Why did my bottle-fed kitten die after feeding, milk from its mouth?

Hi, I'm sorry to tell you bad news but if the kitten aspirated milk, it will likely die. It is very easy for kittens to aspirate at this age and usually results in death. Sometimes early intervention with antibiotics can save them. Likely, he will die in his sleep tonight. If he makes it to morning, you might want to consider euthanasia. On a better note, the remaining kitten can be tube fed instead of bottle fed until it is a little older. A rubber tube is inserted into the mouth and swallowed by the kitten and goes down into the stomach. You attach a syringe and inject a few milliliters into the tube, then pull it out. If you go to a vet and bring him they can demonstrate how to do this. If you notice any signs of eye, nasal discharge or coughing or breathing with effort, bring the kitten to the vet as soon as possible for antibiotics. Good luck, i hope this helps!

I am most concerned that Holly could have aspirated some milk into her lungs. Sadly this can be common with bottle-fed kittens and can be very serious if not treated by a veterinarian. Holly needs to see a veterinarian ASAP. She will probably need strong antibiotics and possibly oxygen supplementation to help treat aspiration pneumonia. I do not think you did anything wrong. It just happens sometimes. One thing I would change if possible would be to only offer kitten milk replacer. I do not recommend mixing egg in the milk as it is not cooked and the kitten should not need egg if on a good kitten milk replacer. Good luck!

Good work bottle feeding these puppies, it is very labor intensive. I'm sorry to hear about the deaths of these puppies. The most common reason puppies that are bottle fed die is aspiration of the milk, which means they inhale some of the milks and it gets into their lungs. If there is blood coming out of it's mouth, you should take the puppy to a vet for antibiotics. Any remaining puppies should be fed very slowly, in an upright position to try to prevent aspiration. It is also possible that there is a illness that effecting the entire litter. I would take all remaining puppies to the vet to have them checked out to see if there is something contagious. Bottle feeding puppies is very difficult, not all of them make it. I hope this helps, good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Babies! At almost 5 weeks old these kittens can be completely weaned from a bottle. I always recommend bottle fed kittens start being weaned at 3 weeks old due to constipation or diarrhea side effects of the kitten formula. At this time, with them being so sick, I doubt they will start eating kitten food but you can try. Make sure their noses are clear from discharge so they can breath. Tube feeding is some what risky and you should be shown by a vet or an experienced tech before attempting. Once you are shown it is something you can do on your own but for kittens this old they may fight you on it. The risk is putting the tube down their tracheas instead of the esophagus and putting the food in their lungs causing death or aspiration. I overall recommend these kittens be re-evaluated by a Vet. Maybe they can teach you how to give subcutaneous fluids or teach you how to tube feed. They can consider starting an appetite stimulant. I hope this helps and I wish you and the kittens the best!

Hi, it depends.. is he feeding from mum ? If he is not, then you can try bottle feeding. You will obviously need some kitten formula milk, if you haven’t bottle fed kittens before it might be worthy to speak to you vet/vet technician, keep the kitten warm. There might be that there is something that the kittens have contracted, such as a virus that has caused the other two to die. I would ring your vet and discuss all this and have the third kitten and mum checked over. Hope this helps !

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Oh no!! I am very worried about this kitten. I don’t think she will pull through. If you can get her to a vet I would do so immediately. Sometimes we never know who some kittens don’t make it, whether is a genetic or congenital issue or infection. But the mother usually knows. I with you the best!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would cut the feedings starting now. And get them off the formula in the next 10-14 days. I would cut the feedings in half this week and then again next week. You can still mix the formula in with the canned food. Good luck!