Lethargic Kitten

Poznog said:

I have a five month old kitten who was found very young (two to three weeks old) without a mother. So, he was bottle fed from a very young age. He has been treated for giardia several times; twice by the shelter we got him from and once by us and our veterinarian. However, I'm now wondering if he's ever been cured. I noticed a few days ago that he kept getting fecal matter on his tail. He does curl his tail at times so I didn't really think it was a big deal and just cleaned it up with warm water and a rag. Then he started sleeping more than usual two days ago. All day yesterday he seemed pretty lethargic and is acting like he doesn't feel well. His last bowel movement was really runny and contained a lot of mucus. I know he needs to go back to the vet but, due to my own recent major medical emergency, we are really struggling financially right now. I didn't notice him acting sick last time, is this normal with giardia? Can giardia be deadly? I will get him to the vet as soon as I possibly can, I just wanted to get an idea of how urgent this is. I'm so worried about him and wish we weren't in the situation we are in. I'm praying we find relief today and I can get him to the vet.

Click to expand...

StefanZ said:

As you describe it, it seems pretty urgent. Perhaps not ER vet, but as soon you can practically arrange it.
I dont know much about giardia, but the overall description with him being visibly "under the weather" makes me worry yes.

You have seen the articles immediately above the forum here, giving advices on how to get possibilites, not having cash money?  You can perhaps find some idea and solution there.

Two advices through.

If he has diarrheas, losing salts and electrolytes, he need compensating of them.  Ie some sort of bought or home made pedialyte.
Perhaps a bottle of good mineral water, containing lotsa of different salts (you see it on the label), as your salt source, with a little honey in it.

You can dilute the water with common water, so it will be longer.   This is a good home made pedialyte.

Bough flavorless pedialyte for children is good too.  Or some sort of oral rehydration salt solution is OK.

You can also smear some thick honey water on his lips and gum, to perk up his energy some.


Next advice, is raw goats milk.  Best fresh, but frozen is OK.  MAY be a difference.  Fresh goats milk may be pricey though...  Frozen is a little cheaper.  Bottled / powdered is OK to use and is even good, but its not the same potential edge.

Be sure you keep him warm - ie active heat source.  The sick and weak ones are always freezing, no?

Click to expand...

Poznog said:

@StefanZ - I can't tell you how grateful I am for your advice. I have been administering Pedialyte and some goats milk every few hours since last night and although the diarrhea persists, it doesn't seem as bad. Also, I've seen dramtic improvement in how my kitty, Animal, has been acting. He is still sleepy but, he has started eating again, getting up and moving around and even played for a few minutes with an irresistible mouse toy! While I'm still going to get him to the vet as soon as a can, I feel a lot better about how he's doing and think the info you provided may have even saved his life. Thank you again!

Click to expand...