Nursing mama SO SKINNY!

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
Trying to tame a "drop off" on my property that has 5-6 week old kittens (5 of them).  The babies are quite fat and sassy, but the mama, Lily, is SUPER skinny.  She won't eat unless they're fed and asleep.  In fact, she'll carry them to HER food to eat instead of eating herself.  We've tried to feed them separately, but it's hard when she's not 100% tame yet.  

Any ideas?  We currently feed wet food, "milk" (kitten milk), and kitten chow.  The babies are doing well with all three, but Lily just won't eat unless they're cared for.  Nice characteristic of a mama cat, I guess, but SHE is down to a skeletal frame now and I'm not sure what to do further.

Ideas appreciated.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
 
Trying to tame a "drop off" on my property that has 5-6 week old kittens (5 of them).  The babies are quite fat and sassy, but the mama, Lily, is SUPER skinny.  She won't eat unless they're fed and asleep.  In fact, she'll carry them to HER food to eat instead of eating herself.  We've tried to feed them separately, but it's hard when she's not 100% tame yet.  

Any ideas?  We currently feed wet food, "milk" (kitten milk), and kitten chow.  The babies are doing well with all three, but Lily just won't eat unless they're cared for.  Nice characteristic of a mama cat, I guess, but SHE is down to a skeletal frame now and I'm not sure what to do further.

Ideas appreciated.
First, what is this milk - its the cat treat, or is it a real kitten mother milkreplacer, kmr?   Which exactly brand / label?   Kmr is a good idea yes.  Or full fat goats milk is another useful idea.   Full fat plain youghurt may be used.  Cheese.  All these are also calcium sources.  

Crushed eggs shells into a fine powder is a good calcium source.  Just sprinkle a little over her usual food, alike you do with salt.

Its good the kittens has began to eat real food - it lessens the burden on her.

As you yourself tell, think  kitten food for her.  Most wet foods are OK for this. Be sure they are full fat, no low fat diet variants.

If you dont have any problems with salomonella in eggs in your place, raw egg yolk mixed in, is very good.

Try to handle and play with the kittens as much you can. So they gets socialized.

If you can get them all inside, the socilization will go easier.

Also, cats arent protected by feeding her babies, so being outside, she may get pregnant anytime...   Probably the only which protects her now is she is that emaciated...

Anyway, please and begin to plan on spaying her.

Some nice vitamine paste may be useful.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
We're feeding them three times a day and they must remain outdoors for now.  Yes, pregnancy is a concern, but my neighbor live trapped the wild tomcat in our neighborhood and took him to the animal shelter.

I am feeding kitten milk substitute that I got at the vet....Brand????  Um...can't remember just now, and I'm away from the building where it's stored.  Guess if the vet gave it to me, it's ok.  Their three a day feedings consist of kitten chow (Paws and Claws from Tractor Supply to start since it was the smallest kibble I could find locally).  The wet is 4Health, Purina Pro  OR TOTW whichever can I happen to grab.  The vet initially gave me something Hills brand with additional calories, then called to tell me not to give that since there was a recall recently on Hills products she said.  SO, I took that back to them, and she said to continue with the others for this week and see if she gains weight--which she's not as far as I can tell. 

We've been socializing the kittens just this week since she just brought them from the woods to our porch--guess that's a good sign.  We made them a den from a rubbermaid box and Timothy hay.  The mama is less skittish than she has been (maybe because she just needed help), but just this afternoon she curled up on my lap and went to sleep while I read a book in the outside chair.  She didn't sleep long, but then my daughter came home and she went to her for a scratch.  Apparently, she's starting to choose us as hers.  At times, she acts like she would come in if we'd allow it, but the vet is adamant to keep her apart from the indoor girls just now due to disease transmission....AND she says no spay till mid July IF she's physically able to have it.  YIKES!  The vet also looked at a photo I snapped of her and said she may even be too emaciated for her first shots.  I didn't know that was even possible.

SO, our plan is to bring her in (and hope for the best) after the kittens to go to the shelter.  The vet wants them to remain with mama for 8-12 weeks, but I don't see that being possible due to them having to be outside and her getting pregnant again.  They'll have to go earlier than planned. :(  I'm shooting for 8 weeks, but it may have to be sooner if Lily doesn't get some weight on her.

I also have access to the goat's milk and farm eggs (minus salmonella--good point).  Thankfully, I do live in a farming community.  My daughter is out right now tempting her with cheese....which she apparently is inhaling.  

Thanks so much for this.  IF you guys have any other tips, please let me know.  The vet was really good about trying to help me having never seen the cat, but I think she hesitated to recommend goats milk or eggs due to contamination issues.  I know these farmers, so that's not an issue, thankfully.

Thanks again. I really appreciate the support!!!  
 

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
Oh, I hate to disagree with your vet but I really think mom and babies would be better off if you could move them into your house. You would still want to keep them in a separate room, and wash your hands, but I think it would be a much better outcome.
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Sounds good!  So mama chose you, eh?   :)

Fresh goats milk is the very best to get, but if you want to be doubled safe, there is possibilities to home pasteurize it.  You will destroy some of the goodies, but you will sleep more calmly...    :)   I got the link from Red Top Rescue, whom is another great fan of goats milk.

"

Here is an article about how to sterilize goat's milk (or sheep's milk or cow's milk) at home.  I just added the link to the discussion about KMR formulas.... I think this is a good thing to add if needed.  Raw goats milk may be best, but heating it to 161 degrees fahrenheit (or whatever that would be Celsius)  for 15 seconds might be a cautionary thing to do before feeding it to a kitten.

http://www.realrawmilkfacts.com/raw-milk-news/story/how-to-pasteurize-raw-milk-at-home/  "

Similiar is with the eggs.  The greatest danger is the bacterias are ON the shell, they are seldom inside the egg - unless the shell has cracked.

So, you essentially pour boiling water on the eggs.  You may add a little soap.   And after it again, to wash off the soap.

And you crack open the eggs carefully, so the inside doesnt touch the shell -  train on it some...

Use just the raw yolk, raw egg white isnt that good.    While boiled egg white is OK.

If you are still afraid of eggs, do boil them thoroughly, more than the usual to get them hard.   The nourishment is the same, although it will not be as easily digestible.

(for, why else all recipes for tired mommas and emaciated cats do recommend RAW yolk?  Probably its eaiser digestible.

Good luck!

Ah, did I said your vet seems excellent and reliable?   Please give him a hug from me.  Or shake hands if it feels more natural.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,648
Location
Sweden
Oh, I hate to disagree with your vet but I really think mom and babies would be better off if you could move them into your house. You would still want to keep them in a separate room, and wash your hands, but I think it would be a much better outcome.
Yes, if you can held the quarantine in your home it is of course entirely OK.

But the fact he IS thinking the inside only resident needs some extra protection, was wise of this vet, whom sounds as well above average.

@CallieMayLily
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,987
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
I think they need feeding 4 times a day instead of 3. Babies that young need to eat more often, and are probably sucking mom dry over night. Mom could use the extra meal too. Perhaps a final feeding before going to bed at night.

I think bringing them in and putting them in a spare room will ensure that all remain safe and can be handled.

Is the shelter a no-kill adoption shelter?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
We have no way to quarantine in-house.  We went through some of this when we adopted May (our second that was kicked out at our place).  We boarded her at the vet for a week due to her being so sick (huge expense, too).  Wish we had that option, but we don't.  The shelter is part of a no kill program, yes.  They also work with other shelters around the country for adoptions.  Again....not the best choice, but the only one in this area.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
I have a super vet.  She specializes in cats and is passionate about rescued cats. 

I have no place to put them in the house even in a crate that the inside girls can't get to them (or be affected by them from proximity).  No garage, no laundry room, no basement.......Unfortunately, it is what it is.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
Update on Lily:  Thanks to you all she's been eating FOUR times a day now as recommended here, PLUS.......we've been giving her boiled organic farm chicken, cheeses, and goats milk (also farm fresh). Although she is still REALLY thin, she does look better.  Her coat is looking less rough and she seems to feel better.  Of course, it's just been a few days, but she's also weaning her babies (it's time) and they're doing extremely well.  She looks forward to her "hand feedings" of chicken and cheese, and is now sitting on our lap while she eats them.  Thanks so much.  I'm to call the vet on Tuesday with an update.  Thanks again. 
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,987
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
This is really good to hear! I'm so glad she's looking better. She will eventually gain weight. Thank you for caring for her and her babies. Please keep us updated on their progress! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
UPDATE:  Lily is still skinny, but the babies are rarely nursing now.  That's surely going to help. The GOOD news is that the no-kill shelter thinks they've found a foster family for all 5 babies so they can stay together.  Pray this works out for the little guys.  
 

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
Is it possible to send mom with the babies to the foster home for a while? Thank you so much for looking after them!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
You know, I didn't think to ask.  I'll find out.  Good idea!
 

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
That would be great for mom and kittens. Ideally they can stay together until the kittens are 10-12 weeks. Are you planning to adopt mom once the kittens are adopted out?
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,987
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
I agree that mom needs to stay with her babies if possible, though she needs feeding well by the next foster if so.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

calliemaylily

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
28
Purraise
5
Called my vet today about the foster situation with the kittens.  She likes the group I"m talking with (made me feel better).  We made an appointment on Monday evening for Lily to have a health check, leukemia test, Revolution, and potential vaccines.  We're holding off on the spay till after the vet sees her due to her being so skinny and still "somewhat" nursing (it's more like nursing one specific kitten only at this point).  The vet was thrilled that Lily had been having fresh goats milk, cheese, and yogurt in her diet, so THANK YOU for that. :) 

We are hoping to adopt Lily into our family as an inside cat once she's spayed. I just hope our two inside girls accept her.  Baby May probably will, but I'm concerned about Callie.  Callie was abused, and doesn't take kindly to ANYTHING new (even human visitors to our home), so we shall see.  It took her over a year to tolerate Baby May.  Even if it doesn't work out, Lily can remain here outdoors (not my choice) or be more adoptable as her spay and vaccines will already be done.  Keep praying for a smooth transition for Lily.  We really want to just keep her (my hubby is getting extremely attached to her).
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,987
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
That's wonderful!

It may take Callie another year to accept Lily, but eventually she will come to a grudging truce.

Spay and vaccines both may need to wait if she's too skinny.
 
Top