Kitten drops to lethargy and out

catwoman707 said:

 
You would know if you saw any pink in color, the kittens who passed from flea anemia had pure white gums. Colorless, white as milk.

If your house cat has been vaccinated, even only as a kitten it should be fine. Cat parvo is the danger here, which kills kittens all over, at least I believe it's all over.

The other is ringworm, not so likely if mom doesn't show patches of missing fur, but better safe, not dangerous, just a nuisance.

You can use a long sleeved shirt when you handle her, put it on backwards so your clothes don't get contaminated.

Wash hands well and leave the shirt for only her.

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She is vaccinated yes. No mama cat has no missing fur.

Yes I already follow this procedure but didn't know if it was enough.

I just got so much hope after my last visit.

Toothbrush massage worked miracles, she memontarily snaped out of it and crawled 2-3 tiny steps forward, then collapsed again. This happened twice, as soon as I started brushing her close her spine. Further brushing didn't wake again.

Not "gasping" with half open mouth anymore. In fact her sleep seems more peacefull now. Maybe I see it that way amidst my sudden hope but her current breathing pattern is calm and slow.

Despite being limp she can definetly support her neck now, at least to some extent. She started swallong the formula again.

This is good news.

Oh, such good news!!  Every sign of encouragement, no matter how small, keeps us plodding on!!  You are obviously a very caring person, and if this little guy makes it, the bond and closeness the 2 of you will grow and development makes me smile, just the thought, if this miracle happens.  Miracles do happen, don't ever doublt!!!  Regardless, you are doing a wonderful thing right now!!!   Keep us posted!!

Absolutely take it home. Give it a bath in Dawn dish soap and get all the fleas off, lightly blow dry, sit on low heating pad. Use KMR and baby bottle to feed and stimulate its rear end with a tissue after each feeding to make him go to the bathroom. Sounds like mom knows he is sick and has abandoned him. It is worth a try anyway. If he makes it 24 hrs, take to veterinarian for some antibiotics for upper respiratory infection. Keep nose clean so he can smell food and keep eyes cleaned so he does not get ulcers on eyes. It is hard work but totally worth it! Best of luck to the little baby and you!

It woke up!

Many thanks for ur support, caring and you advice.

Just before I feed it, after a few strokes with the toothbrush it started crying and moving.

I really hope it won't go under again.

Bad news is that I think it might be blind and/or deaf. It doesn't yet respond to visual or audio stimulants. Maybe its too weak to care for them yet.

It moved around, but only to seek a better spot to sleep. I fed it 4 ml.

Finaly after it got sleeping I kind of awaken it 2 times to ensure it didn't fall in a coma again. I am worrying about its crying. It reveals anguish.

What feeding pattern should I follow now? Should I continue for 2-3 feeds to provide the KMR / pedialite and then should everything go smooth go to KMR only, in larger quantities and intervals?

George Chr said:

 
It woke up!

Many thanks for ur support, caring and you advice.

Just before I feed it, after a few strokes with the toothbrush it started crying and moving.

I really hope it won't go under again.

Bad news is that I think it might be blind and/or deaf. It doesn't yet respond to visual or audio stimulants. Maybe its too weak to care for them yet.

It moved around, but only to seek a better spot to sleep. I fed it 4 ml.

Finaly after it got sleeping I kind of awaken it 2 times to ensure it didn't fall in a coma again. I am worrying about its crying. It reveals anguish.

What feeding pattern should I follow now? Should I continue for 2-3 feeds to provide the KMR / pedialite and then should everything go smooth go to KMR only, in larger quantities and intervals?

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Bumping this thread up. And wow. What a great job. I'd keep up the KMR?pedialite feeding until you get a better answer. One step at a time. Has the kitten went to the bathroom yet ?

You're going to need to play it by ear.  I would feed smaller meals closer together until he is more stable.  Once he is eating more at a time you can feed at longer intervals.  I would continue mixing the pedialyte with the KMR (you can do half each of water and pedialyte)  It won't harm the kitten and it is probably still dehydrated.  Don't forget a drop of olive oil.  You probably know this already but he may get the runs or constipation from the change in diet.

I agree with handsome kitty .

Let us know how he continues to do. The prognosis does not sound promising.

Keep an eye out for the fleas.  Washing in mild soap is a short term solution.

There was a thread a while back where a kitten kept getting lethargic after meals.  It was a blood sugar issue and it needed to be fed smaller meals often until it's body was large and mature enough to digest the food better.  Your comment about the kitten falling asleep after eating reminded me of it.  Just be aware it is a possibility. 

I fed once more before 40 mins. KMR+pedialite again, this time I managed 7-8 ml. Its 2nd straight day with no sleep for me, I am afraid I will need abt 5-6 hrs nap.

I had to force feed again, but it's swallow response was ok. Its always sleeping, it briefly wakes up when it wants to change position. I am afraid that during feeding it is asleep half the time. Checked on it 20 mins after feeding and good thing is it stretched comfortably during the seconds it woke up.

Yes, I found stool. Size of a bean and black. I know idealy it must be yellow and soft but its better than nothing. Good thing the swollen groin seems relieved. That olive oil advice must have done the trick.

Again thank you all for your on the spot advice. I know I am repeating my self, but, hell you surely deserve it.

It still has fleas. Less after I washed it with dish soap yesterday but yet the infestetaion persists. Thing is I am afraid that neither can I wash all its body and dry its fur completly afterwards. It has very weak bones and can't risk rubbing it enough to get completely dry.

I have profender solution but I am almost certain its too strong for kittens.

Would it be ok to dip the tuthbrush in soap and rub it with it?

When I bathe weak or small kittens I dry them with a warm towel and hold them by my chest until they completely dry. Usually for an hour or so if needed. Is the kitten still crying? Is it breathing well? 

I don't know if that will work.  Part of the reason the soap works is it drowns the fleas.  So, will there be enough soap and water on the brush and can you get all the soap off the kitten?  It might be better to use a small comb with close teeth if you don't have a flea comb and comb the fleas off and drown them in a soapy water solution.  You also need to be wary of drying the kittens skin out with the soap.  If you try the toothbrush w/soap, let us know if/how well it works.

Handsome Kitty said:

 
I don't know if that will work.  Part of the reason the soap works is it drowns the fleas.  So, will there be enough soap and water on the brush and can you get all the soap off the kitten?  It might be better to use a small comb with close teeth if you don't have a flea comb and comb the fleas off and drown them in a soapy water solution.  You also need to be wary of drying the kittens skin out with the soap.  If you try the toothbrush w/soap, let us know if/how well it works.

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I would try a fine toothed comb and just get as many fleas as possible. Sometimes it's a pick your battle situations. The fleas have to go but kitten needs nourishment and warmth more.

What about diatomaceous earth? It may be worth a shot. What do the rest of you think?

chipmunk-kim said:

 
What about diatomaceous earth? It may be worth a shot. What do the rest of you think?

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I'd still use a flea comb and perhaps very carefully some not to sticky scotch tape to gently dab at the fleas on the kitten. If you put things in a priority getting food into the kitten and having bowel movements is going to be a priority for the kitten to live. 

I think there are several types of diatomaceous earth. Not sure they are all safe. If the baby can get enough strength a second bath in Dawn would be better.

chipmunk-kim said:

 
What about diatomaceous earth? It may be worth a shot. What do the rest of you think?

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Some people swear by this.  It has to be food grade to be safe for the kitten.

If your kitten has black stool, it's probably having a liver problem. Hard, black stool can sometimes be from dehydration, but is more likely a liver problem or from internal bleeding. Regardless, it's not a healthy sign.

Your kitten is seriously ill and will probably die soon. Even with vet care, your kitten is not likely to survive much longer. I seriously doubt if flea anemia is the problem.

sarthur2 said:

If your kitten has black stool, it's probably having a liver problem. Hard, black stool can sometimes be from dehydration, but is more likely a liver problem or from internal bleeding. Regardless, it's not a healthy sign.

Your kitten is seriously ill and will probably die soon. Even with vet care, your kitten is not likely to survive much longer. I seriously doubt if flea anemia is the problem.

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That may well be. I'd sure keep pushing it at this point until I got another BM to see if it was something more serious than dehydration and constipation. I fully understand the reality of the situation though.