Orphans to Adoption

ebrew37

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Hi,

Yesterday I got a foster cat from the humane society, she had just been removed from her kitten and was still lactating. Today they got a call about 3 kittens (3-4weeks) that were orphaned and right now we are tying to graft these babies on to the mama. I have heard about cats doing this, that they have a good maternal side, but never done anything first-hand. I really have more experience with dogs and am a little concerned about these babies. I have formula, but would really like to have the mother accept them.
She wasn't aggressive towards them, even started to respond to the cries but I haven't seen them nurse. I tried to stimulate her and put the nipple in the kittens mouth but it didn't work. Is there anything I could be doing to make sure they nurse or encourage them to do so?
Also at what point, (hours) should I give up on mom and bottle feed them?

Thanks a million!!
 

StefanZ

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How are the kittens?   ARE they actively trying, no troubles there?    continue

What may be the danger, they are chilled out or too weak to nurse by themslves.   In such a case you must of course step in immediately.

1.  Be sure they are warm enough.  You must probably warm them up actively.  Even if it is decently warm in the room, as it is summertime.   continue

2.   If they are warm, but still lack energy, you can perk  in some energy into them by smearing  little   glucose sugar on their gums.  If you dont have glucose sugar (brand name may be Dextrose or Dextropur), you can use Honey or white caro syrup.  Even common sugar will work, but much slower.   continue

3.  The third danger is they are dehydrated. It too takes force from them.  So give them soe water, perhaps with a dropper,  in the corner of the mouth.
 
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ebrew37

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One has been pawing at mom, they are all lively and warm. I'm just worried about them staying that way. Is there a way to tell if they're nursing?
 

StefanZ

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OK, if they are fine and lively, there is no dramatic hurry.     continue

Perhaps they were feed before they left their last place?   Anyway, if you notice they begin to be lethargic, going down, anything, these advices above is what to do and try with in such situations.  Very often its enough.

To know if they nurse for real or mostly snuggle?  The only safe way is to weigh them.  Every day, or in the beginning perhaps twice a day.

If you notice they go up, they do nurse for real...   Use an electronic scale measuring in grammes.  There are cheap kitchen scales suitable for this.

So mom IS taking care of them?    Helping them stimulate too?    contnue

I almost forgot.   4.  If they werent stimulated and are full, they wont have the same appetite.  Exactly like humans.

In bad cases they may get  critical ill....

Anyways,  if they have emptied both bowels and bladder, are warm,  not lethargic in any way, and still dont want to try to nurse serious, you can help them some with forumula.  You know how to do it?   On tummy, head up, similiar position like they nurse.    continue

With small or weak kittens its often easier with a dropper or a syringe without needle.  These you put in the corner of the mouth, so you dont riskt to press in fluids in the wrong throat.

It seems to be partly a myth, once you began with  supplement feeding, they wont return back to mom and nurse.

It is not totally wrong, but nursing a living mom is a pleasure by itself, so it is seldom a problem with this.   Rescuers do supplement feed weak or the littlest kitten in the liter, and dont have problems with it nursing mom too.

Even if it is easier to get food by a dropper or syringe...

Good luck!
 
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ebrew37

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Thank you, I will try all of that. Just didn't know if I was missing something in this adoptive p process!
 
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