PLEASE HELP - FOUR WEEK OLD KITTEN LETHARGIC

Hello, I'm looking for some insight on my specific situation, as I've tried to figure out what could be the problem but with my situation not too sure what the next step would be. My cat had a litter about 3-4 weeks ago, the first kitten came out strong and healthy, the next two were still borns and one was severely underdeveloped. At the end of the birthing process, only two of them were alive and not stillborn. The first and the last to be born. Throughout the last weeks the kittens have been fine up until about three days ago, at which point the last one born, and the second to survive started diminishing. He will not eat, barely has any energy, cannot stand on his own and seems very lethargic, while his brother is walking around, playing, eating, and growing substantially. He is nearly twice the size of his brother by this point. I have gotten the little one (joey) a formula and have been feeding with a syringe recently, but i haven't quite seen a difference in his energy levels at all. At this point i dont really have the means to go to a veterinary clinic right away, so does anyone have any insight on what else can be done? The mother cat is still trying to nurse him and cleans him often, he just seems like he's going very quickly now. I would appreciate the help!

How much are you feeding him?  He needs 8ml/cc per ounce of his weight.  If you have glucose, karo syrup or liquid honey you can smear a bit on his lips or gums.  It will give him enough energy to get some food into him.  You can also give him some pedialyte to drink in the syringe.  What kind of KMR are you giving him?  The powder form is better than the premade.  Hartz and Sargent brands are not recommend.

Have you seen any fleas?

i have tried sugar on the gums yesterday, i used a raw sugar and water mixture and tried this multiple times yesterday with no reaction, he is still generally limp bodied. he previously was nearly walking fully and now doesn't have the energy to even stand on his own, much less feed at all. Im using a powdered formula from the pet store nearby, i have used this powder with previous litters but never had any kittens who have not wanted to eat. The brand is Nutrience. Also i just did a check and found no fleas on him.

When it comes to how much he is being fed, I'm not too sure on his weight but i know today he has only eaten about 10 ml at most. I am still periodically feeding his every hour or so as he is literally skin and bones at this point. 

the Kitten is right on the edge of regulating his body heat, are you keeping him warm and warming the food.  If the kitten doesn't eat it will die.

It could be fading kitten syndrome but I think he would be gone by now if it was.  Please trying to feed him.

I am feeding his regularly, and he is keeping warm by his mother and brother. This being said, does it sound possible that he may make a recovery? The last time i fed him he seemed a little more inclined to swallow and eat but still very limp.

That's a good sign.  Do you know how much he weighs?  at 4 weeks he should be about a pound.   So he should be getting 128 ml/cc per 24 day.  He should be eating every 3-4 hours but if he is not eating much at a time try feeding him every one - two hours.  so 13 mls every hour?  How is the mother cat treating him?

he isn't eating much at all, and he is definitely under a pound. i am giving him about 3ml every 45 mins. after that he completely refuses to eat. i think he went a full day without feeding from the mother. the mother isn't treating him any differently. she still lays with him, cleans him, and attempts to nurse him. he sits staring and without movement or just lays. she has been a little rougher with them as the other kitten is significantly larger and play fighting and nibbling. the smaller one does not respond, or moves away.

All I can suggest is to keep feeding him and see if he improves.  Are you offering him any pedialyte?  I am hoping some of the experts come on-line soon.

@StefanZ

@catwoman707

@sarthur2

i will look into the pedialyte right away, he seems to be taking the formula better, thank you !

All you can do is continue feeding him as much as you can - formula and pedialyte. It sounds as though he is sick and really needs to see a vet. He may have an infection and need an antibiotic. I hope he makes it. Thank you for trying!

kittyy said:

 
i have tried sugar on the gums yesterday, i used a raw sugar and water mixture and tried this multiple times yesterday with no reaction, he is still generally limp bodied. he previously was nearly walking fully and now doesn't have the energy to even stand on his own, much less feed at all. Im using a powdered formula from the pet store nearby, i have used this powder with previous litters but never had any kittens who have not wanted to eat. The brand is Nutrience. Also i just did a check and found no fleas on him.

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You had got good advices.

Some remarks and questions.

Its this kitten whom was very underdeveloped at birth?  

Raw sugar is surely better than the common processed white sugar, but what is best, is some sort of dextrose - alike was suggested in the thread.  Dextrose proper, or something which contains much dextrose /glucose sugar, alike white caro syrup or honey.  

Dextrose goes directly into blood already in the mouth, it doesnt need to be processed in the intestines.

Some recipes on good home made pedialytes:   http://www.thecatsite.com/t/301213/pedialyte-question-6-week-old-kitten#post_3778057

I dont know much about this Nutrience formula.   I suppose its OK, at least, their dry food seems OK, I could use such myself for my residents.   But IF you can get raw goat milk, were a nice try.     Alternatively, if you can get the BeneBac probiotic - which is made especielly for weak, orphaned kittens...

Could be worth a try.    And definitely cant hurt.

As the others said, the amount of food, is too low, and may int itself cause the problems he shows...  He is essentially starving alike if e were in a famine, a hunger catastrophe..

As you do your best to give him food, often, but it doesnt work,    a solution sometimes successfully used on prematures, weak kittens and these declining to eat - is to giving food directly with a tube into the stomach.   The problem is, its difficult and dangerous for a newbe.   Its practically necessary somebody knowleable shows you, and helps you get the gears.   So we usually dont even mention it.   Its too difficult for most people, And using needleless syringe is usually  good enough.

But when this doesnt work...

Next problem is, many vets arent very good with helping weak kittens,  and thus, the same many vets themselves dont know how to tube feeed...

So seeking vets help, ask if they are experienced with weak kittens.  And if they can help you with tubeing...   There are good descripions if you take yourself full responsibility and  google, but its much better if somebody knowleable can show you in person - a vet or some experienced rescuer...

Good luck!

unfortunately joey passed away tonight, thanks for all your help anyways, he was a real cutie.

Im sorry to hear this.  You Kittyy, please proceed to be strong! 

RIP little Joey!

The TCS team would like you to know that we are so very sorry for your loss. Threads are locked after someone has suffered such a loss, as a sign of respect. We invite you to place a tribute at http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge as an enduring testimony to little Joey.