Feeling helpless

Status
Not open for further replies.

who3rescued3who

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2016
Messages
36
Purraise
36
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
I have a 3 week old kitten that I just got 3 days ago. The previous owner was using a nipple and drop feeding the kitten, they had done that for 4-5 days. I have the kitten now and I have been syringe feeding her and it seems to be going OK. I did however purchase a bottle kit and have tried to convince the darling to use them and she's not impressed. Do you suppose it's too late because she has gone without the nipple for so long? Will it be OK for me to just continue with syringe feeding her? And sorry, another question...she is a bit smaller than a normal sized 3 week kitten..how much should she be eating? I've been feeding her 2-2.5ml every 2hrs...should I worry about her having a lot more? As I have read she should be eating upwards of 80ml a day! She is very weak but seems to be getting stronger as she stands now and mews at me [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
It is great that you have taken this baby in. I have often found that syringe feeding works better, so if she is taking it well then continue that way. I usually try and get 10cc in them every 2 hours, so you may need to try to give her more. Do it slowly, burp her so there is no air in her stomach, and don't stop till she really does not want any more. If she is really tiny then maybe less for the moment, but it is impossible to feed a baby that size too much - give her as much as she wants. have you got a small scale? that is the only way to be sure she is gaining weight every day. I use an electronic one that measures in grams.

Here are some articles that will help you:

[article="29659"][/article]

[article="33289"][/article]
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,963
Purraise
17,627
Location
Sunny Florida
who3rescued3who who3rescued3who

How much does the kitten weigh? That will determine how much formula she needs.

She needs to gain 6-10 grams per day, and more is even better. A 3-week-old kitten should weigh about 12 ounces, and a pound at 4 weeks.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

who3rescued3who

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2016
Messages
36
Purraise
36
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
This little one is in big trouble...off to the vet we go. I knew she was small but! Then I saw pics of her sibling! I did get a scale and weighed her..she's only 6oz! The person I got her from said she thought she was 3 weeks....now she tells me she's actually close to 5! SO ANGRY!!!![emoji]128544[/emoji][emoji]128546[/emoji] I am afraid now that I'm just prolonging the inevitable [emoji]128557[/emoji]
I'm so scared that I've done the wrong thing by this sweet, innocent nt
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

who3rescued3who

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2016
Messages
36
Purraise
36
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
It is great that you have taken this baby in. I have often found that syringe feeding works better, so if she is taking it well then continue that way. I usually try and get 10cc in them every 2 hours, so you may need to try to give her more. Do it slowly, burp her so there is no air in her stomach, and don't stop till she really does not want any more. If she is really tiny then maybe less for the moment, but it is impossible to feed a baby that size too much - give her as much as she wants. have you got a small scale? that is the only way to be sure she is gaining weight every day. I use an electronic one that measures in grams.

Here are some articles that will help you:

[article="29659"][/article]

[article="33289"][/article]
I've read everything you sent me, but I'm not so sure any of it will help[emoji]128546[/emoji] She is so sick! I think the trip to the vet today is going to be her last...Unfortunately we thought she was doing well...then we found out her real age...and weight. She was eating,not exactly willingly all the time, but nevertheless. Now since yesterday afternoon she has been giving us a really hard time and crying out at us. I think to be left alone. She had no bowel movement yesterday, she was going on her own. I stimulated her this morning and she started to have a bowel movement. I had to help her get it out. Even then it was only a portion of the movement. I'm sure she's constipated. I wish I'd known earlier how old she really was! I would have done things so differently! I'm so angry at the previous owner and even more so at myself! I hope I haven't been prolonging this poor little things pain and the inevitable.
Thank you for trying to help...it meant a lot.
 

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,547
Purraise
22,888
Location
Nebraska, USA
You are doing everything you can, and that sweet baby is so very fortunate to have you in her life. You are an angel and she loves you for trying. Don't ever be mad at yourself for loving and caring and trying to do what is best for one so innocent. Don't give up, turn your anger into determination and know you have done your best with what you had.  I cry for that sweet little girl, and pray that she can develop the strength to hold on. She may be weak, but love can perform miracles, and I'm so glad she found you to give her that strength. She desperately needs hydration and to eliminate, I pray she can have both. God bless, and keep us posted!
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,963
Purraise
17,627
Location
Sunny Florida
Do not blame yourself for anything. You've been doing your very best. Have hope! Please let us know how things went at the vet office.
 
Last edited:

louann jude

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Nov 6, 2015
Messages
929
Purraise
159
Take her to the vet and see what they can do. But I want to tell you there is hope. I got my Holly at an estimated 3 weeks old with her sister and two brothers. She and her sister weighed only 7 ounces. The boys were 13 ounces. They were flea infested and I suspect they had anemia. The man that posted them on Craigslist was bottle feeding them with a human bottle and whole milk. They were a mess but fighters. They would take a bottle but it was a long hard process and so I tried letting them lap it it up. They were great. The next day they were eating mush of kitten food and KMR. I fed them that every 3 hours and they hated me because they all got bathes after because of how messy they were. 

She is now 17-19 weeks old and weighs 3 pounds. She will be spayed next week because she is trying to start sneaking out of the house. There is hope don't panic there is some great adviser's here that will help. 


Holly about a week after I got her. 

This was her a few minutes ago. 



Sassy and Holly Holly is the same size of Sassy and she is 9-10 weeks old. 
 

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
Don't beat yourself up - without you she would have no hope at all. At least now, whatever happens she will know love.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

who3rescued3who

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Sep 24, 2016
Messages
36
Purraise
36
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
My poor little Rose has earned her angel wings [emoji]128546[/emoji] The vet couldn't believe that she was 5- 5&1/2 weeks old. That's how very, very tiny she was. She was thinking she was 2 weeks! When we weighed her last night and found out how old she was... I think I kind of knew then that the outcome of the situation wouldn't be good. She weighed a mere 6oz [emoji]128550[/emoji] Bless her little heart & soul! I am so glad to have been able to love her and hold her.
The vet figures it was a genetic thing. Something inside stunting her growth.
Thank you again to all of you who have been so kind and helpful...you are blessings yourselves! Hugs
 

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
I am very sorry, but she had a guardian angel in you, who did the best thing for her right through tot he bitter end. Now, as a mark of respect and in accordance with TCS practice. I shall close this thread. If you would like to make a tribute to her, and any other lost kitties, please do so on the Crossing the Bridge Forum, where people can also post their comments and condolences. RIP little Rose
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top