Great - I'm so glad to hear they have a good chance of healing. I just did a little massage and gentle stretching in front of mum and they both accepted it.
thanks! I was hoping someone would know the gender!
It's really hard to tell at this age because everything is a bit swollen. I actually think it might be a boy. You'll be able to tell for sure in a few days.
Thanks so much catwoman707, much more helpful than the vets!
Dora is a lovely girl, and doing a fine job despite her being a kitten herself!
First, if the wet soiled bedding has not been changed, it needs to be done by now, it is wet and dirty and cold, you probably have done it by now, but if not, it's time
It amazes me the remarks by 2 vets, ridiculous! While vets here in the US are not quite so bad, they are mostly clueless with newborns as well, so not much better!
Starting now, those legs can easily repair, it is not an actual deformity but inside, tendons that were partially stunted, so you will be massaging to stimulate growth, I will explain.
Just using your first finger and thumb, massage the heck out of the leg and foot, over and over, taking your time, really loosening up and working the leg in to a warmed and very relaxed state, at least a full 5 minutes on each, you will begin to gently stretch the leg in to the correct position, even slightly over correcting.
Do this to each leg, several times a day.
NOW is the ideal time, easiest and works the fastest, their limbs are extremely soft and pliable in their first days of life, you will be surprised at how fast you see the difference, in just a few days.
Once they look normal again, you can stop, but keep an eye that they are now growing in the correct position, if not completely yet, start this up again, but it usually does take and no need to do it after they correctly grow.
In one week they will have just about doubled in size, which is also why these first days will be so easy to manipulate them.
Great, thanks. I've been doing every three hours (except for at night) so that's around 5 times a day.
Yes, I was coming here to say that there really is no limit, or doing it too much.
You can smear a little light karo syrup or watered down honey on her gums or lips. Glucose is best if you have it. I've only seen it at a specialty shop though. The sugar should go right into her bloodstream and give a burst of energy. Give this right before feeding.
I hope she will be able to - it's a public holiday here this week, so it's difficult to arrange an appointment with my vet. There is another vet I could see, but I once took a sick kitten I found to him, he gave her three injections and she died after that, so I don't want to go back to him.
Thanks for your advice Handsome Kitty.
HandsomeKittys advices are from the lore of knowledge for small kittens, but I too think these advices apply here too, on a weak older kitten. And thus, good kmr or goat milk - or perhaps even vice versa - goats milk preferably raw, but if you cant get this, its OK with good kmr - may be useful here. If she already eats wet food, good, but as supplement at least.
