"Orphaned" Kitten, please help

Status
Not open for further replies.

Agirlwholovescats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Messages
17
Purraise
18
Good night everyone, i hope this post finds you all well.

As the post says I have a week old baby. His mother did not die, but had a close encounter with death...

I rescued mother car from the streets, very skinny, very scared of humans, doesn't have her front teeth, probably due to malnutrition.

Last year she gave birth (she was already pregnant when she came) and we kept 2 babies. 1 of which died 1 month later, and the other survived and is thriving. He'll be 1 in 2 days.

Because of the whole pandemic, and life circumstances, we postponed spaying her and we didn't want to give her birth control. Her first birth was just fine. But this last one was awful.

It lasted for more than 24hours, the last baby was still attached to the cord inside of her - she didn't bother remove him. She was in labor for very long (we had called the vet at that point). She gave birth to 5 beautiful babies, but she kept bleeding, running from her babies. We took her to the vet, she was anemic, no signs of infection. 20 hours was enough to change everything. I noticed she smelled bad, in addition to not even looking at me or getting up. I rushed her to the vet again.

She had a massive uterine infection! The vet rushed her to surgery, removed everything is she is just fine, with an incision in her belly and a cone, but she's doing good. She doesn't have any milk and isn't allowed near the kitten.

Unfortunately, all the kittens died but one. We tried everything. We gave them KMR from royal canin, but so far only this last one has survived.

He has some trouble pooping. Seems like it's too hard. Pees just fine. And already purrs. One eye open. But I'm concerned. He drinks 5ml of formula each Meal, sometimes more (every 2-3 hours) is close to a heat source, i massage his belly with warm water wipes. But he seems sleepy to me, maybe more than usual. He seems to latch onto the bottle and drink super fast... Today i looked at his belly button and noticed it was white. Just a light squeeze was enough to let out pus. Fast forward a lot came out!!! He seemed relieved. I cleaned it with saline.

But his lip is red, and his leg is swollen. He doesn't meow a lot at all, only when hungry. His leg has what it seems to be a boil?

I'm writing this as he sleeps in my chest. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I'm terrified of losing him. He currently weighs 100-120grams
IMG_20210207_014350.jpg
IMG_20210207_014355.jpg
IMG_20210207_014418.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,886
Purraise
28,287
Location
South Dakota
If there's an infection, he needs antibiotics. Small kittens can have Clavamox. Call your vet the first thing in the morning. Because they saw the kitten recently, they may be able to prescribe the meds without seeing him again. If there's an emergency vet in the area you might give them a call, although many vets aren't great with newborns.

He is very small for his age and infections are bad news in newborns. But I hope for the best, poor little guy. :vibes:
 

jefferd18

Ms. Jeff's Legacy
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
2,269
Purraise
2,067
Thank you for taking that poor mother cat in and giving her love.

He needs antibiotics.

Infections are nothing to fool around with especially for the very old and the very young. He has been deprived of the natural antibiotics that come from his mother's milk so he is more susceptible to infections.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,984
Purraise
17,674
Location
Sunny Florida
Antibiotics!!! ASAP! He probably has a fever and is less hungry due to the fever. He may be a bit dehydrated if not getting enough fluids. If he gets meds and feels better he will eat more and poop better. Keep us posted!
 

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,577
Purraise
22,949
Location
Nebraska, USA
Yes, antibiotics, preferably liquid added to his formula when it is supposed to be given. you said you stimulated his 'tummy' do you mean his privates under his tail? that is where the warm wet rag should be rubbed. He is most likely premature as the others were too, he is much too small. It really doesn't look good unless you can get him on an antibiotic and get him to eat more. He should be getting up to 9mls every two to three hours or at least 7 or 8mls. put the few drops of olive oil in to help him go. Kittens must be fed tummy down and kept very warm. you can smear a little honey on his lips to stimulate him a little, it gives them energy. He most likely picked up the infection from his mom...... I'll pray for that sweet little baby! PS warmed goat's milk is very good too....
 

jefferd18

Ms. Jeff's Legacy
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
2,269
Purraise
2,067
@Agirlwholovescat please let us know how the little is doing. We are trying to help.
 

jefferd18

Ms. Jeff's Legacy
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2019
Messages
2,269
Purraise
2,067
Since we have not heard back from you, I am going to take it as a no. I hope I am wrong.
1f2.gif
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

Agirlwholovescats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Messages
17
Purraise
18
@Agirlwholovescat please let us know how the little is doing. We are trying to help.
I'm sorry for taking so long... Trying to come to terms. Little guy passed away the morning after. I called 2 vets, both told me there was little to nothing they could do since they were very small. I don't believe they were premature has 3 of the kittens that died were larger. I tried everything, but nothing worked. Thank you all for your help!
 

Sandra Kay

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Nov 4, 2020
Messages
16
Purraise
4
Location
Sweethome Oregon
I am not sure, but hopefully W Willowy - or someone on this site - can answer about the hard poop. Can a kitten as young as he is have a drop or two of olive oil in his formula to help??
PUMPKIN in the formula, I used human babyfood pumpkin and over the counter Miralax a tiny pinch, im bottle feeding 6 babies, it works well
 

catsknowme

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
11,458
Purraise
6,679
Location
Eastern California,USA
:alright: please do not feel guilty. The kittens were most likely septic from the mom's uterine infection. Working in pharmacy, I have seen how dangerous being septic is for humans receiving the best medical care let alone pets - the survival rate is discouraging You did the best final gift for that tiny kitten - love & comfort to guide him to the path Home. He is now with the Creator, the ancestors and those yet to be born, where no one and nothing can ever hurt him. How is mama kitty doing? Please give her scritches for me and e-hugs for you :grouphug::sniffle:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

Agirlwholovescats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Messages
17
Purraise
18
:alright: please do not feel guilty. The kittens were most likely septic from the mom's uterine infection. Working in pharmacy, I have seen how dangerous being septic is for humans receiving the best medical care let alone pets - the survival rate is discouraging You did the best final gift for that tiny kitten - love & comfort to guide him to the path Home. He is now with the Creator, the ancestors and those yet to be born, where no one and nothing can ever hurt him. How is mama kitty doing? Please give her scritches for me and e-hugs for you :grouphug::sniffle:
I somewhat agree with you, but she developed the infection after birthing them. I do think the last two might have been septic, they were the first to die 💔 the quality of the milk must've been really low but the time she showers symptoms, so that's why she was hiding from them. Unfortunately the infection didn't show on her blood tests, the vet was amazing and throughout, nothing could be seen on the x-ray. But the infection was so aggressive it developed in hours. Mama kitty is doing AWESOME! She's even more loving now, always asking for kiddies. She does need spayed cat food, since she has gained some weight. She's eating better than ever. The vet is so happy with how she's progressing. Here's a picture!
 

Attachments

Status
Not open for further replies.
Top