rescued 2 week old kitten

NipNip

damagegt wrote: »

Would it be ok to wake him every hour or so and get a few a ml or so into him ?

They're so tiny, they will go down hill. Your only bet is a drip, at a large cost, from a vet, or to hope and pray and keep kitty close to your skin.

SillyMangoX

NipNip wrote: »

It is NOT only absorbed in the first 18-24 hours! I've seen it given to cows, with a drop of whisky! It is generally given to newborns whose mothers abandon them, as it contains a lot of antibodies! It is only produced by a 'mother' in the first 12 to 36 hours!. Perhaps you're mistaken?

No I'm not mistaken, I've studied veterinary nursing for the last 3 years. 48hrs is the max cut off time after the antibodies won't be absorbed anymore.

damagegt

As I said a vet is out Im afraid.Its not looking good.......

NipNip

SillyMangoX wrote: »

No I'm not mistaken, I've studied veterinary nursing for the last 3 years. 48hrs is the max cut off time after the antibodies won't be absorbed anymore.

Must tell my Dad!

SillyMangoX

damagegt wrote: »

Would it be ok to wake him every hour or so and get a few a ml or so into him ?

Yes if they aren't feeding and just sleeping the best thing is to try to wake them and get some into them. I found with my guys the best thing to encourage them to suck was to tickle their lips with a bit of milk from my finger, even if they didn't suck strongly at least they would lick it from around their lips. But don't force it hard, only go one small drop at a time if he isn't sucking because it can be really easy to accidentally drown them!

NipNip

damagegt wrote: »

As I said a vet is out Im afraid.Its not looking good.......

You need to regulate its temp by keeping it close to your body which is probably different to Mammy Cat temps! Then you need to get it to feed on milk. It's not looking good I'm afraid, and I learned very young, that though a farmer's daughter, I would never make a farmer.........

SillyMangoX

damagegt wrote: »

As I said a vet is out Im afraid.Its not looking good.......

If he's very lethargic you could try getting a bit of sugar water into him, if he's hypoglycaemic from not eating (which can happen very quick at this age) he would be very sleepy. Boil up about 2 cups of water, add around 5 teaspoons of sugar and stir till it disolves, let it cool and try get a small bit of that into him. Might give him the energy he needs to feed especially if there's nothing else like infection going on.

damagegt

SillyMangoX wrote: »

If he's very lethargic you could try getting a bit of sugar water into him, if he's hypoglycaemic from not eating (which can happen very quick at this age) he would be very sleepy. Boil up about 2 cups of water, add around 5 teaspoons of sugar and stir till it disolves, let it cool and try get a small bit of that into him. Might give him the energy he needs to feed especially if there's nothing else like infection going on.

ill try that at 1 when I wake him.Thanks everyone for all the help.

New Home

Look it, we know from the start that the odds are stacked against him and against any abandoned puppy/bird/baby animal and we don't need to be reminded of it BUT when we rescue them and try and help them we don't do it because WE KNOW that it'll definitely work, we do it because if we don't do anything it DEFINITELY WILL NOT... So, from my personal point of view, I'm cheering you and your kitten on. That's all.

clappyhappy

I really hope she pulls through. I never was a cat lover until a tabby wandered in to my place last jan, found owners in March, returned her and within a week she ran away. 3 months later she came back to ours and practically jumps into my arms every morning.
They do win you over. I would be devastated if anything happened to her, as I am sure you would be also.
Fingers crossed for you both!!

DeltaWhite

Ugh, this thread has me like an emotional wreck today! I'm rooting for you and kitty OP, I really am. Fair play to SillyMango with the advice COME ON KITTY!!!

damagegt

Ya I was the same,I used to live in the country when I was a kid and my sisters were forever bringing animals home,they still do.We had a jackdaw for a few weeks at Christmas.We even had a tern for a few months that she used to put in the bath and followed us around the house.But this is the first kitten I have really tired with.I really hope he hangs in there

gillymuffins

Could the kitten be constipated?

The mother cat would usually lick the kittens back passage which helps them go to the toilet. I've looked after a litter myself from a week old and a vet told me to get a facecloth with a dab of warm water and rub the area.
I wouldn't try force feeding the kitten. Sometimes they just can't get the hang of the bottle and if they're not that hungry they just wont bother taking it and go back to sleep. Every 3-4 hours should be more that enough time between feeds, because if you feed it too frequently it wont feel hunger.

I really hope the kitten makes it! I still have a cat from the litter I looked after and we are two peas in a pod. After all the hard work you've been putting in, I'm sure you both will be too!

njs030

Why haven't you brought this kitten to a vet or an animal rescue as a stray and handed him over to people who know what they are doing?
I've just read through this thread and really can't understand it at all

Tranceypoo

notjustsweet wrote: »

Why haven't you brought this kitten to a vet or an animal rescue as a stray and handed him over to people who know what they are doing?
I've just read through this thread and really can't understand it at all

If you've read the thread you will see that the OP said he/she can't afford to go to a vet and they've also phoned a local vet for advice and didn't get much help and contacted a local cat rescue group for advice and are waiting to hear back, the OP is doing a hell of a lot more than most people would do for a 2 week old kitten!

damagegt

gillymuffins wrote: »

Could the kitten be constipated?

The mother cat would usually lick the kittens back passage which helps them go to the toilet. I've looked after a litter myself from a week old and a vet told me to get a facecloth with a dab of warm water and rub the area.
I wouldn't try force feeding the kitten. Sometimes they just can't get the hang of the bottle and if they're not that hungry they just wont bother taking it and go back to sleep. Every 3-4 hours should be more that enough time between feeds, because if you feed it too frequently it wont feel hunger.

I really hope the kitten makes it! I still have a cat from the litter I looked after and we are two peas in a pod. After all the hard work you've been putting in, I'm sure you both will be too!

Hes not constipated, thats all fine.The problem is that he was feeding but over night hes stopped suckling and isn't waking to be fed.

thegreatgonzo

notjustsweet wrote: »

Why haven't you brought this kitten to a vet or an animal rescue as a stray and handed him over to people who know what they are doing?
I've just read through this thread and really can't understand it at all

To be fair to the OP there isn't much more that can be done for the kitten at a vets than what he/she is already doing. It would be very hard to get a kitten that size on a drip and the OP is already giving it round the clock care which is what it needs.

damagegt

thegreatgonzo wrote: »

To be fair to the OP there isn't much more that can be done for the kitten at a vets than what he/she is already doing. It would be very hard to get a kitten that size on a drip and the OP is already giving it round the clock care which is what it needs.

Thats pretty much what the vet I rang said:

"the kittens young,its been outside in the cold for more then 24hrs,feed it,keep it warm,there isn't much more I can do for you"
He told me what food to get and that was it.It wasnt much but I could see where he was coming from too.

well I got a ml or two in him there and a few drops of the sugar water.Ill try again at 4.

gillymuffins

damagegt wrote: »

Hes not constipated, thats all fine.The problem is that he was feeding but over night hes stopped suckling and isn't waking to be fed.

Don't panic, I'm sure you're doing all you can and the best for this kitten.

Kittens sleep alot anyway when they're young and need to be woken up to be fed sometimes. Reasons they sometimes wont eat can be from having a belly full of milk or an upset stomach.
Try to establish routine with feeds, every 3 or 4 hours on the dot and wake him if you need to. Routine and set times can be very helpfull for his digestive system.
The bottle needs to be sterilised before every feed otherwise it may cause an upset stomach and you can try rubbing it's belly gentley. You could also try giving him a small bit of boiled water cooled down as it might help.

I hope any of this helps OP and your kitty pulls through. It's a great thing you're doing and I wish you all the best!

njs030

Tranceypoo wrote: »

If you've read the thread you will see that the OP said he/she can't afford to go to a vet and they've also phoned a local vet for advice and didn't get much help and contacted a local cat rescue group for advice and are waiting to hear back, the OP is doing a hell of a lot more than most people would do for a 2 week old kitten!

I did read the thread, probably better than you read my post as nowhere in it have I suggested she pay for vet treatment. I did say the kitten should have been take immediately to a vet or animal sanctuary where they knew what they were doing and weren't asking for help on the internet to save a life.

As another poster said maybe there is nothing else that can be done for the kitten but he would be a lot better off with someone who knew what they were doing and had experience of doing it.
The op can't afford vet treatment which is clearly what this kitten needs. The first step should have been finding help not deciding to do it alone.

Op I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, and I think it's a lovely thing you are trying to do but so many animals die because people try to do it themselves and threads like these encourage that.

Surely there's more than one cat sanctuary in your area that you can call?

thegreatgonzo

notjustsweet wrote: »

I did read the thread, probably better than you read my post as nowhere in it have I suggested she pay for vet treatment. I did say the kitten should have been take immediately to a vet or animal sanctuary where they knew what they were doing and weren't asking for help on the internet to save a life.




Surely there's more than one cat sanctuary in your area that you can call?

You told her she should go to a vet but you don't suggest she pay for it?
A vet is a business not a charity.
At this time of year most cat rescues are inundated with stray kittens, it would be pretty hard to find someone to take in a weaned kitten let alone this case.

damagegt

notjustsweet wrote: »

I did read the thread, probably better than you read my post as nowhere in it have I suggested she pay for vet treatment. I did say the kitten should have been take immediately to a vet or animal sanctuary where they knew what they were doing and weren't asking for help on the internet to save a life.

As another poster said maybe there is nothing else that can be done for the kitten but he would be a lot better off with someone who knew what they were doing and had experience of doing it.
The op can't afford vet treatment which is clearly what this kitten needs. The first step should have been finding help not deciding to do it alone.

Op I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, and I think it's a lovely thing you are trying to do but so many animals die because people try to do it themselves and threads like these encourage that.

Surely there's more than one cat sanctuary in your area that you can call?

I have called the vet,I said what he told me,I have contacted 3 different sanctuary in the 48 or so hours I have the kitten NONE of them have gotten back to me.I did not decided to do this alone but this is the situation Im in.As new home said "when we rescue them and try and help them we don't do it because WE KNOW that it'll definitely work, we do it because if we don't do anything it DEFINITELY WILL NOT"Im doing all I can do and you picking holes in it doesn't help.

NipNip

keep it close to your body.

damagegt

NipNip wrote: »

keep it close to your body.

he lives in the collar of my top:D

barbiegirl

You are doing all you can and more than some people would. Fingers crossed he makes it, but if he doesn't he goes knowing that someone cared.

He is gorgeous and if wishing alone keeps him here, then the good will of everyone on here counts. Praying for the little thing.

morgana

Sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for updates - I really hope he makes it! You are doing the best for him that can be done, it's in his little paws to keep fighting!

NipNip

damagegt wrote: »

he lives in the collar of my top:D

I don't think that will work.......

damagegt

NipNip wrote: »

I don't think that will work.......

The tempeture royal cain says for a kitten his ages is 36.1–37.7 °C hes 37.C

New Home

NipNip, did you see the photos? The kitten is attached to his neck, which does qualify as his body...

NipNip

skin to skin for dying babies

New Home

Babies aren't furry...

NipNip

yeah, the fur just maintains their temp.

NipNip

kittens like....

jimf

I dearly hope your efforts are rewarded with a friend for life good on you for trying to keep this little one alive
I cant offer any more advice than whats offered already but if wishes keep it going then ye will get there im sure

NipNip

How is our boards kitty?

damagegt

Hes doing better.I kind of have set steps to feed him.He wont feed straight away when I wake him as hes crying.If I leave it to long he falls back asleep and I have to wake him again,he doesn't like that.He starts to search for a teat just before to falls asleep but he still wont use the bottle I'm back to a dropper.I did manage to get 3-4ml in on that feed so.........

NipNip

if he's crying - that is everything!!! he's well fit!

jimf

would a hot water bottle at night wrapped with a blanket help to maintain body temp

NipNip

jimf wrote: »

would a hot water bottle at night wrapped with a blanket help to maintain body temp

the kitten is 2 weeks old. apart from probably scalding its skin, I can see no benefit in this. If the OP wishes to keep this little fella alive, it has to live in close contact with his temperature - skin to skin.

damagegt

jimf wrote: »

would a hot water bottle at night wrapped with a blanket help to maintain body temp

I have a bottle that I have regulated the temperature of, wrapped in a small blanket covered with one of my tshirts in a cat box that I put him into when I have to do something but other then that hes with/on me all the time.

jimf

I mean wrap up the bottle not put the little guy directly on it

anytime I have had a poorly pup I always did this without scalding it

how do u propose the op keeps the kitten in close proximity to his/her body 24/7 and get a bit of sleep as well

NipNip

jimf wrote: »

I mean wrap up the bottle not put the little guy directly on it

anytime I have had a poorly pup I always did this without scalding it

how do u propose the op keeps the kitten in close proximity to his/her body 24/7 and get a bit of sleep as well

the kitten will perk up or die within about 4 or 5 hours.

damagegt

jimf wrote: »

I mean wrap up the bottle not put the little guy directly on it

anytime I have had a poorly pup I always did this without scalding it

how do u propose the op keeps the kitten in close proximity to his/her body 24/7 and get a bit of sleep as well

Its been tough but hes been very a accommodating

NipNip

the kitten is 2 weeks old, with no mother cat. It won't survive in a basket, with the best of treatment

damagegt

LOL I'm loving your positive attitude

NipNip

damagegt wrote: »

LOL I'm loving your positive attitude

My point is, that it needs your body temp to regulate its own - no matter what the other geniuses prescribe.

SillyMangoX

NipNip wrote: »

the kitten will perk up or die within about 4 or 5 hours.

This is a bit of a presumptuous thing to say without seeing the kitten itself. The OP is getting food into the kitten and keeping it warm. Babies sleep, a lot, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's dying. Literally all they do at that age is sleep, wake up to pee/poop, have a feed and go back to sleep. It's perfectly normal. This doesn't sound like a dying kitten to me at all, it's temperature is good, it's taking in some food (they have tiny tummies so they won't take any more than they need), no sign of fever, no diarrhoea. Unless there is some sort of birth defect going on then it shouldn't just die within 5 hours. A hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket is standard practice when raising neonates, though I would only have it covering half the box so if the little one gets too warm it can wriggle away. OP you are doing a great job and should be very proud of yourself! In saying that, things can and do go wrong but for now everything you are doing is perfect. With my ones, they never took to the bottle at all, it was constant syringe feedings. Day one (when they were 3 days) I was only getting a half a ml - 1ml into them, by day three they were taking 3-5mls per feed so the amounts your getting into him sound good. Keep going as you are, and know that all of us are praying for a good out come for the little guy

NipNip

the kitten is not eating you fool.


Mod note: User banned for this comment, for referring to other posters as "do-gooders", "geniuses" etc etc. and for soap-boxing.
Thanks,
DBB

Cathmandooo

Well done damagegt, it sounds like you're doing an amazing job, the kitten is very lucky to have you. The photos are gorgeous, I really hope the little guy pulls through

damagegt

Guys,please calm down.No need for name calling.