3 days old kitten not nursing, please help..

[asmalikd]

My sister’s cat gave birth three days ago and one of the kittens is way smaller than the other two.. It’s not eating and no matter how we try to urge it, it refuses to suckle any nip. We’re trying bottle feeding with formula and even this is a difficult process, getting it to suck voluntarily is hard and even then it only does so for a few seconds. It also has a habit of arching backwards with its head.
It’s very active and doesn’t cry a lot. We called the vet who gave us an absurd cost for treatment (without guarantee of survival) that we just can’t afford, and instead follow her advice on bottle feeding with the formula.
I’m at my wits end and desperate to know what could cause this? What can I do?

 

[Sarthur2]

Use a syringe! Wrap the kitten like a burrito with only the head out. Go in the side of the mouth drop by drop slowly and let kitten swallow between drops.

Follow this video:


Order miracle nipples:
Miracle Nipples

This baby must be hungry. Keep us posted!

A asmalikd

 

[asmalikd]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I just tried it with a syringe and while the kitten still doesn’t /want/ the milk, it swallows it once i carefully drip it in. I’m slightly more optimistic.
Feeding it safely takes a long time but it’s worth it if it just starts growing and takes some of this worry away! I’ll continue feeding it like this overnight and if it doesn’t improve by tomorrow, I guess I’ll have to take on some more debt to get it checked properly.

 

[Sarthur2]

You may find that the kitten “turns the corner” after a few of these painstakingly slow feedings and begins to suckle the syringe more eagerly once she learns it’s milk! I hope so!

 

[Furballsmom]

Sending all sorts of positive thoughts!!

 

[Sarthur2]

How is the kitten doing today?

 

[asmalikd]

How is the kitten doing today?

It gained 8 grams since I posted, and has started kneading more! Feeding still requires some patience but we’re pulling through,hopefully it can catch up to its siblings soon. It’s been a sleepless night but it’s so worth it.

Here’s a photo so you can get some gist of how small this baby is right now!

 

[Furballsmom]

It’s been a sleepless night but it’s so worth it.

You are fantastic !

 

[Sarthur2]

8 grams! Wow! Keep up the fantastic job!

 

[jeannem]

((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))!
j

 

[asmalikd]

Kitty was rejected by its mom today, gonna have to be seperated for a while.. At least we’re making progress on the feeding front, we’re up almost 20 grams. Gonna be a vet trip tomorrow after all just to make sure there’s no underlying sickness.

So small when you see it close to its siblings, but it sure has the biggest personality.

 

[Furballsmom]

small when you see it close to its siblings, but it sure has the biggest personality.

 

[Sarthur2]

I’m guessing there are no underlying issues; she’s just a run of the mill runt. Happens frequently. She’ll catch up eventually, especially with your care. You’ve done magnificently with her so far!

Mom cat will accept her eventually. Give it time. This baby clearly wants to make it!

 

[StefanZ]

Kitty was rejected by its mom today, gonna have to be seperated for a while.. At least we’re making progress on the feeding front, we’re up almost 20 grams. Gonna be a vet trip tomorrow after all just to make sure there’s no underlying sickness.

So small when you see it close to its siblings, but it sure has the biggest personality.

20g raise in total after you began handfeeding, or per day?
if per day its good, above average but not unheard of.
But if its in total its just barely a minimum, and she is still deep into the woods.

How much do you manage to get into her every day? Is there any way you can increase?

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, she should gain 6-10 grams per day. Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh her? The amount of formula she gets per day is based on her weight. Give me a weight and I’ll calculate it for you. I think we just wanted to get her eating and gaining the first couple of days!

 

[asmalikd]

I had to study for tonight and passed her over to my mom to feed, it weighed 76 grams on Wednesday, and now mom tells me it weighs 107. Should I be concerned? We’re doing as the vet suggested and feeding it 3-5ml of formula every 2-3 hours.

 

[StefanZ]

30 g in 3 days is ok! Still, you can give a little more often.

I will count in next post.

 

[StefanZ]

The rule of thumb is 8ml/ 28g or more if she wants.

At this moment it gives roughly 30 ml a day.

 

[StefanZ]

So your feedings seems good.

Still, if you would want to try with feeding more often, its ok.

 

[Sarthur2]

The gains are awesome! Sounds like all is going well. If the kitten wants more, give more. As long as she is gaining weight daily all should be well.