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Urgent, Now what???????

post #1 of 24
9/4/08 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 
Well this is new for me, shadoe a kitten ( i thought) that i took in has just delivered a baby. Now what should i be doing????? If it was human I know what i should do, but a kitten, HELPPPPPPPPPP?
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post #2 of 24
9/4/08 at 7:16am
Take a deep breath and relax. Does everything seem normal? Has she delivered (and probably eaten) the placenta? Is the kitten breathing and nursing Ok. If the answers are all yes, then you can relax and concentrate on making them comfortable. I would put them in a deep box lined with newspaper and old towels so that mom can jump out but baby can't (yet). Put it in a quiet room or large closet. Provide litter, water and food nearby. Then leave them be for a bit. Most cat moms know just what to do. When you have time go to a store and get some KMR and a feeding bottle and lots of cotton wool. You will probably not need any of this but it is just in case anything goes wrong and you do not want to be looking for kitten milk in the middle of the night with a crying baby. For peace of mind you might also make sure you have a scale to weigh the baby every day to make sure it is gaining weight.

ANd then enjoy the experience. There are so many knowledgeable people here on this site that you will find advice every step of the way,
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post #3 of 24
9/4/08 at 7:28am
Thread Starter 
So far things do. Baby is breathing ok i think, sounds like a kittens version of crying right now. I have it in the litterbox, wasnt sure what was going on till after the birth. As for eating the placenta, prolly not. After the birth, i put mom in a travel cage in case and to clean up.
AS for nursing, not yet, mom has not nursed her yet. well seeing as I just moved, I have lots of boxes around, lol. I can do that, I got food to them. I can put them in a empty bedroom i guess, that will help keep them warm. Should mom be locked in there or can she roam free?
I guess i have a visit to petsmart in my immediate future




Quote:
Originally Posted by jennyranson View Post
Take a deep breath and relax. Does everything seem normal? Has she delivered (and probably eaten) the placenta? Is the kitten breathing and nursing Ok. If the answers are all yes, then you can relax and concentrate on making them comfortable. I would put them in a deep box lined with newspaper and old towels so that mom can jump out but baby can't (yet). Put it in a quiet room or large closet. Provide litter, water and food nearby. Then leave them be for a bit. Most cat moms know just what to do. When you have time go to a store and get some KMR and a feeding bottle and lots of cotton wool. You will probably not need any of this but it is just in case anything goes wrong and you do not want to be looking for kitten milk in the middle of the night with a crying baby. For peace of mind you might also make sure you have a scale to weigh the baby every day to make sure it is gaining weight.

ANd then enjoy the experience. There are so many knowledgeable people here on this site that you will find advice every step of the way,
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post #4 of 24
9/4/08 at 7:52am
The baby needs to start eating as soon as she can. can you help her latch onto her Mom? If not you will need to help feed her. Get them into a box and out of the litterbox as soon as you can, too.
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post #5 of 24
9/4/08 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 
news flash, shadoe just popped out number 2. Thinking I am gonna have a long day ahead of me
Shadoe is cleaning this baby though right now as I post this
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post #6 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:05am
awww congrats for baby #2..... after she is finished we can help you see what sex the babies are.
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post #7 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:06am
Thread Starter 
sure, but let me get these into a box first
and into the spare bedroom, before i no something nasty, like step on one
i am goona have to watch my step for a bit i think
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post #8 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 
and shadoe has not eaten the placenta of the first one yet, thinking cause it was in the litterbox
who knows, but have the box ready now
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post #9 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:49am
You need to get the kittens to start nursing and keep them warm.
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post #10 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:53am
Thread Starter 
have put the kittens in the box, and put the babies and mom in a spare empty bedroom, that had a litter box in it. Just need to add food. Maybe that is why shadoe didnt eat last nite, hmmmmmmmmmm
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post #11 of 24
9/4/08 at 8:56am
Sometimes when they go in labor they do not want to eat. Do you have any blankets you can put in the box?
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post #12 of 24
9/4/08 at 9:01am
Thread Starter 
i put a couple of towels in there, kinda short on blankets right now
i ahve closed the door too to the bedroom
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post #13 of 24
9/4/08 at 9:06am
That will work.
My Coco had on moving day 6 years ago in the laundry basket in the bath tub.
Meeko had just 1 in her box and wouldnt nurse him at first.
I put him on her and held so he could nurse.
You might have to try that.
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post #14 of 24
9/4/08 at 10:51am
Is she feeding the two kittens now? Has she removed the placdnta from the first baby yet?
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post #15 of 24
9/4/08 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
I just got home from picking up the stuff for the kittens just in case, checked on the babies and mom and all are doing fine, The first one is now cleaned up by mom, and is latching. The sac from the first one has not been eaten yet, but not worried. I have also fed and watered them, and will be checking in frequently throughout the day. Mom is not letting me hold them yet, but no worries.

Now i have to start thinking about getting rid of at least of of them, as the city bylaw where i am only allows me 2 cats in a household. But i can have the 3 of them for about 8 weeks, until they are weaned.
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post #16 of 24
9/4/08 at 11:58am
You are doing fine. As for eating the placenta moms don't always eat all of them and a first time mom may not know. They do it to give themselves the rich nutrients they provide and also, in the wild, to hide evidence of the birth from predators.

Do all you can to keep the babies for ten weeks minimum, as they need this time with mom to be fully socialised.
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post #17 of 24
9/5/08 at 6:28am
Keep the babies as long as you can. 12 weeks is what breeders recommend. Only problem is that you will most likely love them to pieces.
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post #18 of 24
9/5/08 at 7:45am
Wow, just read this! How's the family doing today?
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post #19 of 24
9/5/08 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 
Update on the family. All are doing well. Mom is having no complications of any sort. No more have come out either so only have 2 furbabies. I know i have 8 weeks without getting into trouble from the local authorities, and may have found a place of at least of them already. So that is good news. Mom took the babies and put them under my bed last night, guess she missed me and wanted to be closer to me as well. I did get to hold them today for a brief moment before mom took one away. I returned the other one shortly after too. But mom is in her usual perch right now as the babies sleep, which is my lap.

There is the update. I will do my best to get pics ASAP, but need to borrow a camera for that first.
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post #20 of 24
9/6/08 at 7:10am
The authorities are not going to be breaking your door down to take away 2 kittens, so I wouldn't worry about that. Most laws like that are just to keep people from hoarding animals.

Almost all mom cats move their kittens after a day or two in the original nest. This is when many of them get "lost." Cats can't count, which can cause trouble. Move them to wherever you want them, and she may stay.
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post #21 of 24
9/7/08 at 11:55am
Congratulations on your new kitty family! Most cities with a pet/household limit often have an application or something like that for you to fill out in the case that you want to keep both kittens. You might check with your vet or local animal control department to find out what the process is.
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post #22 of 24
9/9/08 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
Well everyone is doing fine now. It has been several days since the births and all is good. The kittens are with mom under my bed, i guess that is where she feels safe with them and she can be close to me too. Pics of the little ones are going up shortly, just got them downloaded onto the puter, so enjoy.

I have been in contact with animal control here in town, and they seem pretty good. The ytold me as long as I am making an effort to place them they are not gonna be concerned. I have found a home for one kitten now, all I need to do is give it the first shots in a bit over 7 weeks, and then we can go from there.

Enjoy the pics all, and ty, had not gone through that before, and only place i could think of the get help fast. Hugsssss all, you are the best.
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post #23 of 24
9/19/08 at 12:13am
Thread Starter 
Update on family, all are doing terrific. Babies are growing like a weed and are still under the bed. I ma in no hurry to move them as yet, and not concerned. Tonight i found a home for the second baby, so that is good. The person who is taking the second one saw them on my cam in another messenger service and fell in love with them, and it didnt take too long to have her want one, lol. So looks like the babies have homes, and Shadoe will stay with me.

Just wanted to update you guys, and let ya know all is great here. Thanks for your help, you are really the best.
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post #24 of 24
9/20/08 at 10:11am
Congratulations!

I am so happy you have been finding homes as well!

I just want to reiterate what others have said:

It is very important to wait a full 10 to 12 weeks before you take the kittens away from mom and siblings. They learn VERY important social behaviors during this time. A kitten that is taken away too early can even end up with self esteem and confidence issues. That can be the turning point in having a cat grow up to be loving and sweet, to one that is scared and temperamental. Our Roxie had been taken away when she was 8 weeks old, and she was the spookiest cat you have ever seen. She also had litter box issues, and never did well with other animals.

Please keep them 10 to 12 weeks. The longer the better.



Have fun and good luck!!!
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