Expert: Karen Craft - 7/6/2007

Question
Im not sure if you can help but a few days ago we found new born kittens one of them did not make it but there is one more that we think might be sick. when we found them the umbilical cords were still attached but my pit bull has been mothering this kitten for the past few days and keeping it clean, warm and helping with the bowel stimulation also she removed the umbilical cord yesterday or the day before. It fell out of the box and now I think the tail may be broken.. the kittens behavior has changed a lot since then and its not wanting to eat, move, or do anything as it was before and when it opens its mouth to meow no sounds comes out..? I went to the vet but its very expensive (71.00 just for exam) so i decided to ask for advise because I can not afford it. It was very active before the fall..maybe the fall has nothing to do with it at all but there is a kink in the begining of the tail!!! PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Hi Sabrina,

The tail is the least of the kittens problems. You have to get the kitten warm first. Make a nesting box with a towel in it. Place a heating pad under part of the towel and put it on low. Make sure the kitten has an area she can move off of with no heating pad so she can regulate her temperature.

Next, I'm giving you a recipe for something called kitty glop. This stuff is fantastic. Get a kitten nursing bottle. Feed the kitten every 3 hours around the clock for the first week. After feeding make sure you burp it. You are going to have to help it eliminate. Take a cotton ball and wet it with warm water. Rub the cotton ball around the privates. This will mimic the mom licking the kitten. Don't worry if the kit doesn't pooh every day. They sometimes don't for a day or so. They will urinate a lot though. Do this over the sink.

You can also use a clean cotton ball to wipe her down. This is sorta like the mom cleaning her. Don't get her soaked though. Cold is the number one killer of newborn kittens. Place a little stuffed animal in the bed for her. It gives her something to cuddle against. After the first week write back and I will give you what you need to know next. Good luck and write back if you have any other questions.

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.