kitten nerve damage

Question
Dear Karen,
This past Monday I found 2 kittens.  Estimating their age at 3 to 4 weeks.  I watched them a couple of days but no mother came around.  Concerned I started feeding them.  One appears to have some type of nerve damage to the back legs.  It can walk, but when it walks it will take 2 to 3 steps they fall to one side.  It cannot control it's urine.  I've taken it to a Vet, but they said let's wait it out a couple of weeks.  Stating that the kitten was so small it would be hard to determine what the cause.  It does have a large hernia on it's side.  I would welcome any advise.

Answer
Hi Ellen,

Sorry to hear about your kit's problems. There could be a number a things wrong with it. It could have a defect to the brain known as CH.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/827595/feline_cerebellar_hypoplasia.htm...

It could be due to the hernia. Hernias on a young kit are usually due to the mother biting it too hard. And this bite may have damaged it's spinal cord. I would lean towards this because of the kit's inability to control its urine.

However I do agree with the vet. A little more time might answer what exactly is wrong with the kit. But be prepared. It may be bad news.

I would limit the hurt kits area to wander around in. I don't know how much you know about rearing orphan kittens but here are a couple of links for you to read. The biggest thing you need to do is to keep them warm.

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

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

And I am attaching my recipe for Kitty Glop. It's great to raise abandoned kits on. 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 by 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.

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.