help! I need advice

olive88

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My cat (Princess) had kittens April 6. She had 1 at 8a.m. and didn't have another until 1p.m. sadly the second one was stillborn. She delivered the third at 1:45, followed shortly with the fourth and fifth. I removed the stillborn kitten immediately. She and the kittens seemed to be doing well until this morning I found she had removed one from the nest and sadly it was dead. And now she has started to remove another. Every time I put it back she doesn't seem to be interested in it. And she continues caring for the remaining 2 kittens. I am worried the kitten she keeps removing will die if she continues to do so. While she was pregnant she was throwing up constantly, it was almost everyday. Could she have an infection? Could it be affecting the kittens? My cat (Carmela) had 4 kittens march 19. They are very healthy and growing everyday. Her and princess are from the same litter and have the exact same diets and get equal amounts of activities and love. And are both first time mom's. I am at a loss as to what could cause princess to have such a difficult time. Please help. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you
 

StefanZ

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My cat (Princess) had kittens April 6. She had 1 at 8a.m. and didn't have another until 1p.m. sadly the second one was stillborn. She delivered the third at 1:45, followed shortly with the fourth and fifth. I removed the stillborn kitten immediately. She and the kittens seemed to be doing well until this morning I found she had removed one from the nest and sadly it was dead. And now she has started to remove another. Every time I put it back she doesn't seem to be interested in it. And she continues caring for the remaining 2 kittens. I am worried the kitten she keeps removing will die if she continues to do so. While she was pregnant she was throwing up constantly, it was almost everyday. Could she have an infection? Could it be affecting the kittens? My cat (Carmela) had 4 kittens march 19. They are very healthy and growing everyday. Her and princess are from the same litter and have the exact same diets and get equal amounts of activities and love. And are both first time mom's. I am at a loss as to what could cause princess to have such a difficult time. Please help. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you
Its difficult to know what happened. Virus, or some genetical issue.  Humans do have the blood groups which may be conflicting,  with troubles for the babies.  Its well known. But cats has something similar them too...

Anyways, the kitten she tries to abandon.  She probably feels there is something wrong with it.   And thus abandons it, like they very often do in such situation.

Its very possible its fate is to die, but quite often they can be saved if their owner,  ie YOU, handrear it.   With a little luck and quite some work, that kitten can still grow up into a healthy adult.   but you must step in and take full care for it.

Keep it warm - including warming up.. Give it good kmr or goat milk (raw goat milk if  you can get it, bottled otherwise).  Stimulate....   etc.

We do have artickles on handrearing - handraising, lotsa info in our treads.  

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/
http://www.hdw-inc.com/glop.htm    

are others sources for good knowledge.

Please report your thoughts and how its going, so we will take it from there.
 
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olive88

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Ok. Thank you so much. I have taken the kitten and i am keeping it warm by the kangaroo care as used with newborn babies and i heating water bottle. I do happen to have fresh goat milk. I will continue to do what i can to make sure the little guy grows healthy. Thanks again
 

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Ok. Thank you so much. I have taken the kitten and i am keeping it warm by the kangaroo care as used with newborn babies and i heating water bottle. I do happen to have fresh goat milk. I will continue to do what i can to make sure the little guy grows healthy. Thanks again
Splendid.  Do you use a bottle or a needleless syringe / dropper?

Both have its difficulties and even dangers.

Also,  let him "belch" afterwards.   [burp is the usual word]
 
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StefanZ

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Another tip, if you may have fleece, fleece feels comfortable to such kittens, it feels almost like mommas fur.   Another alternative may be a teddy toy, for comforting company.

Also, you can carry the kitten at your chest - I dont know what this kangaroo thing is, possibly its somethong to carry on you?  Like kangoo mommas do?

I shall google on it.

ps.

Yes, I see now.  Splendid!!!   Exactly what I often recommend, telling the idea is from premature babies care in hospitals in poor countries.  And now I do have words for it.  Tx!
 
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olive88

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I am currently using a dropper. I will purchase a feeding bottle tomorrow. And I am using a warm wash cloth to mimic the mom licking its tummy too. Thank you again.
 

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I am currently using a dropper. I will purchase a feeding bottle tomorrow. And I am using a warm wash cloth to mimic the mom licking its tummy too. Thank you again.
Dropper is ok to begin with.

The technique is important,   tummy down, head up.  In the corner of the mouth, and press in slowly!  Be sure the kitten swallow.

If the kitten swallow good and actively, it can go rather quick.  If the kitten is too weak to swallow properly, it will take time and patience.
 

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Bottles are not always easy to use.  Be prepared to try several times.  Perhaps put a little milk on it, so the kittens knows he is supposed to suckle.'

But weak kittens, or kittens who are bad at suckling, with them is a needleless syringe (or dropper if you dont have) easier.  They dont need to suckle, its just to swallow.

So get a bottle, but get also a needleless syringe. of 1 ml, later on 3 ml.   The kitten will need about 24 ml   a day, depending on its exact weigh.

ps so get a scale measuring in grammes too...
 
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olive88

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Yes. He is pretty weak right now but is eating. Hopefully he will get his strength back shortly.
 

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Ok I will do that. Thank you
How is it going?   Please come with reports and questions, as soon you need!     I know the situation is touchy and life is so fragile, esp on the weak ones.
 
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