Please help, in need of urgent advice.

I've got 6 2 day old kittens but the smallest one of them won't stop crying and keeps moving its arms and rolling on its back. I've walked into the room where I keep them and the mum and found it away from the nest three times, it's not been feeding for most of the day, I'm scared that the kittens going to Die which will be heartbreaking if it does,
But does anyone know why she might be doing this and is there anything I can do to help her.

First open the kittens mouth and check the roof of his mouth to be sure there isn't an opening (cleft pallet ). If no opening  you need to go to the pet store and get some kitten formula and a bottle to feed the kitten. The smallest kitten may not be strong enough to push past his siblings to nurse. It's urgent that you go right away and start to feed the kitten, he won't survive long without eating. Hopefully after a few days he will be able to nurse from mom. You also should try to put the small kitten on a teat while the other kittens are sleeping if mom will allow it. It's still a good idea to do the supplemental feedings even if he can nurse sometimes.  Read the directions on the formula about how much and how often it's recommended to feed the kitten. Be sure the kitten is kept warm also, either cuddled with his siblings or with a heating pad or warming light (not too warm though).

If the kitten does have a cleft pallet, there is usually not much that can be done for him. He won't be able to nurse and an attempt to syringe feed him will likely cause formula to go into his lungs, causing pneumonia. I hope the cleft pallet isn't the case. Good luck .
 

Hi kitten doesn't have a cleft pallet but she is the runt of the litter, I've had her on a hot water bottle and syringe feeding her with hot water mixed with a small amount of milk and their activity drinking it but I'll have to get the kitten formula in the morning at the pet shop is closed but is there anything else I could do?

That's good you are keeping the kitten warm and feeding him. Cow's milk doesn't have the proper protein and fat for kittens though and can cause digestive problems, and nutritional problems.  Please get the kitten formula as soon as you can. That's great he doesn't have a cleft pallet.
 

I've managed to get the kitten to nurse and they seem to be doing well but Im going to be keeping a close eye one them all night and still get the kitten formula in the morning just to be on the safe side. Thank you so much for the help its really appreciated.

Are you weighing the kitten and if so has it gained any weight? The biggest thing is to keep it warm before and during feeding or it could have bad digestion issues. Have you seen it feeding at all?

My cat is never in with the kittens when I go check in on her because she hears me coming and gets out of the nest because she knows I have her soft food. Are you certain momma kitty is just not taking a breather? I can tell if our mamma cat was in the nest by feeling for a warm spot where she was laying just before I entered the room.

This link is very helpful, my vet suggested it to me as well as some members here so you know it's good.

http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

If you are weighing the babies and the runt is gaining then things seem on track. Kittens should gain 10grams - 15 grams a day though I've seen 7 grams on the low end. I use an electronic kitchen scale and weigh at the same time every day (when I change the bedding)

Also it is super important that if mom is not stimulating it to go potty that you do it during each feeding, the link I provided goes over stimulating them to go potty if mom cat isn't doing it. If you see her licking their bottoms then she's doing her job.

One last thing, when one of our kittens has a small weight gain I put that kitten on the back nipples every couple hours so it gets more milk and has a better chance of staying latched on longer before the rest of the babies swarm in. I've had great success with this, it just depends on if you can get your girl to lay down and let the babies nurse. I sit with the momma cat sometimes and she's more content to stay put, or once she's had her fill of warmed formula and soft food she's more likely to lay with them right away I've noticed.

Please keep us updated, I hope all turns out well! I really suggest the scale if you can find one though, it is making my life so much easier knowing what they are gaining every day.

Hi Velvet only weighs about 10grams but ill start weighing them all regularly to keep track, the kittens are in the front room with me all day then i take them to bed with me too see um able to deal with any problems that might pop up, but she normally feeds all her kittens just today I've found velvet in several different places today and she kept rolling on her back when she tried to move. Im keeping them all warm with rice socks and a hot water bottle.
I've had whispa feed the kitten whilst shes been laying on my lap, but besides those few moments she hasn't feed her.

chrispywhispy said:

Hi Velvet only weighs about 10grams but ill start weighing them all regularly to keep track, the kittens are in the front room with me all day then i take them to bed with me too see um able to deal with any problems that might pop up, but she normally feeds all her kittens just today I've found velvet in several different places today and she kept rolling on her back when she tried to move. Im keeping them all warm with rice socks and a hot water bottle.
I've had whispa feed the kitten whilst shes been laying on my lap, but besides those few moments she hasn't feed her.

Click to expand...

 Did you mean 100grams?

Sorry, I did mean 100grams. She also seems to be constipated when I tried to make her go to the toilet.

Just to let those who helped know, velvet died this morning at 9am, we've buried her in the garden and said our goodbyes.
I also want to say a really thank you for helping out last it's really appreciated.

Im sorry to hear this!  You got adequate advices, you managed to spark her back to life, I myself reading the thread was quite confident it should go OK from now.

Yet she went on...   Hard but such happens...

RIP  little Velvet.

I shall ask a mod to close this thread.

You can start instead a memorial thread for Velvet in our Memorial subforum, if you wish.

Good luck!

Thank you, all I know is she's in a better place where she won't suffer anymore. I just feel like I could of done more but at lest she's safe now and I'll always remember her.

I'll start one to show my respect her.

On behalf of the entire TCS team, I'd like to express my sympathies. This thread will be closed now, and people can give their condolences in this one: Rest in peace, baby girl