Fourteen Day Old Runt Kitten Difficulty Feeding & Eyes Not Open

Hi there:

I rescued a mother cat and 4 newborn kittens from squallor and filth after the tenant was evicted.  The mother cat was found on her own and had given birth to 3 kittens in a wardrobe.  Another kitten was found later on in the day inside a rubbish bag, and she was a bit late getting food.  All babies doing well apart from the little runt.  House is a suspected p-house.  No food or water left at the property for the mother cat, she just survived by jumping out open windows and scavenging obviously.  Kittens now approximately 14 days old now.  When found they still had their umbilical cords attached.

Just today I noticed that her eyes haven't started to open they appear sunken (no crusting or discharge).  She weighs less than the others and today she has had difficulty finding and feeding from mum.

Taking her to the vet tomorrow if I can (have a doctor's appointment for myself after cat bite complications).

I'm worried.  Any suggestions or help greatly appreciated.

Since she is a runt, she could be behind on her development. But I'm worried about the 'shrunken' part, she may be blind. You may definitely have to help her find mom, or supplement her feedings if she is to survive. Blind cats do fine with the right family and being kept inside, so her future would not be as bleak as it appears. Especially if you get that story out about her horrible beginnings, there will be someone compelled to take her in. You are an angel to help them, I hope you can get mama spayed so she does not have to go through this again. If you bring one in, try to bring them all to cut down on the costs of office visits and to help them smell the same when they come home. Strange smells can cause a mama to reject her kittens. It is very early here, so hang on, I pray you will get help from the experts, and that the kitten is just late.  You will be blessed for your kindness. Keep us posted!

My Hector was a runt (she was only 7lbs 9lbs max) but she was the best friend is could have asked for even with everything we went through sometimes I wonder if I saved her or if she saved me. Sorry rambling on...

Point being please don't give up on her just because she's a runt.

K kiwikatlady

You should immediately begin to supplement the runt with kitten formula and a small, needleless syringe. You can also use full fat goat's milk. I suggest 2 mL's every 1-2 hours to start. The milk should be warm, and the kitten needs a heat source such as a heating pad or hot water bottle placed nearby. Do not delay the supplementing!

Are you able to weigh the kitten?

This is a sad story. Thank you for rescuing them.

What a sad story. The cruelty & neglect of people is astounding. Hopefully, everyone will survive thanks to the OP. Even if the wee one is blind, it can still have a great life.

Thank you so much for your reply.  It's been a big week and little Autumn has been to the vet twice to have water under her skin.  It turns out the vet believes she could have hydrocephalus.  She's an amazing little fighter.  Not only is she a female ginger tabby, was found in a rubbish bag, is the runt of the litter and now could be hydrocephalus.

 Little Autumn is blind with no eyes.  She snuggles into her siblings and they snuggle into her.  Mum is excellent.  Even though I'm feeding Autumn, mum cleans and toilets her when I put her back into the bed.  Mum is amazing.

KiwiKatLady said:

 
 Little Autumn is blind with no eyes.  She snuggles into her siblings and they snuggle into her.  Mum is excellent.  Even though I'm feeding Autumn, mum cleans and toilets her when I put her back into the bed.  Mum is amazing.

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As a home kitty she will manage OK without eyes, as long as she has a suitable home.  Cats are amazing this way - many invalidated cats have ways to compensate...  Even better than humans.

Ps.  I do notice now Di and Bob has already wrote something similiar.

I'll pray for little Autumn, she's going to need a lot of special people in her life to give her the kind of life she needs. She deserves to know a life of love and kindness, you are her angel here on earth!

Autumn's mum is a lovely tortie.  She is amazing.  We have them in a nice warm box in the bathroom.

I've called Autumn's mum Cattitude because she really is so unusual and is a cat with attitude!  She pees in the shower even though she has a kittie litter box, plus she poos also in the shower.  She makes all these calling noises and starts to play before she poos.  She gives me a little naughty bite every now and then and she loves her food.  She is so cherished, clean, warm and safe, plus well fed. 

KiwiKatLady said:

Autumn's mum is a lovely tortie.  She is amazing.  We have them in a nice warm box in the bathroom.

I've called Autumn's mum Cattitude because she really is so unusual and is a cat with attitude!  She pees in the shower even though she has a kittie litter box, plus she poos also in the shower.  She makes all these calling noises and starts to play before she poos.  She gives me a little naughty bite every now and then and she loves her food.  She is so cherished, clean, warm and safe, plus well fed.  :chescat:

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If she's going to the bathroom in the tub it could mean something is hurting her. Has mom been to the vet recently?

How are the kittens doing?

IndyJones said:

If she's going to the bathroom in the tub it could mean something is hurting her. Has mom been to the vet recently?

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She may also want a second litter box.

KiwiKatLady said:

 Little Autumn is blind with no eyes.  She snuggles into her siblings and they snuggle into her.  Mum is excellent.  Even though I'm feeding Autumn, mum cleans and toilets her when I put her back into the bed.  Mum is amazing.

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Please post some photos. Will you be keeping Autumn?

Hi everyone:

An update on Autumn.  She's doing really well and is putting on weight, purrs and plays (even though she's blind).  She suckled off her mum with my help yesterday.

I found a vet who will treat her and also a specialist.

Her mum (who poos and pees in the shower) was checked by the vet a couple of weeks or so ago, and he said she was looking good and healthy.  The place she was rescued from had lots of poos in it, and I think it is just her preference to do her business in the shower.  She is a very clean cat.  She is tortoiseshell and is rather feisty.  Dislikes my other cats.  When she's seen one of them walk by, she looks pretty angry and wants to attack.  Unsure if this is her protecting her babies, or if she just doesn't like other cats.  Will have to be very careful about the home she is placed in.

Will post a photo of Autumn when I have a good one for you to see.

Wow an amazing story xx thank you for rescuing these kitties xxx can't wait to see pics xxx

Primula said:

Please post some photos. Will you be keeping Autumn?

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Bump.