New here, orphan kitten w/diarreah

Hello, and I applaud you all for what you do for your little ones!!

I was recently given a cat that had been obviously abandoned when the owners moved from their home. She was VERY thin, and is about 3/4 the size of an average cat.

Last Thursday, she gave birth to one kitten. She was so small and thin, we didn't know she was pregnant. I couldn't find her, and went to looking, and found her, behind the clothes in the closet, with a very tiny kitten. (2.3 oz). She rejected the kitten.

So, I'm raising him (I think it's a him, anyway). Little man is 5 days old, but looks to be a premie. I have him on a heating pad, on low, with stuffed "litter mates". I have been feeding him KMR, helping him potty, etc. We had good stools up until yesterday. Now, it's diarrhea. I went to the vet, and they basically said to give up (not in so few words, however). He seemed to be miffed that I wanted to save this little punkin.

Anyway, we are active, now weighing 2.9 oz, from a birth weight of 2.3 oz. Good appetite, good urine, just the runs. How do I remedy this, and how do I keep him hydrated?

HELP

(my rant)
I live in the country, between 4 good size towns, that has no animal shelter, rescue service, etc. This little guy (and his momma) have inspired me to help this situation somehow. I see cats and kittens that have been dumped more times in a week than I can count. Makes me sick. Once loved pets thrown out like garbage.

Originally Posted by kittnldy

Hello, and I applaud you all for what you do for your little ones!!

I was recently given a cat that had been obviously abandoned when the owners moved from their home. She was VERY thin, and is about 3/4 the size of an average cat.

Last Thursday, she gave birth to one kitten. She was so small and thin, we didn't know she was pregnant. I couldn't find her, and went to looking, and found her, behind the clothes in the closet, with a very tiny kitten. (2.3 oz). She rejected the kitten.

So, I'm raising him (I think it's a him, anyway). Little man is 5 days old, but looks to be a premie. I have him on a heating pad, on low, with stuffed "litter mates". I have been feeding him KMR, helping him potty, etc. We had good stools up until yesterday. Now, it's diarrhea. I went to the vet, and they basically said to give up (not in so few words, however). He seemed to be miffed that I wanted to save this little punkin.

Anyway, we are active, now weighing 2.9 oz, from a birth weight of 2.3 oz. Good appetite, good urine, just the runs. How do I remedy this, and how do I keep him hydrated?

HELP

(my rant)
I live in the country, between 4 good size towns, that has no animal shelter, rescue service, etc. This little guy (and his momma) have inspired me to help this situation somehow. I see cats and kittens that have been dumped more times in a week than I can count. Makes me sick. Once loved pets thrown out like garbage.

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Welcome to TCS.....this is a wonderful site for individuals caring for orphaned kittens:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/what_to_feed.html

Also....since mom has rejected her little one...sounds like she can be spayed. Here is a website for low cost clinics:

http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

Good for you wanting to help....you may want to contact Best Friends to see if you can find others who would also like to help these cats:

Contact the Best Friends Network: (435) 644-2001 ext 123, or e-mail them at [email protected]

List of groups that provide TNR (trap, neuter, return) by state:

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html

A yahoo group of people who care about strays and feral cats:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/feral_cats/


Katie

Thanks for the URL's.

I've already been to every site imaginable about orphan kitties. Lots of good info.

The vet said that momma has to bulk up before she can go in. She is basically just skin stretched over bone. Like I said I had no clue she was pregnant when she came here.

My vet.....lets not talk about him. I was very dissapointed in his reaction to my little man. Like I said before, we have a terrible problem with strays. But for every cat someone has brought me, they've been fixed, and sent to loving homes. I was curious as to how to start a shelter, as we have none for dogs or cats here.

Originally Posted by kittnldy

Thanks for the URL's.

I've already been to every site imaginable about orphan kitties. Lots of good info.

The vet said that momma has to bulk up before she can go in. She is basically just skin stretched over bone. Like I said I had no clue she was pregnant when she came here.

My vet.....lets not talk about him. I was very dissapointed in his reaction to my little man. Like I said before, we have a terrible problem with strays. But for every cat someone has brought me, they've been fixed, and sent to loving homes. I was curious as to how to start a shelter, as we have none for dogs or cats here.

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Best Friends has a really good website with information on how to help animals:

http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehom...lnmhpprograms/

http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehom...ersonindex.cfm

Anyway, about little man's diarrhea, The vet said that it appeared from the weight of the kitten, he could be 1 week premie, but seeing the condition momma was in, the kittens weight could be a direct result of her condition. No worms, no parasites, just the runs. Vet said that it could be from the formula, but there could be many causes. I asked about any other tests, and he said that on a kitten that small, there really isn't a point. Many tests come back with false results. He let me know it should be getting about 16cc of formula, make sure it potties after eating, and doesn't get dehydrated, check gums and the "pinch test". Make sure the umbilical stump doesn't get infected, etc etc etc.

I did call other vets in the area, and I have gotten about 10 different versions of what I should do. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!

So basically, I am back where I started. Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks

Not to sound rude but I would switch Vets. It is like my kids if I do not find something the doc says OK or I ? alot I would switch. I do commend you for not giving up on the little guy. Please keep us posted.

Originally Posted by kittnldy

Anyway, about little man's diarrhea, The vet said that it appeared from the weight of the kitten, he could be 1 week premie, but seeing the condition momma was in, the kittens weight could be a direct result of her condition. No worms, no parasites, just the runs. Vet said that it could be from the formula, but there could be many causes. I asked about any other tests, and he said that on a kitten that small, there really isn't a point. Many tests come back with false results. He let me know it should be getting about 16cc of formula, make sure it potties after eating, and doesn't get dehydrated, check gums and the "pinch test". Make sure the umbilical stump doesn't get infected, etc etc etc.

I did call other vets in the area, and I have gotten about 10 different versions of what I should do. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!

So basically, I am back where I started. Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks

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This is from another website:

One thing that very easy to do but you must avoid is overfeeding. Overfeeding produces Diarrhea. It is far better to err on the side of underfeeding rather than overfeeding. Follow this chart and you should have no problems: ** 30 cc is equal to one ounce of formula.

At birth; weight should be approx. 4 ounces. Give 32 cc of milk replacer per day spread out over 6-8 feedings.

At age 1 weeks; weight should be approx. 7 ounces. Give 56 cc of milk replacer spread out over 4 feedings.

At age 3 weeks; weight should be 10 ounces. Give 80 cc of milk replacer spread out over 3 feedings.

At age 4 weeks; weight should be approx. 13 ounces. Give 104 cc of milk replacer spread out over 3 feedings.

At Age 5 weeks a Kitten should weigh 1 pound and at 10 weeks 2 pounds. He should be eating by himself.

Should you get a Preemie, a Kitten weighing far less than average, please be prepared to feed him every two hours until he is at weight appropriate for his age.

A steady weight gain of 10 grams or 1/3 ounce per day and a normal stool are indications you are feeding the correct amount. Overfeeding is indicated by a loose stool. Reduce the strength of the formula by diluting it 1/3 with water. Unchecked overfeeding leads to a depletion of digestive enzymes. Eventually, when there is no digestion of the formula you will see a stool which looks like curdled milk. At this point stop all formula and give only pediolyte and water until the kitten has a normal stool.

Originally Posted by momof3rugratz

Not to sound rude but I would switch Vets. It is like my kids if I do not find something the doc says OK or I ? alot I would switch.

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That is why I called other vets. I was hoping for a little more input from them though. I was told to use pedialite; plain boiled water; diluted formula, with water; diluted formula with pedialite, and 1 drop of an adult diarrhea medicine. I was also told never use human baby products, like pedialite; never dilute formula, and stick with water mixed with corn syrup.

Not a good day. But little man is still active, and eating good, and hydrated. I just want to cure the runs, and make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.

About what you can do about the dehydration I have heard that you can give them Pedialyte.

TRN1:

I just got done at that site a few min. ago, and decided that was what I would try.

Thanks!!!! I will keep you posted.

Originally Posted by kittnldy

That is why I called other vets. I was hoping for a little more input from them though. I was told to use pedialite; plain boiled water; diluted formula, with water; diluted formula with pedialite, and 1 drop of an adult diarrhea medicine. I was also told never use human baby products, like pedialite; never dilute formula, and stick with water mixed with corn syrup.

Not a good day. But little man is still active, and eating good, and hydrated. I just want to cure the runs, and make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.

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That is a good sign. Rub his belly from us all.