Fading kitten need advice

I have a three week old kitten that has been taken care of by mom. There was three in the litter and this one was the smallest but has been doing fine up till the last few days. I noticed she was getting skinny and sneezing once in a while but temp is fine. Today she hasn't been wanting to eat so I started bottle feeding. Is there anything else I can do to help this little girl? I have never had a kitten fade at this age, usually it happens in the first few days..... Thanks for any help.

Is she taking the bottle? If so, how much and how often? Which formula are you using? She must eat. Syringe may be necessary. How much does she weigh?

It sounds like she may have an URI and not be feeling well. She'll need antibiotics. Can you get her to the vet first thing in the morning?

I will see about getting her into the vet, and my scale just took a poo a few days ago so I am not sure in the weight. I just know you can feel ribs and spine too much. I'm not sure how much to feed and how often at this age. I will have to Google unless you know off hand. I just gave her 3cc with a syringe. I have been trying formula with wet kitten food, but they are not interested yet.

S sophie claire

Ideally she should weigh around 12 ounces at 3 weeks, but I'm guessing she weighs less. The rule of thumb is 8mLs of formula per ounce of body weight in each 24-hour period. If she weighs say, 10 ounces, she would need a total of 80 mLs divided by number of feedings. Feeding every 3 hours would mean she needs 10 mLs at each feeding. She may need less more often since she's ill.

Ok perfect thank you!! She really fights me in it, I'm hoping it will be less stressful for her after she gets use to the syringe and teast. I have been letter her take the fullest tit and eat first, but she just lost interest in eating so now I'll just have to do it.

Sophie Claire said:

Ok perfect thank you!! She really fights me in it, I'm hoping it will be less stressful for her after she gets use to the syringe and teast. I have been letter her take the fullest tit and eat first, but she just lost interest in eating so now I'll just have to do it.

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Yes.   One often used trick with weak ones, is to give little (they get tired so soon) but often.  In critical periods even down to one in a hour...

Exact what kmr do you use?  Some brands alike Hartz may be inferior. Goats milk is often an OK alternative.

Its often possible to give extra energy by smearing glucose sugar (solution) on lips and gum.  If you dont have glucose sugar proper, people often use white caro syrup, or even honey.  They too contain some glucose.

If this is very thick, it may be better and easier to smear with a water solution.

There are some receipts using common sugar.  For example in home made pedialyte.  And this works too.  So why Im hammering on using a glucose sugar source, and not make it easy and say just sugar?  Easy.   Common table sugar must be digested at first.   while glucose is taken immediately up to blood, already in lips and mouths.  Works much quicker.  Those whom tried both are astonished, they tell the difference is dramatic.  Giving practically instantenous results in some cases.

I am using goat milk, that is what I always use. I will try putting a bit of glucose in the mix to see if it helps. She hates being fed so it makes her stress and tire fast. I can only get about twocc down at a time.

How is she doing today? Are you able to take her to the vet? I'm afraid that she may not be getting enough nutrition.

She is getting stronger, I think. Yesterday when she would mew no sound would come out, but today she is nice and loud. I am getting as much goat milk down her every hour. I called around to the vets and they are out of my price range for a couple weeks. So I'm doing what I can. I put a heating pad down and she seems to love it. She nursed on mom a few times today which is good because yesterday she wouldn't.

This is good to hear. I hope she continues to get better.