bloated and sore tummy, second round

[Rescue04]

Ok folks......I'm putting this out for Anne. We took in her three kittens to open up cages / time for her to continue helping wildlife. One of three (LOLA) has just had her second emergency vet visit. I know this one is going to her daughter, so we are doing everything we can to help her. Here is the problems........

She has been found lethargic twice with a bloated and blue belly (labored breathing, low heart rate & arching back). First round was kitten formula, the second was on formula & canned kitten food. She has been getting formula 3 times a day, canned only once....

Here are the meds / stats

6 weeks old, .8lbs, drinks out of bottle and eats food well

Vet gave Cesphidine suspension for tummy, clavamox for infection & a de-worm, after the first visit, 2 weeks later we are back again...same issue. Here is the kicker, 1.5 hours after finding her, before any meds are given, she perks up, almost like nothing happened????!!!!!!

Anyone have any wisdom for this?

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Most kitties will stop eating long after they are full, she may have a smaller tummy and is over eating which will hurt, then when some is digested she will perk back up and feel better. Is she smaller than the others?? Try to feed her less food but more often see if that helps.

[SammysMom]

Have they been tested for FIV? It is a very regular thing to test for, so they may have been already. If not, I'd have the vet run the blood test just to be safe.

[Rescue04]

she had blood tests...everything came back negtive. she has a few fleas on her...which i am trying to get rid of. she is on heat all the time. if i take her off....she goes downhill again. we just cant seem to figure out what is wrong with her. she is seperate from the others. i dont feed her to much. i make her stop when her tummy feels full......

also...how often should she be pooping...i have googled it...but everyone seems to come up with a different number. she is back on pedilyte for 24 hours and off of formula and cat food again.

[Rescue04]

Kittens should gain 10-15g/day. If she's not gaining that, her chances go way down. Weight gain is the best indicator for success. It sounds like this little one may have a congenital issue. Portosystemic shunts are not as common in kittens as puppies, but a possibility, esp if she waxes and wains after a meal. It sounds like all you maybe able to do on her is give her the best shot you can, but be ready for her to make it:( don't want to sound negative, but if it's congenital issues, you just hope for the best.

i think the scale is wrong. i think she is gaining....she feels like she is. we shall know soon. i have started weaning all the kittens starting today.

[Rescue04]

she is doing good. she is going to her new mommy soon. all the babies are weaned and pretty much ready to go to their homes.