3 Week Old Kitten and updates

bluejax

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Two days ago I rescued a very young (3-week-old) kitten from someone off craigslist who was selling her because the mother went missing.   She is a very sweet and adorable tabby girl, although she has a few problems it seems.

For one, she hates to eat.  I am feeding her kitten milk replacement.  She wouldn’t use the little kitten bottle I got her so I am using a syringe.   She won’t actively feed so I am putting a small amount of milk into her cheek and letting her reflexively swallow.  I read kittens her age should eat around 10cc per feeding; she only will tolerate 3cc before shaking her head to spit the milk out.  I am currently feeding her every 3 hours but am thinking of feeding her every 2 hours due to the fact she eats so little per feeding.  Does this sound like a good idea?  Although I did weigh her yesterday and then today (24 hours later) and her weight has stayed the same at 9.8oz.  She is also urinating when I stimulate her and has defecated twice so far.  I’ve also been assessing for dehydration using skin turgor and she seems relatively well hydrated.   I also tried feeding her a bit of canned kitten food but she seems uninterested and perhaps too young for it. 

Another problem is that she has a bit of eye discharge.  I have been cleaning her eyes with a damp cloth during every feeding but her eyes seem to continue to have discharge and sometimes they will crust together and get a bit stuck until I gently wipe them clear.  I got her some eye flush specifically made for cats and have used it a few times on her to help get rid of the discharge and keep her eyes open.  I’m not sure if this is possible conjunctivitis/infection or just a normal kitten thing. 


 
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jennyr

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Hi and welcome. You are doing the right thing, and like you, I find using a needleless syringe much easier than a bottle in many cases. Just asking but be sure you feed her lying on her tummy so she can swallow easily. It may be that she is still not used to the taste of the KMR. And I think you are right in thinking of increasing the daily feedings. Have you tested her for dehydration? If she is not getting enough food she may get dehydrated, which is very dangerous. Pinch the back of her neck gently to raise the skin, let go and if it falls back into place immediately she is is OK. If it stays raised for more than a second or two then she needs fluids urgently, either by syringe or by sub-Q fluids, which you can do at home if a vet shows you how.

This article may be helpful.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens
 
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bluejax

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I initially posted about my sweet kitten, Wednesday, and her issues with eye discharge.  I took Wednesday to the vet on Sunday as her eyes were getting worse.

When the tech went to take her temperature she looked at me and said, “You know it’s a boy right?”  I had the vet double check just in case, and yep it’s a boy!  Already exchanged his pink food and water dish for some blue ones.  His pink litter box will be a keeper though!  And his name will probably stay as well since I’m so used to it although I’m still trying to decide whether or not to change it. 

He was diagnosed with a slight upper respiratory infection, either viral or bacterial.  Worst case is FVR/herpes, but we are really hoping that’s not it.  Lungs sounded fine which is good!  She prescribed an oral antibiotic and an antibiotic eye drop in the case that it is bacterial.  2 days into the treatment and his eyes look better than ever!  He was also dewormed with Strongid and is going back in 2 weeks for the second dose.

Although now he has a new problem—constipation.  Right now he is having a bowel movement every other day, with some straining in the litter box in between.  The only change in his diet is I picked up some 2nd Step Milk Replacer and have been mixing a bit with his regular kitten formula.  He also eats bits of Blue Buffalo canned food. 

So basically I'm just worried about him.  His belly seems very large to me, although the vet said it's within normal for a kitten.  Anyone deal with constipation in kittens before?  He will be 5 weeks old tomorrow. 

 
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StefanZ

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Sorry nobody answered earlier, not even me atlhough Im try to patrol several times every day.  Was perhaps your posts moved into here from some other subForum?

How did he do with this too little eating from the first post?  I understand you managed to increase his food?  Does he grow and thrive OK?

Which KMR do you use, its PetAgs KMR in powder, but second stage, as he is older now?   Sometimes continuing with the first stage is better.

Right, constipation... Had you tried with some home remedy as yet?

  How is his poo?   As long as he doesnt eats solids, the normal consistency is toothpaste.  If it isnt more solid than this, its no real constipation...

Constipation, it may often be a little too little water, ie a more or less a dehydration.  There are two ways to deal with it; either dilute the  kmr a little.  And OR add some drops water inbetween the feedings.

Having a couple of drops of "vegetable oil" in his food helps often.  The wording vegetable hints almost any  vegetable food oil should be OK,  my recommendation is the two healthiest of them:  coldpressed  canopy/ rapeseed oil, or coldpressed virgin olive oil...

Minerale oils are even more potent, but they are more touchy, you must know exactly which may be taken orally withouth harm...  I dont know the american brands good enough.

There is more to add if necessary, but I will want for your response.

Good luck!
 
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