4 Day Old Runt Kitten Not Looking Too Good. Help Please?

[Blckkatlover]

So my cat just gave birth to a total of 5 kittens (2 didn't make it during labor) on the 24th. 2 came out fully developed and kind of chunky. While the last came out very little and is basically 2 times smaller than the other 2. The runt (we call her Chibi) had trouble nursing the first 2 days but picked it right up by the end of the second day. But today I noticed she is very weak, not really moving around much and with every breath she takes she let's out a very faint cry. Her breathing actually looks kind of forced as well. I've been worrying about her getting fading kitten syndrome ever since she was first born and now I think she is heading that way... what should I do???

 

[Blckkatlover]

Oh and I just tested momma and she doesn't seem to have much milk left. Could that maybe be the problem? I think she may not be eating enough because she's nervous about being a mother for the first time

 

[Blckkatlover]

I also noticed that she keeps wanting to sleep away from the rest of the litter :/

 

[Blckkatlover]

Is there a way to post a video? I have one of her breathing

 

[Blckkatlover]

Should I remove her from the box and keep her warm in a towel?

 

[StefanZ]

Writing stand by

 

[StefanZ]

If momma doesnt care much it may be better you take over the charge.
A towel isnt enough she needs an active heating source.
An IR heating lamp is very good.
Otherwise a heating pad of some sort. Or you carry it at your chest kangaroo.

The real problem by your descripion of breathing she seeems to be dying...,
But as long she lives fight on pray and hope

Continuing soon

 

[Blckkatlover]

If momma doesnt care much it may be better you take over the charge.
A towel isnt enough she needs an active heating source.
An IR heating lamp is very good.
Otherwise a heating pad of some sort. Or you carry it at your chest kangaroo.

The real problem by your descripion of breathing she seeems to be dying...,
But as long she lives fight on pray and hope

Continuing soon

Okay thank you. I have a heating pad, but should I place a blanket over it and then place her on top or a different way? And momma doesn't mind me holding her but as soon as she starts whining she jumps up to where I am and maneuvers around like she wants to grab her. Should I keep her by me anyway?

 

[StefanZ]

Ok re food.
Goats milk is best. Otherwise some good kmr. Use a dropper, train some for yourself howvto squeeze drop by drop.

In the corner of mouth just a little at a time. Belly down head s little up.

About 20 ml a day, every hour for now 1-1,5 ml


Now at this moment as she is weak it may be best just pedialyte bough or home made.
If bough dilute some.

If homemade its essentially sugar water. White caro syrup or honey withvwater. 1 teaspoon in 1 cup for coffe. A tiny trifle salt.

You can also smear some sweet water on her lips and gum to begin with. Gives quick energhy.

 

[StefanZ]

Yes blanket over the heating pad.

 

[StefanZ]

Its a good sign momma is still interested.

The litttle one needs now maximal care its red alert.

You must decide if momma gives best care or if you do..,

Difficult for me to give definite advices it depands on.,,,

 

[StefanZ]

Continue with reports.

Im done for this moment.

 

[Blckkatlover]

Its a good sign momma is still interested.

The litttle one needs now maximal care its red alert.

You must decide if momma gives best care or if you do..,

Difficult for me to give definite advices it depands on.,,,

I'm gonna watch her for another 30 minutes to an hour. If she doesn't start suckling on her own then I will take over. Thank you for advice and i will keep updating!

 

[StefanZ]

Its good to weigh every 12 hours. This way you know for sure if she gets something or if its mostly just comfortsuckling.

Some are weak sucklers. With them its necessary to help them at least till they get stronger.

 

[Blckkatlover]

So this is the only milk replacement they have. Is it okay?????

 

[StefanZ]

Yes its good.

 

[Blckkatlover]

Yes its good.

Yay okay. Should I mix it pedialyte or is it fine by itself?

 

[StefanZ]

Its fine by itself. I suppose its powder? So water. Or and some goats milk!

If the recipe is 1 powder, 2 water, you can use 1 powder, 3 goats milk.

Mixing with some pedialyte is most important if they have diarrhea. Also if you need to give as many calories as you can manage, some pedialyte is good as the glucose sugar in pedialyte contains some nourishment... The ratio may then be 1:1:1.

So, nothing wrong with having in some pedialyte, instead of water (say half water, half pedialyte), but its not necessary in most cases.

I do believe in goats milk, especielly raw goats milk is good, but its really not necessary if you have such a good kmr as this.

PetAg usually makes good products, the only of their products which is less splendid is their premixed liquid KMR. It useful because its cheap in these small cans, so you can always have a can standing, so you arent defenceless in the middle of night.
But as soon the day comes you go and buy something better... Peculiarly enough their powdered KMR is one of the very best kmr.

This you do have I dont have much experience of, but I do presume its good.

 

[Blckkatlover]

Update: Runt kitten wouldn't take to the bottle, whenever I hold her she just struggles a lot and cries very loudly. My mother cat will not let me hold her long enough to try to get her to feed her thoroughly either... I was able to force down a couple drops but that's it.

 

[GlitterKittie]

Have you smeared the honey water on the gums? If you are able to get a weight that would be really helpful