Feral Mama and babies

Hi! I just trapped a feral mom and her three one week old babies, and I had a couple of questions.

First, how long should I give her to calm down before I need to become concerned? She has been with me for 15 hours and has barely moved.

Second, someone told me her milk may dry up if she is stressed for a long period of time, how would I know if that is becoming an issue with her?

Third, how can I reduce her stress? She is in a large cat play pen with her babies with the cage covered by a comforter. My dog and cats are all pretty much ignoring her, other than my younger male, who pokes his head in every so often (he is her kitten from her last litter). She did seem to settle a little bit after he stuck his head in last night, but I don't want him to mess with her too much.

Finally, if we do need to take the babies, what would be the easiest way to switch them to formula? We're already a little concerned with one of the males and it was suggested we begin supplementing him with a bottle.

Thanks in advance!

AmandaRonning said:

 
Hi! I just trapped a feral mom and her three one week old babies, and I had a couple of questions.

First, how long should I give her to calm down before I need to become concerned? She has been with me for 15 hours and has barely moved.

Second, someone told me her milk may dry up if she is stressed for a long period of time, how would I know if that is becoming an issue with her?

Third, how can I reduce her stress? She is in a large cat play pen with her babies with the cage covered by a comforter. My dog and cats are all pretty much ignoring her, other than my younger male, who pokes his head in every so often (he is her kitten from her last litter). She did seem to settle a little bit after he stuck his head in last night, but I don't want him to mess with her too much.

Finally, if we do need to take the babies, what would be the easiest way to switch them to formula? We're already a little concerned with one of the males and it was suggested we begin supplementing him with a bottle.

Thanks in advance!

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Its not clear for me, is she with them her babies?  if yes, how do they seem to do?

Wait, I see they are together. Good.

continue to think...

Can you see if she is nursing them etc?   If so, its going well, and it is essentially just to continue...   One of the wonders of this world is, when mom realize its no real threat to her children, and this is their best practical chance, she does copy with the situation, and lets you help them.

Be respectul, but you should be able to take the kittens to supplement, or to weigh.   Just do it so she sees you and the kittens, and hears if the kitten is protesting...

You can try with a Feliway diffuser to make her more comfortable.   A relaxing music may help.  Or purring sounds  (there are on youtube such sounds).

This she saw you do have other cats whom are friendly with you does help some.   Although I agree with you to not let them disturb her, unless she clearly wants them near.

If they need supplementing, you see by weighing them.   If in doubt and the sitaution is alarming, yes, begin soon.

A syringe will probably be easier than a bottle.  Kittens who also do have a mom, often dont want bottle, so syringe is easier.  Also, if the kitten is very weak, its easier with syring - it doesnt need to suckle, it is enough it can swallow.

You know the proper way to give supplement, body position and so??

How begin?  Begin.  begin with small portions, so you are sure there are no refluxes.  You can increase later on.

Exactly WHAT   kmr are you going to use?

Talk a lot with soft, sweet friendly voice.  Make friendly compassionate sounds - crooning...  Compare a friendly tom who courts, and a tom who takes what he wants... So especially a female knows very well whom is trying to be friendly, and whom isnt bothering...

Your voice and your sounds is a strong helper.

Coming with food and water helps too, so come with small portions but often!

End of this message.

Good luck!

Thanks! Yes she seems to be calmer after Toulouse, who is her son from a previous litter that I trapped is near.

I am concerned with the one male because he doesn't seem to be as active as the other two. When we picked them up yesterday the other two started crying, but he didn't. Could be nothing, his brother is very laid back, and I was able to handle him without gloves from day one even though the other two needed the gloves...

Thanks again for the advice, PetAg is what all my local stores carry, but I was reading some reviews about it that concerned me. I do have feeding syringes, bottles, and kitten and mothering nipples ( I also have a baby squirrel right now).

We are weighing them this afternoon and are going to keep a close eye on the babies and mom.

AmandaRonning said:

 
Thanks! Yes she seems to be calmer after Toulouse, who is her son from a previous litter that I trapped is near.

I am concerned with the one male because he doesn't seem to be as active as the other two. When we picked them up yesterday the other two started crying, but he didn't. Could be nothing, his brother is very laid back, and I was able to handle him without gloves from day one even though the other two needed the gloves...

Thanks again for the advice, PetAg is what all my local stores carry, but I was reading some reviews about it that concerned me. I do have feeding syringes, bottles, and kitten and mothering nipples ( I also have a baby squirrel right now).

We are weighing them this afternoon and are going to keep a close eye on the babies and mom.

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PetAg is one of the best brands, but observe, its the pulver [POWDER] version which is really good and reliable.  The ready made liquid is not so realiable at all.  Funny, they are supposed to be alike, but many experienced forumites reports the liquid version is uneven.

 Welcome to TCS!! Our own TCS cat-heroine, Hissy, has an excellent website: www.kitten-rescue.org with TONS of valuable information.  In my personal experience, the FourPaws Pet Nurser, with its rubber nipples, is the best bottle to get - I live in a rural area so have to order mine through Amazon.com.  Also, I have had the best experience with goat milk formulas - especially if the kittens have digestive issues due to being born to unvaccinated queens.  TCS prayers and vibes that you have great success with your new kitty family

catsknowme said:

 

 Welcome to TCS!! Our own TCS cat-heroine, Hissy, has an excellent website: www.kitten-rescue.org with TONS of valuable information.  In my personal experience, the FourPaws Pet Nurser, with its rubber nipples, is the best bottle to get - I live in a rural area so have to order mine through Amazon.com.  Also, I have had the best experience with goat milk formulas - especially if the kittens have digestive issues due to being born to unvaccinated queens.  TCS prayers and vibes that you have great success with your new kitty family

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Yes, goat milk is a good alternative. If you can get raw goat milk, its really the best, especielly for orphans.  It does contain some natural antibodies. It they are useful for the goat kids (fawn?) of goat, they may be useful for kittens too.

But bottled and even powdered, are useful too.   If there are several versions of bottled, take a full fat, ie 3%-4%,  not fat reduced. of 1,8%.

Also, kmr based on goat milk are good - for example GNC makes such.  The best home made kitten glopes are also based on goat milk.

But as said, you really dont need to make any kitten glope based on goat milk.  If you do have a perfectly good goat milk at hand, you can use it straight as it is, just to warm up to body temp, as always with small kittens.

@AmandaRonning

Thanks! We are more concerned with mama right now, she isn't eating or drinking much, but we're giving her a few more days before we make any decisions. We'd rather not remove the kittens if at all possible.