5 four week old kittens, one is EXTREMELY TINY?!

paisleybelle

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Hi all! I'm completely new to this site but could really use some help. We have about 5 feral-ish cats that hang around our house (we live wayyy out in the county) and have been working on getting them fixed. (2 down, 3 to go!) but unfortunately one kitty surprised us with a litter of 5 little boys. We moved them into our tack room and they've been doing great... Except for one. When they were born he was the same size as the others. Now, even the runt is almost double his size. His back legs didn't seem to be working for a while, but we've been working with him and he's walking pretty much normal now. But while all of his brothers are normal 4 week old kittens, he still looks like he is two weeks. It doesn't slow him down at all. He still wrestles his brothers and is the first one to get out of the nest to greet us (mostly because he is supplement fed because of his size) But we're just worried about him. Has anyone had an experience like this before? Any advice? I can post pictures if needed. Thanks!
 

Sarthur2

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Please post pictures.

It sounds as though he is thriving despite his slow growth. How much do you supplement him and is it with powdered KMR?

Are the kittens beginning to try solids yet, and is he?

I can make some suggestions once I know what and how much and how often he is currently feeding.

Some kittens take a while to catch up but are healthy. Have you noticed fleas or worms?

Kudos to you for taking in this litter and their mom, and for your ongoing spay/neuter efforts. :)
 
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paisleybelle

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There he is with one of his siblings for comparison. He is on the powdered KMR and gets one tablespoon, three times a day. That's all it takes to fill his belly, and he still nurses on mama. All of them are loving some wet cat food. He was actually one of the first to show interest in it.

As far as fleas and worms, I've noticed a few fleas, but no signs of worms in mama or babies. (Mama was dewormed when babies were born, something safe for nursing moms, I can't remember the name)

Thank you for replying!
 

Sarthur2

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Oh, both kittens are SO adorable!

He sounds healthy, just little. If he is nursing well and eating wet food, the only thing you can do is offer the KMR more often between feedings of wet food if he will take more. You can ask your vet for Nutrical Supplement, and give him that each day. It's a high-calorie supplement.

He sounds like he is meeting his milestones but is small for his age. This happens in people too. I would think he would have a growth spurt sooner or later!

You can put Advantage flea medicine on mama, and a q-tip's worth on the neck of each kitten to get rid of fleas. Fleas can quickly cause anemia in small kittens.

Keep us posted on his progress!
 
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paisleybelle

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Thank you so much! I'll keep you updated!
 

StefanZ

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There he is with one of his siblings for comparison. He is on the powdered KMR and gets one tablespoon, three times a day. That's all it takes to fill his belly, and he still nurses on mama. All of them are loving some wet cat food. He was actually one of the first to show interest in it.

As far as fleas and worms, I've noticed a few fleas, but no signs of worms in mama or babies. (Mama was dewormed when babies were born, something safe for nursing moms, I can't remember the name)

Thank you for replying!
Its the KMR by Pet Ag, or is it some other manufacturer?

Living in the country, can you get RAW goat milk?  Its an alternative, although Pet Ags powdered KMR is very good, so change isnt necessary.

Re mini-cats.  This happens now and then here on this forum.  They are often weak, and its more or less a struggle uphill.  Sometimes they make it into adulthood, often not.

But he here seems healthy, as he wrestles with his littermates, is the first out of the nest - it sounds very good and promising!   A bookmaker would bet on him,   especielly as he gets such good care from you...  Be hopeful!
 
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paisleybelle

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Little update for you guys! Our little man is doing soo much better! He's even had a small growing spurt! (A small one, but at least he's getting somewhere) We will probably keep him longer than the other kittens, to ensure that he is dying enough to find his forever home. It's going to be so hard to say good bye to these babies in a few weeks!
 

Sarthur2

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P paisleybelle This is good news!

Can you post an updated picture? :)

If you hit the pencil button you can correct the word 'dying' in your post. I think you meant growing?
 
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StefanZ

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This is good news!

Can you post an updated picture?


If you hit the pencil button you can correct the word 'dying' in your post. I think you meant growing?
I took is as in "dying for", ie being thirsty, longing, wishing by the whole heart....   In short, being totally fed up with his old home, and longing after a change.   :)
 
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