Kitten with deformity

I got a foster kitten on Friday. I weighed her and by her weight I thought she was about four weeks. She weighed a pound one ounce. She was really thin so maybe I thought she could be a little older. I checked her for fleas and found a lot of dirt and a flea. So I was bathing her dawn and found it. I was frantic I thought she had been so starved her belly collapsed. I was crying. 

I called the vet and with the help from other people in the rescue got her seen the same day. The vets said she was about five weeks but I think she is older from her teeth. 


I am also having trouble getting her to eat and drink. She ate a small amount of kitten fancy feast last night. It was just maybe a tablespoon full. That is all she has ate since. She isn't drinking much either. I am going to get her some goats milk today, I wont have money for kmr until Friday. Do you think she would eat the meat baby food? 

She was treated with revolution on Friday. She still has a few fleas. Can I bath her and pick the rest off? I don't want the others getting them. 

Here is more pics of her




I took this picture when I first found it. I used the ear bud to show how bad it was. Again I thought it was her belly sunken in. 

It's hard to see.  What is the deformity?

talkingpeanut said:

 
It's hard to see.  What is the deformity?

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I am sorry but it's her sternum. The indention where the ear bud is. Pectus Excavatum. 

Can you tell by her teeth about how old she is? 

Louann Jude said:

 
I am sorry but it's her sternum. The indention where the ear bud is. Pectus Excavatum. 

Can you tell by her teeth about how old she is? 

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So the bones of the sternum curve in?  Or is she missing bone?  What did the vet say?

I don't really know the vet talked to Mary Lou and from the way she talked they didn't seem concerned with it? They said she had an eye infection but they aren't red or watery. They just look weak to me. I know she has anemia from her white gums. I will call the vet myself Monday to find out what can be done and what they think. Could I be able to tell if she has the bone by feeling or does a xray need to be done? 

Louann Jude said:

 
I got a foster kitten on Friday. I weighed her and by her weight I thought she was about four weeks. She weighed a pound one ounce. She was really thin so maybe I thought she could be a little older. I checked her for fleas and found a lot of dirt and a flea. So I was bathing her dawn and found it. I was frantic I thought she had been so starved her belly collapsed. I was crying. 

I called the vet and with the help from other people in the rescue got her seen the same day. The vets said she was about five weeks but I think she is older from her teeth. 

I am also having trouble getting her to eat and drink. She ate a small amount of kitten fancy feast last night. It was just maybe a tablespoon full. That is all she has ate since. She isn't drinking much either. I am going to get her some goats milk today, I wont have money for kmr until Friday. Do you think she would eat the meat baby food? 

She was treated with revolution on Friday. She still has a few fleas. Can I bath her and pick the rest off? I don't want the others getting them. 

Here is more pics of her

I took this picture when I first found it. I used the ear bud to show how bad it was. Again I thought it was her belly sunken in. 

Click to expand...

You can proceed with the goat milk as long as you wish, as long its no funny low fat diet variation . it shall be around 3% fat or even somewhat more.

Also, i think goats milk is cheaper than kmr, at least, the bottled / cartooned / powdered.  Raw is even better, but may be pricey...

Yes, meat baby food is good, for example this made by Gerber, without additives...  If she doesnt want it, you can surely eat it yourself, so it wont be wasted money.

Here in Sweden we often give kittens minced meat (not pork).

As I understand it, its not supposed to bathe a cat at least a full week after Revolution treatment-  so not to wash off the preparate.   So unless there are lotsa of fleas alive, contend with picking them off...

If its bad, you can give her a bit of a Capstar tablett, it kills off the adult alive fleas instantly.

She eats very little you say?  give her more quick energy by smearing thick honey water on her gums and lips.  You can also give some diluted honey water to drink - gives energy.

And be sure she is warm - ie actively warmed.  I hope she will have more strengh to eat after this.

That is the thing she is warm, playing and perched on my shoulder. She just hasn't ate since around six last night. She used the liter box well this morning but nothing since. I am about to go to the store I will update you when I get some baby food and milk. 

I was able to get some KMR and baby food. She ate half a jar. Still hasn't drank but I feel hopeful for now. Though I was warned that she may not make it. Have you seen a kitten with this disability live? 

Yes, absolutely they can live normally!

Here is a link to a thread all about it. It is the flat-chested kitten syndrome. You will need to make a little vest for him to wear. It is discussed in the thread.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/290989/flat-chested-kitten-syndrome

I hope this helps!

Thank you so much for the thread. Do you think a vest would make a difference for her now. Her chest is caved in pretty bad. She doesn't seem distressed in her breathing. She is very playful and can jump high for such a little thing. When my others were her size they climbed the couch by using their nails and climbing, she jumps straight on the couch.

Again seeing her the way she is I believe she is older than 5 weeks. I am thinking about 8 but I could be wrong.  

Oh and there is no blue in her eyes at all they are completely green. 

It sure sounds like she's just fine. Based on what you've said, there is really no reason to worry. Just feed her lots so she grows! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

She has ate twice since 6 am. And used the liter box once. She is on my lap now watching me type purring away. 

I can't get her to drink what can I do to get her to drink something. She keeps smacking her mouth like its dry. 

Louann Jude said:

She has ate twice since 6 am. And used the liter box once. She is on my lap now watching me type purring away. 

I can't get her to drink what can I do to get her to drink something. She keeps smacking her mouth like its dry. 

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Is she eating wet food?

louann jude

The baby food has moisture in it. Try a bottle of KMR and see if she will drink it. If so, it may help her over this hump until she will lap on her own.

I tried a bottle today and she refused it. She loved the goats milk the other day but is not liking the kmr at all. She has ate a few times and has done great. 

The little thing is fast. She tries to get outside the minute the door is opened. You put her in and by the time you turn around she is out again. She is also really playful and loving. I wish I didn't have to crate her at night where she is so little I am afraid she will be stepped on at night. She cries and it breaks my heart. 

Can she sleep with you at night?

Also, can you get more goat's milk for her?

She slept in the room with me last night. The others didn't like that I had them shut out. She did great with the liter box. 

I can't get back to the store til Friday or Saturday. I am just throwing this out there and jump on to me if you need to. I have some fat free lactose free milk. Is it ok if it's lactose free?

A thing to celebrate I weighed her last night and she gained 4 ounces since Friday. I am so excited.  

Weight gain is fantastic! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

You can try the lactose free milk until you get to the store for goat's milk. Or try using it to mix the KMR with. In general, she needs milk that is full fat.