Kittens - Runt not doing so well

[LosingMyMindInGA]

So, the three surviving orphaned kittens were doing really great until the last few days.  Two of them are doing amazingly well, but the runt isn't. For awhile she was doing fine but the last few days she's started getting really scrawny and acting sickly.  She's still eating, but we're introduced wet food recently and I'm wondering if there's a correlation there.  She is the only one of the three that will just go over and eat the food without coaxing.  We are still giving her formula, just not as much.  I think we're gonna back off of the wet food for her and up the formula again and see.  I wonder if being the runt her digestive system just wasn't ready??  Any suggestions?

[FurballsMom]

So sorry to hear of this happening.  I've had first hand experience with this happening.  I cried my share of tears when the runt didn't make it, too.  It will help you a lot to focus on the remaining kittens.  No, you won't forget the one that didn't make it, but watching the other ones grow and mature will certainly help with the sadness.

[Jade59]

Hello again.  I am so very sorry to read of this turn of events with the Runt.  Please give my condolences to your DD, too.  Poor baby, he really did fight for a long time.  R.I.P. little one.  Everyone at the Rainbow Bridge will be waiting to welcome you home.  In case you don't know it, here is the Rainbow Bridge poem so that it might give you and your daughter some comfort.

Besides Wiggle with the bloody nose, I'm happy to hear the remaining two are doing well.  

(((Hugs)))

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[opus88]

I am so sorry to read this of course DD is upset, she's worked so hard for these little guys, poor runt, he fought hard and made it to nearly 6 weeks. You all gave him a chance and thats whats counts...you did your very best. you CARED.

and Wiggle and Gizmo will continue to do well. I wish the Vet hadn't given an antibiotic 'just in case' I don't agree with that, but thats me.....the main thing is they continue to thrive and grow to be strong healthy and loved little critters...

RIP Runt, you were loved♥

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Unfortunately we lost Runt to Fading Kitten Syndrome :(.  We took all 3 of them to the vet to be checked out and when they went to check her temp it wouldn't even register on the thermometer.  They tried to heat her up but she started breathing slower and slower until she just stopped :(.  She would have been 6 weeks tomorrow.  

The remaining two, Wiggle and Gizmo, are doing ok.  Wiggle was trying to climb and fell and busted her nose this morning - gave herself a nosebleed.  The vet checked them both and said they looked fine.  Gave them both a dewormer (don't remember what it's called) and decided to put them both on a round of antibiotics just in case.  She also asked us to bring a stool sample by to make sure there aren't any parasites or anything.  

The fleas, fortunately, aren't bad.  Just one or two here and there.  She said they aren't affecting them because they don't appear anemic.  She said just to wash them with a little bit of dawn and just keep picking them off for now.  

Hopefully these last two babies will make it.  :( DD15 was so upset this afternoon after losing Runt.  She's done such a wonderful job taking care of these kittens for the last 6 weeks.  It broke my heart to see her's break losing one of them!

[Jade59]

Hi there!  I'm afraid I don't know much about your situation so for now just bumping up your question to the top. Your idea about her digestive system not being quite mature enough makes sense to me, though. How is the little one today?