Sick kitten! What can I do to help?

Question

I am fostering 5 kittens I just got them yesterday from the rescue and since then one has developed eye problems and is weak and skinny. He is not eating very much I tried feeding him with a syringe using a mix of cat milk, wet food and water.. usually they go nuts for that but he wasn't interested at all. I contacted the rescue and they are going to get him to the vet. However I'd like to know if there is anything I can do to stimulate his appetite in the meantime. I've been cleaning his eyes with a warm salt water solution, and Ihave him next to a hot water bottle right now. He just seems so skinny compared to the other kittens and he hasn't played at all. One of the other kittens has a bit of an eye problem but it is getting better and he is playful, energetic and not so skinny... Any advice or tips of what I can do to get him to eat would be helpful. As I said he will be going to the vet but in the meantime I'd like to help him along and give him a fighting chance..

Answer 1

As long as he's going to the vet that's the best you can do...does he seem like he's in pain at all. I used to foster kittens and that sounds similar to a kitten that I had before, it actually had fiv but I don't know quite enough about your situation to say it's the exact same. Good luck! I hope he's ok! It's great that you are helping out and fostering kittens, it's a lot of work!

Answer 2

Sometimes if you rub a small amount of Karo syrup on the kitten's gums it will boost their sugar level and stimulate them to eat. It is amazing how it can turn a limp little kitty around very quickly. If it doesn't work to increase the kittens appetite than you should force feed him until he is seen by the vet. Kittens can dehydrate very quickly...then you have a new set of problems.  

Answer 3

Keep trying to feed him, and he will also need you to be with him as much as possible.( You should make a bed for him in your room.) Also keep cleaning his eyes. I dont think theres much else to do until he gets to the doctor.

Answer 4

The eye problem could be due to an upper respiratory infection.  Is he sneezing, sound congested at all?  If so, he probably is not interested in eating because he cannot smell the food.  Try taking him into the bathroom and turning on the shower to make it steamy, sit with the kitten in the bathroom for fifteen minutes then offer some more food.  If he is not congested, try to warm food in the microwave (test it before offering it to the kitten to make sure it isn't too hot) for 15 seconds or so.  Some times the smell and feel of warm food can help stimulate their appetites.  Other than that is sounds like your doing the right thing.  Monitor him closely and if he starts to get worse call the rescue and see if they can authorize treatment at an emergency clinic.  Good luck hope he feels better!!!