Newborn Kitten Questions

sara22

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Hello! First, I'd like to say THANK YOU for being here. The posts and info here have been very helpful- and you've helped me relax a bit, heh.

Last Thursday, I said yes to "Want a kitten?", despite having promised "no new kitties!" to my fourteen cranky senior cats. The babycat was found on the sidewalk at a gas station, and the cashier was close to panic trying care for him and work. My husband and I couldn't find any sign of momma cat or the rest of the litter. So, we have babycat!

We had our vet check him out immediately. Probably 2-3 days old, little over 4 oz., took to the syringe and KMR immediately, and everything seems good as can be. He (so far, seems to be a he!) didn't even have fleas.

So far, mostly good. No nest yet...we're taking shifts holding him on our chests with a tshirt blankie ("we" is my brother, me, and my husband). He's eating 2.5-4 cc's every 2-3 hours, and peeing at every meal. We're feeding approx 30 cc's per twenty four hour period. I'm adding an extra "scoop" of water when I mix up the formula- guess it's 1 formula to 2.5 water. Mixing up formula every twelve hours, heating each syringe in hot water, and testing temp before feeding. He's feisty, he latches and sucks, and we let him spend a little time smurgling ang questing before mealtimes to get a little exercise. He's started taking a little longer to relax afterwards, but I'm firmly sticking to underfeeding is better than over. No matter how adorable and persuasive he is.

But the poop isn't right...it's always the poop, isn't it? I think it's the right color, but definitely too firm, and less poop than there should be. The cashier had given him some evaporated milk before we got him. He pooped in her hoodie pocket. Then he had a teensy bit of poop Thursday evening, and didn't poop again until Saturday morning. That's why I upped the water in the formula (started adding more Friday evening, I think). He's pooped twice more since Sat morning. It's very uncomfy for him to get out- he'll mew a little when he's hungry, but he gives a BIGMEW at pooping. I was using cotton balls, but started trying the warm water/finger tapping after I read it here last night. He seems to poop on his schedule, tho', not ours. I'm also putting a tiny bit of Vaseline on his rear after rubbing or tapping.

Should I give him a little vegetable oil to help move things along? If so, how much?
Or do we continue doin' what we're doin', and hope the poop continues to improve in quantity and texture?

My brother and I raised thirteen kittens at once in '99. Three litters from sick mommas, and three orphans; they ranged from 3 to 6 weeks old. All lived to adulthood, tho' three have passed on since (kidneys, cancer, heart) The other ten are still part of my cranky senior cat herd. We also had three newborns later in '99; we lost all three. It was very difficult. I don't think we did anything wrong back then, but I'm still scared that I'll miss something or mess up this time. Please let me know if there is anything else I should be doing for our babycat.

Thank you!
-Sara
 

leto86

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You want the formula be be more rich to help pass the poop. More water/less formula is just watering it down, not helping the situation. Stick to the 1/1 directions and should help.

I'm told a few drops of mineral oil helps pass it, or some pumpkin but he's too young for pumpkin. I personally just make the formula a bit more rich and that passes the poop and then go back to normal feedings.
 
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