Help!

I recently convinced my parents to let me take in a cat. Turns out it was pregnant. The mother cat had 5 kittens 2 days a ago,one problem, I think one of them has a cleft lip and possibly a palate. I am only 15 and my parents don't really believe in taking animals to the vet. So the kitten eats a little and is really small compared to the others. It is eating but I don't know if it's enough. I read some where to give it kmr, I think I can afford that. I don't know if I should feel it that and let it get from the mom or not. I read somewhere that if kittens with cleft lip last more than two days they should be fine, is this true?

If it does have a cleft palate, how long will it last?

Andrea Padilla said:

I recently convinced my parents to let me take in a cat. Turns out it was pregnant. The mother cat had 5 kittens 2 days a ago,one problem, I think one of them has a cleft lip and possibly a palate. I am only 15 and my parents don't really believe in taking animals to the vet. So the kitten eats a little and is really small compared to the others. It is eating but I don't know if it's enough. I read some where to give it kmr, I think I can afford that. I don't know if I should feel it that and let it get from the mom or not. I read somewhere that if kittens with cleft lip last more than two days they should be fine, is this true?

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Most of such kitten do die, to speak the truth.  I suspect its often not because of the damage, but because they are bad at suckling.  So they cant suckle mom successfully, nor take a bottle.

The trick to try is to use a needleless syringe.  This way they dont need to suckle, its enough they can swallow properly.  If she can - she does have a fair chance.  If the cleft palate isnt too big, she can really live with it.  Same with the "hare" lip.   It looks worse than it is.

So, get home goats milk - preferably raw.  Or a good kmr.  Or bottled / powdered / cartooned goats milk.  A needle less syringe.  A scale to see if it gains properly.  And some glucose sugar source - for example white caro syrup or honey...

And begin with supplementing as soon you can. (be sure you know how to do it - its a little tricky).  Lets hope momma helps with the washing and eliminating.

Proceed with reporting and questions.

Ps.  Where do you live, which country?  The advices will depend in part on what you can get...  

A kitten with a cleft palate can live, it depends if they are able to eat.

Can you post a picture of the kitten?

I agree with StefanZ that you should supplement the kitten using KMR and a needleless syringe. Walmart carries the powdered PetAg formula for about $10. Do not buy pre-mixed.

Give the kitten 1-2 mLs every 1-2 hours starting ASAP. Let us know how it goes!

Andrea Padilla said:

I recently convinced my parents to let me take in a cat. Turns out it was pregnant. The mother cat had 5 kittens 2 days a ago,one problem, I think one of them has a cleft lip and possibly a palate. I am only 15 and my parents don't really believe in taking animals to the vet. So the kitten eats a little and is really small compared to the others. It is eating but I don't know if it's enough. I read some where to give it kmr, I think I can afford that. I don't know if I should feel it that and let it get from the mom or not. I read somewhere that if kittens with cleft lip last more than two days they should be fine, is this true?

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How is it going, with this "cleft-palate" baby, the other newborn, the momma whom  you adopted?

Please report now and then, even if you dont have emergency questions to ask.  

Tx for helping this momma-cat, giving her a home.  I suspect she was homeless when you adopted her although your parents were reluctant. But they DID said OK, so part of the glory is theirs too.