Expert: Karen Craft - 1/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: My cat just had kittens Friday the 23rd. She had a total of three kittens. Up until today all the kittens seemed fine. But today the 1st or 2nd born (unsure cause mama cat had the first two IN my couch) is crying ALOT, ends up upside down. It's breathing is labored, I haven't seen it eat in the last 3 hours. And it doesn't seem to be gaining weight. Compared to the other two kittens it's what you could call a runt but only because the other two appear to grow, their tummies are full.

I thought at first momma cat wasn't feeding her. So I laid momma cat down to feed the other two and put this little kitten up to her, but nothing.. the kitten turned away and kept crying. I can feel it's rib cage very well. It;s stomach never seems full and it sounds congested. I don't know what to do! My vet isn't in the office until monday. And at the moment money is tight, i know my vet would work something out. But i am not sure this little one will make it till monday. I am so upset, my husband found me crying because i don't know what to do.. I have a video of the kittens and it shows this ones breathing.. I just don't know what to do..the emergency clinic out here charges 75 just to see that we have kittens and then they will charge another 60 to exam just the one kitten, they don't offer payment plans nothing.. I'm worried this one will die.. I don't want it to. Please help..

ANSWER: Hi Stefanie,

This is a tough one. There could be many things that could be wrong with the kitten. She could have pneumonia, a heart problem, a cold, fading kitten syndrome. Your vet is the one who can help you there.  Keep the kitten warm is the first thing you need to do. Try smearing a little light Karo Syrup on its muzzle to give it a little boost. You may have to try to feed her your self. I'm attaching my recipe for Kitty Glop. See if she will eat this in addition to the mom's milk. Use a kitten nursing bottle. Try to keep her hydrated.

There isn't much more you can do besides this. Hopefully she will be ok till you get her to the vet. And I know it's hard, but sometimes there are certain kittens that just don't survive. Hopefully yours won't be one of those. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen



KITTY GLOP

INGREDIENTS:
1 can evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed)
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not low or non fat)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten, )
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
1- 2 jars Stage One Baby food (chicken or turkey)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, baby food, and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and pedialyte to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Glop will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator. Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer, thaw as many as needed.
Always warm glop to room temperature ,(milk form), or a little warmer, before feeding.   



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help. I will keep this recepe on hand. But I did cave and coerced my husband into going to the emergency clinic. I knew in my heart it was bad. They said she had pneumonia, or possibly got milk into her lungs..

She said runt (the kitten) had 10-20% chance to live if we took her home and gave her meds. 40-50 if we left her there. and it would cost thousands. we opted to take her home. as they were readying the meds.. Runt started screaming. I hollered for the vet and she said that runt was trying to die. and she did. about 5 minutes later..in my hands. :(

again thanks for your help. even though i'm made we wasted the moeny on that coocoo vet. I would have been even madder if I had stayed home and she died.. I would have blamed myself more then I do.

Answer
Hi Stefanie,

I'm sorry your little one died. Those emergency clinics are real devils when it comes to taking care of your pets. I had the same thing happen to me with one of my kittens. Hopefully you will never have to go through something like this again. Again, you have my condolences.

Karen