Not gaining weight

jcmclain · Mar 22, 2017

Hello everyone,

New to site and new to bottle feeding kittens. I've been fostering kittens for 2 years, but this is my first bottle feeding experience. Picked up 4 newborns on 3/7 with mama cat. Since then have lost 3. Mama cat lays with them but does not engage a whole lot. Rocky is still hanging on but is not gaining weight like he should. This morning he was 203g and 2 weeks old. I started bottle feeding about 10 days ago with raw goat's milk and using KMR now. Feed every 3-4 hours and he normally takes about 3-6cc. He does not take easily. I am using a 3cc syringe with a Miracle nipple tip. I potty him before and after, getting urine. I have never gotten stool so I am hoping mama is taking care of it. Have taken him to the vet and they put him on Clavamox due to possible URI. He is not really snotty, but breathing is 'gurgly' at times. He is on a heating pad, using a humidifier, checking temp before feeding, giving kitten vitamin gel, you name it I'v tried it.

Anyone have any other suggestions of things I should try or stop doing to help Rocky? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Jen

StefanZ · Mar 22, 2017

jcmclain said:
Hello everyone,

New to site and new to bottle feeding kittens. I've been fostering kittens for 2 years, but this is my first bottle feeding experience. Picked up 4 newborns on 3/7 with mama cat. Since then have lost 3. Mama cat lays with them but does not engage a whole lot. Rocky is still hanging on but is not gaining weight like he should. This morning he was 203g and 2 weeks old. I started bottle feeding about 10 days ago with raw goat's milk and using KMR now. Feed every 3-4 hours and he normally takes about 3-6cc. He does not take easily. I am using a 3cc syringe with a Miracle nipple tip. I potty him before and after, getting urine. I have never gotten stool so I am hoping mama is taking care of it. Have taken him to the vet and they put him on Clavamox due to possible URI. He is not really snotty, but breathing is 'gurgly' at times. He is on a heating pad, using a humidifier, checking temp before feeding, giving kitten vitamin gel, you name it I'v tried it.

Anyone have any other suggestions of things I should try or stop doing to help Rocky? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Jen

If we presume he gets nothing much from momma, or even nothing, the dosage is 8ml/30g a day, 7x8 = about 60 ml a day of goats milk or KMR. I have a feeling you give him less at this moment? This daily amoutn will increase as he grows, of course.

I would suggest every second hour, or even more thightly down to every hour. As he manages just a few ml at a time...

Raw goats milk is excellent, so you can proceed with it. but if you by any reason wants to try with KMR instead, its OK. The powder version is more reliable the the premade. I myself Im a believer in raw goats milk if the rescuer can get it, but I know KMR is excellent.

You can perhaps try with such a little sponge, for example such a used with make up. Let him suckle from it, and so you drop with this syringe from the other end... For some it works better.

Otherwise, you canhold him in a towel, or even - wrap him in a towel as a burrito, so he cant wriggle as much.

Continue to monitoring his weigh closely.

Sarthur2 · Mar 22, 2017

It sounds like he needs more food. It also sounds like he may have pneumonia from the "gurgling" you mention. The clavamox should help with that, but it's still touch and go.

You can run a hot shower to steam up the bathroom and sit holding him in the room for 5-10 minutes several times a day to help clear his breathing.

Thank you for your efforts!

jcmclain · Mar 29, 2017

Thank you everyone for the comments and suggestions. Rocky is still with us and was 3 weeks old yesterday. He is weighing 350 grams and seems to be on the right track now. I increased the number of times I fed him but can't seem to get him to eat more than 10cc at a time. Have tried a bottle and larger syringe but he does not like the change. I figured at this point it is better to have him eating something than nothing. I am also still concerned about his lack of pooping. I get him to urinate each time I syringe feed, but poop seems to be very little and every other day. Really hope mama cat is helping out I in this area. Please keep the suggestions coming.

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jcmclain
Mar 29, 2017

Sarthur2 · Mar 29, 2017

What a relief to hear that he is better and still with us! He is so precious! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

I agree that continuing to feed him with the syringe more often is the way to go. How many times a day does he eat?

At 350 grams, he needs 98-100 cc's each 24- hour period. How much is he getting per day, do you think?

Is he well now from his illness?

He may not be getting enough food to poop every day. Pooping every other day is not terrible.

Which brand KMR are you using? Is it the powder?

jcmclain · Mar 29, 2017

Lately we have been able to get about 7-8 feedings in a 24hour period at 10cc each, so a little under your recommendations. I think he could eat more, he just fusses so much if I change the syringe or try a bigger delivery system. Will keep at it.

He is still gurgly sounding, but taking his Clavamox. Feeding Pet Ag KMR powder, mixing it with Pedialyte and water.

Sarthur2 · Mar 29, 2017

He's getting from 20-30 mLs less than he needs. He'll grow more if he gets the correct amount if you can get it into him. Bless his little heart.

The gurgling worries me. Keep him on the clavamox if he's still gurgling. By that I mean extend the prescription if necessary.

Be very careful feeding him so that he does not aspirate formula into his lungs.

I hope he continues to hang in there for you! Keep us updated!

Sarthur2 · Apr 1, 2017

jcmclain

How is the baby doing now?

jcmclain · Apr 1, 2017

Weighing in at 410 grams. Still about the same eating pattern as before. I tried switching to a bottle using the same nipple as before to allow for bigger feedings, but he just wouldn't take it. Flow difference maybe? When I am at home after work and on the weekends he gets fed every 2 hours so I am hoping that is helping to make up the difference during the day. He seems to be playing and much more alert and kitten looking now. Thinking about introducing kitten gruel and see if he is interested in lapping at it. Thoughts?

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jcmclain
Apr 1, 2017

Sarthur2 · Apr 1, 2017

He's gained 60 grams over the last 3 days. That's excellent. He's 14.4 ounces. He should be able to eat gruel. If not now, then very soon. Does he have his teeth yet?

He's so cute! [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

jcmclain · Apr 1, 2017

I can see little spikes of teeth beginning to pop out. Any kitten gruel recipes you have had success with? I normally get kittens 6-8+ weeks from my rescue group that are already weaned so I'm not sure if my older kitten gruel recipe is adequate for a 4 week old. Also at what point would I take him out of the 'nursing box' and allow more room to roam and explore? Thank you for all your help and checking in!!

Sarthur2 · Apr 1, 2017

How well is he walking? Does he seem ready to explore? He may enjoy getting out for short periods of time now.

I'm not sure if he'll be quite ready for gruel for another week, but I have mixed Gerber rice cereal into KMR, and also offered Gerber turkey or chicken meat baby food. Easy to lap up for beginning the weaning process.

You'll need to play it by ear. Once he has teeth, he should be able to handle pate-style kitten wet food such as Fancy Feast. This can be thinned down into mush with KMR or water.

dustydiamond1 · Apr 3, 2017

Bless your heart! How is Rocky doing? He sure is a cutie pie. ; ) Keep us posted.

mazie · Apr 4, 2017

How is that sweet boy doing?

jcmclain · Apr 4, 2017

Rocky is doing well! He is weighing 475 grams and finally taking more than 10cc at a time. One of his recent feedings he sucked down 20cc. He also is no longer gurgling or sounding congested. Going to try kitten gruel pretty soon to see if he likes it.

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jcmclain
Apr 4, 2017

Sarthur2 · Apr 4, 2017

Great news! Thanks to your efforts! He's so cute! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

mazie · Apr 5, 2017

Yes, good news indeed!! He will be outgrowing that scale any day now, which is more good news. Thank you for the great update.

foxxycat · Apr 5, 2017

Aww he is adorable!! Good job!! Love that sweet face!!

zed xyzed · Apr 6, 2017

Hope is the sweetie today?

zed xyzed · Apr 8, 2017

I meant to ask how is the sweet little guy today?

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