Need some help with 3 day old kittens

Status
Not open for further replies.

sheltieluver

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
100
Purraise
13
I help out at a rescue. We have a mama kitty who was rescued from a hoarding situation. She ended up being pregnant and gave birth to 3 kittens. The one passed away yesterday. I know have her other 2 because she was rejecting them up until today and up until last night she was letting them nurse but now she wants nothing to do with them. I'm not sure if she knows something is up with them or what.

Question is I've been feeding them every hour by syringe of KMR formula. The one doesn't look as healthy as the other and they both have liquid poop when I stimulate them. Is 1ml each time I feed enough for them. The one is 2.7 oz the other is 3.8 oz. I have a heating pad in with them and lots of blankets for them to cuddle in and keep warm.

I'm hoping they pull thru but I'm not sure exspecially the one. Its been along time since I've had really tiny ones my last few litters were about 4 weeks when they came to me.
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
I'm actually not certain about how much you should be feeding but hopefully someone will come along who does (I'll put the word out and see what I can find). If you haven't read this article it does a good job of covering the basics: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens . Also, be sure to look at this site: http://www.kitten-rescue.com/ . It may give you the proper dosing information as well. 

Keeping them warm is definitely important, but make sure they don't get too warm (aka burned). And, make sure they can move off the heating pad if it does happen. Other than that, all you can do is feed them, eliminate them, and give them a cozy nest. I do hope they pull through too!

Keep up the good work. Thank you so much for saving them! 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

sheltieluver

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
100
Purraise
13
Thank you I will read the links you sent me. The one did pass away I didn't have a good feeling about him but I at least tried. He was really tiny and just didn't look healthy. The other one is pretty fiesty so hopefully he will make it I would hate to lose all of them. He sort of eats on his own Ive been doing the bottle and syringe feeding him, he will suckle on the bottle for a litte bit then stop so I then syringe him the rest.

I put a little stuffed animals in there to suggle with. I hate that he now has no litter mates to snuggle with. Will keep you posted how he is doing. I'm going to try and get some sleep before the next feeding.
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
I dont blame you for needing some sleep! And, I'm sort to hear the other one didn't make it. Unfortunately, working in rescue you know sometimes these things happen despite our best efforts. You gave him a chance and let him pass in a warm and peaceful environment. Sometimes that's just the best thing we can do for them. 

Since you just have one you may want to consider getting him something like a SnuggleKittie. I swear I recommend it so often people are going to start thinking I work for them but I promise I don't. I just think the concept is genius and can make a huge difference for young animals, especially those who are alone. I think making them feel content now can help ward of behavioral contentment issues later (like suckling). You can find more info here: http://www.snugglepetproducts.com/snuggle-pets/snuggle-kitties . Stuffed animals are a great start but I love that this product takes it further with the warmer and the beating heartbeat. I want one just for me!

I hope he continues to thrive and so sorry to hear of the loss of the other. 
 RIP little guy. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

sheltieluver

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
100
Purraise
13
So far kitten is still with us. Hes a noisy little thing. He fights me for feeding and screams and claws. I figured out that he likes when I put him on the floor in the belly position to feed him hes less noisy that way. I've now been feeding him 3ml of formula every 2-3 hours. I'm not sure if hes a male or female so right now I'm just saying he because I hate to call them an "it". After feeding he will calm down and snuggle into his blankets and up to his little stuffed animal.

He lost a little weight he was 3.7oz and now hes 3.5oz so I'm going to weigh him later because they say to weigh him at the same time which I didn't.
 

maewkaew

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
1,821
Purraise
155
Location
Chicago, Illinois, USA
 Yes kittens should definitely be fed with 4 feet down , or the front ones raised a bit, like when they are nursing from their mother.  That reduces the risk of them aspirating the formula into their lungs.      you might want to try adding a little canned pumpkin mixed into the formula to try to help form the stool.   The liquid poop is worrying ;  a young kitten can so quickly get dehydrated.   If that has been going on for days, I would  call the vet that the rescue uses.  

  Thanks for helping the animals.  :) 

 &  I do think those Snuggle Kitties are a good idea.   Otherwise you might get an old fashioned clock that ticks, wrap it up in something soft, put it in a big sock or something.    and also can heat up a sock full of uncooked rice, heated in the microwave. 
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
 &  I do think those Snuggle Kitties are a good idea.   Otherwise you might get an old fashioned clock that ticks, wrap it up in something soft, put it in a big sock or something.    and also can heat up a sock full of uncooked rice, heated in the microwave. 
I guess I'm just lazy. I'd rather have it all in one than find a clock, make the sock, ect..... 
 Of course, either way works it's just a personal preference! 

I agree with everything else maewkaew said. Hang in there and keep doing the best you can. Even though he can't tell you I know he is so grateful for you taking him in, as are the rest of us! Thank you for all that you are doing for him! 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

sheltieluver

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
100
Purraise
13
Little man passed away tonight. It happened so fast. One min he was fighting me and screaming and drinking the bottle the next feeding I went in and he was hardly moving and was cold even tho I had the heating pad on and two rice socks in with him. I tried warming him up and syringed him some sugar water basically honey and nutrical in water warmed up. I put him back in his carrier and went to warm up some towels and when i came back he was gone.
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
Oh no I'm so sorry to hear it. 
 Try to take comfort in knowing you did everything that you could. You even said so originally that the outlook wasn't great. It is also possible that Mom did know something was wrong and that's why she abandoned them. 

Just remember you gave all three a warm and cozy home and that is the best thing we can do. At least they passed knowing such comforts and none of them suffered long. You gave them a chance which is more than they would have had, I think the damage was just already done. 

Since they are all gone I am going to ask a mod to close this thread. If/when you feel up to it please feel free to start a new thread for them in the Rainbow Bridge section, or start a new thread here with other questions you may have. But, out of respect for them, we will lock this one. 

I do hope this doesn't discourage you from all the wonderful rescue work you have been doing. We need people like you to keep going in spite of these tragic situations. 

 RIP little kitten 
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top