Here We Go Again....

ipw533

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Newly worn-out cat daddy here. Yesterday afternoon a neighbor brought me three orphaned infant kittens; they're about three days old tops. Their eyes and ears are still closed, and they still have the dried remains of their umbilical cords attached to their bellies. I was up every hour and a half or so to feed them and make sure the water bottle was still warm. I'm waiting for it to warm up a little bit--I spotted fleas so they'll each need a Palmolive bath today.They're bottle babies, but I'm not really good with a bottle so I've been using a feeding syringe. This actually seems to be working. Of course I'm covered in sticky liquid KMR and kitty pee and poop. I try to get some sleep or other things done while they're napping, but that's not long.They're too young for me to sex them, so I'm hesitant to name them--what boy want's to be named Sue, Johnny Cash? But even at this age personalities are beginning to emerge. The black one is quite active and thinks it's some kind of track star. It also thinks it's in Jump School but hasn't quite mastered PLFs--does PFLs instead. The grey and white tabby has a nice set of lungs and really craves attention--I can tell it's feeding time when it starts singing. The mostly white one with black patches appears to be the runt and is mostly laid back but not lethargic.This is the first time in years I've tried to care for orphaned kittens this young, so I'm kinda relearning the basics. Any help will be appreciated....
 

catapault

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You're great! taking on these three little bottle babies. One thing that may be a bit easier - if you put some dry rice in a tube sock, knot the opening, then heat it in the microwave it will retain heat longer than a hot water bottle. Just be sure you don't get it TOO hot.

Do provide updates as caring for the babies allows - and pictures are always appreciated . . .
 
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ipw533

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It's been cool the last few nights but it's warming up again. Normally you wouldn't need a hot water bottle as the kittens would just curl up against mommy, but since there is no mommy I have to improvise. The rice idea sounds great (and you can eat it afterwards) but for now the weather is warm enough that the water bottle works.I gave them a bath today to get rid of the fleas--those can easily kill infant kittens. They were also covered in yellowish crap--mostly from The Track Star. This is actually a good thing. Infant kittens don't always eliminate on their own; after you feed them you have to rub their bellies to get them to pee and poop. I've seen what happens when they don't and it's not pretty--I'd much rather deal with cleaning up poop.One thing I noticed after bathing them was that their ears seemed to be a bit more open--I'm hoping that by the end of the week their eyes will be open as well. Once their eyes are open that's my signal to slowly start mixing wet canned food into the KMR as a weak slurrey. Over the days more solid food is added, and after about two weeks the kittens are eating solid food on their own. Right now they have no noticeable teeth but do have claws. They would normally use the claws to "knead" mommy's belly to get her teats to produce milk....
 

feralvr

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I am wondering if this thread would be better suited in the Kitten Care Forum.... You might get more expert advice and suggestions as to how to care for these baby kittens. :cross: Thank you for rescuing them. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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ipw533

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I sent out a "distress signal" because I knew this would be an extremely difficult situation to deal with. Infant kittens require constant care; that really doesn't mix well with full-time work and a stressed-out wife (not that I'm not stressed, I normally jump out of my skin at shadows--LOL!). Fortunately the president of our rescue group found a nursing mother who will be able to better care for the little ones. Later on if they need a foster home they can come back, but we have a pretty good adoption network so these guys may go straight into permanent homes. Me, I could go straight to the loony bin if this happens again, but they kicked me out the last time--something about an overcharged credit card and "really disturbing the crazies"--so I'm not really worried.I'll follow up on the kittens. Despite having them for barely 48 sleep-deprived hours I kinda got attached to them, so this will continue--hopefully to three happy endings....
 

catapault

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That's excellent news! A nursing mother cat is the best ever option. So glad you could keep them safe through those two days until the handover took place. Sweet dreams tonight, with no frequent feedings!
 

catspaw66

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You deserve a St. Francis medal for saving those innocent souls.  I can't give you one, so here is a poor substitute.
 
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