Advice for a large litter - 9 kittens!

It's exciting! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Hi guys... just wanted to check in with weights and get some advice. I am still rotating during the day but think my groups need to change so any input is welcome.
A Group
#2 - birth (67.5 g) yesterday (117 g)today (134 g)
#3 - birth (58.6 g) yesterday (102 g) today (108 g) my poor little runt!
#5 - birth (77.7 g) yesterday (132 g) today (140 g)
#8 - birth (82.5 g) yesterday (141 g) today (153 g)
B Group
#1 - birth (76.9 g) yesterday (138 g) today (149 g)
#4 - birth (93.6 g) yesterday (152 g)today (158 g)
#6 - birth (111.7 g) yesterday (172 g) today (175 g) only 3g, should I be worried?
#7 - birth (85.6 g) yesterday (135 g) today (148 g)
#9 - birth (94 g) yesterday (151 g) today (158 g)

They are 1 week old today. They have all gained a lot but did not quite double their birth weight. Mama is only 5-6 pounds normally and with so many, they are just small? I am trying not to worry as they are all content with clear urine and are taking 2-3 ml every 4 hours and nursing in between. Our big boy has one eye open today and was purring! The last umbilical cord also fell off overnight.

I am studying this and will be back soon with my recommendations. Thanks for the update!

laceyloowho

Okay. Numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 are now your low-weight group. Number 3 is red alert due to being tiny and not gaining enough, and 6 is red alert for only gaining 3 grams.

3 and 6 need to be fed as much as possible even when you switch groups. In other words, when you switch groups, still pull them from mom and feed them again, as though they are not with mom, but put them back with her to encourage suckling.

My guess is they are growing only because of what you are feeding. This is either because they are not feisty, or because they are on poorly producing nipples. They need to eat as much as possible from the syringe as often as possible.

With the other 3 in this group, feed them more if they will take it. They need to double their gains if possible. Are they eating 2-3 mLs the first hour then sleeping? If so, give more the second hour. Otherwise, they may need to get pulled during mom time for extra also.

The others are doing great for now. They are clearly the alpha kittens!

I know how hard this is, but it won't last forever. How many rotations are you getting?

Edit: Glad the last umbilical cord fell off. Can you do 12-hour weigh-ins? I'm worried about a few of them. The picture is adorable! Bless you for caring for them. This is a HUGE job! So glad you found TCS on the web! [emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]128077[/emoji]

Ok... I will start with the new groups and give extra to my stragglers. They are catching on better but not all are eating 3 ml. I am trying though. They do eat and then sleep. I fed the runt during both hours today as he will typically only take 1-1.5 ml at a time.
Yesterday we started in the afternoon and got 2 formula sessions in. Today we are doing better and will likely get 5 rotations in. I put them all with mom for a couple hours today.

laceyloowho

Okay, thank you!

I know this is a lot for you. Just pay special attention to all 5 in this group, and particularly to 3 and 6. In another day or two this will feel more like a routine.

Hang in there! I'm rooting for all 9 babies to make it. It's about 2 more weeks until they are out of the woods. Take it one day at a time for now.

You are doing great! Wake them up to feed them if necessary.

Post updated weights again tomorrow!

Ok
I will keep at it. All 5 in this group took 3ml at their last feed except #3 who took 2.5 ml. I did weigh 3 and 6 again. 3 was up 3g and 6 was up 4g. I will check in tomorrow

I'm so glad they are eating well for you. This tells me they are hungry and need the supplementing. Very encouraging to hear that 3 and 6 are gaining.

Keep up the nice job! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Ok, update time
Everyone is now taking 3ml at each feeding. #3 gets fed during both hours now and took 5ml during the last feeding! Yay! He also gained 11g. I worry so much about him because he is tiny but also a strong little fighter. We have named him Ares. He finally doubled his birth weight
I am assuming that #3, #5, #9, #2 and #7 are my new low weight group but would love a confirmation. I did feed #9 during both hours of his last feed since he only gained 4g. He took 5ml in the 2 hours.

#2 - birth (67.5 g) yesterday (134 g)today (141 g) +7g
#3 - birth (58.6 g) yesterday (108 g) today (119 g) +11g
#5 - birth (77.7 g) yesterday (140 g) today (149 g) +9g
#8 - birth (82.5 g) yesterday (153 g) today (175 g) +22g
#1 - birth (76.9 g) yesterday (149 g) today (159 g) +10g
#4 - birth (93.6 g) yesterday (158 g)today (169 g) +11g
#6 - birth (111.7 g) yesterday (175 g) today (190 g) +15g
#7 - birth (85.6 g) yesterday (148 g) today (154 g) +6g
#9 - birth (94 g) yesterday (158 g) today (162 g) +4g

laceyloowho

Yep! 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 are your small group. You're getting good at this!

Continue to keep a close eye on 3 and 9. Watch 2 and 7 carefully too. They may need extra.

I'm so glad they are all eating more mLs!

6 and 8 are your little pigs!

Is mom doing okay with the rotating and then having everyone together at night?

How are you holding up?

Yes, mama seems to be doing well. She will leave them for 15-20 mins a couple times a day. I assume she needs to stretch her legs and get a little break and it gives me a chance to apply the bag balm. She is still eating well, is very affectionate and is nursing all the time. She seems to trust me to take the kittens and always tends to the group she has.

I am ok too It has been fun to have more one on one time with each kitten. I am learning which are noisy or laid back. They are all unique. It is also taking less time to feed them since they are all getting used to the syringe. They are always very content in the morning after being with mom all night so I think that is working well.

I refuse to lose any of these babies and will do whatever is necessary to get them through the next few weeks

My low weight group this morning

And... the other 4

Gosh, they are so cute! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

I love your attitude! Thank you!

I think they all have a good chance to make it. I've only seen a couple of litters this big on the forum, and they only all make it with exactly your kind of determination and persistence! (And rotating and supplementing)

[emoji]128522[/emoji]

I think they will all make it too! They are all feisty and I am watching them like a hawk Thank you so much for the support! It has made me feel much more confident and I can see that it is working I will check in again soon!

Time for a check in. I am pleased with how well they are gaining. My little runt #3 suprised me today by opening his eyes. I was sure he would be last but he is one of the first few to do that Most of them are taking more kmr now. Some will take 5ml during their 2 hours. Some latch on to the syringe and suck it down in no time at all. That part is definitely getting easier. Here are todays weights... should I change my groups again?
#2, #3, #8 and? #5?
#8 only gained 6g today but was up 22g yesterday. I bet he will gain better tomorrow.
I am trying to feed them all twice during their 2 hours. They wont take as much the second time but will usually take another ml or two and go back to mama fat and happy.

#2 - birth (67.5 g) yesterday (141 g)today (148 g) +7g
#3 - birth (58.6 g) yesterday (119 g) today (133 g) +14g
#5 - birth (77.7 g) yesterday (149 g) today (162 g) +13g
#8 - birth (82.5 g) yesterday (175 g) today (181 g) +6g
#1 - birth (76.9 g) yesterday (159 g) today (173 g) +14g
#4 - birth (93.6 g) yesterday (169 g)today (185 g) +16g
#6 - birth (111.7 g) yesterday (190 g) today (211 g) +21g
#7 - birth (85.6 g) yesterday (154 g) today (167 g) +13g
#9 - birth (94 g) yesterday (162 g) today (183 g) +21g

laceyloowho

Excellent gains for the most part! I'm very impressed!

I agree that your group is now 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8. I added 7, even though he gained 13 grams, because he's the only other one still in the 167 gram range.

I'm so happy they are eating the formula willingly! And so much! You are helping mom a great deal, as well as the babies!

So exciting that your runt, Ares, has opened his eyes!

Keep up the stellar job! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Hello
Yesterday was my 20 year high school reunion so mama fed the babies as a group all day. I worried about them the whole time I was gone but they are absolutely perfect today! Great weight gains all around! They are shakily trying to stand and they all have their eyes open or partially open. Love these little guys so much and mama cat is a seriously amazing mom!

Now for some weights...

#2, #3, #5 and #7 are still my low group. 18 g for my runt! Yay!

#2 - birth (67.5 g) yesterday (148 g) today (162 g) +14g
#3 - birth (58.6 g) yesterday (133 g) today (151 g) +18g
#5 - birth (77.7 g) yesterday (162 g) today (179 g) +17g
#8 - birth (82.5 g) yesterday (181 g) today (196 g) +15g
#1 - birth (76.9 g) yesterday (173 g) today (190 g) +17g
#4 - birth (93.6 g) yesterday (185 g) today (203 g) +18g
#6 - birth (111.7 g) yesterday (211 g) today (226 g) +15g
#7 - birth (85.6 g) yesterday (167 g) today (180 g) +13g
#9 - birth (94.0 g) yesterday (183 g) today (204 g) +21g

I'm glad you were able to make it to your reunion!

They have made stunning gains. This is wonderful. They are doing great, and you've got the right ones grouped together! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Ok I am back to update weights...
I kind of feel like mom is doing most of the work. After not supplementing them at all on Saturday and only once each yesterday, they are all gaining really well. I sort of feel like I should not intervene as much if it is not necessary. Mama is feeding them really well on her own. Is once a day supplementing ok as long as they are all gaining 10+ grams a day or should I keep pushing them to get as close to 8oz as I can by Wednesday when they will be 2 weeks old?

They are getting bigger and there are so many of them that we had to upgrade their nesting box (laundry basket) with a huge plastic storage container. Mom seems to really appreciate the extra space to stretch out while she nurses.


#2 - birth (67.5 g) yesterday (162 g) today (173 g) +11g
#3 - birth (58.6 g) yesterday (151 g) today (161 g) +10g
#5 - birth (77.7 g) yesterday (179 g) today (192 g) +13g
#8 - birth (82.5 g) yesterday (196 g) today (214 g) +18g
#1 - birth (76.9 g) yesterday (190 g) today (204 g) +14g
#4 - birth (93.6 g) yesterday (203 g) today (221 g) +18g
#6 - birth (111.7 g) yesterday (226 g) today (238 g) +12g
#7 - birth (85.6 g) yesterday (180 g) today (190 g) +10g
#9 - birth (94.0 g) yesterday (204 g) today (216 g) +12g