3 Week Old Orphan Not Gaining

[Efb1024]

We’ve been fostering him since he was 1 week. He’s nursing on another older litter’s mama cat and we’re supplementing with goat’s milk 4-6 times per day. In a typical day he gets between 60-80mL of goat’s milk. He has weighed between 8.50-9.05oz for the past 3 days. He has no other health concerns, is peeing and pooping before and after feeding and occasionally on his own and pooping once a day. He’s sleeping contently after feeding, his temp is fine, and he doesn’t have any respiratory issues.

When do I worry?

 

[Efb1024]

 

[Sarthur2]

He needs more food to gain. Make sure he gets 80mLs of goat’s milk per day. Feed him yourself first, then put him on the mama cat.

Kittens grow fast, so the more food the better.

He’s a cutie!

 

[StefanZ]

With that much goats milk he doesnt apparently take much from foster momma. This nursing is here for pleasure not feeding I think.

Ergo, give more of this goats milk.
You can mix in a egg yolk now and then, or a little honey - preferably "raw honey"

 

[Efb1024]

With that much goats milk he doesnt apparently take much from foster momma. This nursing is here for pleasure not feeding I think.

Ergo, give more of this goats milk.
You can mix in a egg yolk now and then, or a little honey - preferably "raw honey"

We have farm fresh eggs and raw honey, which is better?

 

[StefanZ]

Both! . Use both and this goats milk. I suspect even its raw?

 

[talkingpeanut]

Are you fostering the mom as well?

 

[Efb1024]

Both! . Use both and this goats milk. I suspect even its raw?

Yes, the goat’s milk is raw as well

 

[Efb1024]

Are you fostering the mom as well?

We’re fostering another mom and her 6 kittens, but they are 9 weeks old

 

[Efb1024]

Another question... sorry! Pita, the kitten, has started to become very vocal. We keep him in a large enclosed kennel so that he doesn’t get tossed around by the older kittens. He used to lay down and be to sleep almost immediately after feeding, but now will fuss and meow at the door regardless of how long we interact with him. I know it’s not hunger or bathroom issues. Is this just because he wants attention? He will eventually quiet down after a couple of minutes, but we have to cover the kennel because if he sees us, he starts right back up again.

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, he is becoming more alert and wants more attention, which is normal.

Be sure to lift one side of the cover for air.

 

[Efb1024]

Now we have another issue... diarrhea. Pita has been on goat’s milk for a week now and had been doing fabulously! Now, all of a sudden I woke up today to diarrhea and he lost 10 grams. He had been constipated from the formula, but following a couple doses of olive oil in his goat’s milk bottles he had a few days of normal soft/formed stools. I stopped the olive oil a few days ago, and now this. I swear this little guy is going to be the end of my sanity!

 

[StefanZ]

Make a pedialyte of overboiled white rice water and some minerale kitchen salt.

 

[Efb1024]

Make a pedialyte of overboiled white rice water and some minerale kitchen salt.

Should I give it straight or mix it with the goat’s milk? And if so, what ratio?

 

[StefanZ]

Which you prefer. You can give it straigh the glucose sugar contain gives some energhy by itself, give straigh. Several ml each time to outbalance salt and water losses.

Rice water ia also an old home remedy against diarrhea so here we do combine two plusses.

 

[Sarthur2]

Do not dilute the goats milk. He needs all the nutrition he can get.

How many mLs is he taking daily? Losing 10 grams is not good.

He may need medicine for parasites or infection. Can you get him to the vet?

 

[Efb1024]

Do not dilute the goats milk. He needs all the nutrition he can get.

How many mLs is he taking daily? Losing 10 grams is not good.

He may need medicine for parasites or infection. Can you get him to the vet?

He’s taking at least 80mL every day.

I did get him dewormed today and started him on probiotics

 

[Sarthur2]

This is good to hear. He should be gaining weight again soon. If not, there is a problem.

 

[Efb1024]

The day after my last reply I discovered an open area on Pita’s back leg. I took her to the vet where she was diagnosed with an infection. He started her on clavamox twice a day for 14 days and I am also washing the area with Chlorhexidine soaked gauze twice a day. She has done a complete 180 health-wise. Her diarrhea is gone and she’s gaining weight! Thank God for modern medicine! She’s not out of the woods yet, but definitely on the mend!

 

[Efb1024]

Pita has improved tremendously and has gained 4 ounces in the last week! She’s a voracious eater and is such a sweet snuggly little thing