rescued 2 week old kitten

damagegt · 16-08-2014 9:04pm #1

I recently rescued a kitten.I could hear him/her crying for over 24 hrs but I couldnt locate it.When I eventually did, all the siblings had passed away and he/she was the only survivor.There was no sign of a parent and the kitten was extreamly cold.
I have worked out that its about 2 weeks old.It weighs 152g,which I think might be a little light but it have a good, strong cry.
I'v warmed it up and got some royal caine kitten formula but I'm worried its not feeding enough.Its just about getting 5ml every 2-3hrs and also due to being in the cold for so long that it might have pneumonia.
Its breathing seems ok,its mouth is closed when breathing but it does have a small "click".
Its bowls are all working fine and its burping after meals

Any help or suggestions would be great.

janmaree · 16-08-2014 9:21pm

I've had to rear tiny orphaned kittens before but 2 weeks is awfully young and you shouldn't be overly surprised if the kitten doesn't make it, things are really stacked against it. More knowledgeable people will be along very soon to help and I really do wish you well. If the kitten thrives and you are in a position to keep it yourself, you're in for a pretty wonderful relationship with your new baby. But until you get better advice than I can offer, warmth and careful feeding is pretty much all you can do for it, poor little mite. Good luck to you both.

damagegt · 16-08-2014 10:08pm

janmaree wrote: »

I've had to rear tiny orphaned kittens before but 2 weeks is awfully young and you shouldn't be overly surprised if the kitten doesn't make it, things are really stacked against it. More knowledgeable people will be along very soon to help and I really do wish you well. If the kitten thrives and you are in a position to keep it yourself, you're in for a pretty wonderful relationship with your new baby. But until you get better advice than I can offer, warmth and careful feeding is pretty much all you can do for it, poor little mite. Good luck to you both.

Iv hand rared a few things over the years but this fellas seems very small.It seems quite strong but these things can go bad so far and Im just a tad worried about what damage would have been done before I found it.Fingers crossed it will work out.

New Home · 16-08-2014 11:32pm

Try and ring a vet and ask for advice, even better bring the kitty to the vet, it might need special formula - maybe with more calories/ more nutrients than the one you've been giving him - and maybe even antibiotics... poor kitty...

I'm not sure if there are any cat/animal rescue places in Ireland, but there may be a few in the UK, it might be worth looking them up on the internet, they may be able to give you some extra information. Depending on where you are based, the Blue Cross and/ or the ISPCA could give you some assistance too...

Fair play for being a good human being!

damagegt · 16-08-2014 11:42pm

New Home wrote: »

Try and ring a vet and ask for advice, even better bring the kitty to the vet, it might need special formula - maybe with more calories/ more nutrients than the one you've been giving him - and maybe even antibiotics... poor kitty...

I'm not sure if there are any cat/animal rescue places in Ireland, but there may be a few in the UK, it might be worth looking them up on the internet, they may be able to give you some extra information. Depending on where you are based, the Blue Cross and/ or the ISPCA could give you some assistance too...

Fair play for being a good human being!

I rang the vet and he wasnt much help,had more of a "dont get your hopes up" attitude.I did get the food he recommended.I suppose there is'nt much more I can do.:(

tk123 · 17-08-2014 12:01am

Some advise in this thread - http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057261292/1/#post91542557

New Home · 17-08-2014 12:08am

GIZMOOOOOOO!!!!!! Soooo cute...

The Vet seems quite heartless... And extremely unhelpful.:(:mad:

Karl Stein · 17-08-2014 12:19am

Hope the kitten makes it - best of luck OP.

damagegt · 17-08-2014 12:20am

tk123 wrote: »

Some advise in this thread - http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057261292/1/#post91542557

Iv done pretty much everything recommend in that tread apart from the bread thing but I don't know if that's such a good idea.If he/she makes it over the next few days hopefully it will pull through.Well we just had a weigh in and were up 4g from this morning,so that's something

Karl Stein · 17-08-2014 12:30am

*follows thread*

New Home · 17-08-2014 12:53am

From the photo s/he seems to be in pretty good form, considering what's s/he's gone through, so you seem to be doing a great job - and I agree, I don't think the bread thing is a great idea, at least when s/he's still sooo very young.

I'm probably going to state the obvious, here, but if you want to know if it's a boy or a girl, it's pretty easy even at this early age, just check him/her from the tummy side instead of from the back, it's much easier this way when s/he's so young - if it's a boy his genitals will look like a little mound at the bottom of his tummy, whereas if it's a girl you won't see anything.

Sending good old hippy vibes your way - we're rooting for you kitten!

damagegt · 17-08-2014 10:59am

New Home wrote: »

From the photo s/he seems to be in pretty good form, considering what's s/he's gone through, so you seem to be doing a great job - and I agree, I don't think the bread thing is a great idea, at least when s/he's still sooo very young.

I'm probably going to state the obvious, here, but if you want to know if it's a boy or a girl, it's pretty easy even at this early age, just check him/her from the tummy side instead of from the back, it's much easier this way when s/he's so young - if it's a boy his genitals will look like a little mound at the bottom of his tummy, whereas if it's a girl you won't see anything.

Sending good old hippy vibes your way - we're rooting for you kitten!

It was a bit of a ropey one last night.He didnt sleep much and wasn't eating alot with alot of crying.He seems to fall asleep when feeding and doesn't suckle enough.Iv tried keeping him awake by blowing in his ear.Hes only get 1-3ml in at a time.Im not sure if that's enough

New Home · 17-08-2014 11:16am

Poor mite, and poor you, I guess you didn't get much sleep either. I do hope he's not actually sick, poor little thing...

I suppose he has a tiny stomach, so maybe he needs even more frequent feeds with small amounts, and if he's feeling poorly he probably doesn't feel as hungry, much like ourselves, but I can see why you are concerned.

Having said that, he might be sucking just for comfort, that could be why he falls asleep while feeding... Are you holding him most of the time, or have you put him in a box? Being so tiny he'd need some physical contact with his mother (or you, in this case). Something else that could possibly help if you don't want to hold him all the time are a hot water bottle in a blankie/pillowcase/cushion cover -just make sure it's not too hot -, and an old fashioned alarm clock (the ones that make a loudish ticking sound, but I don't know if you have one), they mimick their mother's heartbeat and body warmth, and might make him settle a bit more.

Let us know how he's doing during the day, please...

damagegt · 17-08-2014 11:39am

New Home wrote: »

Poor mite, and poor you, I guess you didn't get much sleep either. I do hope he's not actually sick, poor little thing...

I suppose he has a tiny stomach, so maybe he needs even more frequent feeds with small amounts, and if he's feeling poorly he probably doesn't feel as hungry, much like ourselves, but I can see why you are concerned.

Having said that, he might be sucking just for comfort, that could be why he falls asleep while feeding... Are you holding him most of the time, or have you put him in a box? Being so tiny he'd need some physical contact with his mother (or you, in this case). Something else that could possibly help if you don't want to hold him all the time are a hot water bottle in a blankie/pillowcase/cushion cover -just make sure it's not too hot -, and an old fashioned alarm clock (the ones that make a loudish ticking sound, but I don't know if you have one), they mimick their mother's heartbeat and body warmth, and might make him settle a bit more.

Let us know how he's doing during the day, please...

I think Ill just be more regimental with the feedings and keep it to every 3 hours.As for sleeping and feeding,hes in my hands and sleeps with me or with a t-shirt of mine wrapped around a hot water bottle and a soft blanket.I got a good feed into him there so lets hope it works out.ill throw up a few more pictures if things pick up

Kablamo! · 17-08-2014 12:36pm

I really hope he pulls through for you. It's a good thing you're doing.

taytobreath · 17-08-2014 12:57pm

damagegt wrote: »

I think Ill just be more regimental with the feedings and keep it to every 3 hours.As for sleeping and feeding,hes in my hands and sleeps with me or with a t-shirt of mine wrapped around a hot water bottle and a soft blanket.I got a good feed into him there so lets hope it works out.ill throw up a few more pictures if things pick up

Oh I so wish there were more people like you in this world. Fair play to you for giving up so much of your time for this little innocent creature.

I've been through it myself a few times and it sounds to me like your over the 1st hurdle and that is getting it used to suck from a bottle. It will only drink what it needs so dont get too frustrated if she/he doesnt drink too much on one of the feeds.
The kitten is a fighter thats for sure. The only one still alive.

Good luck and as another poster says keep us updated, because there are others that will be reading this thread in the not too distant future that will learn and help save more of these kittens lives.

P.S. Judging by the colour of the kitten it looks to be a female. But its hard to say. If it has 3 different shades of colour it is most likely a female. See number 18 of link
http://www.cfainc.org/breeders/catcolorsgenetics/basicfelinegenetics.aspx

damagegt · 17-08-2014 2:20pm

Iv no idea of the sex.I went looking for "lumps" but I haven't a clue what I was looking at .Feeding isn't going so bad,Im just worried about the amounts,1-3mls every 2hrs.He seems strong and is still gaining weight.My only experience of feeding a kitten this small is of what I'm reading online.So the more info people have for me the better.

Could someone help me out with the formula.When I make a batch of 20ml,can I feed some and the refrigerate the rest and use it later or am I best of making a fresh batch each time ? There wasn't to much info on the box.

New Home · 17-08-2014 2:34pm

You should be able to refrigerate it for a few hours, it should be reconstituted milk after all, just don't make too big of a batch and obviously bring it to room temp at least before feeding it to the little one. I'll check the Royal Canin website for you and get back to you.

New Home · 17-08-2014 2:46pm

Male

Female

<-- Not very clear but it looks like a girl from here...

New Home · 17-08-2014 3:02pm

I found a "feeding table" which might come in handy - I assume that the type of formula you have - not sure if that information was already on the box or not.

damagegt · 17-08-2014 3:06pm

New Home wrote: »

You should be able to refrigerate it for a few hours, it should be reconstituted milk after all, just don't make too big of a batch and obviously bring it to room temp at least before feeding it to the little one. I'll check the Royal Canin website for you and get back to you.

ok,im not going far wrong so.By the looks of the pictures she could be female.

damagegt · 17-08-2014 3:09pm

New Home wrote: »

I found a "feeding table" which might come in handy - I assume that the type of formula you have - not sure if that information was already on the box or not.

Thanks for that.Its so rediculous to not include that with the product.

taytobreath · 17-08-2014 3:19pm

Don't get to hung up on the amounts she is feeding, as long as she's drinking small and frequent amounts is always a good sign, its when she stops feeding completely is when you get worried.
she's putting on weight, your doing great!

damagegt · 17-08-2014 5:13pm

taytobreath wrote: »

Don't get to hung up on the amounts she is feeding, as long as she's drinking small and frequent amounts is always a good sign, its when she stops feeding completely is when you get worried.
she's putting on weight, your doing great!

I think I just paniced a bit since he didn't feed as much as the first night but that was probably from not feeding in the 24 hrs.Heres a few more photos.I keep him in the collar of an old top when Im moving about the house,don't worry he cant fall out unless he suddenly learns to jump

New Home · 17-08-2014 5:35pm

S/He's sooooo gorgeous... You do realise that that will become his/her favourite place even when s/he's big, don't you? Good luck trying to get anything done, from now on!

gctest50 · 17-08-2014 5:51pm

be careful if you are reheating the milk especially with a microwave

it may heat unevenly - feel cold on the outside and be really hot in the centre

damagegt · 17-08-2014 6:14pm

gctest50 wrote: »

be careful if you are reheating the milk especially with a microwave

it may heat unevenly - feel cold on the outside and be really hot in the centre

Its ok,its all been heated using a container of hot water

taytobreath · 17-08-2014 7:05pm

That looks like some ginger running through her coat in the 2nd pic. if it is its a female torti. male tortis are as rare as hens teeth and are nearly always sterile.

damagegt · 17-08-2014 7:23pm

Could be,of the two others that were dead when I found him,one was the same as this guy and the other was nearly all black and red with very small white flecks.

Rommie · 17-08-2014 7:27pm

taytobreath wrote: »

That looks like some ginger running through her coat in the 2nd pic. if it is its a female torti. male tortis are as rare as hens teeth and are nearly always sterile.

Not to mention they're insane! I have one and he's a lunatic.

Beautiful kitten OP and good on you for taking him/her on. Fingers crossed all goes well for ye

Themadhouse · 17-08-2014 9:39pm

Put a ticking watch in the blankets with her, it will help like a heart beat. Feed as you are. I would weigh everyday at night and check that kitten is gaining. We weigh kittens for weeks just to keep an eye. If you can get nutridrops they are handy to have if kitten needs a bit of a boost.

margo321 · 17-08-2014 9:45pm

Years ago we found new kittens, not sure of age but eyes were still closed I think. We called the animals home who said they'd die but said feed them kitten milk
Using a dropper till they can lick it up, we did this for weeks and they grew fine and started eating good. Bad ending though as a feral Tom cat came and killed them all. Good luck, lucky kitten

damagegt wrote: »

It was a bit of a ropey one last night.He didnt sleep much and wasn't eating alot with alot of crying.He seems to fall asleep when feeding and doesn't suckle enough.Iv tried keeping him awake by blowing in his ear.Hes only get 1-3ml in at a time.Im not sure if that's enough

Magenta · 17-08-2014 10:40pm

taytobreath wrote: »

That looks like some ginger running through her coat in the 2nd pic. if it is its a female torti. male tortis are as rare as hens teeth and are nearly always sterile.

Those are just grey stripes, it's a classic tabby cat not a tortie.

damagegt · 17-08-2014 11:17pm

Themadhouse wrote: »

Put a ticking watch in the blankets with her, it will help like a heart beat. Feed as you are. I would weigh everyday at night and check that kitten is gaining. We weigh kittens for weeks just to keep an eye. If you can get nutridrops they are handy to have if kitten needs a bit of a boost.

I keep him on me as much as I can and only in the basket at night ,I don't have a ticking watch/clock.Sign of the times.Hes gaining 2-3g a day pretty steadily.Ill pick up the drops tomorrow.

damagegt · 18-08-2014 11:54am

Im really worried now,hes not suckling at all.Ate hardly anything since 2am this morning and he just keeps sleeping.If i wake him to feed,he fights until he can get away to sleep.Would it be ok to force feed him with a dropper ?

NipNip · 18-08-2014 11:59am

If he's not feeding he's unwell. Seriously unwell.

NipNip · 18-08-2014 11:59am

How much would you be willing to pay to get the kitten drip fed by a vet?

New Home · 18-08-2014 12:01pm

I wouldn't force feed him, he might choke... Let him sleep for a while, see how he's faring this afternoon, hopefully he'll be ok. Maybe try to wet his mouth with a drop of water to keep him hydrated - no dropper, though, unless he's suckling from it... if you had a syringe and injectable saline solution you could inject some of it in the scruff of his neck - again, to keep him hydrated- but there's a special technique someone/the vet should teach you - unless you've done it before.

Does he feel very hot/cold? How are his other bodily functions? Is he still making that gurgling sound you mentioned at the beginning? A quick trip to the vet - maybe a more compassionate one - might be in order...

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:01pm

Alternative is to ask a farmer for a small amount of what is called 'beastings'.

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:03pm

Do you think the kitten has a fever? Is it shivering?

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:04pm

I want this kitten to live.

New Home · 18-08-2014 12:05pm

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:05pm

I would recommend wrapping the kitten in tinfoild actually. Please kitty, please survive!

SillyMangoX · 18-08-2014 12:08pm

NipNip wrote: »

Alternative is to ask a farmer for a small amount of what is called 'beastings'.

Beastings, which is colostrum (the first milk produced by the mother after birth) wouldn't be of any use at this stage, the antibodies from it can only be absorbed for the first 18-24 hours, so it would be of little value at this stage, and presumably because this kitten is about 2 weeks old it already got it's supply of colostrum from the mother cat. OP I think the best thing to do would be to bring the poor little mite to the vet just to be certain, they can go down hill so fast so it's better be safe than sorry. One of the ones I was raising with the help of a foster stopped eating one morning and passed away that evening for unknown reasons. The rest of the litter got antibiotics just in case it was infectious, and the other 3 are now big shiny happy cats, but the vet said it was probably some sort of birth defect which caused the death. Hope thinks all work out okay!

New Home · 18-08-2014 12:11pm

Why??? I can understand is he's suffering from hypothermia, but otherwise... are you planning to roast him? 0_o GETOUTOFHERE!
I just looked up beastings - that's colostrum, isn't it? But if it's from a cow, wouldn't it contain a lot of lactose, which cats can't process? He'd get diarrhoea...

damagegt · 18-08-2014 12:11pm

no fever,other functions are still working.He still have a strong cry and seems strong in his movements but hes defiantly reduced the amount of suckling,not that he was very good at in the first place.Hes sleeping ALOT.

To be honest I don't have the funds to bring him to a vet.Iv rang the cork cat community network and left a message asking if they could direct me to someone that has more experience than I have so hopefully they will get back to me soon.

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:11pm

SillyMangoX wrote: »

Beastings, which is colostrum (the first milk produced by the mother after birth) wouldn't be of any use at this stage, the antibodies from it can only be absorbed for the first 18-24 hours, so it would be of little value at this stage, and presumably because this kitten is about 2 weeks old it already got it's supply of colostrum from the mother cat. OP I think the best thing to do would be to bring the poor little mite to the vet just to be certain, they can go down hill so fast so it's better be safe than sorry. One of the ones I was raising with the help of a foster stopped eating one morning and passed away that evening for unknown reasons. The rest of the litter got antibiotics just in case, and those 3 are now big shiny happy cats, it was infectious but the vet said it was probably some sort of birth defect which caused the death. Hope thinks all work out okay!

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?

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:12pm

damagegt wrote: »

no fever,other functions are still working.He still have a strong cry and seems strong in his movements but hes defiantly reduced the amount of suckling,not that he was very good at in the first place.Hes sleeping ALOT.

To be honest I don't have the funds to bring him to a vet.Iv rang the cork cat community network and left a message asking if they could direct me to someone that has more experience than I have so hopefully they will get back to me soon.

If he's sleeping a lot, he is dying. Sorry, I learned the hard way on a farm.

NipNip · 18-08-2014 12:14pm

Btw - don't try feeding the little mite. It will just develop an infection. Keep him close to your body though.

damagegt · 18-08-2014 12:14pm

NipNip wrote: »

If he's sleeping a lot, he is dying. Sorry, I learned the hard way on a farm.

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

New Home · 18-08-2014 12:15pm

Try ringing the Blue Cross too - http://bluecross.ie/

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

Maybe, but I wouldn't force feed him as the risk of inhaling the liquid would be quite high... If he takes it, then by all means... but SillyMangoX seems to be the most qualified among us, so I'd listen to her (him?)...

rescued 2 week old kitten

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