Emergency! Sick kitten! Cannot see a Vet!

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

I'm back! It's 3am over here, I just woke up because Sparrow was mewling for food. She woke me up at 12am to feed her, as well, so that means she's eating every 3 hours. Oh and I should also add that she's 10 weeks old, maybe a little more, but she's VERY small, hardly any bigger than my foot!

She hasn't been sick as of yet, and hasn't pooped either. She did urinate last night (thankfully in the litterbox!) She's kept down the chicken-broth I've made (it's got little bits of chicken in that she licks off the tip of the dropper) eventhough she resists when I'm trying to feed her it lmao. I'll probably give her some yogurt today too, I know that used to help Indie's tummy when he was feeling sick! I'm glad that she's kept down her food but I'm worried about her being so skinny and frail, you can literally feel all of her spine and her jaw when you pet her :-( Is there anyway I could fatten her up?

Also will it be alright to leave some chicken broth in a bowl for her to drink from whenever she's thirsty? I'll still feed her through a dropper until she's 100% okay, but just as a second kind of thing for her to lap at.

And we're not sure how her father died. He just began to deteriorate. Tbh, I suspect kidney failure or old age, or perhaps he could something while he was outside? I don't think FIP/FIV are very prevalent in this country, and he didn't show any clinical signs. Though he /did/ use to drink a lot of water, about a whole bowl in one go! They don't do autopsies over here, so everything has to be left to guess work :/

Also now that she's eating, should I still give her the honey? Or maybe I can give her the honey right before feeding her?

And for everyone asking I think it was buffaloes milk I was feeding her. Over here you don't get it in bottles (well you CAN but it's a bit expensive) it comes straight from the cow/buffalo. It's very fatty and you have to boil it so that a 'skin' forms on top (Indie and Butty love eating this skin, but it makes me gag just looking at it!)

handsome kitty · Apr 19, 2016

Don't give her the honey if she is eating and has energy.

Sarthur2 · Apr 19, 2016

She will get stronger every day as long as you continue feeding her frequently. She needs more than broth though to gain weight. She will need kitten chow and wet cat food. The broth is okay to leave down, but you should leave dry kitten chow down for her too. And she needs frequent but small wet food feedings. It's a wonder she has survived this long. Bless her heart!

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

I'm not too sure if wet cat food is available over here, but I'll leave boiled chicken pieces out for her incase she wants to eat on her own. Mum's gonna be going to get some kibble today too, would it be alright to mix the kibble with water to make it a little soggy and easy for her to chew?

Edit: I just took some pictures of her! They are much clearer than the ones I took yesterday :-)

I could try getting a picture of her ear gunk to show you all? It might be a bit unclear though because her ears are VERY furry

Sarthur2 · Apr 19, 2016

Yes, you can moisten the dry food to make it easier. The ear will need treatment of some sort. Is it infection? Where are you located?

Willowy · Apr 19, 2016

She looks pretty good, all things considered. I think she'll respond well to simply keeping her clean, warm, and well-fed and hydrated. Once she gets a bit of strength back, she should start eating on her own.

lavishsqualor · Apr 19, 2016

Yes, I'm curious too. What country are you in?

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

I just cleaned out her ears, she didn't seem to like that a lot and was wriggling, but I think I got a good deal of the gunk out! It took tonnes of cotton wool, swabs and coconut oil but it's finally done! I also noticed that she has what seems to be 'bruises' on her ears? Like I can see the capillaries and then there's just a red splodge?

Anyway, she's doing very well I think! She's eating (still being forcefed) but she's much happier to be fed now and will lap up a stray piece of chicken that falls out of the dropper if she's in the mood. She's started following me around now too and doesn't just sit down as much. Her stomach is also getting nice a plump! No vomiting so far so hopefully it was just a one time thing. Though again, still no poops. I checked her butt too and there doesn't seem to be any worm fragments, either. No fleas or ticks. So now the only problem is her ears

Also I'm currently in Pakistan, I'm originally from England though and just came here recently for my studies

indie-n-button · Apr 19, 2016

!!! Mum just half-cooked some chicken for her and Sparrow had a piece of it! It was just a little piece but that's so much improvement omg!

Sarthur2 · Apr 19, 2016

It does sound like she's doing much better. As long as she continues eating, she should grow. The round tummy is encouraging. Did you get the kitten chow yet? You can also see if she'll eat some scrambled or hard boiled egg mashed up.

Her ears sound nice and clean now. Ears tend to be pinkish inside and you can see capillaries, especially with a white kitten as she is. I'd just leave them alone for now and see how they do.

I'm glad to hear she's getting more energy. Are you using a bit of oil in her food to help with constipation? It may take her a couple of days to ingest enough solids for a good poop. She's peeing well and that's a good sign! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

Ginny said:
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.

yes, unpasteurized full fat cow milk is surely safer than the processed pasteurized. If you cant get goat milk or good kmr, but do have access to unpasteurized full cow milk, it may work.   One of our family friends once saved a kitten by feeding it unpasteruzed cow milk. they live in a very rural area, with neigbours whom are farmers and peasants, so they had this access.

Although Im not sure its JUST question of lactose.   Its probably question about the proteins too. Because the lactose level in goats milk isnt that low, its almost as high as in cow milk. And yet, no cats and very few humans has problems with goats milk, but lotsa cats and humans has problems with cow milk...

Also, fat reduced cow milk is even worse than full fat cow milk, because the pitiful rests of lactase they are in the fat...   Not even mentioning cats do need the nourishment of full fat.

I once had my eyes on an article mentioning some especial protein, which is present in most modern, high producing cow breeds, but is not in cows of the old type, and even not in some of the modern cow breeds either. And that protein could cause problems It may be so its this protein which is the problem for cats.

I dont have access to this article and memory isnt what it was when I was twentish.

Btw, nice label with the "Not for human usage". I mean, very few are giving it to their cats. It bought for humans and their usage. But the law doesnt allows it, so its a nice way to get around the obstacle.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

Ginny said:
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.

yes, unpasteurized full fat cow milk is surely safer than the processed pasteurized. If you cant get goat milk or good kmr, but do have access to unpasteurized full cow milk, it may work.   One of our family friends once saved a kitten by feeding it unpasteruzed cow milk. they live in a very rural area, with neigbours whom are farmers and peasants, so they had this access.

Although Im not sure its JUST question of lactose.   Its probably question about the proteins too. Because the lactose level in goats milk isnt that low, its almost as high as in cow milk. And yet, no cats and very few humans has problems with goats milk, but lotsa cats and humans has problems with cow milk...

Also, fat reduced cow milk is even worse than full fat cow milk, because the pitiful rests of lactase they are in the fat...   Not even mentioning cats do need the nourishment of full fat.

I once had my eyes on an article mentioning some especial protein, which is present in most modern, high producing cow breeds, but is not in cows of the old type, and even not in some of the modern cow breeds either. And that protein could cause problems It may be so its this protein which is the problem for cats.

I dont have access to this article and memory isnt what it was when I was twentish.

Btw, nice label with the "Not for human usage". I mean, very few are giving it to their cats. It bought for humans and their usage. But the law doesnt allows it, so its a nice way to get around the obstacle.

JennyR said:
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.

Jenny, do you have real experience / other knowledge of sheeps milk? It does works for kittens?

I remember once upon a time it was you whom opened my eyes goats milk is OK and even good.

StefanZ · Apr 19, 2016

indie-n-button said:
I'm back! It's 3am over here, I just woke up because Sparrow was mewling for food. She woke me up at 12am to feed her, as well, so that means she's eating every 3 hours. Oh and I should also add that she's 10 weeks old, maybe a little more, but she's VERY small, hardly any bigger than my foot!

She hasn't been sick as of yet, and hasn't pooped either. She did urinate last night (thankfully in the litterbox!) She's kept down the chicken-broth I've made (it's got little bits of chicken in that she licks off the tip of the dropper) eventhough she resists when I'm trying to feed her it lmao. I'll probably give her some yogurt today too, I know that used to help Indie's tummy when he was feeling sick! I'm glad that she's kept down her food but I'm worried about her being so skinny and frail, you can literally feel all of her spine and her jaw when you pet her :-( Is there anyway I could fatten her up?

Also will it be alright to leave some chicken broth in a bowl for her to drink from whenever she's thirsty? I'll still feed her through a dropper until she's 100% okay, but just as a second kind of thing for her to lap at.

And we're not sure how her father died. He just began to deteriorate. Tbh, I suspect kidney failure or old age, or perhaps he could something while he was outside? I don't think FIP/FIV are very prevalent in this country, and he didn't show any clinical signs. Though he /did/ use to drink a lot of water, about a whole bowl in one go! They don't do autopsies over here, so everything has to be left to guess work :/

Also now that she's eating, should I still give her the honey? Or maybe I can give her the honey right before feeding her?

And for everyone asking I think it was buffaloes milk I was feeding her. Over here you don't get it in bottles (well you CAN but it's a bit expensive) it comes straight from the cow/buffalo. It's very fatty and you have to boil it so that a 'skin' forms on top (Indie and Butty love eating this skin, but it makes me gag just looking at it!)

I have no own experience of buffalo milk, but I suspect strongly this unpasteurized full fat buffalo milk should be fine. If you compare my answer to Ginnys question about unpasteurized cow milk.

I would still prefer goats milk if I can get it, or even a good kmr, but I suspect this buffalo milk here is fully acceptable. "He whom lives (through this situation), will see"

StefanZ · Apr 20, 2016

indie-n-button said:
!!! Mum just half-cooked some chicken for her and Sparrow had a piece of it! It was just a little piece but that's so much improvement omg!

Yes, for a healthy 10w kittens she isnt healthy, but for a kitten supposed to be emaciated, weak and practically dying, she is in a decent shape now. Apparently there is quite a some improvement, tx to your efforts. Just to continue!

I notice you have access to coconut oil. This oil is good to, esp the coldpressed variations. The cheap warmpressed may be so so healthywise, as with almost all oils.

indie-n-button · Apr 20, 2016

The coconut oil I've got is kinda frozen? It's like in a block. I guess the good thing about stuff over here is that it's very natural and organic, so that's always a plus, even if veterinary treatment isn't always available!

Anyway, I put some honey in her milk just now and she had quite a drink of that, I think she liked it a lot! I think she is emaciated though, she's VERY skinny (just after her ribs her stomach kind of 'dips in') what should I feed her to help her gain weight? Or should I just keep giving her the soup and honey-milk? I'll also be giving her some yogurt today. Mum hasn't managed to find any biscuits yet, the shops were closed for some reason? She will try again tonight fingers crossed we manage to get some.

Also she has started to spit out the solid parts of the soup? There are some small-ish chicken chunks that she'll chew on then spit out once she's finished chewing. What could be the cause of this? We're going to try and grind the chicken even finer to stop her from doing this.

Also when we get the kibble will we be able to soak them in water and crush them to make a sort of porridgey thing and feed that to her in-case she still hasn't started eating properly?

jennyr · Apr 20, 2016

I just found this on an information site, so buffalo milk is OK! I never used it, but now we know!

'An increasing number of people cannot tolerate cow’s milk. Whether this is because they react to the proteins in cow’s milk, to the lactose sugar in the milk or to the residues of the hormones, antibiotics and other drugs which have been pumped into our intensive-raised, over-milked cows no one really knows.

A number of those people will have a problem with any animal milk - but a number will not. Whatever the reason, their systems will be able to tolerate - indeed, flourish on - milk from sheep, goats, buffalo or, if they could get it, camel. '

(Michelle Berriedale-Johnson talks to Liz Sutton of Delamere Dairies, the biggest producer of goats’ milk products)

You are doing amazingly well.

StefanZ · Apr 20, 2016

indie-n-button said:
The coconut oil I've got is kinda frozen? It's like in a block. I guess the good thing about stuff over here is that it's very natural and organic, so that's always a plus, even if veterinary treatment isn't always available!

Anyway, I put some honey in her milk just now and she had quite a drink of that, I think she liked it a lot! I think she is emaciated though, she's VERY skinny (just after her ribs her stomach kind of 'dips in') what should I feed her to help her gain weight? Or should I just keep giving her the soup and honey-milk? I'll also be giving her some yogurt today. Mum hasn't managed to find any biscuits yet, the shops were closed for some reason? She will try again tonight fingers crossed we manage to get some.

Also she has started to spit out the solid parts of the soup? There are some small-ish chicken chunks that she'll chew on then spit out once she's finished chewing. What could be the cause of this? We're going to try and grind the chicken even finer to stop her from doing this.

Also when we get the kibble will we be able to soak them in water and crush them to make a sort of porridgey thing and feed that to her in-case she still hasn't started eating properly?

Yeah, coconut oil comes often in "steady" consistence, butter consistence so to speak. so is also in Sweden.

If you dont have salomonella in eggs in your place, raw egg yolk (just the yellow) is very nourishing.   Boiled yolk is nourishing too, but not as easily digestible.

Such egg yolk you can blend with almost anything.

Avoid raw egg white, though. If you give egg white so boiled or fried.   Melted butter is OK as addition if you need more fat, cheese, yoghurt, this buffalo milk,

Minced meat is also good, from cows / buffalo - if its ok at your place, sheeps otherwise. NOT from pigs! Otherwise just proceed with these chickens. Chicken hearts are good, a little chicken liver... etc. If you ever give antyhing from pigs be sure its boiled or thoroughly fried at first.

bells420 · Apr 20, 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!

GEDC2813.JPG

indie-n-button

Apr 19, 2016

bells420 · Apr 20, 2016

Hi I've worked in the vet industry for 15 years as far as diet I recommend getting a wet food made by Royal cabin called "baby cat" it's specifically for kittens who are still nursing. I would also mix it with warm water to make it even more palatable and increase hydration quicker. As far as the ears the only way to tell for sure if it's mites is by checking a swab under the microscope. So if you're not sure and really don't want to go to a vet I would get some otc ear cleanser to clean them and see if there are any otc mite treatments that are safe for kittens of this age and treat for mites as well it won't hurt. After cleaning regularly and the mite treatment is complete if there still is discharge in the ears it's most likely bacterial or a yeast infection and should be treated by a vet. Other options for that I guess are some homeopathic remedies I'm sure someone on this site could recommend. Please let me know if this is helpful

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!

GEDC2813.JPG

indie-n-button

Apr 19, 2016

StefanZ · Apr 20, 2016

This she is spitting out bits of chicken: I suspect she isnt weaned. The owner didnt gave them kitten food, thinking they gets milk from momma... And momma probably didnt get much either, but a momma can always scavenge something...

So you will be forced to learn her to eat proper food.

But first, manage the crisis, by forcefeeding etc...

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Emergency! Sick kitten! Cannot see a Vet!

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