Kitten dehydrated?

amyfitz100 · May 16, 2015

One of our barn cats gave birth the four kittens ten days ago. We didn't see them (or mama) the first day, but we did find them the second day. The kittens were all tangled up in dried up umbilical cords -- one even had his tiny leg (broken) and tangled in it. Some were nursing, but obviously it was a mess. I snipped the cords and lined them all up at the mom. The next day we could see that two had bad hernias -- we never saw those again. The one with the broken, shriveled leg was actually doing okay until a few days later when his whole leg was gone. Yes. Gone. He disappeared the next day. Now we have one little kitten left. Her eyes are starting to open, but her poor mom is wagging her all over the yard and just leaves her places. She hisses at the other animals (small dogs, a cat, chickens) if they get too close, but she doesn't mind me handling the baby at all. Several times today I've seen the baby in the middle of the yard, in the sun, all alone. She kind of screams. I finally put her in the kitten box on the porch -- she keeps sleeping with her mouth open and the mom is not real eager to nurse, although I have seen her do it some. Could this kitten be dehydrated? What are the signs?

detmut · May 16, 2015

the urine should be pale yellow or clear and the gums should be moist.

StefanZ · May 16, 2015

amyfitz100 said:
One of our barn cats gave birth the four kittens ten days ago. We didn't see them (or mama) the first day, but we did find them the second day. The kittens were all tangled up in dried up umbilical cords -- one even had his tiny leg (broken) and tangled in it. Some were nursing, but obviously it was a mess. I snipped the cords and lined them all up at the mom. The next day we could see that two had bad hernias -- we never saw those again. The one with the broken, shriveled leg was actually doing okay until a few days later when his whole leg was gone. Yes. Gone. He disappeared the next day. Now we have one little kitten left. Her eyes are starting to open, but her poor mom is wagging her all over the yard and just leaves her places. She hisses at the other animals (small dogs, a cat, chickens) if they get too close, but she doesn't mind me handling the baby at all. Several times today I've seen the baby in the middle of the yard, in the sun, all alone. She kind of screams. I finally put her in the kitten box on the porch -- she keeps sleeping with her mouth open and the mom is not real eager to nurse, although I have seen her do it some. Could this kitten be dehydrated? What are the signs?

If you want the kitten to be sawed, I think you must step in. In the same way, you will make it sure the kitten may be a home pet, not an almost semi ferale barn cat.

Also, its apparent this cat mom isnt no very good mom. Although she HAD a very bad and unlucky beginning - not her fault.

IF you take full charge, do you think some of your other cats or dogs, could be acting as foster mom??

Yes, its quite probably she is both somewhat dehydrated, and also somewhat undernourished by now.

Can you get RAW goat milk? Its probably the best of them all kmrs. Bottled full fat goat milk is OK too, but raw is better. Ohterwise, you can use some of the commercial kmr - which do you have access to? Where do you live? What country?

Use a little needle-less syringe, tis often easier than a bottle. Abot 1 or 1,5 ml. Tummy down, head a little up, in the corner of the mouth, cautiously so you are sure she swallows properly. Burp and stimulate afterwards.

The same trick if you give her extra water. Common, clean, body temp water, or some sort of home made or bought pedialyte.

Re handraising: we do have articles on it, here on this forum.

Otherwise a good site to get ideas is, www.kittens-rescue.com

http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

Please come back with answers, reports, and further questions.

amyfitz100 · May 16, 2015

StefanZ said:
If you want the kitten to be sawed, I think you must step in. In the same way, you will make it sure the kitten may be a home pet, not an almost semi ferale barn cat.
Also, its apparent this cat mom isnt no very good mom. Although she HAD a very bad and unlucky beginning - not her fault.

IF you take full charge, do you think some of your other cats or dogs, could be acting as foster mom??

Yes, its quite probably she is both somewhat dehydrated, and also somewhat undernourished by now.

Can you get RAW goat milk? Its probably the best of them all kmrs. Bottled full fat goat milk is OK too, but raw is better. Ohterwise, you can use some of the commercial kmr - which do you have access to? Where do you live? What country?

Use a little needle-less syringe, tis often easier than a bottle. Abot 1 or 1,5 ml. Tummy down, head a little up, in the corner of the mouth, cautiously so you are sure she swallows properly. Burp and stimulate afterwards.
The same trick if you give her extra water. Common, clean, body temp water, or some sort of home made or bought pedialyte.

Re handraising: we do have articles on it, here on this forum.
Otherwise a good site to get ideas is, www.kittens-rescue.com
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

Please come back with answers, reports, and further questions.

amyfitz100 · May 16, 2015

I'm sorry to say the kitten didn't make it. She must've been pretty bad off when I moved her. I saw the mom looking for her a few minutes ago. Poor thing, although she obviously had a rough start, she's only exactly a year old. Is it safe to get her fixed this quickly after having kittens?

silverphoenix69 · May 16, 2015

Yes it's safe to get her spayed at this time. Sooner the better because now that her kittens are gone, she can go back into heat.

I'm sorry for everything you went through! Poor mama as well

StefanZ · May 16, 2015

amyfitz100 said:
I'm sorry to say the kitten didn't make it. She must've been pretty bad off when I moved her. I saw the mom looking for her a few minutes ago. Poor thing, although she obviously had a rough start, she's only exactly a year old. Is it safe to get her fixed this quickly after having kittens?

Yeah, it was sad, a real tragedy. But as a positive bi-effect, you are now better prepared if anything similiar happens. That kitten didnt die in wain. Step in if its necessary. This to"wait and see, best if mom takes care of it", is in much a myth. This is no true dilemma! You must be cautious with the feedings, as wrongly given feeding may be dangerous, but its often The way to save a weak kitten, or a kitten otherwise in danger.

And yes, you can spay the mom now, no problems... Also, Spay & nuetuer if possible all cats you have around, unless you are using them for breeding...

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

betsygee · May 16, 2015

So sorry to hear this news. We'll close the thread now since the kitten didn't make it.

Kitten dehydrated?

amyfitz100

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detmut

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StefanZ

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amyfitz100

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amyfitz100

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silverphoenix69

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StefanZ

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betsygee

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