kitten breathing weird and not eating

Question
I found a stray little kitten that has no energy. She is taking short shallow breaths like someone who is having a asthma attack. I went and bought some kitten milk and tried forcing her to eat but she just will not. She looks like she I'd suffering. What can i do to save this kittens life. I don't have the money to take it to a vet.

Answer
Hi Christine,

First off, make sure she is warm.  Getting chilled is the number one killer of kittens. Get a box and place a heating pad in it under a towel. Put it on low and set the kit on it. Make sure there is an area where there is no heating pad. This is so she can regulate her body temp and move if she gets too hot. I am attaching my recipe for Kitty Glop. Feed her this. Also if she seems a little lethargic you can try to smear some Karo syrup by her mouth. The glucose in the Karo syrup might stimulate her appetite.

Try to get her to the vet. Or if not the vet then call a local cat rescue society. They should be able to help you if she needs medical attention. She might be dehydrated. A vet would be able to give her sub-q fluids. Or the rescue society might have a foster mom who would be able to help you.

Here are some links that will give you good advice on how to raise an orphan kitten. Read them. They will help.

http://www.hdw-inc.com/tinykitten.htm

http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html


Sometimes kittens are too far gone to bring back. Hopefully your little girl will make it. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen

KITTY GLOP

INGREDIENTS:
1 can goat milk or evaporated milk(not sweetened condensed). Walmart carries canned goat milk near the evaporated milk
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not low or non fat). Plain Greek Yogurt is best.
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox unflavored gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten)
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
1- 2 jars Stage One Baby food (chicken or turkey)
1 can Kitten food, same flavor as baby food

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, baby food, kitten food and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and pedialyte mix to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Using a blender works really good for mixing everything together.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Glop will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator. Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer. Thaw as many as needed.
Always warm glop to room temperature ,(milk form), or a little warmer, before feeding.