Try the makeup sponges. Mother-fed kittens frequently don't take a nipple, and the syringe is a little difficult. You can find videos on youtube about how to use the sponges. That way you could feed them all at once.
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Feeding Pregnant Cat
- Thread starter louann jude
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I tried the makeup sponges and only one took to it. The biggest problem I have is they cry so much when I am trying to feed them that it makes Lil Bit come at me. The good news is now three of her teats are producing. What could have stopped it? Will stress halt milk production? She seems more calm since she moved them. I know the one I try to check she seems to be very sensitive to. I am going to try to get a warm compress and see if that will help.
I am sorry If I sound like jibberish. I am really tired. I have a URI along with try to take care of this and the kids and the house.
I am sorry If I sound like jibberish. I am really tired. I have a URI along with try to take care of this and the kids and the house.
I'll bet you are exhausted, but thank you for not giving up! Continue offering the makeup sponge, and if necessary, take the little ones who need feeding quickly and quietly into another room to feed so mom doesn't get anxious.
I'm not surprised that she is beginning to produce milk. It can take a day or two sometimes, but moms usually have colustrum, and many are just bulging with milk. Let's hope the production continues.
You need to get some rest tonight, even if it's just 3 hours solid. It will help you. Keep up the nice job, and keep us posted. Just keep mom's food bowl full, and feed the kittens who need it most. I'm hoping mom can completely take over in the next day or so. You'll want to weigh them again soon.
I'm not surprised that she is beginning to produce milk. It can take a day or two sometimes, but moms usually have colustrum, and many are just bulging with milk. Let's hope the production continues.
You need to get some rest tonight, even if it's just 3 hours solid. It will help you. Keep up the nice job, and keep us posted. Just keep mom's food bowl full, and feed the kittens who need it most. I'm hoping mom can completely take over in the next day or so. You'll want to weigh them again soon.
the kittens suckling will help the milk come in. And yes, stress can effect milk production.
Speaking of stress, she will pick up on yours. Is she in a quiet, private place away from your toddlers, and most of the hustle-bustle of life in your home, other than you coming in? She needs that if at all possible. She should begin to settle down soon if so. It usually takes new moms about 48 hours after birth to get in the swing of things. Some of it is just hormonal.
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I just feed her and checked on the kittens. I haven't fed them since 9 pm. I checked all of the teats that they suck from and they are producing, finally one shot out.
9 pm 2 am
A. 155.92 164.42 up 8.48
B. 181.43 187.10 up 5.67
C. 184.27 189.94 up 5.67
D. 164.42 172.93 up 8.51
She has a whole room to herself. That is set up with three places and a space heater. Her and the kittens are the only ones in there. I don't allow the kids in there. I know it was me that stressed her out. The vet told me to get a bigger box and put the kittens and mom in. He said she needed a box that was big enough to put her food and water in. I did that. She had them in there 24 hours and that was when the milk went down and they stopped gaining. The place she put them now is where she chose. I will keep a close eye on them all and keep you all posted.
9 pm 2 am
A. 155.92 164.42 up 8.48
B. 181.43 187.10 up 5.67
C. 184.27 189.94 up 5.67
D. 164.42 172.93 up 8.51
She has a whole room to herself. That is set up with three places and a space heater. Her and the kittens are the only ones in there. I don't allow the kids in there. I know it was me that stressed her out. The vet told me to get a bigger box and put the kittens and mom in. He said she needed a box that was big enough to put her food and water in. I did that. She had them in there 24 hours and that was when the milk went down and they stopped gaining. The place she put them now is where she chose. I will keep a close eye on them all and keep you all posted.
I'm so relieved that the kittens have gained! This has been a stressful situation, so it's understandable. It sounds warm enough in the room, so the kittens should be fine where mom has put them. I would not squeeze her nipples anymore, as the kittens need the milk and their weights will tell you what you need to know. I hope you can get some rest now, and that things continue on this path. Thank you for the update!
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I weighed them all again this morning when I got up at 8. I swear this is so stressful. It's hard to get a real good weight on two because again they cry like crazy and it upsets her and she comes running and goes to scratch at me. Two have gained. One stayed the same and the other has lost 3 grams. I will go up and feed the two that are having trouble I am just giving her a few minutes to calm down a little. I have had contact with a couple of rescues and one said they will get back to me and another I made clear I would not surrender them I am just waiting on hearing back from them.
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I just talked to the vet he is prescribing her some meds to help production. I have to go pick up when my bf gets home. How do you pill a Cat?
So glad the vet is giving you something for her milk production. Assuming it's a pill and not liquid, I put the pill in a small bit of butter. You then have someone hold the cat, while you open her mouth and quickly pop it in towards the back of her throat. Then gently stroke her throat under her neck to help her to swallow. I am able to do this all by myself, but it may take practice for you. If the pill is big you can break it in half and do the pilling twice for the full dose.
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you can get baby food meat flavor for a following-she will take to the pilling better if you have a chaser afterwards. and the butter is definitely a go!
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I went to supplement the kittens at 9 and they were all sleeping well. I still tried and they all refused. But when I checked their bellies they seemed round. I went in around 11 and she was laying and feeding them. I didn't disturb them. I will weigh them again around 2.
I like Pill Pockets for pilling my cats.
Hi, I gave mine high protein eg chicken and a 70% meat dry food.You can buy Acana, what I gave to mine. Also cat vitamins eg kizyme are very good and good price. The vitamins have taurine in then. It's good to keep giving them even after the litter.
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Wow! It sounds like they are doing well. Weights will tell us for sure. The vet can also give you high calorie Nutrical paste for mom.
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He just called and said that the medicine he thought he had was to strong for her. So he wants me to keep and eye on their weights and check back.
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I weighed them at 2. Two of them stayed the same and two gained. One gained a lot. It was the six hour mark. When I weigh them and if they haven't gained should I supplement. I am so confused at what to do. These babies are going to be a week old tomorrow. And I think it will be a huge milestone.
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They look really healthy! And round tumtums! Hoping someone more experienced weighs in-I don't know what the answer is. Reaching the 1 week milestone is really great!! Good Job!
Please stop using the flash with the camera. It can hurt the kittens eyes.
The general rule of thumb is the kittens should double their birth weight in one week. The reason for weighing them at the same time every day is because the weight fluctuates throughout the day like it does in humans. If you are concerned, give the ones not gaining some KMR or put them to mom's bottom nipples while the bigger ones are asleep so they don't get bumped off.
The general rule of thumb is the kittens should double their birth weight in one week. The reason for weighing them at the same time every day is because the weight fluctuates throughout the day like it does in humans. If you are concerned, give the ones not gaining some KMR or put them to mom's bottom nipples while the bigger ones are asleep so they don't get bumped off.
