Should I Supplement with Formula?

chelsea24

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I am a total newbie with 3 10 day-old kittens. Mom (a stray that we brought into our basement to have her babies) seems to be doing fine. I have been weighing them daily and have noticed that one is no longer gaining as he was. The other male is gaining like crazy and their nipples are stacked above each other when Mom likes down.

Here are their current weights:

Female 1: 8.92 oz. (started at 4.51 oz.)
Male 1: 11.39 oz. (started at 5.14 oz.)
Male 2: 9.48 oz. (started at 4.62 oz.)

Their gains for the last five days are:

Female 1: 0.60, 0.42, 0.39, 0.39, 0.46 Total: 2.26
Male 1: 0.46, 0.91, 0.29, 0.67, 0.81 Total: 3.14
Male 2: 0.67, 0.81, 0.35, 0.25, 0.14 Total 2.22

It is Male 2 that I am concerned about. His gains seem to have dropped right off, and his tummy doesn't look big and round like Male 1.

Question: Should I be supplementing him with KMR or are his gains okay? Does this decrease Mom's milk supply in "his" nipple? I am away during the day, and unable to solely bottle feed him.

THANKS!

Tara
 
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chelsea24

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Not ranting here, but I AM confused why no one offered help with this situation? Did I break some forum etiquette that I am not aware of?

To share my trial and error solution to this problem:

In the end, I tried turning the heat up in their little space, and Buttons started gaining weight again. Maybe he wasn't able to regulate his body temperature, and was spending all his energy staying warm.

They are all doing great now. Thank goodness.
 

ladybass0711

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Sorry for the lack of response, just saw this now.... I would let mom coninue to nurse unless you notice any more weight loss. Then I would begin to supplement.
 

mlopus

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I just picked up some Nutri-Cal at Pet Smart. It's a high calorie, high vitamin gel. I've been giving it to my bottle babies who are not eating. You might want to ask your vet about it.
 
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