Feel like im fighting a downhill battle *Update 2-19\num 2*

[emilysgk]

I have never seen such a disasterous litter of kittens. Im sure sme of you have, but this is nothing I have been through before. I seen a lot happen when I worked at a dog "kennel" (border puppy mill) I did all I could there, I was not there 24hrs a day and often just found puppies that faded away, instead of witnessing it.

So mom came down with a URI I posted about. She got over it rather quickly and only has a few sneezies rarey. Not so for the little ones. At first sign of anything I immidiately to them to the vet. Only one was sick at that time. That one got an antibiotic shot, and I was given drops for it, and the other if they came down with it. All seemed OK. The other two so far only have one goopy eye each, and a occasional sneeze. The original sick one was doing rather well, sneezing, but ok. Today that changed. It has too much congestion in its nose. Its been crying off and on all day, mom is going crazy trying to comfort it, as am I. I know its hungry, and so far force feeding has not gone so well.

So this poor baby, who is quite strong actually and has a very loud voice is quite lost. Literally. Since its nose is so bad it cant seem to settle down and it wont and probably cant nurse. With no scent it dont know where or what is going on. Its mildy dehydrated. Im doing my best. I cant afford another trip to the vet and it kills me. I would hate to see this baby fade away over a snotty nose. Its secretions are still clear, just plentiful. Its fights like I didnt know a 2 week old could when i try to get fluids in it. Thats all it needs. Fluids and it would be ok (maybe, nothing certain of course) I honestly cant afford that. Between the c-section and the med I already got for them. I hope its a fighter like I believe it is.

Here are pics from tuesday, the day I took them in. Nursing so happily. The middle one is the sick one.

Yes kitty decided for 2 days to put the babies on the couch....

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Poor little things. Did you try putting them in a steamy bathroom for about 10 minutes, to get some of the goo out? Take a baby snot sucker and gently use it on their noses.
As for needing fluids, maybe call some no kill shelters and see if they will either donate to you a bag of fluids, or do them for you daily. That might work... If they go a day or two dehydrated, they probably wont make it. Cats bodies start to shut down VERY fast without fluids. I hope you can find something out soon
I will pray for you and the babies.

[emilysgk]

If the baby makes the night I will see if I can figure something out tomorrow. Not sure about that being Saturday. It a battle that cant be won like this and I know that. Anything by mouth is really dangerous. Since she is breathing by mouth because of nose and fighting it.... It spell aspiration being bound to happen. I just hope no one else gets sick like her. So far none have symptomslike this one did.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I sure hope that she'll be strong enough to make it through this. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent her way. I also hope that the other kittens will also continue to thrive.

When my RB Pepper had a very bad URI I used little noses pediatric nose drops. It was hard to get him to stay still but it seemed to help a little bit. I think I used one drop per nostril but I forget how often. Good luck.

[emilysgk]

Were those drops medicated? She just has so much. A lot of it is coming out (so its runny not congested) I think that makes it harder since you know its probably draining down her throat also.

She is hanging on, deffinately a fighter. I read on a website somewhre to take nasal spray and dilute it by half with saline. Im afraid to try it, and yet I almost feel there is nohing to lose either. Just awhile ago Snow brought me the baby I think she is tired too, and knows she cant help it. She has been trying to comfort her all day.

[Laura's Babies]

Awww! The Mama knows that her baby needs help so she brought it to you.. This is so heart wrenching! Call the vet and tell him you are broke but the baby is going to die soon if something don't change. Maybe he can tell you what to do over the phone and give you some meds for the baby..

[rg_girlca]

Oh gosh this is just too sad. Prayers on the way that this precious little one can make it through this.

[krazyaboutkatz]

How's the kitten doing? I sure hope that she's still thriving as well as her 2 sisters.

[emilysgk]

She is still clinging to life. To put it bluntly, she just dont want to die. Thats both good and bad I suppose. I hope in the end all this suffering does not end up in a bad way. I took her to the vet, he gave her a quick look, some Sub-Q fluids and said she can survive on as litte as 6-8 drops of food every 2 hrs. I have another syringe of fluids to give her in the morning. I really dont know though. I think its her kidneys. Her tummy seems pretty round considering how little she has consumed. Im not sure if she is peeing or not. I get nothing when I stimulate her, but she is with her mom and she does that also. Only time will tell.... She is such a fighter.

The other 2 are doing quite well minus the eye infection. I got some eye cream for that today. Im sure them two will be ok.

If she does have damage to her kidneys, is there any hope to recover? I know some of you know more about that stuff.

[barncat]

I've had kittens and cats recover from states that I thought were impossible and some fade over what seemed like nothing.... It is so hard to tell. In the end I think we humans do our best and let Nature/God/Goddess/Bast decide. You, momma-kitty and the little one have certainly tried hard. I hope it ends with a healthy kitten, but whatever happens, remember you did your best and gave loving care.

Good wishes for you all!

[slick]

This is so sad. I'm also sad that I can't offer up anything except my prayers for you and for this precious baby you are trying to help. God bless you.