Does anyone know how to help a dehydrated kitten I am fostering it form our local shelter and nothing helps?

Question

The kitten is approx 3 months olds. When we picked him up we were given dry and wet food (iams) and I've tried just wet and tried heating it and I tried just dry and a combination. He just does not want to eat or drink and he is sneezing. I am not sure if I should do more ?

I have contacted the shelter and the kitten is not respnding to fluids under the skin they are giving him a day or two. I am wondering what else I can do. Our family has gotten attached to him and we want to do everything that we can even if we have to absorb some or all of the cost.

Answer 1

Call the shelter. The cat needs antibiotics. It may also need fluids given under the skin to rehydrate it. If this is not done, the kitten may die. Shelters should have some provisions for this kind of thing. We do at our shelter.
CALL ASAP!!!!

Either take it to a vet or put it to sleep. Do not let it suffer more if nothing is going to get done.

Answer 2

If a cat won't eat, it's because it is sick. The cat needs medical attention. They can give fluids to the cat. Cat food out of the can does not need heated - unless it's been in the fridge. They aren't people. In general a cats natural prey would only be around 98 degrees. Room temp is fine and my cats even eat the cold stuff. Don't feed your cat Iams, they don't use the same manufacturer of their food every time, you never know what you are getting.

I used to feed mine Iams but I changed to Fancy Feast. Their coats are totally improved and they like the taste. Just because the food is more expensive doesn't mean it's better. I never would have believed it if I hadn't done it.

Answer 3

Have you taken the kitten to a vet? If not, try to do that. I want to say cheers to you!! I am an animal lover. You could also try Pedia care water for kids. I had a cat once that lost weight after surgery and the vet told me to use that in his water. Mix 1/2 and 1/2. There are vitamins the vet can give you also. I think it is wonderful what you are doing.

Answer 4

Sounds like he needs a vet asap. A quick way to hydrate is by intravenous fluids or sub-q fluids.

If the kitten is not eating or drinking, he sounds very ill. The local shelter should pay for any expenses or have a vet on staff.

Answer 5

Have the vet take a look at him, he may have a upper respitory infection which is very common in stray cats and kittens. The vet will give him a antibiotic and within a day or two he will come. I had a stray kitten andshe was so sick even on antibiotics I had to at one point bottel feed her until she got stronger again. You may have to do this.

Answer 6

Try creating a quiet nurturing environment . Purring and licking will help to trigger a natural "need" that will return the kitten to a state of maternal instinct. Once there carefully introduce sweet liquids-then soft foods.A warm(103degree) fury lap will work wonders.

Answer 7

If the kitten is not responding to fluids administered under the skin, he needs to be seen by a vet. It could be any one of a number of things and he needs prompt medical attention.

Answer 8

whatever you do, you need to get food or water into him soon. Based on expereince, cats are the only ones that if they don't eat or drink for a few days, their liver will turn on them and start to slowly kill them. My amos had this happen (plus heart failure) and after 3 days, it was more merciful to let him pass than to continue on with his pain. Get food in there quickly if you want the kitten to live.

Answer 9

Take the kitten to the vet and fast! Kittens rely on their sense of smell to eat,and they can die very quickly if they get congested,because they stop eating and drinking.

Answer 10

Try special cat milk from the pet store. Usually it will trick them to drink. You just mix it with more water each time. Hopefully soon enough he will want to drink plain water. Just don't give regular milk, it's not good for them.