How to help a newborn kitten?

Question

My friend just brought me a tiny, newborn kitten that she found at a barn. (She left it there for 2 hours hoping mommy would come for it but no mommy...)

I've raised several orphaned kittens but they were 10 days old. This kitten still has its umbilical cord -- very dry but there. When she brought the kitten I fed it some KMR and it drank very well. But now it won't eat and I haven't been able to get it to urinate. It had the tiniest bit of meconium... (I know about helping it urinate with a wet washcloth.)

I think it might have aspirated some formula, I saw bubbles coming from its tiny nose...

Does this poor little thing have a chance? Of course tomorrow is Sunday, otherwise I'd be to the vet... Is there anything special I should know about caring for a day old kitten vs an older kitten?

Wish me luck!

Answer 1

Hm.. d**n Sunday.

Try to find someone who knows cats very well.

I hope the kitty makes it! :[

Answer 2

Keep his head elevated during and after feeding. You're doing a wonderful thing, I hope he makes it.

Answer 3

You have a difficult job to do, but you do have experience. Remember to keep the kitten warm as this will also help in digestion. Wrap

lightly in a cloth  and /or put in on the lowest setting of the heating pad. Never leave the pad unattended though. Keep using the formula. If you warm it slightly, this may help but be very careful of the temperature. Perhaps lightly stroking its stomach may also aid in digestion. Mother cat massages the kitten when she licks it so stroking it should help. Keep using the warm wash cloth to promote a movement. Listen to the kittens chest to see of you can hear any lung sounds like fluid buildup. If you can reach an emergency vet, this would be the best option, but if not, do what you can do. I wish you and the kitten the best.

Answer 4

we had a kitten like that too.  the mom wouldnt feed him so i took over feeding him with the little bottle.  but now i know that the reason she wouldnt care for him was because she knew that he was sick.  not to say that this one is, but it does sound like he aspirated fluid.  which for a kitten that tiny, there isnt much that even a vet can do. ours did die, but we kept him alive for an extra 2 weeks, so even though it wasnt for very long, i know it wasnt all for nothing.  he was such a love, and i stll tear up when ever i think about him.  just let your mothering instnct take over.  keep him as warm as you can (as you probly know, and get him to the vet as soon as they open mon.  make sure that if you do get him to eat, that you rub his back, they cannot burp on their own at that age,and i sure that you know that too.  poor little thing.  hope everything goes alright.

Answer 5

ok get it to the vet NOW