Help -- Two Motherless Kittens

[aprilh]

Our mama cat disappeared or died in the last week. We thought maybe she'd come back so we kept waiting.... we even thought maybe she was coming at night to avoid us (despite that being out of character). We think an eagle or other predator or possible vicious feral cat got her (and her neutered brother, coincidentally) - yes, we live in back country. Anyway, by the time we figured out she was definitely gone her kittens had been without her for 4-5 days. 2 of the 4 lived and we think they are 2 weeks old (eyes open, wobbly legs). We found them yesterday - pretty emaciated and weak but thirsty and hungry enough to eat a 1/4 ounce every 2-3 hours or so of KMR. How long should we wait for a bowel movement considering the few days they were without mama? I added to this post because their behavior seemed so similar to original poster that I could have copied and pasted.

 

[StefanZ]

Our mama cat disappeared or died in the last week. We thought maybe she'd come back so we kept waiting.... we even thought maybe she was coming at night to avoid us (despite that being out of character). We think an eagle or other predator or possible vicious feral cat got her (and her neutered brother, coincidentally) - yes, we live in back country. Anyway, by the time we figured out she was definitely gone her kittens had been without her for 4-5 days. 2 of the 4 lived and we think they are 2 weeks old (eyes open, wobbly legs). We found them yesterday - pretty emaciated and weak but thirsty and hungry enough to eat a 1/4 ounce every 2-3 hours or so of KMR. How long should we wait for a bowel movement considering the few days they were without mama? I added to this post because their behavior seemed so similar to original poster that I could have copied and pasted.

My advice is you dont wait, use the tricks you learned here asap.  Because the kittens dont have any margins in this situation.  If they are constipated or cant relieve bladders, it takes a toll.

after all, most of our advices arent no "horse cures" where you must be the health itself to manage them.

As long you do it sensibly and wisely, they dont put any additional pressure on the body...

so just go on...   

Good luck!

 

[aprilh]

They are voiding easily but just no BM yet. It has now been 36 hours since we found them. They were piggies this morning... 1/2 ounce each.

 

[tulosai]

Just to be sure are you stimulating them?

 

[aprilh]

Oh yes... with a moist warm paper towel. I just fed them again (each drank 1/4 oz.) but I added a couple small drops of olive oil to their 1 oz of formula. Hoping that helps by next round.

Just wasn't sure after 4-5 days of no mama and no food if it was normal for it to take a few days to get things moving again...??

 

[aprilh]

Otis (tabby) and Barney... still not too sure on whether they are both boys but time will tell.

20140517_094624.jpg

• aprilh
• May 17, 2014

 

[tulosai]

Oh yes... with a moist warm paper towel. I just fed them again (each drank 1/4 oz.) but I added a couple small drops of olive oil to their 1 oz of formula. Hoping that helps by next round.

Just wasn't sure after 4-5 days of no mama and no food if it was normal for it to take a few days to get things moving again...??

Yes, it is normal, but it should not go much longer than 3 days.  You cal also try dilluting the formula to 1/3 water 2/3 formula or even 50/50.

 

[superpooper]

Yes, it is normal, but it should not go much longer than 3 days.  You cal also try dilluting the formula to 1/3 water 2/3 formula or even 50/50.

I caution this method for those reading that may have tiny babies because they can get hypoglycemic at 1:1 water/formula. I suggest alternating between a full strength feeding and a diluted one instead of maintaining diluted feelings for an extended period of time.

 

[maiaelizabeth]

they are so cute!!!!

 

[aprilh]

I am doing 1:2 formula:water ratio.

 

[superpooper]

I am doing 1:2 formula:water ratio.

Watch for signs of hypoglycemia - mainly lethargy, unable to hold their heads up, disinterest in food, etc. They should be able to right themselves when placed on their backs. When they get hypoglycemic they'll eat less because they are weak and can quickly get dehydrated (which can also cause lethargy) that's why I alternate between regular feelings and diluted feelings, and then feed more often. You can also offer plain predialite or purified water first, depending on the age/size.

A small amount of plain full fat yogurt with cultures can be added to their formula, as well as plain pumpkin, or even a small amount of Metamucil. Ideally you should have a fecal done on them first though incase it's parasites, which can be fatal no matter what you add to their food.

 

[StefanZ]

Watch for signs of hypoglycemia - mainly lethargy, unable to hold their heads up, disinterest in food, et

Yes, too little sugar in the blood is dangerous.  They seems to fade, and if not helped, they do fade.

If it is this, the remedy is easy: smear some wetted glucose sugar on their gum.  Helps instantly.

If you dont have glucose, you can try with honey or white caro syrup.

Now, there is some glucose sugar in  kmr, so if they eat kmr as they shall, there is seldom danger of hypoglycemia..   The danger to get slightly too little water is bigger.   Which too makes them lose their forces.

Many good advices, SuperPooper.  

 

[superpooper]

Now, there is some glucose sugar in  kmr, so if they eat kmr as they shall, there is seldom danger of hypoglycemia..   The danger to get slightly too little water is bigger.   Which too makes them lose their forces.

Many good advices, SuperPooper.  

It is rare for me to get a kitten that doesn't get diahrrea or constipation from full strength formula, be it premixed liquid or powder, so I always stretch it out some (the amount dependent on the situation), but 1:2 formula to water is a big stretch to a kitten under 2 weeks if it is maintained for any length of time. That's basically 1/3 the suggested amount of formula in a 24 hour period.