Kitten help please...?

Question

1 week ago, we were given a week old kitten (10 oz.) to foster. I was syringe feeding him 30+ mLs a day, and he was doing great. Yesterday morning, I woke up to his crying around 8 am and I fed him 5 mLs. He seemed fine and was still hungry (nibbling on my arm), but I put him in his carrier (my horrible mistake). Around 12, I came back into the room to check on him. He normally mewed when hungry, but he didn't. I discovered he was very weak. I tried to get him to swallow warm KMR, and he refused it mostly. I got maybe 8 mLs in, I got him to urinate, and I tried warming him up near our fireplace. He sounded wheezy, like he was struggling to breathe. I ran him to the vet, but he passed on.

I grew attached quickly, and this was a shock. It happened so fast. I hate myself for not feeding him more in the morning. I feel guilty and disgusted; I can't stop crying. The vet said he sounded like he had fluid in his lungs (pneumonia/ inhaled KMR). Your opinion, please?

Answer 1

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how difficult this can be. I once had the same thing happen. A one week old kitten is a large responsibility and if the kitten was already weakened by pneumonia or whatever, you probably didn't stand a chance. I'm sorry your kitten passed, but I don't think you should blame yourself. You did the best you could.

Should you ever find yourself in that kind of a spot again, I would suggest that you chat with your vet's vet techs. They would be able to tell you what you need to know in how much and when to feed and what temp the kitten should be kept at. And if you don't want to bother your vet contact the Humane Society, they are a wealth of info and would be happy to help you.

Answer 2

You did the best you could do. A two week old kitten does not have a great chance of survival without its mother, and even with her...they don't all live. Don't let guilt eat you up. The pneumonia might have already been present...it just took a while to compromise the little thing. I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

Since he was wheezy yes I would say he had fluid in the lungs.

I fostered a kitten and successfully raised him. Instead of syringe I would recommend a small animal nursing bottle. With a syringe it is too easy to force too much liquid in that will go to the lungs instead of the stomach.

You tried... and that is what counts.... do not take it too hard....

Answer 4

Honey, your vet answered your question...it's hard to be a mommy to little creatures. But you did your best...hang in there & maybe after some time you'll feel up to trying it again. Don't beat yourself up too bad, you did your best. Somtimes these little critters are just so hungry, they indulge themselves so quickly and the liquid is bound to get where it doesn't belong. Chin-up, you did a good thing!

Answer 5

I'm afraid it's not uncommon for kittens to inhale their milk when being syringefed. You easily give too much at once, so the kitten can't swallow all immediately.
In general I've heard experienced breeders recommend tubefeeding over syringefeeding.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
You couldn't help it, you tried the best you could.

Answer 6

Honey, you are greiving. Don't beat yourself up over it.

Short of taking him to a vet as soon as you got him, there was nothing you could do. It sounds like you took great care of him while he was with you and that's all that matters.

If God wanted to take the kitten, it was going to happen no matter what you did.

Answer 7

I'm sorry to hear about the little guy. It sounds like you did your best for him, but sometimes they just don't make it. It doesn't sound as if you starved him to death, if that's what you're worried about.