Emergency! Sick kitten! Cannot see a Vet!

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

Okay so my Mum recently brought home one of the kittens that my cousin bred.

It's a white little thing and is INCREDIBLY light and apparently it hasn't eaten for a few days (I think the Mum has stopped giving them milk too) She also recently fell into a dirty pool of water and had to have a bath yesterday so she didn't stink. She took a very long time to dry though but I think she's okay now (there's no signs of laboured breathing or nasal/eye discharge)

She is however very dehydrated, though I can't preform the tent test properly as she doesn't seem to have much skin? I'm not sure how to describe it but I'm in a bit of a hurry

She got her an hour ago and hasn't vomited since, though she is drooling slightly but could this be due to the travel (it took her four hours to get here). She also isn't crying for her mother, she's just laying on the floor with her back legs and front legs spread out.

I'm going to be making her some chicken broth and will feed her until her appetite resumes. Also, is there some sort of homemade pedialyte that I could use? We get ORS over here and I was wondering if it's safe to use for her to ensure she doesn't get dehydrated?

She also has black crumbly stuff in her ears, just like her dad did. Could this be mites? Or a yeast infection? How will I be able to tell the difference?

Also please understand that I honestly CANNOT get to a vet. I don't trust them. She went to one yesterday for some 'mystery injections' and the vet failed to notice how emaciated and dehydrated AND that she had mites! Ridiculous!

Please try and give me as much of your experience as possible, every little bit of help counts A LOT. Thankyou!

GEDC2813.JPG

indie-n-button
Apr 19, 2016

SeventhHeaven · Apr 19, 2016

Looks like she's been through Hell! Where's the rest of the Litter??? Why grab a kitten to help then REFUSE to give her medical attention if she needs it? That decision should be up to your mom.

Give her tiny Pieces of chopped up boiled Chicken if she can eat solids mash it if you have to....here we buy a product called KMR it's milk replacement that's the only product that has what a kitten truly needs.

You may need syringes or bottles. You can type in questions in the search bar above to find other threads also read the articles about kittens etc lots of info. Other members will advise you if you cannot purchase KMR. Make a nice clean bed this baby needs to be kept warm make a hot water bottle keep out of drafts away from other animals try not to handle to much.

It's hard to believe anyone took her to a Vet period since the ears and what not weren't addressed. A dehydrated kitten will not be given injections.

Ears Apple cider vinegar - google for more info: take a q tip run under warm water for a few seconds squeeze then gently dip into ACVinegar (it's a strong smell for them) then gently wipe inside all around the ears everywhere especially where it's disgusting. Then using Qtip wipe ears again moisten with warm water if needed to clean them up then dry with Q tip inside as well important to dry the ears clean as much as you can, wrap tissue over your baby finger put inside the ear to dry to, don't stress him/her out be very careful have someone hold the kitten for you.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

You can make homemade pedialyte, best is to use a mineral water, and mix in some glucose sugar source - glucose sugar proper, or white caro syrup, or honey.

After the mix is done heating up some, the gas will be gone - you have excellent homemade pedialyte.

About two tea spoons of glucose sugar in a 33cl bottle, so it tastes vaguely sweet to you.

If you can get goats milk, its good. Raw is best, but bottled or similiar is OK too. Kmr is not wrong either ie kitten mothermilk replacement. avoid Hartz products.

be sure she is warm - the sick and weak are always freezing. so some sort of heating pad is useful be sure the food she gets is warm, at least body warm.

Be sure the kitten feels love and care, to awake its will to survive and fight for life.

The other food stuffs mentioned are OK too, esp if she eats them.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

I dont know what ORS is. Commercial pedialytes are OK too, esp unflavored for children

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
Okay so my Mum recently brought home one of the kittens that my cousin bred.

It's a white little thing and is INCREDIBLY light and apparently it hasn't eaten for a few days (I think the Mum has stopped giving them milk too) She also recently fell into a dirty pool of water and had to have a bath yesterday so she didn't stink. She took a very long time to dry though but I think she's okay now (there's no signs of laboured breathing or nasal/eye discharge)

She is however very dehydrated, though I can't preform the tent test properly as she doesn't seem to have much skin? I'm not sure how to describe it but I'm in a bit of a hurry

She got her an hour ago and hasn't vomited since, though she is drooling slightly but could this be due to the travel (it took her four hours to get here). She also isn't crying for her mother, she's just laying on the floor with her back legs and front legs spread out.

I'm going to be making her some chicken broth and will feed her until her appetite resumes. Also, is there some sort of homemade pedialyte that I could use? We get ORS over here and I was wondering if it's safe to use for her to ensure she doesn't get dehydrated?

She also has black crumbly stuff in her ears, just like her dad did. Could this be mites? Or a yeast infection? How will I be able to tell the difference?

Also please understand that I honestly CANNOT get to a vet. I don't trust them. She went to one yesterday for some 'mystery injections' and the vet failed to notice how emaciated and dehydrated AND that she had mites! Ridiculous!

Please try and give me as much of your experience as possible, every little bit of help counts A LOT. Thankyou!

mites are most probable. Home remedy is to drop in a drop or two of coldpressed olive oil or some other oil, the oil spreads in there and the mites drowns.

Not too much. You dont need to clear off the worst before...

Coldpressed oil not strictly necessary - but its the quaranteed not harmful.

More regular deworming wait with till she is stabilized. Although the vet probably did something if he gave injections. Did he tell WHAT injections??

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

She has a little cage that she came in which I'm currently making into her bed. She seems to prefer sleeping under the human bed though, with her legs stretched out behind her and paws out front. She blinks at me whenever I look at her which is really sweet. I'm trying not to get too attached, but it's truly hard she's the sweetest little thing.

So far there hasn't been any vomiting! I'm guessing that's a good sign, she was a bit sick during the journey but I'm guessing that's just travel sickness. She smacks her lips a little every so often, too, though I checked her gums and they don't feel tacky. They are a very pale pink too, is that okay? She hasn't done a poop either yet, though yesterday she urinated yesterday (only a little)

We have honey too so I'm going to give her some of that. I've given her some milk which she kept down! She had four little droppers of it and hasn't been sick, she still slaps her lips together though. She had a little bit of crust around her nose, and I wiped that away with warm water. Her eyes are alert and a greeny-orange and her third-eyelid ISN'T protruding.

She has become a little more active and walks around (her walk is more like a little plod like a bear it's kinda funny), though she prefers to just lay on her tummy with her legs spread out under the bed.

I've tried feeding her some bits of chicken but so far she isn't interested. I'll be making her some chicken soup and mashed up little pieces of chicken in it to give her to see if she can keep that down. Do you know how often I should be feeding her? Would about a dropper an hour be enough?

Also the rest of the litter has unfortunately died, as has her father. Her brother is still alive though and he's healthy and doing very well.

And she /has/ been to the vets. I was appalled when i heard that she hadn't been given any treatment for the ear muck. They didn't check her over or anything, just gave her two shots and told my cousin to leave. They gave her brothers and sisters shots too when they got ill, and they died after receiving the injections :/ Hopefully this won't be the same case for her.

Also I will have to see if we can find apple cider vinegar. I've heard that it's good but I'm unsure if I can find any here. Will normal vinegar work? I think I have some lying around. Will I have to dilute it? Also I have some coconut oil so would that help if I put some in her ears to help soothe them a little?

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

StefanZ said:
mites are most probable. Home remedy is to drop in a drop or two of coldpressed olive oil or some other oil, the oil spreads in there and the mites drowns.

Not too much. You dont need to clear off the worst before...

Coldpressed oil not strictly necessary - but its the quaranteed not harmful.

More regular deworming wait with till she is stabilized. Although the vet probably did something if he gave injections. Did he tell WHAT injections??

Hmm I was thinking mite's too, they look exactly like the stuff her father had. Could it be a yeast infection? How will I be able to tell between the two of them? Yes I have oil! I'll start doing that, will I have to wash her too to make sure the mites don't spread or should she be okay?

And no, unfortunately he didn't :/ We didn't even have a prescription. I'm honestly disgusted by the lack of cooperation between us and the vets

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

Also how often should the honey be given? Should I give her some once every few hours? Or maybe I could mix it in with the chicken soup I'll be making her

Anyway, I have to go now as it's time for my tuition. I'll be back in roughly an hour and a half, if anyone will be online then! I'll make sure she has some milk before I go and make her the soup tonight (we're out of chicken so my Mum has to buy some more) Also should I try giving her raw meat? Mostly because it's a little smellier? Or will cooked mashed meat be alright for now?

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
Hmm I was thinking mite's too, they look exactly like the stuff her father had. Could it be a yeast infection? How will I be able to tell between the two of them? Yes I have oil! I'll start doing that, will I have to wash her too to make sure the mites don't spread or should she be okay?

And no, unfortunately he didn't :/ We didn't even have a prescription. I'm honestly disgusted by the lack of cooperation between us and the vets

it could be the yeast infection, its not easy to see, but mites are most common. Begin with the oil, if the problem gets lesser, you know its mites.

Clear of the dirt after the oil - say 24 hours later.

Pity you dont know what the did really did. Some hokus pokus treatment to help her through? deworming? vaccination?

If he didnt noticed she was in a bad shape, it was probably vaccinations and possibly deworming.

If dying worms comes out (may be some diarrhea too) you will know it was deworming.

inanna · Apr 19, 2016

I think you've gotten some decent advice from some experienced people. If you can get your hands on kmr or goats milk - that's the way to go.

Can I ask you something? I understand at the moment you don't want to / can't bring the kitty to a vet? Why is that? What are you going to do for this kitten as it gets older? At some point it's really going to need to be seen by a vet for things like vaccines, to be spayed, deworming, injury, sickness, etc. So are you not planning on using a vet for the future? I implore you to look around your area and find one that you DO trust and feel comfortable with.

I also agree - the gunky ears sound like she has mites. You can use a cotton ball coated in olive oil to salve the area.

If kitty is 6 weeks + you can try giving her wet kitten food (my kitten goes gaga for Fancy Feast). You can also give her baby food (they make a lot of meaty blends, don't get any that have garlic, onions or other spices). Keep a water dish a way from her food dish and offer water frequently.

I hope that helps.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
Also how often should the honey be given? Should I give her some once every few hours? Or maybe I could mix it in with the chicken soup I'll be making her

Anyway, I have to go now as it's time for my tuition. I'll be back in roughly an hour and a half, if anyone will be online then! I'll make sure she has some milk before I go and make her the soup tonight (we're out of chicken so my Mum has to buy some more) Also should I try giving her raw meat? Mostly because it's a little smellier? Or will cooked mashed meat be alright for now?

honey (ie glucose sugar source) is most for giving quick strengh and energy, so with a weak one, immediately before feedings for example.

In an emergency, can glucose sugar be given isntead of feeding. If she does eats, she really dont MUST have honey. But you can always mix in a trifle, it isnt harmful, may help

btw, common sugar works too,, usually, but much slower.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

Inanna said:
I think you've gotten some decent advice from some experienced people. If you can get your hands on kmr or goats milk - that's the way to go.

Can I ask you something? I understand at the moment you don't want to / can't bring the kitty to a vet? Why is that? What are you going to do for this kitten as it gets older? At some point it's really going to need to be seen by a vet for things like vaccines, to be spayed, deworming, injury, sickness, etc. So are you not planning on using a vet for the future? I implore you to look around your area and find one that you DO trust and feel comfortable with.

I also agree - the gunky ears sound like she has mites. You can use a cotton ball coated in olive oil to salve the area.

If kitty is 6 weeks + you can try giving her wet kitten food (my kitten goes gaga for Fancy Feast). You can also give her baby food (they make a lot of meaty blends, don't get any that have garlic, onions or other spices). Keep a water dish a way from her food dish and offer water frequently.

I hope that helps.

The vet seemed not very caring and not very knowleable... So no help there for a weak kitten.

When its time for vaccinations and spaying - he will surely be able to help, as its butter and bread standard treatments.

inanna · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
And she /has/ been to the vets. I was appalled when i heard that she hadn't been given any treatment for the ear muck. They didn't check her over or anything, just gave her two shots and told my cousin to leave. They gave her brothers and sisters shots too when they got ill, and they died after receiving the injections :/ Hopefully this won't be the same case for her.

I'm curious... who took her to the vet? Your cousin? Were you present? Does whoever brought her have an itemized bill that directly specifies what the shots were? Was mites discussed at all?

My vet lists everything out on the bill so there is no question of what care was given. Along with any advice or directions for at home care. I really find it strange the vet gave the kitten shots and didn't bother mentioning what it was for. I can totally sympathize with why you are apprehensive.

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

Inanna said:
I'm curious... who took her to the vet? Your cousin? Were you present? Does whoever brought her have an itemized bill that directly specifies what the shots were? Was mites discussed at all?

My vet lists everything out on the bill so there is no question of what care was given. Along with any advice or directions for at home care. I really find it strange the vet gave the kitten shots and didn't bother mentioning what it was for. I can totally sympathize with why you are apprehensive.

My Mum took her to the vet just before she came back home. And no she doesn't have a bill as far as I'm aware of? Things work a lot differently over here. And nope, he just took the cat's temperature and gave her two shots (two had to be given bc the first time the kitten moved and it couldn't be given properly). I have had a number of terrible cases with the vet's in this country, most of them care for nothing more than money and 'fame'. The same vet that treated my kitten even said that Calpol was safe to give him for his fever! How ridiculous! Mites also weren't discussed. The vet didn't examine the kitten at all, according to what I know.

In my country the vet care is at a bare minimum. A lot of people don't spay or vaccinate their pets, and if they DO get them vaccinated they normally end up getting some sort of illness due to the vaccines. Vet's think that they are always right, and if you try and question them, they start getting offended and tell you to "stop coming to them if you know what you're doing". I'm only 15 and I've so far helped out two families of kittens and one tom cat, but this kitten is probably one of the worst cases I've seen. She's very thin and very small for a 10 week old. She's much smaller than Butty was when I got him!

But, I'm not here to rant about my vet, I'm here to ensure that I can make this little bundle of fuzz a happy healthy kitten again.

I've separated her from Indie and Butty (my two tom cats) and I'm keeping her in my room with her bed, food, water, milk and litter tray. So far she's just been having some milk, Mum finally got some chicken so we're making the broth now! Should be ready in about an hour! She's been doing very well, too, she likes to watch me pee lmao and use the bathroom and she's tried to climb up my trouser leg twice so far.

Anyway, does anyone know what the slapping her lips could mean? It has cut down a lot, and she only thing she's been doing with her lips is licking them after I gave her her last meal about an hour ago. She hasn't pooped yet, though there also hasn't been no vomiting so fingers crossed everything is going alright! I'm adamant to save her and make her healthy again, no matter what it takes. But it's hard being a 15 year old, especially when my exams are in less than a months time! And these are my finals!

Anyway, Sparrow (I've decided to name the kitten this), still isn't eating on her own. She will go to her food and sniff it a little but apart from that she won't do anything. She drinks water alright though. She also is getting more active, and is starting to wriggle around and struggle when I force-feed her. She also 'bunny-kicks' when I tickle her tummy and yelps at me if I'm stroking her for too long.

Okay so I'm going to go feed her some! Any more advice would be much appreciated!

talkingpeanut · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
My Mum took her to the vet just before she came back home. And no she doesn't have a bill as far as I'm aware of? Things work a lot differently over here. And nope, he just took the cat's temperature and gave her two shots (two had to be given bc the first time the kitten moved and it couldn't be given properly). I have had a number of terrible cases with the vet's in this country, most of them care for nothing more than money and 'fame'. The same vet that treated my kitten even said that Calpol was safe to give him for his fever! How ridiculous! Mites also weren't discussed. The vet didn't examine the kitten at all, according to what I know.

In my country the vet care is at a bare minimum. A lot of people don't spay or vaccinate their pets, and if they DO get them vaccinated they normally end up getting some sort of illness due to the vaccines. Vet's think that they are always right, and if you try and question them, they start getting offended and tell you to "stop coming to them if you know what you're doing". I'm only 15 and I've so far helped out two families of kittens and one tom cat, but this kitten is probably one of the worst cases I've seen. She's very thin and very small for a 10 week old. She's much smaller than Butty was when I got him!

But, I'm not here to rant about my vet, I'm here to ensure that I can make this little bundle of fuzz a happy healthy kitten again.

I've separated her from Indie and Butty (my two tom cats) and I'm keeping her in my room with her bed, food, water, milk and litter tray. So far she's just been having some milk, Mum finally got some chicken so we're making the broth now! Should be ready in about an hour! She's been doing very well, too, she likes to watch me pee lmao and use the bathroom and she's tried to climb up my trouser leg twice so far.

Anyway, does anyone know what the slapping her lips could mean? It has cut down a lot, and she only thing she's been doing with her lips is licking them after I gave her her last meal about an hour ago. She hasn't pooped yet, though there also hasn't been no vomiting so fingers crossed everything is going alright! I'm adamant to save her and make her healthy again, no matter what it takes. But it's hard being a 15 year old, especially when my exams are in less than a months time! And these are my finals!

Anyway, Sparrow (I've decided to name the kitten this), still isn't eating on her own. She will go to her food and sniff it a little but apart from that she won't do anything. She drinks water alright though. She also is getting more active, and is starting to wriggle around and struggle when I force-feed her. She also 'bunny-kicks' when I tickle her tummy and yelps at me if I'm stroking her for too long.

Okay so I'm going to go feed her some! Any more advice would be much appreciated!

Smacking her lips means that she's nauseous. That's also what walking up to food and not eating indicates. You will need to force feed her until she will eat.

You can rub the honey directly on her gums to give her energy a boost.

Where is the mother? Why did the father die?

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

talkingpeanut said:
Smacking her lips means that she's nauseous. That's also what walking up to food and not eating indicates. You will need to force feed her until she will eat.

You can rub the honey directly on her gums to give her energy a boost.

Where is the mother? Why did the father die?

It may be easier to smear out a water solution. Make warm water thick with glucose sugar source, alike honey... and smear it out.

Have you got goat milk or kmr? as mentioned earlier in the tread?

@indie-n-button

ps common sugar is in many recipes, and it works, but much slower.

common sugar must be digested in the stomach, while glucose sugar is absorbed into blood already in the mouth and gum.

Sarthur2 · Apr 19, 2016

The kitten needs to be fed kitten formula or goat's milk with a syringe. The kitten needs hydrating. Feed every 2-3 hours as many mL's as it will take. Once the kitten is stable, offer wet cat food.

jennyr · Apr 19, 2016

You say you are giving her milk - what kind? Cows milk can be very bad for kittens as it is high in lactose that upsets the stomach. If you can't find the kitten replacement milk that may be available at some big pharmacies, then do try to get goat milk or even sheep milk that are both much lower in lactose. Is it possible to get any soft unsalted creamy cheese or yoghurt? the lactose is destroyed in the processing, it is good for cats and most of them love it. That would get some nourishment into her.

She may be smacking her lips because she is dehydrated. Do get plenty of water into her. The chicken broth you are making is good too. If you boil up a couple of chicken livers in it and then really mash them up into it that will help to give her iron and other nutrients she really needs right now, Don't overdo the livers, though, in quantity they might be too rich for her, but a little mashed in broth will be fine.

Keep wiping her ears out with warmed olive oil on a very soft cotton cloth. I would not use any type of vinegar on her right now, I think it could hurt her delicate state. just use the oil every day.

I understand about the vets. I once lived in a country where you couldn't trust them, and they would say anything. I took my rescued cats and kittens to the university vet department, where they saved several lives for me. I don't know if that is a possibility for you.

Good luck. it is going to be difficult for you, but you and your family are doing a wonderful thing.

ginny · Apr 19, 2016

I sure hope the little kitty makes it!

I have a question for the advisors. Would it be ok to feed the kitten unpasteurized cow's milk? From what I understand, the pasteurization process kills off lactase, the enzyme that helps process lactose. In one local store, I saw milk that had the warning "not for human consumption" because it was unpasteurized. So, if lactase is still present, doesn't that decrease the chances it will make the kitty sick? Just wondering.

Willowy · Apr 19, 2016

ORS is good to use (for those that don't know---oral rehydration salts, like pedialyte mix basically). I've pulled many sick cats through with oral rehydration and mashed chicken (baby food, if available, but mashing it yourself works fine too). Give about 5 ml of each every half hour when you're home, 10 if she can keep it down. Once she feels better you can give more---giving a little bit at a time is better if she's nauseated. She may need antibiotics if she's sneezing or has a stuffy nose, otherwise she just needs good care. I hope she pulls through! :vibes:

Loving care can make a big difference!

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