Help baby kittens

Help my friends friends found kittens in her yard she noticed 1 Kitten was already dead so she took the rest in after a couple hrs of no mom showing up. My friend knew I have bottle feeding experience but I think these Kitten might have been born early so I was looking for any advice to give them a fighting chance.

skrub said:

Help my friends friends found kittens in her yard she noticed 1 Kitten was already dead so she took the rest in after a couple hrs of no mom showing up. My friend knew I have bottle feeding experience but I think these Kitten might have been born early so I was looking for any advice to give them a fighting chance.

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You essentially do as with usual bottle feeding, but more of it.  Be sure they are warm and comfortable  proceeding immediately, wait

How many? How old? Eyes open yet?

Have you started KMR with a syringe? You'll need to. If not, I can tell you how to make homeade kitten glop.

They need to be warm asap with either a heating pad set on low under a blanket, hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, or rice sock microwaved for 5 minutes. Formula needs to be warm.

Mom may come back looking for kittens. Someone should look out for her tomorrow.

Picture of kittens?

StefanZ said:

 
You essentially do as with usual bottle feeding, but more of it.  Be sure they are warm and comfortable  proceeding immediately, wait

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, give them food - good kmr or goats milk,  every hour but in small portions (they are prob too weak to take more than perhaps 1ml at a time).  You can use the kangaroo method, holding them at your chest.  Otherwise, in fleece, and a warming heat pad.

What kmr do you have access too?  Pet Ag in powder is best, but there are others good too.  Do you have access too raw goats milk? fresh or frozen - this is perhaps the very best.

If they are weak, the perhaps dont manage the bottle.  You have two options; try with such a make-up sponge, so they suck off the kmr from it, while you drop on more kmr or goats milk with a syringe or a dropper.

Or if they are too weak to suckle even so, you use a needle less syringe in the corner of the mouth...  Do  you know how to do it?  Is a little tricky.

Get home glucose sugar / dextrose. Useful in many situations here.  If you dont find real glucose sugar, white caro syrup or honey are alternative sources for glucose sugar.

You can for example, smear a little of water solution on their lips and gum, to perk in some extra energy before feeding.

Be sure they dont get dehydrated.

We do have good articles on hand raising and prematures here on this site, some older treads to follow too.

A good site is www.kitten-rescue.com

Please continue with reports, and new questions.  We are several forumists and staff whom love to help with advices on weak kittens and orphans.

2 I do have the formula and I did give them some ( I am not sure if I should add water or just give them the formula ) they have a heating pad. I tried to add a picture but not sure why it didn't show

Here is a pic

So far i have been able to get them to drink witha syringe and the suckle a little but they are very wobbly. They do meow and move around a bit so i am hoping thats a good sign but they are very very small

Very tiny!

Have you added a heat source?

Time is of the essence!

They may not suckle. It's tummy down, head up, couple drops at a time in the side of mouth. Let them swallow, breathe, and go again. 1 mL per kitten every hour through the night.

Yes i have a heating pad in there and have an alarm set for feeding.

Is goat milk the best way to go? I do have a local pet shop that sells some and i can get that tomorrow.

Ok, you have a heating pad. Which formula? Liquid pre-mixed? Dilute it - 2 parts formula one part water.

skrub said:

2 I do have the formula and I did give them some ( I am not sure if I should add water or just give them the formula ) they have a heating pad. I tried to add a picture but not sure why it didn't show

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If its a premade liquid formula as it sounds, further diluting is usually not necessary.  The problem is, for example with PetAgs KMR, their powdered formula is more reliable than the premade liquid one.  So is perhaps with other brands too.   What exactly is this formula??  What is the brand name??

I have notices some use the kitten treat milk thinking  as its for kitty, it means  kmr...

I forgot to mention.  A scale is a must. Electronical measuring in grammes, or in 1/10 of oz.  You see easily if they gain, or not.  THIS is your strong friend here.

Goat milk is great - full fat. Also get a can of powdered PetAg formula. The pre-mixed is crap, and causes issues with digestion. Dilute it for tonight.

You have to feed through the night, btw.

Also, burp them after the feeding.  Most important, if you sue the syringe method, as they tend to swallow air too.

Its kmr liquid my pet shop already closed so thats all they had at walmart so hopefully its ok

I know Stefan and I are both posting. Hope you're getting all this! Thanks for saving these babies! Good luck with them through the night.

Dilute it. I said this above. 2/1 - formula/water. Take a moment to read through all our posts!

Ok if we get though the night ill get goats milk tomorrow morning. I have already lost 1 so am hoping the 2 will make it.

Haha ya i will and the link someone posted