Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   I have a cute little baby who will be 7 weeks old tomorrow. She went from being the biggest kitten in the litter to the weakest almost over night. Their mom stopped caring for them when they were about 5 weeks old. I have been giving them canned cat food with KMR 2nd stage formula and giving a bit of Nutri-Cal for added help. I have had to give 2 of them pedialyte for dehydration because I dont think they are drinking plain water. Anyway, the kitten I am keeping (gizmo) since yesterday has been very lethargic, not eating or drinking. I took her to the vet who basically said "we can run a bunch of expensive tests (which i dont have the money for) but outlook is not good." they gave her a shot of subq fluids and a bit of nutrical at the vet and sent her home. they told me to give her a bit of nutrical every hour and more fluids if she needs it. I have no idea when to give her more fluids as i have been getting conflicting info on the internet and no help from the vet. I cant afford to take her to another vet right now, I barely had enough to pay for the first vet. So basically I'm wondering if anyone has any idea how often and how much fluids she should be getting and if there is anything else I can do? She weighs 11.2 ounces and had a temp of 102.1. she will randomly get up and try to walk around then just lays back down and sleeps more. I want my baby to be ok. I have been with her since the day she was born and I am not ready to give up on her! Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

   Thank you in advance

   Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

2. 

   I find it strange that the vet would want to run tests without having much of an idea of what to test for? Apart from being lethargic, and an elevated temperature, is there anything at all like vomitting/diahhrea going on? Has gizmo had any of his shots yet?

   If i was in your position right now, i'd isolate gizmo from other cats, keep him warm & cozy, but not feed him. Only give him small amounts to eat as his energy levels increase. And off course give him pedialyte by the hour - 2ml should be ok. Since he's running a bit of a fever, you might want to ask the vet for some antibiotics as well. I hate snotty vets - so by all means, go back to the vet you were at, and ask, since you are already an existing client, if you could have a broad spectrum antibiotic like amoxycillin. Personally, i think its crazy that a vet wants to run tests for something he's not sure of, and then not at least give you an antibiotic to see you through while he/she makes up their minds about what to test for.

   Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

3. 

   When my baby Milo was ill and dehydrated, I would give him tuna water to drink and add some Pedialyte to it. If your little one has an upper respiratory infection (which is common in kittens), she won't be able to smell her food and won't want to eat. Try anything with a strong fishy smell to tempt her.
   Also, pick up some Lysine and add it to what you're feeding her or her drink - it will boost her immunity and hopefully give her more than a fighting chance.
   I don't have any other suggestions, sorry. Hope the little sweetie will be okay!

   Posted 1 year ago by GreatDane #

4. 

   I agree with Skyron - ask for Amoxicillin from your vet!

   Posted 1 year ago by GreatDane #

5. 

   gizmo has not had shots yet. she has been given dewormer. she vomited once yesterday morning but no signs of diahrea going on. i am trying to get some antibiotics for her but the vet is now closed. I do have a friend who runs a rescue and may have some. I will definately take your advice. Thank you so much for your help thus far. I'll keep you updated. please keep my baby in your prayers.

   Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

6. 

   You bet, GM!

   Posted 1 year ago by GreatDane #

7. 

   I also think it's weird that a vet would tell you to keep giving fluids and not say how much. You have some great advice above. Keep on with the fluids and the Nutrical, you can keep her alive on that food and drink-wise but the worry is what else is going on. We are all pulling for your baby, please let us know how it goes.

   Posted 1 year ago by jcat #

8. 

   Great advice above also do you have a heat pad that you can cover and put it where she sleeps only covering half of the bottom so she can move off it when she warms up. 102 is not all that high for a kitten and without sibs to cuddle with their temp can fall quickly. I'll pray for your little sweet kitten too. Keep us informed.

   Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

9. 

   Any update on Gizmo?

   Posted 1 year ago by Dee #

10. 

    When my 8 week old got dehydrated my vet said I could give between 3-5 cc's of pedilyte every few hours. I used a small syringe and put it in to the cheek slowly. It really made a huge difference to my kitties. They had loose stools so they were loosing it quickly. I asked if I needed to dilute it, and the vet said no its fine at full power.

    Posted 1 year ago by Autumn #

11. 

    so far its not looking good. she's vomited again a few minutes ago. no diahrea as of yet. she's just laying here, not really sleeping unless she's sleeping with her eyes open. and her eyes look kind of weird. not runny at all, just weird. her breathing seems kinda labored, gave her some antibiotics shortly after first post and I've been trying to get fluids in here but she has jaws of steel and disagrees with me when I am trying to give them to her so she's probably not getting enough. as of right now i'm just trying to keep her comfortable. I'll be surprised if she makes it through the night. :( still trying to hope for the best but I'm not so sure at this point. this sucks.

    Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

12. 

    I'm so sorry Gizmo's Mommy,is she warm? You are both in my prayers.

    Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

13. 

    i've got her wrapped up in a blanket and she's cuddled up with me. i figure if she doesnt make it I want her to go knowing she is loved :(

    Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

14. 

    I'm so sorry, GM. Keep trying with the pedialyte (if you slip it in the corner of her mouth, her jaws should open involuntarily, then stroke under her chin -- when she's swallowed it, her tongue will come out and automatically lick her lips) and the nutrical (smear a bit on her gums). Sometimes these little ones just don't make it and we don't know why.

    Posted 1 year ago by jcat #

15. 

    GM...how is Gizmo doing? I hope she's hanging in there. Have you tried dipping the end of the syringe into tuna juice...or sometimes spreading alittle margarine on the end of the syringe is enticing. Most kittens like the taste of margarine. Gizmo may be fighting you on the force-feeding of fluids but, it's crucial that you get them down her. If she's relaxing on your lap,it would be the perfect time to get them into her.
    I know it's hard to force something on the little one when she already doesn't feel well but, the fluids can make the difference between whether she makes it or not. I just spent an entire month having to do that w/an elderly cat I have after he was attacked by a racoon. I couldn't tell you how many thousands of times I told him how sorry I was for having to doit. Somehow he just knew I was there to help him.

    I hope your little Gizmo hangs in there & recovers from this.

    Posted 1 year ago by feral #

16. 

    *bump*

    How is little Gizmo today? ((((prayers))))

    Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #

17. 

    How is Gizmo doing? I hope he makes it.

    Posted 1 year ago by ladysky61 #

18. 

    {{{Gizmo and mommy}}} Any news?

    Posted 1 year ago by Kilroy #

19. 

    unfortunately at about 2:30 this morning gizmo died in my hands. she was 7 weeks old today. now I am going to just keep the rest of the litter as fat and happy as I can and hope for the best with them. Thanks for all the advice and the concern.

    Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

20. 

    Oh, I'm so sorry about Gizmo :(

    Posted 1 year ago by Kilroy #

21. 

    I'm so very sorry, hon. RIP Gizmo

    Posted 1 year ago by HuddysMama #

22. 

    I am so sorry. You did the best you could. Sometimes they are just not meant long for this world.

    Posted 1 year ago by schminken #

23. 

    I'm so sorry,tiny Gizmo was lucky to have you,she died warm and loved. Like Schminken said,sometimes they are are not meant long for this world. [[[[[[Hugs]]]]]]
    Here's a candle for sweet Gizmo (under tdk3)
    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=tdk3

    Posted 1 year ago by Buttercup #

24. 

    I am so, so sorry to read this {{{hugs}}}

    Posted 1 year ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

25. 

    I'm so sorry. At least you were able to be with her until the end :*(

    Posted 1 year ago by JaxDuckyChloe #

26. 

    thank you all for your kind words. I may have only had her for 7 weeks but she made one heck of a difference in my life. my pets are the only kids I have so losing one is really hard. I will always love her.

    Posted 1 year ago by GizmosMommy #

27. 

    RIP little Gizmo...you are being welcomed at the blissful Bridge today!

    Posted 1 year ago by jeankit #

28. 

    I'm so sorry sweetie. You gave Gizmo a great life. And to pass in her mommy's loving hands must have been such a comfort to her. You will see her again and she will always love you too.

    Posted 1 year ago by pucca #

29. 

    Oh, GM...I am so very sorry to hear that little Gizmo has passed on :( She will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you (((prayers and comfort)))

    Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #

30. 

    RIP Gizmo and may your crossing into the meadow be peaceful, there are others waiting to guide you and you will be full of energy once again. Bless you GM for taking the time and care of this little one.

    Posted 1 year ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

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