Have 4 newborn kittens.. Not sure if thier eating?

How do I tell of they are not getting any or enough of moms milk.. I had to bottle feed then for a few days while mom was at vet over the weekend. They look less active to me since their mom home. And their cries sound lighter.. Just over all laggy and feeding time they fight over moms nipples but I'm wondering if there getting anything.. I tried bottle feeding again just in case they weren't but they don't want the bottle anymore since mom back but after the formula when I put some in thier mouths so they can taste what it is they go nuts when I put them back with mom and fight over nipples even worse.. But I am just worried if momma cat dried up altogether or some of her nipple dried up or whats happening but I see change and makes me nervous .. Lost one yesterday I think it wasn't getting any milk from momma cat cause the other cats were to strong with fighting for nipple it was the smallest and weakest.. Now these healthy vibrant babies are looking slow and when they move and cry out but very softly.. It's like the do t have any energy.. How can I tell of she has milk cause I dont
feel anything except a flat Tummy . don't feel any milk..

Oh it's been 3 days since momma cat home so I really need to know how to tell. I been trying to give them a little everyday but they don't want anything to do with the bottle since she home..

Can you please tell us why the mom cat had to go to the vet?  How old are the kittens?

The best way to tell if kittens are thriving is to weigh them every day.  They need to gain 6-10 grams per day, or .2-.4 ounces at the very least.  If they are not gaining, you need to supplement.

It sounds here that you need to start supplementing immediately.  They need to eat every 2 hours for now, around the clock.  This means night time feedings as well.  A kitten with a mom will not take a bottle.  You will need to use a needleless syringe or a dropper.  Kittens are fed belly down, head slightly up.  Kittens and milk must both be warm.  We can tell you how much to feed once you tell us how old they are.  

Is mom licking them to help them potty?  If not, you need to stimulate them before and after every feeding.

How are the kittens today?

It sounds like mom is dried up and the kittens are starving. You'll need to feed them every 2-3 hours several mL's of KMR apiece - begin with 2-3 and give more if they will take it. It sounds critical. I hope they make it!

Let us know if you need more help! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

talkingpeanut said:

 
Can you please tell us why the mom cat had to go to the vet?  How old are the kittens?

The best way to tell if kittens are thriving is to weigh them every day.  They need to gain 6-10 grams per day, or .2-.4 ounces at the very least.  If they are not gaining, you need to supplement.

It sounds here that you need to start supplementing immediately.  They need to eat every 2 hours for now, around the clock.  This means night time feedings as well.  A kitten with a mom will not take a bottle.  You will need to use a needleless syringe or a dropper.  Kittens are fed belly down, head slightly up.  Kittens and milk must both be warm.  We can tell you how much to feed once you tell us how old they are.  

Is mom licking them to help them potty?  If not, you need to stimulate them before and after every feeding.

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 She was at vet from Friday to Monday they had to clean her out she was so blocked and was in labor prior to vet for 4 days couldn't pass babies cause of being blocked to bad.. i messed with her a bit  then she started having her babies then i brought her to vet after she passed them  for the blocking.. they were worried about maybe she couldnt pass bowl so watched her eating n made sure she passed a bowel..  babies are not quit a week 

sarthur2 said:

How are the kittens today?

It sounds like mom is dried up and the kittens are starving. You'll need to feed them every 2-3 hours several mL's of KMR apiece - begin with 2-3 and give more if they will take it. It sounds critical. I hope they make it!

Let us know if you need more help! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

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They just seem Sluggish.. not as active ... she feeding them often and cleaning them just dont know if she has enough milk.. the try to suckle each other too.. 

also is it good that she is in box with kittens so much she only comes out to eat n use litter box .. She doesn't get out to walk around or anything much at all.. I keep a heating pad on low for them ..

You will need to weigh them to make sure they are getting enough to eat. It is the only way to know for sure.

K. I will see bout a scale today. Thank you

Yes, it's normal for her to stay in the box a lot. Are you supplementing the kittens?

You need to keep feeding the kittens and also encourage them to suckle on mom.  Her milk could possibly come  back if she has dried up.  Be sure you are feeding the enough.  Give us their weights and we will ehlp you calculate how much each kitten should be getting.

This is the second kitten out her litter going through this its been a week since the first died and don't know what to do.. The first one who went through this suffered and cried for hours before it died.. I am doing best I can , giving it a drop or two of water and keeping it warm.. She seemed fine yesterday and then today barely any movement .. Same with other kitten who died..  It cries out like its in pain or something while gasping air.. How does a healthy looking kitten who is perfectly fine one day turn to death bed the next? I tried sugar water but that dont help.. This poor baby is dieing on my bed and i do not know what to do, whats causing this or if the other three will have this happen to them also..   If anyone would care to try and help me figure this out I would be so grateful.. Please PM me if you can help.

The history on mom cat and babies may help.. but thats a whole lot to write.. I can say Mom had to go to vet first few days of kittens lives and they are about 2 weeks old.. I had to bottle feed till mom got back and its just some stuff may be factors in the kittens dieing.. The other three look fat and healthy and active but so did this one so i,m concerned.

I just wish I had some idea to what this may be causing this so I could possibly prevent this happening to other three

@catwoman707

How old are the kittens?  Do they have any symptoms?

Handsome Kitty said:

 
@catwoman707

How old are the kittens?  Do they have any symptoms?

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they are a couple weeks old.. 

the other three look very healthy but so did this one up until today

Yes, how old?

Most common reason is lacking moms milk, basically slowly starving to death.

If you can why not take it to the vet and have them put her to rest rather then slowly dying?

If gasping then baby is well on it's way out now.

You need to make sure no more have this happen, does mom have plenty of milk? Is she fed lots of canned food and liquids so she can continue producing plenty?

Does she spend enough time with them?

catwoman707 said:

 
Yes, how old?

Most common reason is lacking moms milk, basically slowly starving to death.

If you can why not take it to the vet and have them put her to rest rather then slowly dying?

If gasping then baby is well on it's way out now.

You need to make sure no more have this happen, does mom have plenty of milk? Is she fed lots of canned food and liquids so she can continue producing plenty?

Does she spend enough time with them?

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I dont have the money to bring kitten in and she spends 24/7 with them only coming out to eat and litter box.. i see them feeding often and they are getting bigger 

CrystalLuvsCats said:

 
they are a couple weeks old.. 

the other three look very healthy but so did this one up until today

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If they're a couple weeks old they shouldn't really be dying like that, they are not as fragile as newborns are, but I highly suspect it's with the mom's milk not getting enough.

If you have access to a scale that weighs in grams then start weighing them daily.

If they gain at least 8 grams or more every day then yes, they are getting enough milk, and something else was going on with the other 2, but if not, there is the problem, they aren't getting enough, or are pushed away by the other bigger kittens, etc

CrystalLuvsCats said:

 
I dont have the money to bring kitten in and she spends 24/7 with them only coming out to eat and litter box.. i see them feeding often and they are getting bigger 

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she just cost over 300 at vet.. she was a stray.. she had complications so i brought her in my home and helped her deliver and then brought her to vet .. she ended up being so backed up and blocked she couldnt pass kittens, pushed for days so i messed with her a little and she started having them but was still blocked so vet cleaned her out and sent home 4 days later i have to bottle feed them till she got back... i asked vet if she still had milk and he said yes she was full so i took his word for it.. and kitten are putting weight on.. i dont understand why over night a week apart got this sick

catwoman707 said:

 
If they're a couple weeks old they shouldn't really be dying like that, they are not as fragile as newborns are, but I highly suspect it's with the mom's milk not getting enough.

If you have access to a scale that weighs in grams then start weighing them daily.

If they gain at least 8 grams or more every day then yes, they are getting enough milk, and something else was going on with the other 2, but if not, there is the problem, they aren't getting enough, or are pushed away by the other bigger kittens, etc

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My roomate suggested that.. That they were being bullied off the nipples.. I will def keep an eye on this.. I thought that of the first one cause it was the runt and a lot smaller than others.. and this one here is the second smallest so this very well may be the case ... i cant let this happen again.. so i am going to have to watch them feed and make sure they all are getting enough .. this has got to be it.. Cause this one was healthy and active.. But the other three are so fat and strong.. 

Yes, these are the runts who are being bullied off nipples. They need to be weighed and then supplemented when they are not gaining enough. Please get a scale, a needleless syringe, and some powdered kmr as soon as possible. I would start feeding all of them just be safe until they are stabilized. It may not be too late to supplement the one who appears to be a goner. It's worth a try.