Problems with nursing kitten

Yes, we will keep him. The kids named him Leo and call him little dude.

Adorable! Looks like he is going to be a big boy when he grows up! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

I'm going to keep one to add to our 4. Probably a Tom because we only have one male. I'm not sure he'll like it though

Help!! Mom escaped. the day before we are moving, because she got in heat again and poor kitten is only two weeks and three days old. Everything is packed, can a kitten stay warm In box in a room about 70 f? He isn't eating much. Mom has been gone about six hours. I gave him about 3ml of kmr but had to force it with a medicine syringe. No way could I get the 10 ml recommended for his weight of 414 grams.

How much does he need to eat? How often? I've read 9 times a day and 4 times a day.

the kitten needs to eat every 2 - 3 hours around the clock.  He weighs roughly 15 ounces x 8 ml KMR is 120mls needed per 24 hours.  so try to feed 10mls every 2 hours or 15mls every 3 hours.   Are you sure the weight and age are correct?  The average kitten weighs 16 ounces at 4 weeks.  The kitten needs a heat source.  He cannot regulate his body temp until he is at least 3 weeks old. Cats also have a higher body temp than humans.   Also the KMR or Goat's milk must be warm - not hot.  The kitten also needs to be warm to digest the food. 

Have you feed the kitten KMR yet?  You will need a small needleless syringe, kittens who are used to nursing from mom will not take a bottle.  Eye droppers work and I have heard of people using make-up sponge wedges as well.  Feed the kitten tummy down head up, like he is nursing.  Put a drop or 2 into his cheek, wait for him to swallow, take a breath and repeat.  This takes time and patience.  It will also take some practice until you and the kitten figure it out.

I've only gotten 4 to 5 ml in him. He is just asleep now and absolutely doesn't want more. He did suck on the nipple once and purred but I don't think he got any out. I've tried to enlarge the hole but the magic sucking moment hasn't happened again. I've used the needleless syringe to get the bit of milk he had. Burped and peed nicely after but now too sleepy.

Everything is packed and stores are closed now. I have no heat source other than me. I have no idea which of the many mAny boxes might have a hot water bottle. I don't want to sleep with him as I might crush him.

He is a big boy, that's why there was an emergency c section. He was over 140 grams at birth.

If you can dig out a sock and some rice  - or borrow from a neighbor.  Put the raw rice (pack it tight) into the sock and tie it closed.  Microwave it (neighbors?) for 5 minutes.  It will hold the heat for 3 or 4 hours.  Us a hot mitt to retrieve it and wrap a towel or shirt around it before putting it in the kittens bed.

I hope you are not moving until you can get mom back. She will return pregnant, so will need to be spayed/terminated ASAP.

Continue keeping the kitten warm and trying to feed him at regular intervals and through the night as much as he will take.

She just had a c section and they wouldn't do it then because it might have messed up her milk production due to hormone loss. Here in uk I really doubt they would open her up until she has a long time to heal nor will they fix a cat in heat or pregnant because of too much blood loss during surgery. So its probably going to be another 800£ c section. I had her locked but after the movers left she was so distressed I let her put. The movers left a window unlatch end and she got it open and escaped.

Great idea about the rice. I do have socks but no rice. I did find a plastic bottle and filled it with hot water, wrapped it up and he's happy cuddling next to it. Since she left I've gotten about 10 ml down. When he wakes I'm sure I will too and I will try again. I worry when the mom will come back tomorrow it is loading day and with the huge truck in front of the house and six movers loading all day I doubt she will approach us. Tomorrow night we are gone. I can return to look for her but can't be around at all hours plus the need to look after the baby. And my three children. And tell the movers what goes where. Very distressing. She is our munched loved Bengal kitty. :-( now it's 2:00 am I will try to nap.

B bengalgal

You might want to ask different vets about their policies, and try to find one who will spay her regardless.

In the US, the spay would have occurred during the c-section, and cats are able to continue to nurse.

Another pregnancy is not ideal this close to the last. For future reference, it's best to put a cat in a bathroom during a move on both ends until things settle down.

I hope she returns soon, and that you can get her spayed, and that the kitten will be okay. This is very upsetting.

B bengalgal

I know this is stressful for you. Perhaps she will return early in the morning before the movers come and you can get her in a pet carrier with her baby.

If she shows up during the move, perhaps you can ask the movers to pause for 5 minutes while you attempt to lure her to you with a smelly cat food. She'll surely be hungry.

If all else fails, hopefully you can go back for her and she will be waiting outside. Bring smelly wet food and a pet carrier.

I really hope it works out. She may not be in heat. She may just be freaked out by the moving activities.

I've checked, the vet is part of a large group and the policy is standard. I'm sure someone might have done it but there aren't an endless supply of vets near us. That night I really had no choice as it was the place everyone directed me to. It was late.

They were locked in the bathroom. After the packers left I let her out for a bit. It was around six thirty. Just got another 5 ml so now it's 20 in 8 hours, not ideal but not terrible. He wants to sleep. I really force fed him the feeding just now, it probably wasn't a full 5 ml as a fair amount dribbled. But he doesn't act hungry just sleepy.

I need a nap.,and prayers to the kitty gods that mommy returns early in the morning before the
Huge truck arrives.

Just wish you'd made mom stay in regardless.

She's totally in heat and has been for the last three days. She got out day one for a few minutes, 30 or so. I held the kitten on the balcony and he cried loudly. A black Manx cat I've never seen came running and calling to the kitten. Then a little later the same cat and mine were playing together. This time kitten cries brought mom home but the Manx kept meowing outside and every time he did mommy would leave her kitten and run downstairs to the window So that's dad I suspect. Color seems right for the mix of the kitten. Kitten crying hasn't brought either of them tonight, even now at 3:00am when it's quiet. I hope she's ok.

Me too. She sounded so miserable. I thought all windows were shut but there was one that someone didn't latch properly. Or else my husband didn't notice when he left the house, more likely the window.

Get some rest. Hopefully she'll be back tomorrow.

Any news?

Finally she came back! Tired and hungry and very dirty. She's still in heat so I'm not sure she was successful. Hope not. She's been locked in a bathroom, now in the new house, so he can eat. He seems ok.

Glad she's back safely, and in the new house with her baby.

I suspect she mated while out, even though she is still in heat. I recommend getting her spayed asap.