I've seen things, but he would clearly be going downhill too if there was a problem with the formula.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
He would rather cuddle with my older cats or me and plays with me and my two older cats. He does not want anything to do with his siblings as they have jumped and walked all over him and hurt him a little which is why the Vet said to seperate them.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

cguthrie2011

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
20
Purraise
1
I am sorry to report that my little baby passed on this morning on our way to the Emergency Vet Center. He started having trouble breathing and I called someone right away to take me down. I miss my TeenyTiny already.
 

mrblanche

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
12,578
Purraise
119
Location
Texas
I'm very sorry to hear about your kitten.  There are so many things that can affect them, and there is even a problem called "Fading Kitten Syndrome."  But every one of these little fluffies breaks our heart when they go too soon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top