Kitten drops to lethargy and out

george chr

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Yesterday I even thought it had died. Completely limp and, non responsive. This morning I was going to bury it when I was surprised to see it emege from its mother's lair meawoing to me expecting to be fed. After it hungrily devoured 15 ml of CRM it again went into minor lethargy. That was before 5-6 hours. I visited 2 more times since then and again it has become limp and totally non responsive. The mother seems to kind of abandoned it. It has moved to another spot with it's sibling (which is very healthy).

Should I take it home? Can it be saved?

other info

3-4 weeks old

It has a flea infestation

Eyes had mukus but after treatment it seems to be cleared

Mama cat seems to nurse a 2 month old kitten of another litter. This must have resulted in both kittens being underfed as she prob had not enough milk for all of them. Started bottle feeding them before 4-5 days.

After I started to give her larger meals the second kitten seems to be well fed whenever I try to feed it. Unfortunately not the case kitten too.

Again I want to emphasize that the cse kitten was in a coma like state yesterday. It then snap out of it, got fed one time. Then it dropped to this coma like state once again. I force fed it 10-12 ml.

Despite rarely being close to its mom, its Greece and summer here, so about 30-32 C during nights.
 

kittens mom

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The flea infestation would cause anemia. The kitten is likely not getting enough food. They become very lethargic when undernourished. Can you take the baby to a vet ?
 

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You need to feed the kitten every hour.  Small meals until it has the energy to eat more.  You can smear some watery honey or glucose sugar on the kittens lips or gums just before feeding to give it more energy to eat.  What exactly are you feeding the kitten?  Full fat goat's milk may be a better option than the CMR.

@Kittens Mom is correct.  Fleas must be dealt with.  You can wash the kitten with mild dish soap, in the U.S. we use dawn.  You can also comb the kitten with a flea come and then dip the cone in a dish of soapy water to kill them.  You also need to wash (hot water) the kittens bedding.  Mom and the other kitten will need to be treated for fleas.  Check with your vet to see if the younger kitten can have flea treatment as well.
 
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george chr

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Vet is not an option for me right now. I just washed the kitten with mild dish soap and dried it using a dry cloth. I will follow your advice to feed it every hour. Just force fed it abt 5-8 ml. Yes its CMR. Should it survive through the night I will try goat milk tmrow. Mama cat groomed it but it being limp confuse her. Is it better for it to take it inside my house to take care of it? I already have a 2 year old female cat, I fear she will become hostile and/or she will get infected (she is hand raised since birth in the house).

Thanks for the advice again.
 

kittens mom

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I would take the baby in but keep them separated and wash hands after handling the kitten. Thank you for giving the baby a chance.
 
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george chr

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Took it in. I force-feed it 5-7 ml each hour. Keep it warm. Heart beat raised but until now it didn't snap out of this "coma".

I am afraid I overfeed it.

Rubed its belly and genitals with wet cloth twice now but it didn't poop.

Its eyes are constantly open.
 

kittens mom

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I have only raised two. We fed according to the directions on the package of formula. You really are giving the kitten it's best chance for survival right now.
 
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george chr

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My mother had both kittens under her care until before  days when she left for vacations. She had both of them under cow's milk instead of KMR.

As soon as I noticed I changed it to KMR. Soon after the said kitten went under. Is there any chance cow's milk might be prefered from KMR is specific circumstances?
 

kittens mom

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Kittens are usually lactose intolerant. I flagged your first post and asked for an advisor.  I hope the baby is hanging in there.
 

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My mother had both kittens under her care until before  days when she left for vacations. She had both of them under cow's milk instead of KMR.

As soon as I noticed I changed it to KMR. Soon after the said kitten went under. Is there any chance cow's milk might be prefered from KMR is specific circumstances?
If its KMR by PetAg? No, especielly their powdered version is very reliable.  Their premade liquid less reliable, but its not harmful.

The question is, if cows milk can be used if in need??. We usually  strongly advice from it.

'I suspect in some circumstances it can.  Thus; raw cow milk is prob less inappropriate than the usual processed.

Full fat is less bad than some fat reduced versions... Cows of old type, for example in India, are probably safer than the modern, high producing cows...

Goats milk is usually OK to use as alternative, sometimes its even excellent alternative.
 

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I don't have anything to add that you haven't already been told, but thank you so much for taking in the kitten, you're doing a great thing and trying your best.
 

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You can also check out www.kitten-rescue.com for some suggestions. When I have a kitten "crashing", I stop the formula and give the dilutedUNFLAVORED Pedialyte or else use the homemade electrolyte replacer solution: 1 cup boiled water, cooled to warm, not hot , mixed with 2 teaspoons sugar and a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar. Give only a few drops at a time, in frequent intervals. When the kitten becomes alert, then I offer formula via pet nurser - if the kitten is too weak, I give only a few drops of formula at a time.

Also, when you feed the kitten, be sure that the liquid, whether formula or pedialyte/electrolyte replacer, is warm because cool/cold liquids will cause the small intestine to shut down and cause a medical crisis. (my vet was the one who advised me about too-cool liquids being harmful to tiny kittens).  Keep the kitten wrapped up in a "kitten burrito" and on or near a warm pad but make sure that the kitten can get away if it becomes overheated. try not to use a heating pad for humans - only use a hot water bottle or a sock filled with heated rice, or find a warming pad for a pet-bed (pet pads usually use only 4 watts).

Finally, you can try keeping it on someone's chest, near their heartbeat - it is very comforting to kittens and helps keep them warm. The mother cat may have given up on the kitten because it might have congenital heart or lung or kidney problems, but you don't have to. I have rescued some of the sickest feral kittens ever and while some don't make it, others have gone on to live to adulthood. They may have future challenges, such as blindness or chronic respiratory problems, but they are happy cats, healthy otherwise, except for having to take the occasional antibiotic. 

Sending mega prayers and vibes that your kitten pulls through and lives to enjoy life as the newest addition to your kitty family 
 

StefanZ

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You can also check out www.kitten-rescue.com for some suggestions. When I have a kitten "crashing", I stop the formula and give the dilutedUNFLAVORED Pedialyte or else use the homemade electrolyte replacer solution: 1 cup boiled water, cooled to warm, not hot , mixed with 2 teaspoons sugar and a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar. Give only a few drops at a time, in frequent intervals. When the kitten becomes alert, then I offer formula via pet nurser - if the kitten is too weak, I give only a few drops of formula at a time.
Here is some fault - you wrote sugar a second time.  You meant perhaps bi-carbonate?

I myself I think its better to use some source of glucose sugar instead of regular sugar. Easiest to get glucose sugar is to use white caro syrup or even honey.

Common sugar works, but slowly.  Glucose sugar works much faster, because it doesnt need to be digested at first.  So the intake into blood begins already in the mouth, even the lips.

Good tip!
 
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george chr

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many many thanks for all the advice.

Does brown sugar do instead of regular white?

Can I use a pinch of honey in the solution? Read in the net that it might be good in case b case.

Kitten still has heartbeat but has yet to snap out of coma.
 

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many many thanks for all the advice.

Does brown sugar do instead of regular white?

Can I use a pinch of honey in the solution? Read in the net that it might be good in case b case.

Kitten still has heartbeat but has yet to snap out of coma.
yes, brown sugar is equivalent to regular white.  Its even a little better because it contains some minerales. But kemically its exactly the same.

Yes, you can use honey in the solution instead of regular sugar.  Totally instead or a pinch added.

A little honey water on the lips and gum sparks energy in a kitten whom perhaps begins to get into low bloodsugar coma...

As said, glucose sugar (honey does contain some glucose sugar) doesnt need to be digested, it goes straight into blood already in the mouth.

So try with it, if the kitten is much lethargic.
 
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StefanZ

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Ps.  Another good with glucose sugar is, because it doesnt need to be digested, it can be used also on cats whom are too cold to digest properly.

I presume a similiar advantage is with  pedialyte  made on regular sugar.  Its just a rather basic digestion...

Pedialyte made on glucose sugar as base works even faster, and works also in a chilled body.

Which are surely a big part of @catsknowme   success with crashing kittens and the use of pedialyte on them.
 
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george chr

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Many thanks. On to it right now.

Do you by any chance have any explanation for its miraculous revival yesterday (it was in a 8 hour coma, abandoned by its mom, I thought it was dead - next morning it was running and meawoing, only to fall in to coma after feeding).

Its now almost 20 straight hrs in coma. I am stunned it still has a heartbeat. I have a feeling I am just torturing it and there is no hope.
 

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Many thanks. On to it right now.

Do you by any chance have any explanation for its miraculous revival yesterday (it was in a 8 hour coma, abandoned by its mom, I thought it was dead - next morning it was running and meawoing, only to fall in to coma after feeding).

Its now almost 20 straight hrs in coma. I am stunned it still has a heartbeat. I have a feeling I am just torturing it and there is no hope.
Nay, I havent any good explanation.    We had earlier a somewhat similiar - that kitten died after some time.

But if you are willing to fight, and the kittens is willing to, its just to try!   Dont be devastated if it doesnt make it, but you MAY be happy surprised too...

Good luck!
 

kittens mom

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That's a call only the person who has real hands on with the kitten can make. I do want to thank you for the kindness you are showing for the little one. I am amazed per your description that it is still alive so there must be some fight left in it.
 
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george chr

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The only  thing that would make me let it go has nothing to do with me not willing to fight for it or being tired. Only what I said, that if its hopeless, I don't want its last hours of life are that of a prolonged torture.

Many thanks, your words give me hope.
 
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