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Is the Kitty Dehydrated?
Hydration is basically how much water we have in our system. Since water drives all of our metabolic functions, you can see why adequate hydration is essential.
The easiest way to check how hydrated your kitten is, is to grasp the skin firmly but gently between the kitten’s shoulder blades, and lift it straight up with a twisting motion as you release it. Kitten skin that is well hydrated pops back within a second or less.
The longer it takes the skin to return to its place, the more fluids your kitten needs. In severely dehydrated kittens, the shelter manager may decide to inject water or electrolyte solution under the kitten’s skin, for faster absorption.
Treatment: A kitten that is noticeably dehydrated should receive prompt veterinary attention. Treatment is directed at replacing fluids and preventing further losses.
In mild cases without vomiting, fluids can be given by mouth. If the kitten won’t drink, give an electrolyte solution by bottle or syringe into the cheek pouch.
Balanced electrolyte solutions for treating dehydration in children are available at drugstores. Ringer’s lactate with 5 percent Dextrose in water and a solution called Pedialyte are suitable for kittens. They are given at the rate of two to four milliliters per pound body weight per hour, depending on the severity of the dehydration (or as directed by your veterinarian).
Feed the solution every 2 hours until the skin snaps back accordingly. Then start with a thin milk replacer mixed with the electrolyte solution.
October 3rd, 2009
Posted by
fuzzy1 |
Kitten: Development, Kittens |
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HTML clipboardEmergency Kitten Milk Replacer Formula’s
1 -
one 12-ounce can of evaporated skim milk
one 4-ounce can of evaporated whole cow’s milk
4 ounces of plain yogurt
three egg yolks
2-
1 part boiled water to 5 parts evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon bone meal per 16oz fluid
3-
(do not use if diarrhea is present)
1 can evaporated milk
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons Karo syrup
4-
3 ounces condensed milk
3 ounces water
4 ounces plain yogurt (not low-fat)
3 large or 4 small egg yolks
5-
8 ounces homogenized whole milk
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salad oil
Mix all ingredients well and strain. Serve slightly warmer than room temperature. Before serving, test a few drops on your wrist to make sure the formula is comfortably warm. Keep unused formula refrigerated at all times. Store for up to four days, and always check to make sure the formula is still fresh.
Also Mix 1 drop of human infant liquid vitamins in each kitten’s formula. If the kitten(s) become constipated add 1 drop of vegetable oil or cold liver oil per ounce.
Cow’s milk is not particularly healthy for kittens and is missing many vital nutrients; do not continue to use regular milk on kittens.
Never feed a kitten in the air or on their back.
October 3rd, 2009
Posted by
fuzzy1 |
Kitten: Development |
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THE KITTEN
BIRTH TO FOUR WEEKS OF AGE
Ginger Meeker, RN, Ph.D.
NEWBORN DESCRIPTION
Newborn kittens are fat and sleek, nursing frequently and sleeping contentedly. From birth on, weights should be carefully recorded and monitored at birth, twelve hours after birth and daily for the first two weeks of life using an accurate scale. A battery operated kitchen gram or ounce digital scale are available at most kitchen stores. Many breeders continue daily weights until kittens are beyond 2 weeks of age and this is a personal preference. At birth, kittens can be identified by their color/pattern or by using narrow colored ribbons or tape. A growth chart should be kept on each kitten so variation can be quickly spotted. Failure of weight gain often is the first sign of illness in a newborn animal
Read More…
July 24th, 2005
Posted by
fuzzy1 |
Cats, Ferals, Kitten: Development |
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