Down to One

Saved a couple of foster kittens and Ryu was nursing them, but something must have upset her because I found out the other day that even though she was letting them lay by her belly she stopped letting them feed. I lost one of them because of this, I'm so upset over it I just couldn't understand why this tiny little life who was so happy and brought nothing but joy to the house was taken so early... I had taken both of them to the vet but my happy little munchkin died in my arms on the way there. His brother is ok for now, Ryu still isn't to thrilled on actually feeding him so I'm hand feeding him. It turned out that she'd get antsy and kick them away and they kept coming back bu they eventually got discouraged and just lay with her instead. I'm still hoping that I can get Marshmellow to feed from her instead of my hand each time I do a feeding, because I know that it is much better for him then replacement milk.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can re-encourage them both (Ryu and Marshmellow) to feed again? 

Putting this post at the top so someone will see it who can help.

Good luck though.

 I am so sorry about the other littler kitten.    Glad you found out what was going on in time to hopefully save Marshmallow.

Do you think  it's that he is now liking the taste of the formula?  If so,  you could try putting a few drops on her nipple and see if that might "jump start" him.

Or squeeze out a drop of her own milk before putting him on the teat.
 

No doubt he is nervous to try because of her being rough with them and stopping them from nursing.   You can just repeatedly try getting Ryu and Marshmallow to lie together,  and keep trying to put him on.   If you do get him to start,  you will still need to supervise for a while .   and weigh him regularly.  at first weigh daily to make sure he is getting enough .   You would need a scale that can weigh in small amounts.  Hopefully you can borrow or buy a baby scale, food scale or postage scale.

Oh --  another thought -- I would also rub a cloth on her temples, then rub that along his body.  and keep repeating.   Basically the idea is marking him with her scent. 

You could also try expressing milk from her and then feeding it to him.

 Vibes to little Marshmallow  

She lets him lie near.  does she also washes, and eats the wastes?  If so, the problem is probably not different smells, but prob she has pains in her teats.  They may be somewhat inflammed or something such.   This was my first reaction.

Try at least to have some good olive oil on the teats. Or put on some paste human women puts on their sore teats.

If her teats looks visibly badly, take her to the vet of course, she may need antibiotics.

Otherwise, yes the advices of rubbing off the smells and of having some kmr on her teats are sound advices.

As long she is helping him at all, its better than nothing.  Plan on continuing to bottle feeding.   And do weigh him every day, so you have a good trace on the development.

Use best a electronical kitchen or mail scale measuring in grammes.   You dont need any fancy costly type.

Another tip is to use goat milk. Preferably raw goat milk if you can get it..  Raw goat milk contains some antibodies too.

As long as the goats are healthy.  

Goat milk is useful, especielly if your kmr isnt first rate.   With a quality kmr its maybe better to use the kmr.

Good luck!

I am sorry for your loss. I recently lost 6 kittens. Not sure what happened. I have one left. His mother helps me now. She cleans him and teaches him to play. Its hard going through a lost.