Getting skinny kitten eating.

leopardus

Was driving along a country road on Saturday and caught a glimpse of a tiny black kitten struggling across the middle of the road with a serious limp. Pulled up and by the time we had walked back to the spot it was collapsed at the side of the road, bleeding.
Brought the pathetic looking thing (very skinny!) to the vet. He has a dis-located and possibly broken back leg. Vet recommends letting it heal naturally as it's such a young animal (about 5-6 weeks according to the vet).
My problem is that we can't get it to eat anything. We've tried weaning food (recommended by vet), pouches of kitten 'meat', milk, cream. we've had to resort to feeding it kitten formula through a syringe.
Anyone have any experience with this? He is just a bag of bones and although he seems really alert and active despite his bad leg I'd really like to see him putting on some weight!
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks

MsFifers

The poor little thing! Well done on the rescue!

Cows milk and cream would not be recommended for young kittens, so you are probably best off with the kitten formula for now.

If you could put a call in to a local cat rescue place they may have some suggestions for you, as they would have lots of experience of dealing with feeding kittens.

leopardus

Thanks for that,
I was under the impresion that cows milk/cream was alright for kittens (although not cats as their lactose intolerant)?
Are you talking about The S.P.C.A. s?

MsFifers

I admit I don't know why people say not to give cows milk to kittens - just one of those things I see repeated in a few places! Is he really small? Maybe he is just too young for weaning?

There is a fact sheet on feeding kittens here:

http://kittenadoption.org/kittenCare.htm

If you get in touch, they might be able to help with additional advice also.

I was thinking of SPCAs alright, but also see if there is a cat rescue organistion in your area, as they might have some specialised experience.

Good luck with it - you are very kind to have stopped for the kitty - most people would have driven by.

DAWNRISER

Try putting the weaning milk in a syringe, this has worked for us but be careful not to force the food in , kitten could drown.
we have hand reared many little ones this way, If I can help in any way Pm me for my number.:)