Help, one of the baby kittens won't nurse

jeka

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Hello guys, I just joined this cite in hopes of some good advise! I have always feed the stay cats in my area (I don't know if this is a negative thing or if I am in the right) usually they just come and go. I started to notice a cat that would always stay, upon closer inspection I noticed she was pregnant. I continued feeding her and making sure she had plenty of water.... Last Wednesday she ran inside my house as soon as I opened the door. My bedroom door was open and she hid under the bed, after a few attempts of luring her out with a piece of ham I decided to let her calm down as I probably spooked her.... To my suprise a few minutes later I began to hear multiple crys, she had given birth under my bed... After two hours or so (and after internet searching) I decided to check up on her.... I moved my bed so that mommy cat and the kittens were out in the open. She gave birth to 5 beautiful kittens and I have decited to keep her and the new baby's! It has been exactly 8 days and everything seemed normal, until yesterday I noticed a little one has isolated himself (he/she had not done this before, up until now he/she was very involved with the other kittens) he/she sleeps seperate and refuses to nurse! I'm beginning to worry for she/he is slightly small that the rest! I know momma cat has not rejected her/him because when he/she cries momma cat licks her but can not manage to comfort him/her! I'm scared and any help will be grately appreciated! Thank you so much!
(I apologize ahead of time for my grammar and spelling)
 

talkingpeanut

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The kitten is getting weak and will die unless you can give it some extra food. It needs kmr (kitten milk replacer, powdered by PetAg is best), or full-fat goat milk will also do. The kitten should be fed every two hours for now, around the clock. 2 ml or so. Kitten is fed belly down, head up, like how it would nurse from mom. Use a needleless syringe or a dropper. One drop at a time into the cheek.

Kitten and food must be warm in order for it to digest. If the kitten is isolated from its siblings it may need an external heat source.

You can also put a bit of honey on its gums to give some energy before feeding if it's too weak. Please don't delay to start supplementing!

How wonderful that this mother knew to come to you. She should not go outside at all until she can be spayed or she will get pregnant again quickly. Mom and kittens can be spayed when kittens are 8 weeks old.
 
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jeka

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Thank you so so so much for all the tips! I will head over to the pet store as soon as it is openes! I will most DEFENATLY make sure to spay my new momma cat and her baby's!
Thank you so much, this is the first time I have ever had kittens and I appreciate it! Thanks a million!!!!
 

talkingpeanut

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If it doesn't open for a few hours, you can make a homemade kitten glop to hold you over. There are lots of recipes online. There is really no time to waste with kittens this little.

A great heating source is a sick filled with raw rice and microwaved for 5 minutes.
 
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jeka

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It is 5:33am in my neck of the woods! I will look up the recipe now! Thank you for the advise on heat source! I will do both thing this very instant! I haven't been able to sleep because I'm worried thank you for letting me now I must take action NOW!!!!!
 
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jeka

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Question: if I don't have all the ingredients for the kitten glop should I rush to the grocery store or should I make an emergency glop w out some of the ingredients?
 

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This mama found the right home for sure!! Welcome and thank you for taking care of this little family! 


You can find goats milk in stores like Wal Mart by the soy and almond milks. The PetAg KMR should be available at Petco/Petsmart. 

This article is a good resource for hand rearing kittens. Hopefully once this baby gets stronger, he/she will start to nurse from mama though

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

This link can help too

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/bottle_feeding_kitten.html
 

Sarthur2

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You can use evaporated milk, tbsp. of sugar or honey, pinch of salt, an egg yolk mixed together. You can use plain yogurt instead of the evaporated milk. You cannot use cow milk.

If you have nothing, sprinkle salt and sugar in some water for homeade pedialyte, and give 1-2 mL's of that. The baby needs food immediately!

Keep us posted!
 
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jeka

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Guys I have been trying to feed him but when I arrived home from the store he was cold (I left a sock full of warm rice to keep him warm but he walked away from it) and he was hardly breathing an is unresponsive to my touch! I think I might of lost him! I'm still trying but idk what to do! I feel so bad.... Idk what to do I'm not even sure if he is still alive.... I think I see him breath but idk if I'm just imagining... And momma cat is just watching... Idk what to do
 
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jeka

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I called all the vets in my area and they all open till 9am it's barely 8 and the 24/7 Vet told me they only take existing patients during after hours.... I do to know what to do I feel guilty I should of acted faster
 

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Put him on your chest under your shirt and see if you can get him to warm up. If you can, try the glucose and then the formula.
 
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jeka

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Ok I have him in my shirt I really hope this works
 

dtackc6

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Prayers for your kitty. I really hope it pulls through.you're doing a great job!
 
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jeka

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Thank you, Dtackc6 I really appreciate your kind words! Thank you all for helping me with all the info, I feel the support! Thank you all!
 
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jeka

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No.... He is not, I still have him in my shirt, I inspect him constantly but no progress... He feels a little stiff now... I'm afraid I might of lost him
 

talkingpeanut

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It sounds like he didn't make it. Not your fault. It may help if you give him a name and bury him.

Can you weigh the others daily so you can help them sooner if they need?
 

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I'm so sorry he did not make it. Not much you could have done. How is the other kitten doing?
 
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jeka

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Hi guys! I'm so sorry for my absence and I want to thank all of you for your helpful advice and support! The kitten did not make it, we had already named him Albino because all the baby's are black and he was orange/blonde... I buried him under my favorite tree. I like to think he will live on through the tree, this some how conforms me... On the possitive side his brothers are doing really good! I check on them as often as possible to make sure they are all nursing! They have tripled in size and all of them are the same size. I think they are getting their teeth, they will be 4 weeks on Wednesday! Thank you all for being so kind and supportive!
 
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