Question about a rescue

Yes, the little white one has been able to stay latched. Do I only check weights once a day or should I do a morning and evening check?

Also, mama (her name is Duchess, keep forgetting to add that) wouldn't let me shave her belly before since she wanted nothing to do with me touching her belly. Since she is ok with me touching it right now should I shave it some or will that take too much scent away?

I'm guessing you could but why do you want to shave it

Because the little white kitten seems to have a harder time finding the nipples around the fur.

The fur tends to fall out on its own from the nursing and mom grooming. I wouldn't put her through the stress. You could possibly use scissors and trim a bit of hair away.

C curiouskitties

How is the white kitten this morning?

Mom cats are not usually shaved. As was mentioned, trimming a bit of fur might help. The fur is usually lost during licking and nursing.

The real issue is the kitten may not be strong enough to root around much, and needs a bottom nipple near mom's hind legs to use. Those are generally the most productive milk glands. However, I suggest you buy KMR and begin supplementing until the kitten is stronger if you think it necessary. I can tell you how to feed if you need instructions.

Kittens are usually only weighed once a day, but I do think weighing the white kitten twice a day for now is a good idea. Has weight been gained or lost since they were born?

I am on my way right now to buy powder kmr. I will check weight as soon as I get home. Both were nursing when I left although I helped the white one get to the nipple since the gray one attached right away and the white one was trying to find it and then just laid on mom. For now once I get home I will supplement the white one a little and if the weight gain isn't sufficient I will increase it. I do have a 1 ml syringe and have syringe fed orphaned babies before, it's been a few years but I read up on it to refresh my memory before she gave birth just in case. And the hair right around the nipple did fall out but she is a long haired cat so it's all of the other hair.

I think it would be a good idea to trim it but make sure she's comfortable with you doing so

It's not good if the baby is giving up and collapsing on mom without your assistance to find a nipple. It sounds like this baby is weak and needs supplementing right away. Try to get 1mL into her every single hour today to start to get her stronger. Make sure she stays very warm too. Newborns can turn on a dime and go downhill rapidly. I'm hoping you can give her the boost she needs to begin suckling well from mom soon. It helps that you have some previous experience.

White kitten has gained .4 oz in 12 hours. Weighed the gray one too and he or she gained .6 oz in 13 hours

.4 and .6 or 4 ounces and 6 ounces?

White one was 3.2 Oz at birth a little over 12 hours ago and is now 3.6 oz. Gray one was 3.4 oz at birth a little over 13 hours ago and is now 4.0 oz.

This is excellent! You may not need to supplement after all. Ideally they should gain 6-10 grams, or about a half ounce, per day. The white sounds like she's doing fine with mom's milk.

Duchess (mama) is now not wanting to be in with the kittens, all she wants is my attention. She is normally a very quiet cat but if I leave the room she starts meowing at the door until I come back. She isn't acting like she's in distress, she has eaten 2 cans of wet kitten food, some dry kitten food and a small bowl of kmr today so she is eating fine. Is this normal for her to nor want to beat in with the kittens? This has been going on for about 15 mins now. The kittens are asleep against a warm rice sock covered with a blanket.

How long has she left the kittens unattended? Because my cat, Brownie, took 10 minute breaks away from her kitties to eat & drink and basically just walk around the house too. If she isn't spending too long away from them then it should be fine x

C curiouskitties

It's perfectly fine for her to take her breaks with you. The kittens can go for a couple of hours without mom, and the only time she can get away is when they are sleeping. Cats will usually "check" on their kittens at regular intervals, and if they hear a mew, will instantly run back. She just wants some affection and acknowledgement for her sacrifices! [emoji]128522[/emoji][emoji]128149[/emoji]

Oops sorry I didn't read the 15 minute part, I'm guessing you shouldn't worry too much about it yet, hold a kitten up until it meows and she should come back to them

Ok thank you.

Littlemeow, it's been a little over 20 mins.

Has she been to the toilet too? Stroking her or giving her a treat might just do the trick. Tell me how it goes

C curiouskitties

See my post #76.