11-day-old kittens

tomdear

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Hi all,

Rita gave birth to 3 kittens 11 days ago. They looked healthy though uneven in size & suddenly we lost the smallest when he was 7 days old. One morning he seemed to have problems with breathing. I am afraid the change of rugs often was the reason in jeopardizing enough warmth. So we stopped cleaning the drawer they are kept in. By the way summer in Egypt is very hot.

We are not sure if the surviving two are getting enough nutrition. They seem to gain weight bit by bit but haven't opened their eyes yet. Their mom is keen to nurse them frequently. I see her also licking their bottoms but I am not sure if they pee & poo. I got them formula milk & a bottle but hesitant to help with feeding wondering if this would result in mom stopping to nurse or kittens preferring formula. 

Last note is that this Rita second set of kittens. Her first set of two kittens that were born on last May 1st were lost, one immediately & the second at the age of two days.

Appreciate your kind advice

Thanks
 

missymotus

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2 litters very close together, it's no wonder the second lot are struggling mum wouldn't be in the best condition, could also be genetic issues going on.

The bed does need changing daily, I do it twice a day. Kittens need to be weighed daily to ensure they're gaining weight

If there's any sign of illness or breathing troubles a vet for antibiotics is needed, Clav diluted and syringed into the mouth is the usual option.
Do supp feed them formula if mum can't give them enough
 
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StefanZ

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The most probable the smallest died because he was smallest and weakest, and or could have something with him. Genetically or caugh pneumonia or something.  I dont think it had something with your changing their rugs.  Especielly as you do have it naturally warm in your place, as you tell us.

Mom is eating their poo and pee. Many does hardly see any poo before they begin with the litter...

Not opening eyes yet on 11 day is not very peculiar.   :)

The trick to know if they got enough food is to weigh them every day at the same time.  If they gain more than some very few grams - good.

So here, if you are fairly sure they do gain, it it prob OK.  Otherwise, better to give them additional than to guess and lose them.

I agree if there is any risk of breathing difficulties or such, contact a vet!

Last but not least. Be sure mom has plenty of good quality food. Both litters are small, but two of them so very near each other takes a toll on her.

I suppose you are one of the few lucky ones who can get goat milk?   This works.

Good luck!
 
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tomdear

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Thanks. I just wanted to inform you that both kittens opened their eyes one day apart from each other & are nursing normally. Unfortunately, I failed to bottle feed them. I rather feed the milk to the mother. My question is: until when are they supposed to stay in the nest noting that the father is part of our family & when to introduce litter. Also when to offer soft & solid food.

Your great help is really appreciated.

Thanks
 

jennyr

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It is much better that they get their milk from the mother - it is more nutritious and also bonds the family together. For the moment the mother will clean them and encourage them to eliminate, so all you need do is give the mother plenty of good food (Wet kitten food is best if you can get it) and clean water, as she will need to drinki a lot. You can also give her KMR (kitten replacement milk or goat milk) but not cows milk as it may upset her stomach and she could pass that on to the kittens. Give her a litter tray in easy reach, and eventually the kittens will want to explore it and use it. They will probably dig in it, play in it and even sleep in it at first. Use non-clumping litter in case they try to eat it, very common.

As to the father, it is usually best if he is kept away from the kittens for the moment. Even though he is part of the family, he does not know the kittens are his, and his only interest will be to mate again with the female. Emtire males will sometimes even kill kittens to make this possible. Mother cats can come back into heat very quickly after giving birth - 2-3 weeks is quite possible, so you do not want a tragedy. You could get him fixed to help prevent this happening. Some fixed males love kittens and will play with them and cuddle them. But you certainly need to supervise any male with small kittens.

Hope this helps. Do post some pictures of the little ones.
 

orientalslave

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Is the father neutered now?  If not the mother can get pregnant again very soon after birth, and he can be fertile for some weeks after neutering.
 
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