Question about feral cats abandoning their kittens..

Just slow her down. If she's choking she must be going too fast. Poor Lucy!

I'll go slow again. I'm worried that her soft palate may not be fully formed but her mouth is so tiny I can't see for myself. If there's no improvement by Friday I'm going to take her back to the vet to see. I'll feel a bit safer once they're 4 weeks old. From my experience, that's generally when I know if they're safe or not because of an increase in activity.

I don't see that there is much the vet can do. She just needs to go slow and get bigger! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

If she's got fluid in her lungs and is on antibiotics, is it entirely possible that she can still live a long, happy life if all the right things are done now? I keep reading that aspiration is a death sentence for kittens. And after what happened with Scottie I'm scared that both these kittens won't make it. It's irrational I know but ugh. It's hard taking care of babies.

It IS hard taking care of bottle babies!

Do you suspect fluid in her lungs?

At 3 weeks old and on antibiotics, her prognosis is good. But she still needs not to aspirate.

I hate for you to be overly stressed. Is she doing okay tonight?

They are both gaining and appear to be healthy!

The vet heard fluid in her lungs. All that aside she's got a loud cry, has an appetite, and seems strong. Not as strong as her brother but he's huge so I'm not surprised. No other symptoms.

I think she will be fine. Keep her eating slowly, and give them something to suckle on. Corner of an old cotton tee shirt soaked in milk is good.

And by the way, kittens sucking on lips and ear lobes of humans is not unusual, but they need something else.

In a couple more weeks they will be ready to try mush on their own! Buy some jars of Gerber turkey or chicken baby food. It's great for starting weaning when they are ready. They will still need their formula though!

They would suckle that between feedings I'm assuming? If so that would be hugely beneficial. Hercules makes a bee line straight for my mouth and his teeth are coming in.

Thank you for your advice. It eases some nerves.

So I know this isn't abnormal. But Herc was suckling on Lucy's genitals. I'm worried that this prompted her to pee. Should I keep them separated or something?

commanderscott said:

So I know this isn't abnormal. But Herc was suckling on Lucy's genitals. I'm worried that this prompted her to pee. Should I keep them separated or something?

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No, don't separate them.  Do give them something appropriate to suckle.

Okay. It's a little hilarious. Gross but hilarious. I'll get them that washcloth with formula now. Poor babies.

He should NOT suckle on her. Get him suckling something else NOW.

They can suckle their cloth anytime they want.

commanderscott said:

Okay. It's a little hilarious. Gross but hilarious. I'll get them that washcloth with formula now. Poor babies.

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Unfortunately it can cause very serious, even permanent, damage.  Make sure that whatever you give them does not have fabric that will come off.  A washcloth might not be the best choice.

That's what I was worried about. Sadly washcloths are all I've got at the moment. I can try to find a suitable T-shirt. It may take some searching.

What about at night? If he starts suckling on her while I'm asleep I'm afraid he could hurt her since his teeth are coming in. And he isn't showing much interest in anything soaked in formula.

Then separate them at night. And continue encouraging him to suckle something else.

Okay. Will do. Thanks!

Great! Let me know how it goes.

Tear up a tee shirt, soak it, and try wrapping it around a stuffed animal that Hercules can put his paws on to knead while sucking. You may be surprised!

I've got an old shirt I can take some scissors to tonight. Just gotta find it first. Plus a stuffed rabbit that's just about the size of a cat. I'll give it a go and let you guys know how it works.

Sounds good. I hope it helps. It may take a day or two, but keep trying! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Guess which two kitties are finally making the bottle work? And guess who doesn't aspirates with it? I'm so excited. I guess they just needed to learn how to suck the formula out first!