Expert: Karen Craft - 7/10/2007

Question
My 12-week old kitten went on a long trip with us this last week. He was fine at the start of the trip, but after a few days, he began to eat less and started throwing up. We tried different things, but were unable to get him to eat or drink much. We made our way back home hoping tht he would improve. But the today he was quite worse. He had gotten very thin, was very weak, wouldn't eat or drink, and had started to weaze. We took him to the vet who said that he was very dehydrated and under-nourished. He gave him two shots to hydrate him and gave us some vitamins to help him regain some nutrition so he would start eating. But after several hours, he still isn't eating much. We tried force feeding him a little tonight, but stopped because we were fealing an occasional clack when he was chewing, and we didn't know if we were doing it or if something was wrong with his teeth. Am I merely not waiting long enough for him to recover, or do I need to call the vet tomorrow? Please help. I am very worried about his health and cannot sleep until I know what needs to be done.

Answer
Hi Brian,

I am giving you a recipe for something called kitty glop. Make this stuff up and try to get him to eat this. It is very good in helping sick kittens. If he will not eat it on his own try putting a little Karo syrup on his gums. This should stimulate him enough so that he eats a little. If he doesn't start eating or drinking by tonight you need to get the kitten back to the vet.

You must make sure your kitten is hydrated. Call the vet and find out about giving sub-Q fluids to the kitten. He will be able to show you what to do. Basically sub-Q fluids are fluids given under the skin to the kitten. Your vet should be able to set you up with what you need to do this. Did your vet say what caused your kitten to get in this condition? I think you also need to find out what happened and if he has an underlying sickness. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen


KITTY GLOP




INGREDIENTS:
1 can evaporated milk (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 jar 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.