Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   I decided to start a new thread because Mouse's total situation has changed 360' from the constipation.

   Mouse is 26 days old today, BTW. And he weighs 5.7oz.

   Three days ago Mouse's eyes started getting 'gunk' in the corners and I knew that URIs are common in kittens. I talked to my vet about it and he said that there is nothing that he can do right now, just to keep her eyes clean. The ointment that you put on their eyes is anti-bacterial and it just helps keep the eye clean, and that it was caused by a virus (like the cold) and there is no medicine that he can give for it.

   So fast forward 3 days and Mouse can no longer breath through her nose. She is doing this alarming panting thing. AND she will NOT eat a drop of food.

   She hasn't eaten since 1am and then she only ate 3mL of food (she usually eats 5-10 mL). So my doctor said that if she does not eat by 4pm then to bring her back in and they will show me how to tube feed.

   I AM SOOO NERVOUS!! I have read that tube feeding is better because you don't have to worry about air, and its hard to mess up. But logic tells me that if I mess this up its the express-way to the rainbow bridge, and man-o-man if i cause Mouse to die after everything, then I don't know what ill do!

   So any tips on tube feeding, any stories to calm my nerves?

   (right now I am doing sub Q fluids and the occasional enema on Mouse)

   Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

2. 

   Oh my word, poor mouse. I'm sure the poking & prodding cant be fun :( How did the tests from this afternoon (SA time) go? I dont quite understand why your vet wouldnt be giving antibiotics to mouse for the uri? I've had my vet giving antibiotic shots to kittens whose eyes weren't even open yet? By my count mouse is plenty old enough to be getting some amoxycillin? Anyway, tube feeding is an excellent idea for uri's. It happens a lot that they get so sick they dont want to eat anymore, just like humans, and they get weak so fast that they lose the will to live quite fast. I've had many cases where if it wasnt for tube feeding I'm sure the cats would have died. I dont have the guts to tube them myself though. Dr peck is always happy to do it for me if I bring a kitty in for it. .

   Posted 2 years ago by Skyron #

3. 

   Have you tried feeding her with a syringe? It just occured to me that if her nose is completely stuffed, she wontt be able to suck from a bottle cause she wont be able to breathe. Thing with syringes is to be extremely careful, its very easy to give too much too fast, and then they get milk on the lungs, which is always bad news . . .

   Posted 2 years ago by Skyron #

4. 

   I updated the constipation thread with the prognosis of the mass in her stomach (surprise there!). It actually went away :)

   I will talk to the doctor today about medication for a URI, but he thinks its viral and there is nothing he can do but get the ointment for the eyes.

   Mouse is on a mild antibiotic for coccidia and intestinal problems. He said that we will just keep her on that right now.

   We will be worming Mouse this evening, we were so happy to find a medicine that was able to be given to such a small kitten :) I would have done it at home before a feeding, but she is not eating.

   Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

5. 

   No, I have not tried with a syringe, but she wont even open her mouth for me. I have to give her medicine with a syringe and it's a bad situation, and that is just .1mL.

   Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

6. 

   Ai, when kittens dont want to open their mouth for food, i usually smear milk one drop at a time on their mouth, so they are forced to lick it off. It makes a huge mess, i always have to rub them off with a damp towel after that, but its incredibly important to keep getting nourishment into that little body. Mouse is almost 4 weeks old now, right? I like starting to give my kittens food to 'play' with at that age. There's stuff made by royal canin called baby cat mousse, its a very soft meaty mush, that you can mix with the kmr for them to start eating on. Who knows? Maybe mouse might take to solids? Obviously they still feed predominantly on milk, but the little bit of solid food they to get in helps a lot to keep their tummies fuller for longer. If he has teeth starting to come through, even if they are still see-through, you can start experimenting with solids.

   Posted 2 years ago by Skyron #

7. 

   Mouse is 26 days today, but she Is really small. I can't even see any teeth right now, she is behind in growth.

   I can put drops on her mouth, but I am so scared that she will inhale it because she is breathing through her mouth due to her stuffed up nose. She wouldn't get enough by that meathod and it would take an hour to get in even 5ml that way.

   With my research tube feeding is her best option now, and my vet agrees. We are sitting in the lobby now waiting to be shown how to do it.

   Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

8. 

   You might ask the vet if he can recommend a cat sitter with some experience in tube feeding. Or see if the vet's staff lives close enough to you to be able to drop by. If money is a problem, you might be able to do a trade like someone comes over to feed Mouse and you do their ironing or send them home with a ready-to-eat homemade dinner.

   Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

9. 

   I just got home from the vets office, he coached me as I tub fed her there in the office.

   I am in a pretty good mood now, its funny cause I got all of about 3 hours of sleep total since yesterday morning :) I spent more than 6 hours today in veterinarian's offices.

   Mouse's outlook is pretty good now. She has at least a 50/50 chance of survival, which is more than she had this morning. All she needs to do now is kick this cold (which will be watched closely for signs of infection), and gain weight.

   It will be kind of easier to tube feed her for the next couple of days since I will be 100% sure how much she is eating every time. I am pretty confident that I will be able to find the stomach, and I wont be putting the formula into her lungs (which is my biggest fear ever!).

   If anyone has any tips or stories to share on tube feeding I would LOVE for you to share your knowledge with me! I have to feed her again in an hour all by myself, so we will see how that goes.

   Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

10. 

    Oh I'm so glad things are starting to look good for Mouse. So much to go through at such a wee age. Thank God he has you. I have absolutely no experience in tube-feeding a cat/kitten so I'm sorry I can't help. But keep checking, someone might come along.

    Posted 2 years ago by Khom #

11. 

    I just tube fed her 5mL alone. It was scary, cause she doesn't cry much, and its actually easier when they cry (cause then you know that your not in the lungs). Her breathing is labored because of her cold, so it was unnerving!

    All went well, and I am so glad that she is getting her nourishment and wont become hypoglycemic!

    I am going to try with the bottle next feeding and see if she will take it, if not then I have all the materials to tube it into her. She also gets sub Q fluids next feeding.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

12. 

    Wow. I'm in awe. I would never dare attempt any of these things on my own. But I suppose I would if situation calls for it. Don't forget to take care of yourself as well because you need to stay strong to bring this girl back. And thank you for keeping us updated.

    Posted 2 years ago by Khom #

13. 

    It was a no-go on the bottle at her last feeding, so I tubed it into her. I keep expecting her to just die while I'm doing it, because its so scary what can happen if you do it wrong.

    But yes, Khom. I have to do it to keep her alive. There is no way I could afford to pay an emergency vet clinic to do it every 2 hours, and I wouldn't like for her to be away from me for that long anyway. I wish to God that I didn't have to do this, but its worth the stress :)

    I am looking forward to a good night sleep tonight! I have it all set up to go to bed right after the next feeding. Then I get to sleep for 4.5 hours, get up to feed once, then sleep again for another 4 hours. So hopefully tomorrow I will be well rested!

    Thanks to everyone for keeping their fingers crossed for me and Mouse. I really hope she pulls through this!

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

14. 

    last feeding i used the bottle and kind of force fed her. It feels like the lump is coming back and it worries me very much. I gave her a 2cc enema to try to keep everything moving. She hasn't pooped in a couple of feedings, and that is not normal for her, she usually poops every feeding. I massaged her side also.

    KK, sleep now. Will post on her more tomorrow.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

15. 

    Maybe the vet can check to see if she has a stricture in her intestines. A narrowing could hold things up and the palpating they did today could have pushed things through. Or it could be a ballooning wall. That would also collect material that could be moved along by palpating or when she is turned over.

    I hope she makes it; you've put so much love and effort into helping her live. If she does go to the Bridge, you'll know you have done everything and more than anyone could expect.

    Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

16. 

    ::kitten hugs::

    Kupcake, you are Mouse's HERO!! I'm in awe at your courage and strength during this ordeal. Bless you

    Khom is right, make sure to take care of yourself too!! Thank you for the updates, I know you must have been falling asleep at the keyboard.

    Posted 2 years ago by Poof #

17. 

    Thanks for all the kind words. It really helps me to write down what is going on with her, because then it gets my mind moving. As a pre-med student, the process of telling about her situation helps me to think of cause and effect, and be more rational about things.

    This morning she took the bottle and suckled, so it is a good sign for sure.

    Her crusty eyes are getting worse though, this morning they were completely crusted shut. I called the vet but he is out today. They told me that I could be seen by the other vet, but there is just so much going on with Mouse, and I feel very comfortable with our current vet.

    My vet isn't treating her for the stuffy nose and crusty eyes because he thinks it is just a cold and thus viral and not treatable. Her eye crust this morning didn't look like puss, just brown and crusty.

    Do you guys think I should push for URI treatment?

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

18. 

    Oh, it might be worth noting, she is too small to take her temperature.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

19. 

    OK, Mouse just ate 13mL of formula from the bottle herself...OMG that is probably the most she has ever eaten! I am worried about her poops though, I don't feel like she is pooping enough, and I am constantly rubbing her belly to make sure the lump isn't back.

    Her eyes are very crusty. I am going to call her doctor first thing tomorrow and ask for him to get the prescription ointment for her eyes. He told me the other day that it would take a couple days to get it. So, if her eyes are still bad at the end of the week then we will have it, I guess. I don't know why this one prescription he has to order, when he has all the others right there for me.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

20. 

    WOW, Mouse is such a lucky baby to have found you to help her. I wish you very good luck as you continue your adventure with her!

    Posted 2 years ago by Pollys_Mum_in_UK_2605 #

21. 

    ::Happy Dance w/ Kupcake!!:: YIPPEE!! Good job Mouse Kitty!! Keep fighting!!

    So nice to hear something positive today. The fact that Mouse ate by herself must lift your spirits so much.

    Poof & I will continue to keep you both in our hearts and prayers.

    ::kitten hugs::

    Teresa

    Posted 2 years ago by Poof #

22. 

    Kupcake, that's good news. As for her crusty eye, you can use a cotton ball and warm water to gently wipe the crust off. You might notice slight crust around her nose too. Constantly cleaning off the gunk helps them stay comfortable. Usually indication of URI. Continue treating her eye with the antibacterial ointment. With URI usually the best is to wait it out but she is still so young so it could quickly lead to secondary bacterial infection. But if she's eating it means things are still under control.

    Posted 2 years ago by Khom #

23. 

    
    

    Posted 2 years ago by Khom #

24. 

    Yesterday was such a good day for Mouse, and then this morning I woke up to find her panting. She can not breath through her nose, so I had to tube feed her this morning. She is shaking and panting and it is very alarming.

    I have been cleaning her eyes with saline solution (human grade) as the doctor told me. And this morning she had barely any gunk in her eyes. And she has never had any crust on her nose. So, that is why the doctor only thinks it's a cold and not an infection.

    I tried every trick I know to get her nose unclogged. I put a small drop of fluids on her nostrils and washed her face with warm water (on a washcloth, i did not dip her face in it). I really wish she would breath right, it makes me so sad to watch her struggle for breath.

    I have to say, I am so glad that the doctor explained to me how to tube feed. She did not eat at her middle of the night feeding, so it makes me feel A LOT better that she has food in her tummy.

    Oh yea, and we wormed her yesterday.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

25. 

    I am so very impressed with all that you are doing for Mouse. She is a lucky baby ! I keep you in my thoughts and send positive and healing energies your way.

    Posted 2 years ago by 2 Popoki #

26. 

    ::kitten hugs::

    Thank you for the update Kupcake, while TDK was down I was thinking of you both.

    Bless you for being so humane.

    Posted 2 years ago by Poof #

27. 

    Kupcake...as I mentioned in your other thread...try steaming the bathroom up by turning the shower hot water on & letting it run till it gets steamy & put little mouse in there. It can't hurt to try it. Best of luck & my thoughts are w/you & little Mouse.

    Posted 2 years ago by feral #

28. 

    Keeping up the good thoughts towards little Mouse. I'm sure my Ginger (sitting next to me) is sending his sympathy too. He was a sickly orphaned kitten (before I knew him) and is now a big healthy boy.

    Posted 2 years ago by JB #

29. 

    Hey all. Mouse died this morning. It was very sad. My husband came home while I was sobbing and holding her in the bathroom where she died (I had her in the bathroom for the steam from the shower).

    My heart is breaking, my husband wants to go get another kitten, and I don't know if it is appropriate for me to just get another so soon. He keeps reminding me that she had a good life here and that I did more for her than anyone would, and that there are many more kittens in the world that need help and the best thing we can do is help another.

    Thank you all for following me through this. It was a very hard ordeal and I will never forget my little Mouse.

    Posted 2 years ago by Kupcake #

30. 

    ::kitten hugs::::kitten hugs::::kitten hugs::::kitten hugs::::kitten hugs::

    I'm so sorry Kupcake. You fought so hard & now Mouse is resting peacefully. I'm in awe of your strength & compassion.

    Teresa & Poof

    Posted 2 years ago by Poof #

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