Need help with week and half old kittens.

We took in a pregnant stray. she is young and had the kittens June 25. She was doing fine, very attentive and nursing often. She was in a good mood, relaxed and would come out to visit us and eat. She had 5 kittens.

Well this weekend she moved the kittens into the basement. We came home Sunday evening she was covered in diarrhea. And there were only 5 kittens. I have looked everywhere for the last kitten. No luck. I know she moved all 5 in the basement.

I had to bathe her and the kittens since they were covered in poop as well. She moved back upstairs where it is dry and warm and was nursing and grooming the remaining 4 kittens. She didn't eat last night. But ate this morning and got  sick again. We have a vet appt today.

I am just worried I will find a dead kitten somewhere. What happened! Do you think our other cat could take one of the kittens?

Hi and welcome!

In all absolute honesty, what probably happened is that she either ate the kitten or did move it somewhere and hide/bury it under something if possible to keep it away from the other kittens.  While probably you won't find it because probably she ate it, you may find it dead somewhere.  I am sorry but I do not want to sugar coat it or mislead you.

I know this is kind of disturbing, but why she would have done it is to protect the other kittens.  Basically, when mom senses there is a problem with one of her offspring, she eliminates it to give the remaining kittens the best chance at being healthy, and to prevent a situation where the kitten dies in the 'nest' and attracts predators to her and the kittens.  Cats  don't understand fully that nothing can get them inside and they are safe, so they act like they would in the wild.

Keep us updated about the remaining kittens and about mom.  I hope the vet had good news.

Well Monday I took her to the vets and when I went to load up the kittens there were 5! I was thinking since she messed where she and the kittens were sleeping I interrupted her in the process of moving them. The 5th kittens is fine and nursing away with her siblings.

Mom has a temp and diarrhea. We got her dewormed, anti diarrhea meds and probiotic powder to put in her food. Hopefully It helps. Last night she was still having problems so I will call the vet again if she is not better tonight.

Best wishes to you and the kittens! I hope they get well soon! 

Awww, I hope Mom and babies are doing better. Thank you for taking such good care of them.

So glad you found the fifth - that must have been such a relief!  Hope Mommy gets sorted out soon...

Very glad you found the 5th kitten. Please post pictures of them and mom once they get a little older!