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HELP...
- Thread starter larissa44
- Start Date
Does the kitten latch on if you put it to a nipple when she's nursing the others?
She is prob NOT trying to kill it, if she did, she WOULD kill it easily.
That said, the situation is alarming.
SArthur asked the right question. If the kitten latches, you can try and let them continue under your supervision. Let the smallest kitten nurse when the bigger ones sleeps.
Weight them every day on a scale messuring in grammes. The smallest one every 12 hours, so you see it gains minimum 6+ grammes a day.
If not, you must step in yourself. Ie, YOU must give it kmr or full fat goat milk, probably with a needleless syringe, of 1ml or 1,5ml. A dropper will do if you dont have syringe.
Exactly what you do depends on how much the mom is helping out.
But if you want to try and save the kittens, you must be active and vigorous.
Report immediately as soon you can, so we will help you out with further advices. We are several here woh are willing to help out.
Good luck!
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Ok...as I got up a short time ago, she now has moved a different kitten into a very small compacted basket while the others lay asleep... Is she trying to relocate them? And how often to feed the small one? Your help has been such a relief! Thank you!
Tis with moving on different kittens into different places is always tricky. Unclear what is played... Seems she to proceed to take care of them?
Easiest may be to have them all in one small room, perhaps even a batroom, where she cant move them astray. Ar a cage / pet taxi...
If you handfeed, remember, tummy down, head up, be caustious so they dont get the milk wrong way. If the kitten swallow actively, it can go fairly quickly, if it doenst swallow much, it will go very slowly, of course. Burp afterwards. A syringe is easiest to control. A bottle may be difficult in the beginning, esp if they still can nurse some from mom.
You can get suitable syringe from your vet, or from a pharmacia. It may even be for free.
A forumite told Ibuprofen for babies, in the package is there a 1,5ml syringe. Tis should also be usefule here, the syringe.
Every two hours, with some pause at your night so you can sleep some. about 2-3 ml a feeding. They shall have at least 8ml / 30g=1Oz a day. So a smallish but fully nicely developed kiten of 90 grammes, 3x8 shall have 24ml kmr or goat milk a day, on the number of feeding you give.
If the kitten still takes from mom, you can give somewhat less, and not so often.
If the kitten is in crisis, not stabilized yet, perhaps even more often but less - if they are weak, they dont manage to eat much, they get tired.
Weigh them smallest every 12 hours, fo know the development, they shall gain every day, the smallest at least 6g, the bigger ones 10 grammes...
The best kmr is made by PetAg, called for KMR, and is in powder. Their liquid version ready made isnt as reliable.
GNC makes OK kmr, so does Royal Canin Kitten baby milk...
Hartz is common, but not reliable.
Goat milk is OK, raw goat milk is even very good. But bottled full fat is OK to use.
Good luck!
ps. Relocating is common, and as long she moves them all, its no big deal, perhaps. Mom wins allways, she must not be stressed.
The change of the bedding helps sometimes, they dont like it to be soiled.
But the tricky part is if she moves kittens into different places...
Ah, also, be sure the kitten you take care off has it warm and cozy. You will prob need to warm it actively by a heat pad on low setting.
You may also need to stimulate it, if mom doesnt do it.
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I agree with StefanZ. Mama is following her natural instincts to move and hide her babies. Do you have a quiet, dark closet in your bedroom where you can set up the nesting box and close the bedroom door most of the time? And put mama's food and water nearby in the same room? Her litter box as well for now so she does not need to leave her babies or go far from them?
Have you seen them all nursing? They should be nursing around the clock every hour or two.
Perhaps these changes will allow mom to relax. Also, mama isn't keen on her babies being handled right now unless you must provide supplemental feedings.
Please post as to how it's going!
Have you seen them all nursing? They should be nursing around the clock every hour or two.
Perhaps these changes will allow mom to relax. Also, mama isn't keen on her babies being handled right now unless you must provide supplemental feedings.
Please post as to how it's going!
