Rain and Sleet are needing the bottle....advice needed!

The babies won't take the bottle I have, any tricks to get them to take it would be helpful! ! Rain is too weak to even try to find a nipple. Both mums have rejected them now. I just want to do whatever I can to save these little guys. They have homes waiting for them.

I think a dropper is easier for them.

Tube feeding directly into stomach is very efficient, if you do have someone who can show you.

It is too dangerous and difficult to try out on ones own, if newbe...  A good and patient demo is necessary...  That is why we usually dont mention it...

The problem is, may vets dont know how them either.

Phone around and ask if they do it and can show.  If they can show and perhaps lend the gears, you can perhaps pay a little?

If you have other rescuers around who do much rescuing of small kittens or sick cats,someone of them perhaps know how?

Good luck!

Do you have a syringe? If so, give drops on tongue every 10-15 min. I'm assuming you are using KMR or similar?  It's easy for them to aspirate so make sure they are swallowing the bits you do give them.

And keep them very warm!!!

If you can get them strong enough to suckle, help them onto a teat. You may have to fend off the stronger kittens long enough they can get a good suckle in.

Are they able to swallow still or is the fluid sitting in their mouth?

Levi68 said:

 I'm assuming you are using KMR or similar?  It's easy for them to aspirate so make sure they are swallowing the bits you do give them.

And keep them very warm!!!

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Do it them tummy down, head a little up, like when they are suckling mom.

Goat milk is a good alternative, if you dont have a first rate KMR.  Perhaps even better...

Yes, warm, and hydrated, otherwise they lose force quickly.

If not thoroughly warm, they cant process the milk either.  

But not too warm, dont overdo for example electrical heater.

Get hold on dextrose (glucose sugar). Useful for for example pedialyte, or setting a little wetted dextrose on the gum, to boost up energy.

Many kmr do contain dextrose, otherwise you can mix in some too.

Good luck!

Yes they are warm enough. As soon as my roommate gets back with my car ill run the baby's to the vet and pick up the medicine dropper. I gave a little corn syrup to rain. I hope to give enough energy to find and suckle. The problem started because by the time the little ones found a nipple everyone else was done so Duchess lays outside the nest. She isn't licking them for stool so the tummys were getting big. They seem a little premature to with almost no hair on the belly and wrinkled skin.

Yes, corn syrup is used often to boost up. Dextrose is even better, it works directly, goes into blood already through the tissues in mouth.

If the vet knows how to tube feed, very excellent...

I once followed a kitten, where owner fighted and tried with several vets. And as none of them tried to do this tube feeding, I draw the conclusion nobody of them could.  This is why I know many of them dont know.

Good luck!

I agree, with my younger babies I used a syringe initially and they took to it much better. First i'd put a couple of drops, let them swallow, and eventually they latched on and would suck it down! Make sure they are warm before/while you feed them or they cannot digest the food and it can be fatal. Make sure they are on their bellies/feet- not on their backs like human babies eat they can inhale the formula into their lungs and get pneumonia. Also make sure to stimulate to potty before feeding them each time. With newborns, you'll be wanting to feed every 2 hours around the clock. You could also call around to vets and see if any of them can show you how to tube feed if they continue to not nurse.

Im doing everything I can, but it doesn't look good for Rain. Vet said he is just too premature, lungs heart and digestive system isn't working well enough to feed. So I'm at home again on comfort care. :'(

We are home again on comfort care for Rain. He hasn't passed yet, but was too premature to feed :'(

Oh no I am so sorry to hear this.   Everyone has given you such good advice I really have nothing to add. I would probably keep giving him the dextrose and trying to feed him but it sounds like maybe the best thing you can do is keep him warm and comfortable for whatever time he has left. 

 Vibes for you, Rain, Sleet, and all the other kittens. 

So I'm assuming your tried Rain on some drops of fluid? How is Sleet taking to the dropper?

It's so heartbreaking...nothing weighs heavier on the heart than having to watch them slowly slip away.  All we can do is

is love them til they go.

Hugs to you and little Rain
 

Well in all the action I got my kittens crossed. Sleet is the one on her way out not rain. She was born 2ed and 86g she is making little popping noises when she breathes and now clear fluid is coming from her mouth. She is blue around the mouth to. I think its too late to help her and if she can't digest it probably wouldn't be kind to try to prolong her life. I am keeping her warm and on my purring simulator. She seems as happy as possible. Duchess comes over and licks her face now and then. But she knows she is dying I have never lost a kitten, maybe I'm giving up too soon?? I don't know :'( if she shows any sign of improvement I will give her a drop of the sugar stuff. Rain is doing fine with the eye dropper and has already gained 2g. But I'm nit getting my hopes up yet. All the other kittens are doing brilliantly

Yes, it does sound too late for little Sleet. Mama probably knew there was something wrong.

Perhaps Rain just needs to get strong enough to fend for herself. Good luck with Rain and I'm sorry

about Sleet.
 

Thank you for the condolences, I know this job has it's ups and Downs. This is just my first loss and I do feel bad. She is open mouth gasping now poor thing. Rain will be fine if I can get him to poop, he is a bit premature to and being stubborn about it. Poor belly is hard! I wonder if I just dipped his whole rear end in warm water if that would help.

Savethemoms said:

 Poor belly is hard! I wonder if I just dipped his whole rear end in warm water if that would help.

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Yes, worth a try. Some forumites do them by helding their rear end in running nicely warm water.  Stimulates and washes off simultaneously.  Afterwards they of course dry off with a soft towel or other tissue.

Good luck!

Try getting mum to do it - rub something she will like (butter, marmite) on the kit's behind and hold him for her to lick.

Well done to u for bringing them up its not easy.

Great ideas, I will try to get mum to do it so there is no chance of chill. Then do the warm water if that doesn't work. Rain is up in weight and I'm hopeful he will keep it up. I been feeding him every 30 minutes because he isn't taking much at a time. New pictures up in their threads! Thank you to all!!

Oh the butter works like a charm! Thank goodness. I'm so worried about Rain because of sleet that I maybe over doing it lol