Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   Hi everyone, i'm new here.

   I am seeking advice about 3 kittens that i am fostering for the Humane Society (HS). These 3 kittens were brought home with me the same day they arrived at the HS. They were wormed and tested for diseases and were considered clear to go home with me. The kittens were estimated to be at 8 weeks by the woman abandoning them to the HS (although there were suspicions that they were younger than that)

   Since they have come home with me they have become lethargic, have stopped cleaning their behinds, have thin liquid stools and are becoming worringly thin. A few days ago the most outgoing kitten became very lethargic and stopped eating food independently and would only nibble when offered food. Since that time i have started giving him fluids by tube and just today i started him on formula.

   He has gotten no worse but then he doesnt seem better than before. I am very worried about this guy and would like to know if anyone out there has tips or suggestions.

   I am also curious to know if once i get enough fluids and formula into him will he begin to eat independently again or will i have to re-wean him. Additionally how long do you think it will be before he is up and running so to speak, a few days or will it take weeks?

   The other kittens are also failing and i have begun to give them formula as well, both in a dish and through a tube.

   I was told by the HS that worming may cause diarreah but it has been two weeks now and i feel that something else is wrong.

   The ladies at the HS are very nice but dont seem to have a large knowledge base that i can draw from.

   Please help, id really like these little buggers to make it.

   Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

2. 

   Kittens can go downhill pretty fast, especially if they are getting dehydrated from diarhhea. I would take them to a vet to be checked out. You can help them with their elimination by gently stimulating their anal areas with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. The mother cat stimulates her kittens in this way before and after eating.

   I am not experienced enough to be able to predict how soon the kittens could eat independently again or be up and running. A vet is your best source for that since the vet can actually see how the kittens are doing. Does the humane society have a vet on staff or available to consult on their kitties?

   Bless you for taking these little ones in and welcome to TDK! Please check back frequently as others may have other ideas to offer you.

   Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

3. 

   Hi,can you take them to a vet? It sounds like they are very dehydrated at the least and should be further evaluated to see if something else (like feline viruses) is wrong. You have done a lot for them but it sounds like they need a professional to step in now to provide IV fluids.

   Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

4. 

   If they are having profuse watery diarrhea they are not absorbing the fluid per tube that you're giving them,they now need it IV I think something other than the deworming is going on. You have done an great job of spporting them and monitoring them but they need more help now.

   Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

5. 

   Well i cant see a vet until tomorrow afternoon. This humane society doesn not have a special vet or one on staff, i just get reimbursed for expenses. I do have a friend that has worked at a different humane society that says they give kittens fluids as a subcutaneous injection at several areas in the skin of the kitten. He has the supplies and has done it before. I am considering letting him administer fluid that way as he says the vet wont do IV because they are too small.

   Have any of you done this before? I definetly trust my friend but when i volunteer at the HS i dont get to see any of this activity.

   Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

6. 

   OH and good news. After intense forcing of fluids (about 2-4 tablespoons per 2 hours) the kittens nose is beginning to feel less dry.

   Fingers crossed.

   Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

7. 

   I have given subcutaneous fluids to an adult cat. It was not difficult, but you mustn't stick too deep to hit internal organs or veins.

   Posted 3 years ago by miu #

8. 

   I pray for your kittens.

   Posted 3 years ago by miu #

9. 

   RTF, hopefully more knowledgeable members will be on soon to help you but yes, several TDKers have given their kittens sub-Q fluids in a bubble and it definitely seems to be a good way to go, especially if you can't get to a vet till tomorrow. Vets do it too, by the way. Make sure they keep warm (eg a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, with room for them to move off it if they get too hot) as young and sick kittens may have trouble regulating their temperature.

   Bless you for taking care of these wee ones, I would definitely get them to a vet as soon as possible.

   Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

10. 

    Yes I have given subQ to kittens you have to be very careful to keep them warm because the fluid that you're infusing is cool and it makes it harder for the kitten to maitain their temperature. Do you have a heating pad or something? If so turn it on low,cover with a towel and place in the kitten bed so it covers half of the bottom so that when the kitten is warm he can get off the heat pad.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

11. 

    If your friend is experienced in administering subQ fluid it should be alright.I am a people nurse but have worked in pet rescue for a while and have done this.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

12. 

    If you've got some vitacal paste or something to provide some glucose for the kittens that would be good because their blood sugar is probably low at this point due to the diarrhea,our resident kitten expert Annceterra knows more about what to use for this. Just be mindful that low blood sugar in addition to dehydration is contributing to the lethargy.
    Is there an emergency vet you can use? These kittens have had dehydrated for a while and it would be their best chance.

    Posted 3 years ago by Buttercup #

13. 

    BC, if I remember right, Ann recommends something called Nutrical paste, a little amount (not enough to choke on) smeared on the mouth and gums. I agree with you, these kitties have been down for several days, I am worried about their chances too.

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

14. 

    Thanks so much for the quick replies everyone.

    I do have a hot water bottle in the bathroom where they stay and that room also has a radiator with blankets in front of it for the kittens to lay on.

    My friend came by and has administered the fluid subcutaneously. His body soaked up the bubbles in less than 3 minutes. It was so fast i thought it would take more like 20 min. He is not alert but i feel better about him and he is keeping most of the foods and fluids down.

    I also have another question about the fecal matter. These kittens have alot of fecal matter on their hind parts. i was originally giving them baths but since they have declined i have opted to forgo baths since i feel that these would stress their little systems. Does anyone know of a good way to clear the fecal matter out of their fur quickly and easily? I have just bought baby wipes so it should be easier to keep them clean once they become clean again.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

15. 

    Soaking and washing or cutting the hair are almost the only options if the fur is very messy and tangled.

    Posted 3 years ago by miu #

16. 

    I just wondered if there was some solution of household materials that works really well. Im scared of getting them wet at this point. The room they are in is warm but i think they are too sick to have to warm up after being wet.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

17. 

    I've seen pet bath wipes in pet stores. I don't know what would be best from home. It would involve some dampness/wetness whatever is used. If you could wrap them in a towel and keep them warm until they are completely dry there would be less impact on their little systems. Poor things! You are doing a great job caring for them. :)

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

18. 

    I would hold off on bathing them too, I don't think it's a good idea to get them wet at the moment. Do what you can with baby wipes and then quickly (but gently) towel the dampness off their little bottoms. You can check with the vet, when you get to see him/her, whether it's okay to give them a quick bathe but I'm just worried about keeping their temperature up.

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

19. 

    My friend and i both think the vet will want to keep at least the one at the office when i go in tomorrow.

    I just administered more fluid subQ to the really sick on and fed him this time with formula, baby food, and water 1 part each. His nose is even less dry and his eyes were sunken but now are looking better. He is still very lethargic and has bad coordination but still manages to get up to have diarhhea in the litterbox.

    Do you guys think that is a good mix of foods and water for the time being?

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

20. 

    Hi, RTF. The formula and baby food mix sounds great. The only thing I would add, if you can get hold of it, is that pedialyte would be even better than water to mix it with -- or gator ade, if you can't get hold of pedialyte. Otherwise, it sounds good (keep the nutrical paste in mind as well). I would recommend warming the mix gently (but test to make sure it's not too hot) as that makes it more appetizing and helps keep their body temp up.

    The fact that he still has diarrhea means that you really need to keep his fluids up, as much as he will take, poor little one. You are amazing for caring so much for these poor little ones.

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

21. 

    I have to get in as much fluid and food as i can before tomorrow. I have classes from 8:00 am until 3 in the afternoon. And then i will have little time to get home and gather up the kittens and take them to the vet. Im not even sure how late the vet is open tomorrow.

    Hopefully i can get him hydrated enough to be stable all day. I havnt given him the chance to be hungry on his own to see if he feels well enough to eat independently, i dont want to chance anything.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

22. 

    Sounds like you're doing an amazing job, RTF.

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

23. 

    Thanks. When they first were lethargic i figured it was just due to the deworming and diarhhea. Im very new to this. I fostered 2 other kittens that were very healthy and playful and they found homes within a week. These guys have thrown me for a loop. They werent playing or acting full of energy like the others. Then i noticed that the one was wobbly and losing coordination. I also realized that he wasnt eating about the same time.

    Once i sat down and thought about it i should have realized that something was wrong. I feel so negligent. I really hope that the vet will find out the problems and have a way to solve them. These kittens were entrusted to my care and i really dont know how i would deal with it if they dont all make it through this.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

24. 

    How early does the vet's office open, or a vet tech show up? Is there any chance you can miss or arrive late to your first class? I normally wouldn't suggest such a thing, but these kittens are in fragile shape; an 8 hour delay may significantly worsen their condition.

    Pedialyte is better than water, if you're forcing fluids orally; subcutaneous fluids are good, but the fluids should be warmed and administration should be performed very carefully, so as not to hit a vein.

    Orally, if the kittens are able to swallow at all, I'd strongly recommend a mixture of 1 part high-quality canned kitten food, 1 part baby food (plain turkey or lamb), and 2 parts Pedialyte. This should also be warmed to body temperature, and administered with an eyedropper or tiny syringe. Keep track of how much they consume. Smearing a drop or two of corn syrup or Nutrical on the front lips or side of the gums at the beginning of feeding time may help.

    The real trick here is food & hydration frequency (every 2 hours), as well as keeping them warm. They're not terribly capable of regulating their own body temperatures at this point. They really need to see the vet as soon as possible.

    One last bit. As far as cleaning up their rears go, there's no good way to do it without getting them wet; even wet wipes or a damp washcloth will get them wet. If you can't keep them warm, don't even think about doing it.

    However, their rear ends can be bathed as long as you're using water the temperature of bathtub water, and as long as you get them as dry as humanly possible before returning to the hot water bottle or heating pad you're using to keep them warm. Take a dry washcloth to dry him off; then, take another dry washcloth to dry him off some more. Don't get more than the back end of the body wet, and don't bathe longer than you need to; don't use soap or shampoo, just rinse well with a spray of warm water.

    I cuddle kittens while working to get them dry. I wrap them up in a dry washcloth and sit back, with them resting on my chest (which helps provide warmth). I gently massage them with the towel. After 10 minutes, I'll switch out to another dry washcloth. It usually takes me 20-25 minutes to dry each kitten sufficiently to return them to the warm nesting spot.

    Good luck.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

25. 

    I have been using the baby wipes. im not going to chance a change in body temperature today at all.

    If things look better tomorrow i may give them a more through cleansing before the vet if i have time. Im sure the vet just loves to see poo smeared kitties. Although im willing to bet it happens often.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

26. 

    RTF, I am inclined to agree with Ann, if you can get the babies into the vet earlier than three, even at the expense of missing a class, it might be a good idea. They have been lethargic for several days and that's a long time for a kitten. I'd try and get into his first slot available, 8am if poss. Otherwise could maybe your friend who administered the fluids kittysit them while you're out?

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

27. 

    I think that i will take them in first thing in the morning. Im sure to catch hell from my instructors though. Its nursing school and they view any step out of line as a serious transgression.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

28. 

    That's tough. I know that nursing schools (and hospitals) can be very strict. But maybe if you get a message to the school before you go to the vet, and maybe even ask the vet for a note. I hope that they will cut you some slack, these may be kittens rather than humans but surely this is what nursing's all about. Best of luck!

    Posted 3 years ago by jcat #

29. 

    I was told by my vet that baby wipes should not be used with young kittens. Cleaning them at this time and getting them wet, like others have said, is not a good idea right now.
    I pray that you can get them to the vet ASAP. Best wishes.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

30. 

    Despite an apparent upturn of events: the formation of semi-solid stool, the lessening of the lethargy, and evidence that he had urinated, Pete, the most sick of my kittens passed away last night sometime between 2am and 8am.

    R.I.P. buddy. the others go in as soon as a place around here opens.

    Thanks so much to everyone that helped me out during this time. All of the responses were so quick and helpful. It is much appreciated.

    Posted 3 years ago by riptidefrog #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply »

You must log in to post.