I'm now a mommy cat to 5 abandoned, probably 1 week old kittens. Help!

forbiddenpluto

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Hi there! I've rescued kittens before, bottle fed, and done the whole assist with eliminating thing before, but never with ones this young. I have questions. Lots of them. I've researched all night, but I like hearing what people who have been there, done that do. 

1) A few of them are starting to open their eyes, and they're getting around the box (and attempting to escape) fairly easily. Am I right to age them around a little over a week?
2) I'm seeing recipes for kitten glop online everywhere. Monetarily, I'm in dire straights. However, I'm a sucker for cats, and am currently unemployed, so I'm home all day. I have a can of kitten formula, but I was wondering if the glop is just as good. I like that I can buy the items from the grocery store. 
3) I'm using a medicine syringe for the time being because pet stores were closed when I got them, and Walmart was out. What is the most effective delivery method? Should I get a bottle or look for droppers?
4) I'm seeing varying times in between feeds. During the day, I'm golden to feed every 2 hours. I was just wondering how long they could safely go between feeds. Mainly at night time.
5) I've gotten them all to pee, but none have yet pooed. How often should they be doing that? 

Thanks for any advice you can give!
 

StefanZ

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Hi there! I've rescued kittens before, bottle fed, and done the whole assist with eliminating thing before, but never with ones this young. I have questions. Lots of them. I've researched all night, but I like hearing what people who have been there, done that do. 

1) A few of them are starting to open their eyes, and they're getting around the box (and attempting to escape) fairly easily. Am I right to age them around a little over a week?
2) I'm seeing recipes for kitten glop online everywhere. Monetarily, I'm in dire straights. However, I'm a sucker for cats, and am currently unemployed, so I'm home all day. I have a can of kitten formula, but I was wondering if the glop is just as good. I like that I can buy the items from the grocery store. 
3) I'm using a medicine syringe for the time being because pet stores were closed when I got them, and Walmart was out. What is the most effective delivery method? Should I get a bottle or look for droppers?
4) I'm seeing varying times in between feeds. During the day, I'm golden to feed every 2 hours. I was just wondering how long they could safely go between feeds. Mainly at night time.
5) I've gotten them all to pee, but none have yet pooed. How often should they be doing that? 

Thanks for any advice you can give!
2.  WHAT exactly kitten formula do you have? Kitten glop isnt as good, unless its some very inferior formula like Hartz.

It also depends somewhat on exactly what kitten glop are you thinking on.  Some are OK,  most are just emergency solutions.

You know goat milk is fine too?

1. Yes, about 10 days sounds like it.

3.  Why not using the syringe?  Take off the needle and there you are.  Easier to be exact than with a dropper.

Bottle is easiest, but a kitten whom had momma till the day before, may refuse...  So begin with syringe, and proceed with bottle.  Putting a "teat" on the syringe is a trick used by some.

Also, having a make up sponge is a nice trick.  Baby sucks from that sponge, and you holding the syringe in the other hand are wetting the sponge the whole time.

4. If they are healthy and seems OK and gain, you can take it longer inbetween on the nights.  Its the day total amout which is most improtant.

But if they are weak in critical - you must perhaps give them even more often.

Yours sounds OK.

5. Ideally every day, but some or a couple days without is not critical yet.

Be sure they get enough with fluids / water, and you can have a drop of coldpressed olive or canold oil.

Proceed with reports and further questions in this here thread.

Good luck!
 
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forbiddenpluto

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We made it through the night. I'm absolutely exhausted, but pleased with myself . 

So far this morning, they've all been fed twice and peed at each feed. Their urine is getting lighter, so I'm super thrilled at that. I'm completely covered in kitten formula from head to toe.

My current issue? Even after getting 1 tsp each, they're still meowing. I transferred boxes (but kept the blanket so there was something familiar) so they would stop escaping. It has a heating pad on low under 1/2 the box. All the kittens are super feisty. I can't help but think though that something's wrong. Is it safe for me to attempt to nap for the 2 hour interval.

Also, it took me 50 minutes to feed/toilet all 5 of them. Is that a normal amount of time?

I've gotten a hold of a rescue and they're donating bottles and formula. They all are taking decently to the syringe, but since I'm seeing a strong suckling instinct, I think the bottle would be best, and prevent excess air.

Wait, second current issue, I'm putting them on my chest and rubbing their backs to get them to burp, but I'm not really hearing/feeling anything. Any tips?
 

handsome kitty

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They need more food, that's why they are still meowing.  Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh them?  Grams is best or 1/10 ounces.

Each kitten need 8 ml for each ounce of weight in a 24 hour period.
 
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forbiddenpluto

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They need more food, that's why they are still meowing.  Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh them?  Grams is best or 1/10 ounces.

Each kitten need 8 ml for each ounce of weight in a 24 hour period.
I tried a second round of feeding with each of them, but none of them seemed interested. It took about 15 minute, but they've all quieted down now with a random meow. 
 
 

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They need more food, that's why they are still meowing.  Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh them?  Grams is best or 1/10 ounces.

Each kitten need 8 ml for each ounce of weight in a 24 hour period.
If they are 200g now, it gives,7OZ, 7x8 gives  56-60 ml a day....   Say 10 feedings, 6ml a feeding, its just over a teaspoon.

Yes, it takes time..  Please, sleep now 2 h
 
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forbiddenpluto

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The syringe I have is 1 teaspoon. I make sure all of them get one, and if they're still showing signs of hunger, I'll give 1 to 2/5ths more, which would be right at 6-7 oz. 

Do you think a vet would weigh them for me? I'm trying to get my hands on a scale, but I'm not successful yet. 
 

handsome kitty

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Will the rescue loan you one?

The bottles will have ml markings so that will make it a little easier.
 

StefanZ

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The syringe I have is 1 teaspoon. I make sure all of them get one, and if they're still showing signs of hunger, I'll give 1 to 2/5ths more, which would be right at 6-7 oz. 

Do you think a vet would weigh them for me? I'm trying to get my hands on a scale, but I'm not successful yet. 
If you have a reason to go to the vet, he will weight them probably.  But dont go there without a good reason, their immune system is quite weak now....

Try perhaps to lend a scale from a neighbour?  In times of need the social norm of behavior is they do help you if you ask.  Even if you normally dont speak much with each other.
 
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forbiddenpluto

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I felt bad, so I went back and fed them again because I was afraid I didn't give them enough last time. They all peed and ate readily. I cannot wait until the bottles come. The syringe that I have is sticky, and I'm petrified that one of them will aspirate the formula. They've all chilled out now, and are in a clump on top of the heating pad. 

I can finally sleep! LOL
 

krissy marissy

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Sounds like you're doing a great job. I think maybe try stimulating them before each feed as well, maybe they'll take more if they feel empty? Best wishes with these sweet little guys!
 
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forbiddenpluto

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Sounds like you're doing a great job. I think maybe try stimulating them before each feed as well, maybe they'll take more if they feel empty? Best wishes with these sweet little guys!
 That's what I've been doing. I figure I should empty the tank before it fills. Their urine is definitely getting MUCH lighter/more transparent than it was last night when I got them. They all just had at least 6 ml, if not 7, for their last feeding. So thankful my kid is back home. We have an assembly line. I stimulate then feed. She rests them on her chest and rubs their back so they can burp. *repeat 5x*
 
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forbiddenpluto

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3/5 of them have at least 1 eye open. Last night, only one had an eye open. I'm hopeful that this means they're closer to 2 weeks than I originally thought. 
 
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forbiddenpluto

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I finally got my hands on a kitten bottle. Feeding went WAY easier, and all ate much better.  A few of them have started purring, and it's adorable when they're in the box. Sounds like I have several old cars running. 
 
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forbiddenpluto

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We're now at 4/5 kittens with open eyes! The bottle feeding has been a blessing from above. They eat SO much more than they did before, and the whole process has been drastically shortened.

Today's awesome kitten moment came when I discovered that one is able to urinate without being stimulated! I just wish that it would have occurred not on shirt #3 of the day.  
 
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forbiddenpluto

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I just experienced what could best be called, Poopocalypse '16. 

Someone evacuated their bowels in the nest. Possibly two someones. I then had 3 very cranky kittens to clean off. While washing the first one's backside, it unleashed a ton of poop. Good side? It was pretty much the consistency and color of a breastfed baby. Downside? It got messy.

This is bottle feed #3, and pretty much all of them are eating like champs. I'm putting 7-8 ml in the bottle for each of them. Most all of them are drinking it all, burping, and then purring up a storm. They sound like little engines. This is a long way from this morning's barely 5ml with KMR spilling all over me. 

They've finally started settling down almost immediately after the last kitten is fed. Huzzah! 

Since they all fed well, I'm going to give myself a 4 hour stretch, so I can get some sleep.

One last piece of awesome news? I've found homes for 4/5 of them! I didn't want to name them until we passed the 3 week mark, but I'm feeling much more confident than I did this morning. 

Gray and white: PJ (Puck Jr. in honor of my cat that passed away at the end of February. Him and his sister, Thisbe were my first real pets. I got him when I was 18, and I'm 35 now. This is the one that will be staying with us after they all wean.)
Gray: Dobby and/or Zen (because he most definitely is not)
Black: The Great Catsby
Black and White: Marilyn Monroe (we'll drop whichever name doesn't fit once it gets sexed)
Tabby: Lil' Thisbe (because we ran out of names and it is almost identical to my cat)
 

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Sounds like all is well! They can be re-homed beginning at 8 weeks, but will learn a lot from each other if kept for 10-12 weeks. You're a saint - hope you get some rest! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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