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Orphan kittens refusing to be fed

post #1 of 14
5/24/09 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all.
My cat has passed away due to birth complications and I've been left to feed her 3 newborn kittens.
I followed the instructions my vet gave me and got formula and a special bottle.
The problem is, they refuse to be fed even though I've double checked and made sure I'm doing the right things, even looked for online papers on raising orphan kittens.
I've tried bottles, damp cotton pads, eyedropper and they just won't let me feed them and start crying out loud as if demanding for their mommy
Anyone had any similar experiences? Any words of advice?
I live in the middle of nowhere and between that and work, I won't be able to get the babies to the vet until tomorrow noon at best.
Thanks, any input is very very appreciated, I'm brokenhearted and stressed.
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post #2 of 14
5/24/09 at 6:54pm
It's not called force feeding for fun. Place a needle-less syringe at the side of their mouth and start putting the milk in slowly. It is absolutely vital that these kittens eat every two hours. Depending on how long they have gone without food they may already be doomed. Find a rescue or a shelter in your area and ask if they have a lactating mother they can loan to you. It's really much better to find a foster queen than to bottle feed.
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post #3 of 14
5/24/09 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you, we are trying to find them a cat to nurse them. I read that if I force feed them I can hurt them or drown them. They are only 3 days old. They only accepted a couple of licks off formula-damped cotton, is that enough?
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post #4 of 14
5/24/09 at 11:26pm
First make sure they are warm enough.
If they are too cold, they will not nurse.

You can stimulate a suckling response by putting a small amount of light Kayro (corn syrup) on the roof of their mouths, the sugar will also lend them some strength to nurse.

The absolute best web site out there for hand raising orphan kittens is here:
http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
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post #5 of 14
5/25/09 at 4:53am
Yes I had that happen where the kitten would not nurse - and mom kept trying and getting up and leaving him after a few seconds. He too refused to take a bottle.

Sometimes kittens may have something wrong with their mouth or throat and cannot nurse very well. Keep trying. Its hard to work with newborn kittens, even those with experience can have problems and lose them.

My little kitten, unfortunately did not survive more then a few days.
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post #6 of 14
5/25/09 at 6:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Breellablue View Post
It's not called force feeding for fun. Place a needle-less syringe at the side of their mouth and start putting the milk in slowly.
I want to emphasize going very slowly with this. If you push in too much fluid, it can fill their lungs and drown them. I've syringe fed orphans, and I got a syringe from my vet that was fairly "loose", e.g. didn't take hardly any force to plunge it. A kitten, once it starts to eat, will suck on the syringe and you can stop plunging in the fluids. The more they suckle, the less likely it will be that you will harm the kitten.

How are they doing today?
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post #7 of 14
5/25/09 at 8:31pm
I think that with having 3 kittens who are being difficult to feed, that you need to do your best hand feeding them to keep them alive - and find a nursing mother with kittens as close in age as your own to take them as a surrogate.

The benefits of this, is that not only will mother cat keep your babies clean, but she and her own kittens will keep them nice and toasty warm. It's also better for development for them to have a foster mother & siblings for them to develop better.

In this instance, your best bet is to hope that a breeder will help you, as not only do professional breeders often have litters of newborns, but they're adept at catering to the newborns needs and will be more on the ball in terms of health issues.

The only problem I could foresee in a breeder not wanting to help you out, is that some might be weird letting their pedigree cats nurse non pedigree, but to be honest, I can't really see your kittens doing any harm to the surrogate cat or her own kittens.

Also as others have said, the syringe works best for babies who refuse to suckle or fight - but go very slow! as you said, too much milk at one time can make them ill or they can asphyxiate (milk going into lungs)

Good luck!
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post #8 of 14
5/26/09 at 2:58pm
Kittykattiva. How is it going?


I fear it is over, but do tell us. We are wondering...
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post #9 of 14
5/28/09 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Good news, the kittens are now a week old and they've learnt how to eat from the bottle after much struggling from all parties involved.
If you guys want to see them, I'm posting a picture of the tough cuties.
And you were right, it is exhausting raising them but I feel somehow blessed.
Thank you all again for your support and help.
I am waiting for a cat's friend who is pregnant to deliver (she is dueon sunday) and maybe there's still time for her to take the three babies in with her litter? Let me know what you know from experience.
Here's them:
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post #10 of 14
5/28/09 at 2:38pm
they are precious. And i think if you take the introduction slow, and one kitten at a time it should go fine. HOWEVER if your friend's cat has more than 4-5 kittens supplemental feedings may be needed. The mother should also recieve kitten food and KMR to keep her vitamins and minerals up while raising her own and your three.

good luck and keep us posted!
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post #11 of 14
5/29/09 at 12:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kittykattiva View Post
I feel somehow blessed.
Yes, I think you are.

Tx for the wonderful news...

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post #12 of 14
5/29/09 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all <3
I found a queen but she's rejected them
I have a question, is it normal that they keep crying and suckling on me even after they've been fully fed?
I feel so sad when they do that, makes me think they miss Mommy too much.
Could this have a negative impact on their well-being?
And is there a time frame when it's safe to say they've made it? Say, 15 days?
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post #13 of 14
5/29/09 at 11:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kittykattiva View Post
is it normal that they keep crying and suckling on me even after they've been fully fed?
I feel so sad when they do that, makes me think they miss Mommy too much.
Could this have a negative impact on their well-being?
And is there a time frame when it's safe to say they've made it? Say, 15 days?
Ah, a fake mommy would be good if you dont have it already. A teddybear perhaps? Something furry and nice, giving the feel of warm at touch.
As simple as that...
I never though about it, but now it dawns on me something such should be very useful for handraised babies... Tx a lot Kittykattiva!
Henceafter I will spread this idea to others.

Also make sure they are warm enough. Although it mustnt be too warm either!

Critical time? I think the very most critical time time is over. You dont have any safety yet, but the bookmaker bets are now on your side I think.

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post #14 of 14
5/30/09 at 11:24am
I got to know there IS in fact a commersial emergency-mom with the same idea:
The SnuggelKitty
http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/Snug...--pr--022UP03G
or http://www.snuggleme.com/store/...
They have a pounding "heart" and also rechargeable heat-pads, so the doll is nice warm.


Although a teddybear or a furry bunny should do as a beginning.


A good sajt to look into is http://www.kitten-rescue.com/.
I dont remember if you did alredy get this adresse. I think our Hissy is standing behind it.
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