Poor Jr.

[Jrhelper]

Ok my cat had her third litter of kittens 6 weeks and 2 days ago. The runt of the litter is named Jr. he is the smallest of them all a 5 yr old kid can hold him in the palm of their hand and not have a problem. I was wondering if you might get me any info as to what could be wrong with him. He is nonstop feeding but the thing is we never see him use the restroom. Could he have down syndrome, or be lacktos and toterant? When he isn't eatting all he does is sleep. He doesn't play with his siblings nor does he attempt eating dry or wet food like the others. Can he just be slow in development? Please let me know me and my family are very conserned for him.

Worried

[Savas]

It's probably to soon to say. As long as the kitten is only nursing, you won't see any bathroom activity (other than the mother licking to stimulate urination).

Runts often develop slow at first and grow into healthy cats. They tend to be on a different early development schedule than their litter mates. Once Jr reaches an age where he can eat solids, he'll likely flourish and grow.

Just be sure that Jr actually gets feeding time at a teat. Make sure he's actually getting milk as well, and not  just "dry nursing". I'd go so far as to taking him and the mother aside seperately and ensuring that he's getting all the food he needs.

If you're truly worried, I'd take him to a vet either now, or a few days after he starts on solids.

[Jrhelper]

Well all of them have about started on dry foods and using the kitty litter box but Jr hasn't begun any of that and mom refuses to feed any more. We have to take her and get her to lay down and then place him on a teat. We would take him to a vet but we don't have the money for the bill. We have him on a bottle as well as moms teat.

[Savas]

What type of feed is in the bottle? Make sure it's a supplement like KMR Milk replacer (from any pet store); regular milk could be the actual problem.

It is possible that this particular kitten is suffering from some defect or illness if the others are on solids already and he's still having difficulties. I won't lie to you, at that age, treatment tends not to work out well (depending entirely on the problem, mind you).