I have bottle babies...I need help

One of the outside cats had babies two days ago. I think she ate one...

There are two left and I took them away and took them to the vet. He said that he didn't think one would make it. I can't get either of them to eat very well. I have KMR the vet gave me and some of that stuff, that's like corn syrup to perk them up. I have a bottle, which I can't get anything to come out of and I have a 3 mL syringe.

I know they need to eat every two hours and I know I need to stimulate them and keep them away from the cats.

The sick one isn't doing well. Any help you can give me would be just great.

You have to poke a hole in the bottle nipple. They don't usually come with holes, you have to make your own.

I think an eyedropper would be a good addition. They're easier to control than feeding syringes. You have to be careful not to get formula in their lungs.

How are you keeping them warm? That's really important. They can't digest if they're too cold. Their formula needs to be warm enough, too. But not too hot, of course.

Originally Posted by Willowy

You have to poke a hole in the bottle nipple. They don't usually come with holes, you have to make your own.

I think an eyedropper would be a good addition. They're easier to control than feeding syringes. You have to be careful not to get formula in their lungs.

How are you keeping them warm? That's really important. They can't digest if they're too cold. Their formula needs to be warm enough, too. But not too hot, of course.

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I did poke a hole. Nothing is coming out. How do I make sure they don't get too warm? She left them in the sun all day.

I don't think the hurt one is going to make it. He won't eat.

Too warm isn't really a problem, as long as you're not baking them. Too cold is very bad. A heated bed would be nice, or a heat lamp. At least keep them bundled together in a bunch of towels so they keep each other warm. If one dies you'll have some work keeping the single one warm enough. They need to be kept at 88-92 degrees.

With the formula, warm it like you would baby formula. Put it on the inside of your wrist, etc.

Make the hole in the nipple bigger. You might have to use a razor blade to cut an X.

Did your vet tell you how to force-feed? I don't even know if you're willing to go that far but there are ways.

Try Googling "raising orphan kittens". I found a LOT of good info that way.

He didn't mention force feeding. How should I warm the formula?.

It's probably best to warm the water (in the microwave or on the stovetop) before mixing it with the formula. Then test it on your wrist to make sure it's not too hot for them. If you microwave it in the bottle you risk hot spots. You don't want to burn the babies.

Ok, the first time I stimulated it a tiny little poop came out. This time nothing came out.

The one is almost gone...do you think it's in pain? I feel so, so bad. I hate to think it might be suffering at all.

He died.

I feel so terrible. But he died with his sibling cuddled up next to him, that's a tiny consolation, but I'm still crying my eyes out.

Play happily over the Rainbow Bridge, little one

Sometimes there is something wrong with the kittens, causing them to die no matter what you do. Sometimes they are too young to survive without a mother. You did the best you could. How is the remaining baby doing?

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Play happily over the Rainbow Bridge, little one

Sometimes there is something wrong with the kittens, causing them to die no matter what you do. Sometimes they are too young to survive without a mother. You did the best you could. How is the remaining baby doing?

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I think ok. One thing I read said that babies should sleep between feedings, so she's sleeping. And breathing. I hope she's ok. This is so hard, and I'm so stressed out. She seems pretty strong. I need a bigger box, because she tries to crawl out.

I have no experience with bottle babies, but I read recently on another thread that you should cut an "X" in the nipple to make it easier for the baby to suck and get something out. The tiny hole just doesn't do anything for them.

So sorry about the one you lost.

With the mom leaving them and eating one, something was probably wrong that would have been very bad had it survived. Sometimes nature has a way of helping the suffering. I hope your little one pulls through.

If your last kitten survives, I strongly recommend www.snuggleme.com buy the kitten a snuggle kittie, it is a good substitute mom for orphaned kittens. Also take a look at my website for assistance www.kitten-rescue.com If you need speciific help, please feel free to PM me. It's kitten season, so I might not answer right away, but I will answer.

Originally Posted by hissy

If your last kitten survives, I strongly recommend www.snuggleme.com buy the kitten a snuggle kittie, it is a good substitute mom for orphaned kittens. Also take a look at my website for assistance www.kitten-rescue.com If you need speciific help, please feel free to PM me. It's kitten season, so I might not answer right away, but I will answer.

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She's not eating 3 cc's like she's supposed too. She eats about 1 or 1 1.5 and then she starts trying to get away.

She's still just eating 1 or 1.5...well, that's how much goes in her mouth, a lot ends up on her, so I'm not sure how much she's swallowing.

Sigh, it's almost feeding time. I hate doing it. She fights me, she doesn't want to eat. I don't know what I'm doing. I need to find some one who can do this better then me.

Originally Posted by kscatlady

Sigh, it's almost feeding time. I hate doing it. She fights me, she doesn't want to eat. I don't know what I'm doing. I need to find some one who can do this better then me.

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it sounds like you're doing the best job you can . I've always used the bottles to feed rescues, but either way, the kitten has to get into a comfertable position- most of them like lying on their bellys and they knead the bottle like they would their mother. Do you have a local shelter around? It may be worth calling them and asking if they have any queens with kittens around you little ones age.
Anyway, you're doing a great thing! Thank you!

Originally Posted by CuteKittenKat

it sounds like you're doing the best job you can

. I've always used the bottles to feed rescues, but either way, the kitten has to get into a comfertable position- most of them like lying on their bellys and they knead the bottle like they would their mother. Do you have a local shelter around? It may be worth calling them and asking if they have any queens with kittens around you little ones age.
Anyway, you're doing a great thing! Thank you!

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I had a mini nervous breakdown this morning. I called my two vets to see if they knew someone who could take it. The one I take Cammy and Abbey too gave me an older lady's number. She had to talk to her husband first, but she was so nice and sweet and talking to her made me feel so much better. She's having hip surgery next week, but wanted to take it if she could. Then I called the vet I take the ferals too and asked if there was anyone there that could take the baby. This young girl who's taken care of lots of babies said yes immediately, so I took the baby to her. I'm really relieved.

It's great to hear that everything went well!