How do I get a 2 month old kitten with distemper to drink Gatorade?

Question

He's severely dehydrated and I'm trying to help him increase his chances of surviving by feeding him gatorade, per vets instructions, through a syringe type thing, with a nozzle instead of a needle, but he clenches his teeth and fights, and spits most of it out.

That's the only time he shows any energy. He's so sick he's been sleeping in his litter box because he doesn't have the energy to crawl out.

Even with the best of care, his chances of living until Sunday, when the first critical 5 to 6 days are over, is only 25%.

Answer 1

I know it is hard but you must persevere. Try this wrap him really firmly in a towel making sure he cannot move his limbs, put one hand under his chin then press very gently on his mouth at the side where the jaw joins the skull as soon as he opens his mouth slide the nozzle gently but quickly into the side of his mouth and quirt the liquid straight in remove nozzle quickly and push the jaw shut hold it firmly. If he only gets some down it will help. If possible get someone else to hold him wrapped in the towel and talk to him all the while - if you succeed just once or twice he will resign himself and should accept the treatment, but forgive me has the vet not given him any injections to boost his energy level etc., Also buy some beef tea and spoon feed it as cats love that and that will help as well as it is very nourishing. Hope you can do this and that the kitten is soon well (((hug)))) for you both. from Dot.x.

Answer 2

I'm surprised the vet didn't give you some ringers solution (it's injected into the scruff and absorbed between the skin and muscle.

Try doing the syringe a lot slower. Only put in three drops at a time in the mouth or the cat could choke when trying to swallow. It has to be done slowly.

If it's easier, have a little water run down your fingers and into the space between the teeth and cheek, they'll swallow when their mouth gets wet like that. They have a very hard time swallowing if you have the head tilted up.

Answer 3

My cat had distemper and just about died too (many many years ago). Anyway, I held him and sat there, dabbing liquids on his nose, (I didn't have a syringe) which he was obligated to lick off. I found that tuna juice worked wonders (there is a high salt and mineral content in the liquid which would help just as the gatorade works). Needless to say my family and I ate lots of tuna a salmon sandwiches that week... but he survived (and became such a wonder cat after being a feral cat prior to his getting sick). After about a day I started force feeing him tuna pieces (very small and not very much). He was so weak that I could easily open his mouth and place the food at the back of his mouth, close his mouth and gently stroke his chin and neck, which encourages swallowing. I think the food gave his body energy to fight the disease.

Goodluck to you! It's hard, time consuming work but it's worth it!

Answer 4

Get unflavored Pedialyte or Liqualyte ( for kids) and mix it with some meat baby food,(strained chicken,beef,etc) or kitten milk replacer to make a soupy mixture.He might like the taste enough to take it.If he doesn't eat or drink,you may need to have the vet put a feeding tube in ( through his nose.) This way,you can easily feed him with a syringe right into the tube.He probably hates the taste of the Gatorade,and fighting to make him drink it is stressing for an already sick kitten.Good luck.

Edit: The person who mentioned "beef tea" (broth) is right on.Chicken and beef broth are great for a kitten.Make your own and add some carrots,potatoes, and garlic to it, or use canned ,but it provides liquids and salt and tastes good.

Answer 5

There's a trick to syringe feeding.

Tilt the cat's head back. Put the syringe between the teeth and the cheek and just squirt. The cat's mouth does not have to be open for fluids. As long as you have the head tilted back far enough, he'll swallow. Hold your hand around his cheek so he doesn't have a choice.

I'm sure you're being gentle. Will pray for this kitty to beat the odds.

Answer 6

Offer the cat ginger ale... some cats will willingly drink it on their own. If all else fails, get a soft, 7" long, thin rubber or plastic tube that's just tight enough to fit snugly around the eye dropper. Get someone to help you, because you're cat's not going to like this one bit. Force the tube down the cat's esophagus and squeeze the contents into his stomach. Pull the tube out right away so the cat doesn't throw the liquid back up. You'll have to do this on a regular basis. It's tough love, but it may be the only thing that saves your cat's life.

Answer 7

I had to use a dropper to get water to a kitten once.. I tilted the head back put it in her mouth by the back teeth and squirted to the back of the mouth. wrap in a towel so they cant use paws to push your hand. they should probably only drink a certain amount at a time..I think I was told 5 droppers full or so but she had gotten an iv.

Answer 8

Leslie has a good solution, I also wrap my kitty in a towel like a newborn baby. Kinda put the kitty in the middle bottom up, side over and other side over. Get it as tight as you can (don't strangle the cat) make sure the paws are in. This keeps him from scratching you to escape and helps keep them still. I hope all works out well. Let us know!

Answer 9

Do what the above said and then take it to a vet again, a different one if you can. Hope the mouth open and make sure it goes down the throat, give it some, a little pause, some, pause, some, pause and so on.

Answer 10

Has she used the washing room? She could be constipated and that's inflicting her to no longer consume. supply her mineral oil, vegetable oil, or yet another variety of laxative if she isn't utilising the washing room. supply her some milk if she would be ready to no longer drink water, given which you will possibly desire to make confident she remains hydrated. additionally swap out her cat food, she might unlike what you're giving her. i'm not sure what variety of cat food it particularly is which you suggested, yet you will possibly desire to be feeding him moist (canned) cat food, and then initiate introducing him to dry cat food. Feed him small food, a pair circumstances an afternoon. on condition that she's new, she could be a sprint scared and that could desire to reason her to no longer consume. attempt to reassure her, and get her eating. If she does not consume and drink quickly, you will might desire to take her to a vet so they might get some fluids in her. wish she gets greater valuable.