Expert: Karen Craft - 11/8/2007

Question
Hi, I found a little kitten (I think less than 3 days old, she still have a part of  her umbilical cord attached)
the day before yesterday in the middle of the road, I waited 15min that her mama appears, but noone came, I couldn't leave her there in the middle of nowhere, so I took her home, I have no experience with newborn kitten, (I have already 2, 2months old), I can't find kitten milk anywhere, pet stores nor vets, so I prepared milk, cream and egg yolk formula, she drinks it from the bottle, but didn't poop for almost 36 hours now... I gave her 3 drops of vegetal oil about 2 hours ago, and still nothing, I do touch her genital area and anus with warm cotton balls after every feeding, she just pees ... Hope to hear the answer soon THANK YOU

Answer
Hi Hanna,

I am attaching a recipe for something called Kitty Glop. This stuff is great for newborns. Feed her what she wants every 3-4 hours round the clock. Make sure she is warm. Getting cold is the number one killer of newborn kittens. Make a nesting box with a heating pad set to low under a blanket or towel for her. Make sure she has an area that doesn't have the heating pad under it so she can crawl off to regulate her heat if she gets too hot. Also put a small stuffed animal in there so she has something to cuddle up against.

Kittens don't poo everyday. She is taking in mostly fluids right now so she will pee more than poo. Sometimes you have to rub a little harder to get her started pooing. Think of how hard a mama cat does it. Do this over the sink. When she starts to go she will poo alot. Feel her belly. Do you feel hard feces there? You might have to give a kitty enema. If she doesn't go after the 4th day write back and I will tell you how to do it.

This little kitty will be your best friend. I have one I raised this way from 4 hours old. He acts like no other cat I have. He still looks at me as his mom. If you have any other questions write back. 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.