Orphaned Kittens 2 weeks 3 days

Hi

We are trying to care for 3 kittens aged 2 weeks 3 day (the mother is gone 24hrs now). The are in good condition, quite fat but they are struggling with feeding from a syringe and have had maybe 6 ml in the last 24 hours. Bottle feeding and drinking from a dish are not working either.

Does anyone have any advice? Also can they toilet in their own at this age? Heading out to find a different bottle or dropper and if that's not successful we are off to the vet. We don't want to lose these babies.

I believe the kittens are too young to pee and poop on their own. You will need to help them.

As far as feeding them - it is a big change from mom cat's nice warm belly and nipples to a bottle or syringe. All the experts here seem to prefer powdered KMR (kitten milk replacer) mixed up as needed and / or full fat goat milk.

Thanks catapault.
My internet is down so i am on my cell phone, so please excuse misspelling. Darn tiny letter buttons!
Kittens are fragile at this age and must get kmr asap in the right amt.
Your best friend is going to be a scale that weighs in ounces/grams.
For each ounce of weight they must be fed 8 mls per oz per day.
So if they weigh 8 ounces then they need 64 mls per day. (8x8 is 64)
You will need to use a feeding syringe since they are going to resist the bottle like mad for a bit, they only want mama.
But ust get enough to stay hydrated and grow.
Slowly, patience is key, drop very small amts in to their cheek area, feeding position is tummy down with head tilted up only.

They must stay warmed always. A heating pad on low is great for undet their box.
If paws feel cool to you then they are not warm enough to process formula.
They should be same temp as we are.
They need to be pottyed no biggie, just use a soft warm damp cloth or cottonball and before and after they eat just gently rub their privates. It doesnt take much.
Expect constipation coming soon from the transition but we will deal with this later, right now its critically urgent they get fed.

So warmth. Food, potty.

Also forgot, the weight is taken daily, you will need each to gain 8-10 grams everyday, or more.
6 gram gain is okay but not for more than a day or two.
If you dont see the gains needed then feed more until you do.

This sounds like lits of work but you will fall in to it fast ad so will they.
And in 2 weeks you can start weaning them

Thanks so much for the advice. Will go get a scale now. I don't think warmth is an issue as we are in Australia and it's getting really warm. Also, what is a good alternative to KMR? I'm not sure if we have that here, I haven't found it so far. Few more pet shops to visit today. One pet shop gave me di-vetelact which is a low lactose animal supplement used from everything from kittens to sheep [emoji]128528[/emoji]. Not sure about it. So far they are happy, starting to play with each other and purr at times when we handle them. I'll feel better once we are tracking the weights. Thanks again for the advice

If you are unable to find KMR (kitten replacement milk) you can also give full fat goat's milk, fresh is best of course too.

I can call another member who is in Australia who might know an alternative KMR.

@Mani

@emmacat The RSPCA sells this in their online shop  - it may be worth giving them a ring about it:  https://www.worldforpets.com.au/products/11319

Vets could well stock some form of KMR.  I think rescues and vets are the best place to look rather than pet shops here.

Ah thanks I'll see what I can get from the vet or rspca.

They are drinking from the dropper, it's a slow process. Poor little babies.as for toileting them, I used a warm wet cotton ball and nothing happened from any of them...? Will try again next feed.

@Mani and @catwoman707 just wondering if it's an issue that I haven't been able to toilet them? I'm really worried about it. Also is it normal for them to take a long time to get useto being fed with the dropper? They fight it most of the time, they will do it well for a couple of seconds then go back to fighting it. I have appreciated your help and advice.

And I don't know how to tag by the looks of it!

emmacat said:

And I don't know how to tag by the looks of it!

Click to expand...

  Type @ and then the next letter and there should be a drop-down menu.  Click on the correct name and it should do the trick.

I'm afraid kittens aren't really my strong point, but we have people who should be around soon who can help (we're up while they're asleep)

emmacat said:

Hi

We are trying to care for 3 kittens aged 2 weeks 3 day (the mother is gone 24hrs now). The are in good condition, quite fat but they are struggling with feeding from a syringe and have had maybe 6 ml in the last 24 hours. Bottle feeding and drinking from a dish are not working either.

Does anyone have any advice? Also can they toilet in their own at this age? Heading out to find a different bottle or dropper and if that's not successful we are off to the vet. We don't want to lose these babies.

Click to expand...

Some links re orphan care.

Also, IF the mom returns whole and healthy, plan on spaying her as soon y ou can, dot wait to the magical 8 weeks.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

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

Goats milk is useful instead of kmr. Raw goat milk is best – fresh or frozen,  but bottled /cartooned or  powdered full fat is OK too.

Observe, if an orphan is much bloated, gas-filled, bloated, have colic, simethicone (google on it) may help.  1-2 drop in the bottle.

Thanks for the links

Feeding a bit better, still no wee or poop [emoji]128533[/emoji]

emmacat said:

Thanks for the links

Feeding a bit better, still no wee or poop [emoji]128533[/emoji]

Click to expand...

I suppose you are doing your best to stimulate.

So Im wondering  if they maybe are somewhat dehydrated.  Im not suggesting diluting the kmr, because they do need all they can get, as its a minimum amount they get at this moment, but if you can,  give some drops of water water between the feeding?   Water so some nice flavorless pedialyte.

There is also a s good trick, reinforced by Catwoma707 n here.   You wash of their bottoms during warm running water, and simultaneously, tap on the bottow with a forefinger.

Make sure everything is prepared, beause you dont want to risk them chilled out, and it shall be draught free.  You set the water on running, slightly more than lukewarm (ie cat body temp or just a shade more).  You lay the kitten in your hand, head to you, tummy up.  Have it in a towel if necessary, so it doenst get slippery.  In with the rear end under the running water, and after awhile, you tap with other forefinger on its private parts.   Alike the mom would do.

Usually works nicely, and also, no sores after a too intensive rubbing..

Dry off afterwards, and put the kitten on a heating pad, so you are sure it is warmed and comfy - the cold ones, and the weak ones, are always freezing, no`?

How much do the 3 kittens weigh, and how many mL's of formula are they drinking at a time?

They may be dehydrated, but they should pee and poop eventually if they are rubbed on their genitals.

Did the mom go into heat and get let out of the house?

emmacat said:

@Mani and @catwoman707 just wondering if it's an issue that I haven't been able to toilet them? I'm really worried about it. Also is it normal for them to take a long time to get useto being fed with the dropper? They fight it most of the time, they will do it well for a couple of seconds then go back to fighting it. I have appreciated your help and advice.

Click to expand...

Once they have consumed plenty of kmr they are considered stable.

Then each time you go to feed, start off by giving the bottle.

It takes several feedings until they will finally accept it, and can't go without enough milk until then, so syringing them is the answer.

Within a couple days they will be using the bottle like pros, and make life so much easier on you.

emmacat said:

And I don't know how to tag by the looks of it!

Click to expand...

Once you have typed the @ symbol and the  name, click on the same exact name in the dropdown and it will highlight it blue.

This is when you will know you have tagged correctly.

I suspect the lack of pee is from dehydration.