Kitten drops to lethargy and out

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

I think the syringe is sufficient enough and I got the hang of it. Small drops through the side of the mouth then pull and let it swallow. Repeat. I dont think I can manage the tube.

I dont want to insult any vet here. I think they are saviors for animals past infancy. For infants though I think they give up easily, which I understand for several reasons. In this specific case I had my mom speak with both vets she knows, and both said to let it go as soon as she told them its comatose. No pedialyte advice, no toothbrush or anything like that. Just let it go.

StefanZ said:
Excellent! You have raised the total food intake quite a lot, into the adequate levels now. And yes, you may add a little honey into the formula.

If you manage some solids, alike wet cat food, the calorie density is somewhat higher than in formula. So it wont be necessary to give as much in ml. although I presume you will water down at first, if you must give with syringe.

The tube feeding mentioned is effective with weak kittens and refusing kittens, and also some prematures. The problem is, its dangerous if you dont exactly know how to do it. And it seems, many vet dont know either. also, you must have gears. That is why we seldom mention it. Normally, skilly use of syringe is enough.

So its a good trick for somebody whom often does rescuers, but nothing for a newbe, unless shown properly by someone experienced.

But yes, if all vets knew how to do it, AND were willing to show, and sell the suitable gears, the picture and statistics would change quite a some...

I have had a case with a rescuer who did fought, oh so she did fought with her reluctant kitten, she even went to four different vets... That is this way I do KNOW most vets dont know nothing about tube feeding...

Today I would probably advice her to google, look up several sites, and try on her own hand... I did learned the lesson the hard way...

@chipmunk-kim

kittymomma1122 · Jul 15, 2016

I have been watching this thread. You are a great person to invest your time and heart into this little one. I used to sleep in my kitten room and I know how exausting it can be. When my babies were 3 weeks I used Baby Cat canned food and mixed it with warm KMR to make a gruel. I put it on my finger and they started to suckle it off my finger.

catwoman707 · Jul 15, 2016

Not uncommon for vets to say this. I have had many vets over the years strongly urge me to have a sick cat euthanized, but I never give up hope unless there is a major issue that is literally impossible to fix and they will suffer. I have saved countless who I was urged to euthanize, and am I ever glad I listened to my instincts rather than them.

This kitten may very well not make it, but all hope is not gone, she is still willing to suck the formula, even if it's not enough, but that alone is reason to not give up hope.

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

Well there was just a very bad turn of events.

Its on the verge of going into coma again. Its responding just like the first time it woke up. It will wake for a second or two to adjust position and then rests senseless with eyes wide open.

Swallowing was again close to what it did whe it was in a coma.

While feeding it, It gave me diarea (yellow), which means it is over fed (?). So I provided 4 ml only.

Seems like a lose lose situation. Can't feed it enough while I shouldn't feed it less than enough

Sarthur2 · Jul 15, 2016

george chr

Yellow can mean bacterial infection or parasites, which would require antibiotics to treat.

Is there any way you can see a vet?

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

Could it be a reaction to change of diet? It was 30 hrs on pedialite + milk, followed by double quantity of milk only.

chipmunk-kim · Jul 15, 2016

I think that's possible. Is it dehydrated?

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

How can I see if it is? Diarea cause dehydration so I guess if it continues to have it it will get dehydrated.

chipmunk-kim · Jul 15, 2016

Usually you can tell by lifting the skin. If it snaps down quickly then hydration is alright, if it stays in a tent shape or is slow to go down then the kitten is dehydrated. Gums may also feel sticky or dry/tacky.

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

Thanks.

Yes she is dehydrated.

Should I force feed hera again asap? Last feed was before an hour.

PS Maybe I should place her in a cooler spot. Drop the temp around her.

chipmunk-kim · Jul 15, 2016

I'd give pedialyte right now and give milk at the next regular feeding if the hydration improves. Let's see what the experts say. They should be replying soon.

george chr · Jul 15, 2016

Hydration was slightly improved but I gave it pedialyte anyways. (first time skin formed a small tent after I pulled it, now it slowly went back)

I think though kitten is in coma again. Moves its front paws from time to time, but other than that its completely unresponsive.

mservant · Jul 15, 2016

Unless it is very hot where you are I don't think it is a good idea to cool the kitten down. More to keep warm as may not be regulating their own temperature and at risk of getting too cold and not being able to digest food or anything.

Sending loads of postive vibes for this little one.

kittensncoffee · Jul 16, 2016

It's been a while how is the kitten now?

george chr · Jul 16, 2016

After 6-8 hours of coma she snaped out of it for a third time. Now its close to 12 hours of being stable, and I dare say better than ever as it doesn't sleep all the time. I check on it now and then and it is calmly siting on its spot, but not sleeping. Won't keep my hopes up though as it seems to easily going under even if it seems ok.

It isnt blind as when it got hungry it spoted me and rushed to my position.

I reverted to pedialyte+milk during her last coma. Now I am feeding it 8ml per 3 hours as I am afraid it will break down again should I feed more.

kittens mom · Jul 16, 2016

George Chr said:
After 6-8 hours of coma she snaped out of it for a third time. Now its close to 12 hours of being stable, and I dare say better than ever as it doesn't sleep all the time. I check on it now and then and it is calmly siting on its spot, but not sleeping. Won't keep my hopes up though as it seems to easily going under even if it seems ok.

It isnt blind as when it got hungry it spoted me and rushed to my position.

I reverted to pedialyte+milk during her last coma. Now I am feeding it 8ml per 3 hours as I am afraid it will break down again should I feed more.

I can't answer on the amount just wanted to scream that you are ( word not allowed) amazing. Just keep feeding that baby !

Mamanyt1953 · Jul 16, 2016

In general, we are telling people to keep kittens warm, but you are in Greece, and I know it's way hot there. Can you tell us the temperature in the area where the kitten is? I'm not sure about this one...@catwoman707, what do you think? What is too hot for a kitten like this? @StefanZ, your opinion, too, please?

handsome kitty · Jul 16, 2016

Where in Greece are you? @GrizzlySapien is in Athens and may have some ideas/solutions re: temperature.

george chr · Jul 16, 2016

Yes Athens.27 C (81 F) current temp.

I think temperature its ok with it. It actualy walks away from being close to warm spots.

It still is active, just fed it, and good thing is it keeps being awaken. Occasionally it walks around the wool cloth I have it on. Bad thing is it had diarea again. At this point though it seems hydrated, I will check on that in a while. I didn't have to force feed it this time. Eating voluntarily more than once in 24h is a first in 4 days.

One of its eyes produces a grey liquid and mukus. I have appropriate drops. Is it enough to clear the eye with warm & wet cotton prior to providing the drops?

PS. I feel very relactant to return to KMR only diet. Yesterday this might be the cause of its 2nd collapse (?).

Is it a good idea to remove the pedialyte ingedients one at a time until it becomes milk only? Eg one feeding I remove the salt from the pedialyte, next the sugar, or drop it to one spoon and then remove it altogether. Maybe keep the honey pinch in until it is fully stabilized.

handsome kitty · Jul 16, 2016

Yes, clear the eye first. Make sure you wash your hands before and after cleaning and treating the kitten's eye so you don't spread it to your other cats.

If you are only feeding 8mls can you offer an extra feeding? You can also try putting some in a shallow dish for the kitten to lap up. (I don't remember how old he is.)

Regarding the diarrhea, stop putting in olive oil. do you have any plain canned pumpkin? No spices added. Pumpkin baby food works as well. You can add this to the formula mixture and feed it. It is a probiotic and helps with constipation and diarrhea. Keep using the pedialyte with the formula.

Kitten drops to lethargy and out

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Kittens life was lost to a negligent veterinarian.

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