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Urgent Help Needed ASAP!

post #1 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 
Some heartless dumped off 4 kittens at the local Dollar store. Our neighbor happened to spot them, and picked them up and brought them to me (he knows how I feel about stuff like that). I judge their age to be about 3 weeks old. I tried feeding them some watered-down canned food, but they won't eat it. I don't know what I should feed them: I know I shouldn't give them regular milk. Can anyone help?

If this isn't posted in the appropriate forum, please feel free to move it.

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post #2 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 
Some heartless just dumped off 4 kittens at the local dollar store. Our neighbor happened to spot them, and brought them to me (he knows how I feel about that kind of thing). I judge their age to be about 3 weeks old. I tried feeding them some watered-down canned food, but they won't eat it, and I don't know what else to try (I know I can't give them regular milk). I already posted a thread in the SOS forum where I thought it should be placed, but since there's more activity in the cat lounge, I thought I'd also post something here in case anyone knows what I should do.

I'm soooooo ticked off right now that my hands are shaking. What kind of a sick SOB could do something like that?
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post #3 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:34am
I've moved this to Pregnant Cats & Kitten Care because you're most likely to get the information you need here.
The first place to look for advice is Kitten Rescue, which is Mary Anne's/hissy's site.
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post #4 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:38am
AW! I wonder if something happened to the mother? Can you get kitten milk to give them? I got some in a powdered form when Mooch and Noodles were small.
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post #5 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:43am
Seeing as how you're in Texas it shouldn't be too hard for you to find a feed/farm supply store. They should have some kitten/small animal formula mix. Price should be right around $8 but the can should last a couple weeks. If not, call local vets. A rural vet will know where to get some or may even have some. (There's one formula that's used for multiple animals, IMO that mix seems to cause constipation less than the KMR PetAg also makes)

And yes, it's rotten how stupid and insensitive people are. I don't know how anyone can look at a helpless animal and consciously make a decision that will cause it harm.

Good luck with the kittens. I don't know if you can/will turn them over to a rescue group, but even if you decide to you'll have them for a day or two.
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post #6 of 43
4/11/11 at 11:46am
Some people just seriously need to be shot.

Is there any way for you to call local shelters/rescues to see if there are any lactating moms who may accept them? My Teyah was a pregnant foster who after her kitten was adopted, nursed another litter of 5 who were abandoned by their mother.

Wishing you and the babies luck hun!
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post #7 of 43
4/11/11 at 12:35pm
Some people aren't worth the oxygen they're using up.

Dora (Peanut's mom) rejected one of her kittens in the same litter as him, I took it inside and bottle-fed it with kitten formula I got at the pet store. I don't know if Orschlen's is local to you guys (it's a farm and feed supply store) but you might be able to get some there as well. You'll also need a bottle with a soft-ish nipple on it- you can get one that has the metric system up the side that tells you how much to feed your kitten.

Good luck!!
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post #8 of 43
4/11/11 at 2:02pm
watered wet food would be one of advices to try if desperate...Hissy herself gave that advice. But they dont want...
Are they nice warm? Too warm isnt not good, but a common reason they loose force and dont have strengh to eat is they are too cold.

If you can get goat milk, it is always useful as substitute milk.

if enough desperate I would perhaps try with condensed milk. Watered of course. Condensed milk although made of cow milk, is made by cooking this milk almost dry... So I guess the sackaros-sugar is down.
This advice is ONLY if you cant get any decent substitute milk nor goat milk. Better this than common cow milk. Common cow milk as it is, is no good, precisely as you say.

If they are weakened - they are perhaps dried out? If they dont want to drink by themselves, you must get water or milk into them. You know how to forcefeed? dosage-Syringe or pipette in the corner of the mouth, not into the neck...

Common water is OK, a little salt and dextrose or honey in is also good...
1 teaspoon salt, 1 soup-spoon dextrose or honey, 1 litre water, boil ut, let be cooled into body temp. This is essentially the same as the commercial "what is its name", just a little more basic.

If they are weakened, a common advice is to give them a drop of corn syrup on tongue. I suspect a drop of honey would also work.
This giving them a boost to have strengh to eat for real.

The adresse to www.kitten-rescue.com you had already got.


Good luck!

ps.
About this dumper. No good and nasty. But he at least dumped where they could be found.
Some do dump them in taped boxes in middle of the forest, or in garbage room, to die slowly and horribly. This happens now and then in Sweden, a country supposed people love animals... And the police doesnt cares very much... THAT is horrible. Gods wrath on all such illdoers!
AND all who does willingly accept such ill-deeds.
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post #9 of 43
4/11/11 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
I was able to get some kitten milk replacement at the local grocery store. I tried feeding the kittens with it: two of them drank it fairly heartily (the two who I believe are the "runts" of the litter), but the other two didn't seem to be as interested in eating. I'm not sure if they got enough to eat: the directions on the can states to give them 2 ozs. each, but that seems like quite a bit. I'm worried that they may not have gotten enough - especially the two who didn't want to eat. I bought a nursing bottle too to feed them with, but the nipple seems awful stiff and they seemed to have a hard time sucking on it. I'm wondering if I should try using a syringe instead.

They've also got fleas. I really don't know what to do about that, cuz I know you can't use Advantage on kittens that young. Any suggestions?

I tried contacting the local ASPCA, and also the "dog catcher". I couldn't get a hold of either one.

I have the kittens in the tub in the bathroom, away from my furkids. Naturally, I'm really paranoid about having them in the house because I don't know how healthy they are or if they have any diseases. That really concerns me a lot because I'm afraid they may pass something along to my furkids: I'm especially concerned with my FIP cats picking up something - especially since they all had that bout with a bad strain of URI back in September. Do y'all think that my own furkids will be safe since I have the kittens shut up in the bathroom away from the others?

Thanks to everyone for your help & suggestions. This is the first time I've run into a situation like this and I wasn't sure what to do.

I just can't get over how anyone could be so cruel & heartless as to just dump off those poor, defenseless kittens like that. If they didn't want them, why couldn't they have taken them to the humane society or something? Better yet, why didn't they just get the momma cat spayed in the first place so they wouldn't end up with unwanted kittens? I'll never understand what makes people like that!
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post #10 of 43
4/11/11 at 2:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanz
Are they nice warm? Too warm isnt not good, but a common reason they loose force and dont have strengh to eat is they are too cold.
They're warm enough. As I mentioned in my previous post (which I posted before I saw yours) I have them shut off in the bathroom in the tub, with a warm blanket in there with them. I also shut off the air conditioning vent, so there wouldn't be any cold air blowing in there on them. They also appear to be strong enough for their age, which I judge to be around 3 weeks old. They're moving around nicely, and making plenty of noise.
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post #11 of 43
4/11/11 at 2:24pm
Fleas will kill them quickly. You need to put some towels in your dryer (dry towels) and start cycling them on med/low heat. These kittens need to be bathed with just a few drops of DAWN detergent and warm water. Be sure not to get their ears wet, but have some gauze or some cotton pads to wash their faces because the fleas will run to the head of the kitten. The bath will not kill the fleas, but if you use flea shampoo on ones so young, you might kill the kittens. Get a flea comb and comb them out. Drop the stunned fleas into a jar of hot, hot, hot water and a bit of Dawn and the heat will kill them. Keep combing until most of the fleas are gone. Keep the kitten bundled up in the warmed towels and dry them off with the other warmed towels. Be sure you keep them out of drafts and they will shiver when they are wet, so you keep rubbing them gently until they are dry. DO NOT blow dry them- that will freak them out. Just keep them warm.

On the kittens that won't take the milk, buy some good quality canned kitten food- puree it down with a bit (just a touch) of white karo syrup and a bit of water. Put a bit on the roof of their mouth and see if they go for it. If they do, feed them by using the finger method (please wash your hands thoroughly between kittens) or pour some into a small jar lid and see if the kitten will eat from there- The nipple may be plugged. I use a hot large fisherman's needle to make my hole (the type them use to darn nets) run the needle both ways into the nipple- or take an exacto knife and carefully cut an "X' into the tip of the nipple then pass a large hot needle through the center of the X. If you can, try and find the kitten formula with colostrum added to it- But GET RID of those fleas!
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post #12 of 43
4/11/11 at 2:41pm
People who dump helpless animals are sick. We had 2 tiny kittens dumped in our condo parking lot several years ago. A neighbor came & told me they were out there, (knowing I had a cat), when I went after them, they were crowded up against a cement parking block. The first car that pulled up there probably would have maimed or killed them. They were very small & thin, but must have been slightly older than yours cause I fed them pulverized kibble & water for a day and a half til we could get them to a shelter. I could not bring them in nor keep them as our cat was psyco cat when other cats came around. (Had to keep them in the common hallway in a carrier with a small box lid/litter, which they used! Also had a sign on the side that said they were going to the shelter so no one would call the management company!) Of course we ended up paying the shelter to take them. But I had the satisfaction of knowing that as small & cute as they were, they would be one of the first adopted. I am so glad our neighbor spotted them. Hard to believe any one who called themselves human would have left them in a parking lot!!!
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post #13 of 43
4/11/11 at 6:27pm
I can't add anything that will help, but I am sending lots of vibes to you and the babies!
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post #14 of 43
4/11/11 at 6:52pm
Tiff, just logged on for today and saw your thread. I can't tell you the horrible stories I have about people and what they do with kittens.

You can also add a couple drops of Anise Extract to the Dawn dishwashing drops. Anise extract is a secret groomers trick to paralyze the flea. You might not have any on hand though.

You are wonderful to have taken these babies in and I am sending you mega vibes that they make it through this ordeal. Maybe contact some rescues in your area to see if someone could foster the little ones. Bless you and good luck with them tonight
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post #15 of 43
4/11/11 at 7:29pm
Thread Starter 
How do I know if I'm giving the kittens too much to eat? Is it possible to overfeed them? Are you better off giving them not quite enough, or too much?
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post #16 of 43
4/11/11 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KittKatt View Post
How do I know if I'm giving the kittens too much to eat? Is it possible to overfeed them? Are you better off giving them not quite enough, or too much?
When Lucky was a newborn the vet told me her little tummy should be round after a feeding. I fed her as much as she would take.
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post #17 of 43
4/12/11 at 12:08am
They will quit eating when they are full- just remember to burp them lightly with your fingertips so they don't fill up with air. Usually when they are full formula bubbles will come out of the side of their mouth
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post #18 of 43
4/12/11 at 12:44am
If you are still having problems with the kitten baby bottle, you might want to try a bird feeding syringe. You can get those at Petco or Petsmart in the bird section. I used those when I was feeding my sick chinchilla. Good luck with the babies!
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post #19 of 43
4/12/11 at 5:43am
MA, at this age will they still need to be stimulated to use the bathroom?
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post #20 of 43
4/12/11 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
MA, at this age will they still need to be stimulated to use the bathroom?
Best to do it, unless you clearly see it is not necessary.

Easiest with the finger, A little oil on if you feel you need it.
you can wash everything off afterwards.
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post #21 of 43
4/12/11 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbjerkness View Post
When Lucky was a newborn the vet told me her little tummy should be round after a feeding. I fed her as much as she would take.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hissy View Post
They will quit eating when they are full- just remember to burp them lightly with your fingertips so they don't fill up with air. Usually when they are full formula bubbles will come out of the side of their mouth
That's what I figured, so I stop feeding them when they start pulling away.
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post #22 of 43
4/12/11 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauren_miller View Post
If you are still having problems with the kitten baby bottle, you might want to try a bird feeding syringe. You can get those at Petco or Petsmart in the bird section. I used those when I was feeding my sick chinchilla. Good luck with the babies!
The bottle wasn't working out too well, so I switched to a syringe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
MA, at this age will they still need to be stimulated to use the bathroom?
I checked, and they're going on their own.


They're doing really well. The one who didn't want to eat yesterday ate this morning. They're all pretty active, and there certainly isn't anything wrong with them vocally. I never knew such little kittens could make so much noise!

I still haven't been able to contact any rescue people, but I'm gonna keep on trying. As much as I'd like to keep them, I just can't do it.

I appreciate everyone's help! Thanks so much!
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post #23 of 43
4/12/11 at 9:26am
I wonder if they're a little older than you think and just really runty. Such as you'd see out of a mother cat that is still a kitten herself. That would explain them going without being stimulated. Still do that for them, though, as there may be one that still needs it.
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post #24 of 43
4/12/11 at 10:05am
I'm so glad to hear they're doing well!! You're such an angel for taking them in. Thank you for doing this for them amidst all the other things you have going on! So many people would just say "whatever", but you haven't.

Also, they're talking to you VERY LOUDLY! They're just reminding you who's boss.
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post #25 of 43
4/12/11 at 12:27pm
That's great news!
If they're going to the bathroom on their own, they're probably close to 4 weeks at least. You can also leave them a little formula in a bowl to see if they'll lap it up themselves.
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post #26 of 43
4/12/11 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by strange_wings View Post
I wonder if they're a little older than you think and just really runty. Such as you'd see out of a mother cat that is still a kitten herself. That would explain them going without being stimulated. Still do that for them, though, as there may be one that still needs it.
I took some pix of them: they're not very good cuz they wouldn't hold still. How old do y'all think they are?



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post #27 of 43
4/12/11 at 3:35pm
Good Luck with the little ones! Sounds like you are doing a great job and earning your angel wings! They are adorable!!!
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post #28 of 43
4/12/11 at 4:15pm
OH Tiff four hearts for four darling babies. AWWWWW they are beautiful and I love orange babies too. You are doing a super duper job with everything you are dealing with right now. Happy to hear the babies are eating and I think they look about four weeks old!!!! MEGA for the babies to continue to thrive and for you to find a place for them to go
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post #29 of 43
4/12/11 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post
OH Tiff four hearts for four darling babies. AWWWWW they are beautiful and I love orange babies too. You are doing a super duper job with everything you are dealing with right now. Happy to hear the babies are eating and I think they look about four weeks old!!!! MEGA for the babies to continue to thrive and for you to find a place for them to go
I know. I love orange babies, too. It's gonna be real hard to part with them and not keep at least one.

It's too bad you didn't live closer, Lauren. You could adopt one!
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post #30 of 43
4/12/11 at 4:30pm
They are so cute I'm glad they have you to take care of them
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