Expert: Karen Craft - 11/12/2007

Question
I have 5 kittens, all from the same litter. The two males are losing their hair in patches. All of the kittens show signs of what looks like skin irritations on their tummies. Their Mom quit taking care of them 2 weeks ago and I have been feeding them kitten replacement formula and kitten food softened in water. All but one seems to have good appetites and are playful. The one has me worried as he has lost weight along with his hair. I have tried all that I know to do for him. We are battling fleas at this point with regular baths but they are still too young for the medicated shampoos. They are just now at 6 weeks old. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Answer
Hi Robin,

The hair loss is from flea allergies. Try using Dawn dish soap. This stuff works pretty good on killing fleas. And use a flea comb afterwards to get rid of whatever fleas you can. Make sure you dilute it somewhat. I am attaching a recipe for something called Kitty Glop. Feed this to your kittens, (especially the one losing weight). This will help build up their strength. When they are old enough use Advantage for cats. Here's a link about how to buy one large dose tube and how much to split it up. Saves you a lot of money this way. I use this myself. With 13 cats i would go broke of I had to buy individual doses. http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/advantage.html

Good luck.

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.