Need advice/help with rescued kittens.

Hi everyone, I am new here and I am in desperate need of some advice. Last Wednesday I took in two orphaned kittens from my neighbor, she had five but I could only afford to take two. She came upon them from a friend and didn't know how old they were or any other information about the mother etc. I am guessing they were about 3 weeks, very wobbly walking, ears standing up, starting to attempt to play, starting to potty on their own but not all the time. The black one started eating with no problems, very healthy appetite: the grey one was very weak and sick looking from the start, I had to drop the formula in its mouth every 15 minutes but it eventually gained an appetite and is now eating good. They have had increases in strength and appetites, they are walking almost without wobbling and even showed a good amount of interest when I introduced them to some canned kitten food  today. My concerns are with the black kitten, Tarzan, last night and today he refuses to eat. I am feeding them with a dropper and Tarzan usually sucks down 3-4 droppers full of formula in one feeding but I can't get him to even take a half of one since last night. When I woke up today his belly was still very plump and a little hard from yesterday so I stimulated him until he went potty and his belly went back to normal. The later in the day it gets the more he seems to be regressing with his walking, he seems to be getting clumsy instead of better at it. I do not have any experience with orphaned kittens so I have no idea what to do or expect or anything.

It sounds like the kitten may be coming down with something. How is he today?

Not good I got him to eat about half a dropper full of milk but refuses anything more than that. My husband said when he got this morning he was trying nurse on the other kittens genitals. We have a bottle that he won't take. When I picked him up this morning he he was cool, I have made a little heater to put in his box with him.

This doesn't sound good. Can you take him to a vet?

Not for about another week when we get paid, I have called the rescue where we rescued our dog and they are dogs only. The shelters I have called and the SPCA all said they would just put him down because he is too young and it sounds like he is dying. I am just hoping he hangs on,  he is such a sweet little kitten.

He can't walk anymore without falling over, it's like his back legs just give out and he army crawls. I feel so bad, what do I do?

Just try to feed him, warm him, and keep him comfortable. There's nothing you can do. He's probably not going to make it.

He isn't, his breathing is slowing down and he has some sort of mucus in his mouth when I try to feed him. It comes back as fast as I can  clean it away, I hope he's not in pain.

This is sad. Poor little guy. I'm glad you're providing comfort.

Just snuggle him under your shirt against your chest, love him, if he can play, dangle a string in front of him to bat at. Just love him.

I'm trying to borrow some money to get the other kitten to the vet so he doesn't sick, not looking good though, everyone gets paid around the same time as us. The grey kitten is doing great, eating canned kitten food and starting to drink the formula out of a bowl. 

What does normal kitten poop look like? I have an orphaned kitten, about 4 weeks old, it goes to  the bathroom on it's own but it is more of a clay consistency. When I first started caring for them it was hard, like a rock. Is this just due to the change in milk or should I be concerned?

When they are drinking KMR (formula) I've heard the poop described as consistency of toothpaste. Hard like a rock is not good and runny, liquidy and not formed isn't either.

What is your kitty eating?

Hi i agree totally with LotsofFur.Soft tootsie roll type stools you could squeeze flat in your hand.You  can google the Bristol poo chart & look at poops.But never,never rocks.Water,water,water.Great you noticed as many peolpe are unaware of what their cat or kitten is passing & then trouble starts which is irreversible.MC.Not good.hugs to the babe.C

MomofMaxwell said:

 
Hi i agree totally with LotsofFur.Soft tootsie roll type stools you could squeeze flat in your hand.You  can google the Bristol poo chart & look at poops.But never,never rocks.Water,water,water.Great you noticed as many peolpe are unaware of what their cat or kitten is passing & then trouble starts which is irreversible.MC.Not good.hugs to the babe.C

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They are more tootsie roll like now, when I first took him in they were hard like rocks. I am using the Hartz milk replacement for kittens. I started out using the liquid but had to get the powdered mixture the other night since it was all they had at the time. Is that good, should I be using something different?

sarthur2 said:

This is sad. Poor little guy. I'm glad you're providing comfort.

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At their last feeding I noticed he seemed to perk up some, he was sitting up instead of laying down and started meowing at me when I went to pick him up for some milk. I managed to get him to eat almost 10ml but he wouldn't have anything more than that. I have to drop the milk into his mouth now, he cries like he is hungry but it almost like he has forgotten how to suckle. He just bites down on the nipple and that's it, I am reading that you are very experienced in this department, is there anything you would recommend? I really want this little guy to make it, I just need him to make it until Tuesday so I can get him to the dr.

Just keep doing what you're doing, and get him to the vet as soon as you can. I have hope for him, and I am praying.

Hi that's great.there are a lot more up to date members here with kitten information.It has been a very long time for me.But I know Poo.And just that added liquid you can see the difference.Excellent that you are observant & always remain that way.I see a kitten diagnosed with Mega Colon almost every day,some in foreign countries being euthanized.Truly an epidemic out there & ugly..It is not fun .Good job!!!!Others would have way more information & expertise on what to give.Hugs C.

I know that the recommended brand from the kitten experts/advisors has been the PetAg brand in the powdered form. I believe most WalMarts sell it and I know you can get it at PetSmart also.

You will soon be able to offer this kitten canned food mixed with the KMR to form a mush to transition him to solids.

There are some great articles under the pregnant cat and kitten forums and also some wonderful threads if you haven't already read through some.

Have you had a chance to take the kitten to be checked by a vet yet?

Awww.. I truly truly hope the little guy makes it, good on you for persevering with him, love love and more love xx bless his little cotton sox and bless you. In my thoughts x