newborn Kitten help

cattyonna

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My cat had just had 7 kittens two or three days ago and she was at first having some first time mommy problems, since she was overwhelmed by the size of her first litter. Her mother instincts have been becoming better, and has started to groom a few of her kits and stimulates about a few, but I'm worried she hasn't been stimulating them all to go to the bathroom. She has a runt that had it's poor foot tangled in all the other kittens placenta cords and to the point it turned purple when we found it so my mom and I had to cut all their cords since mama wouldn't go near them and wasn't interested and didn't eat a single one, we had to cut them because we didn't want the kitten to lose his foot. His foot has been looking better but still looks a little wonky. My mom and I have decided that if he has trouble finding a home that we'll just have to keep him. He has no problems with nursing at all, so I'm not to worried about him. But I do have a kitten who is average sized and was the last born. He won't nurse on his own and to get him to latch to one of her teats I have to put it in his mouth a couple times before he starts sucking and latching. What I'm worried about is that he is not nursing without me at all and I don't think that's good for him. My mom had bought KMR milk from petco the other day and a bottle with different size nipples for different aged kittens. We are afraid to use it, because we don't want to give it to him wrong and cause the formula to go into his lungs. Any advice? We named the kit Barakooda, and he seems more interested in sleeping and won't even look for a nipple at all. When I'm able to get him to latch he drinks perfectly with no trouble and I make sure no kittens try to steal from him. Also since she has 7 kittens that always leaves one kitten out when their nursing because she only has 6 nipples that work. The very top two are to small and none of the kittens care for them, so should I KMR bottle feed the kitten that is left out? Thanks for any advice!
 

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C cattyonna

I think you may want to syringe feed the ones who are struggling. You may want to separate them into two groups as well. Please look at this thread where I am advising someone with a litter of 9:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/323928/advice-for-a-large-litter-9-kittens

You'll want to follow this plan precisely! I'm here for questions.

With the syringe, you feed tummy down, head up, and go drop by drop in the side of the mouth so they don't aspirate.

Have you weighed your kittens? It's the only way to know if they are getting enough.

You can massage the kitten's foot that has a problem, and gently try to turn it the right way. Do this a few times a day, and the foot should get better.

Keep us posted!
 
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cattyonna

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Thank you I'll look into that. The kitten won't latch anymore no matter how hard I try.... he won't take the kitten bottle either so I don't know what to do anymore :(  The other kittens are all fine and next time I go in there I'll massage the runt's foot. I'm going to have to get a new scale since my old one's battery died. When I tried to feed him I made sure he was on his tummy and head up, but he wouldn't take it. Do you think it might have something to do with the nipple? The box it came in had like a couple different ones. I used the longer narrower one, should I have used the shorter fatter one?
 

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Be prepared for the kitten to lose his foot. I'm not trying to scare you but it does happen. He can still live a happy life. Our shelter just had a litter of kittens where 3 had varying lengths of a back leg missing. They're all in their forever homes now. They don't usually like being syringe/bottle fed at first. Even if they are hungry they don't quite understand. Just remember you are in charge. Be gentle but firm and hopefully he will catch on. If he really is struggling and not gaining weight maybe you can go to a vet and learn how to tube feed if you are comfortable with learning that. Maybe he has a cleft palate? Have you checked the inside of his mouth? If he begins really slowing down you can always rub some mark syrup on the gums to get him to perk up so you can feed
 
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cattyonna

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Thank you so much! I'm not really sure what mark syrup is. Can I get it from a pet store or grocery store? I will definitely want to get that tho. since he has been really slow. I will see about taking him to the vet and see about tube feeding. But I'm not sure if we'll be able to to since we are having some bad money problems  but I'm not giving up on that option. My mom and I knew there might be a good chance the other kitten's foot wouldn't make it and I warned my mother about it so she could be prepared to take him to the vet if we had to when he's older. The kittens at your shelter with foot problems got good homes? Good! That makes me really happy and hopeful he will too ^-^ We are actually going to try to get my grandma to take him since she took one of our previous kittens from a previous litter and thought it wouldn't be so bad to have a friend. Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it and you gave me some more hope for these two kittens. I really hate seeing the one not eating just lie there, I really want to help him, as I think he is strong enough to survive, and why we named him Barakooda. A strong kitten would need a strong name. Also what is cleft plate? Could that be a reason he isn't wanting to eat? When I was able to get him to latch before he drank perfectly fine and happily...the problem is I can't get him to latch to her anymore or a bottle :(
 

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Whoops meant karo syrup. Yes, all three found good homes:).
Cleft palate is where the top of their mouth didn't fuse all the way. Depending on the severity it can make it difficult/impossible to really latch on well and they begin declining because they aren't getting the amount of nutrients they need. If you google image search "kitten cleft palate" you can see some pictures. It is entirely possible that something is wrong internally that is causing him to decline. Sometimes they just aren't put together right. It's heartbreaking but sadly it happens. One of my fosters from a couple years ago prolapsed at 2 days old. It looked like her insides were spilling out of her bottom. I was devastated but we are warned at foster training that things can be terribly wrong and it isn't our fault and sometimes there is nothing we can do. She was humanely euthanized. However, some things can be managed and the kittens can go on to get stronger with treatment and proper care. It's a case by case thing. Luckily, you've been observant and caught this early.
 
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cattyonna

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Yeah I understand that completely :( we had a deformed kitten, to where his legs were curled and he wouldn't eat and I think he wasn't doing good internally. I tried to bottle feed but it didn't work to well...he ended up dying in my hands one night. I cried for days. I wish things like that didn't happen but like you said there is nothing we can do. I will check his mouth out when I get a chance, and I hope I don't see anything wrong. He moves around a lot and likes to be my his mommy, and is just a little slower than the others. He doesn't cry either...just little grunting kitten noises when he gets moved around, butI did get her to groom him an hour or so ago. I think he liked that. I haven't seen him poop yet and I hope to see if he does soon. I'm sorry you had to go through something like that too. It's horrible to feel like there is nothing you can do. I hope I can get Barakooda to survive, and I'll try my best. Thank you again for your advice, I needed it.
 

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Anytime:). I currently have a momma and her five 2 week olds that were born at my house. I spend a ton of time with them and have yet to see one poop. I've only seen their mom stimulate them a couple of times but they're growing at a very good rate and the bedding stays really clean so I know she must be taking care of things when I'm not around;)
 

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Thank you I'll look into that. The kitten won't latch anymore no matter how hard I try.... he won't take the kitten bottle either so I don't know what to do anymore :(  The other kittens are all fine and next time I go in there I'll massage the runt's foot. I'm going to have to get a new scale since my old one's battery died. When I tried to feed him I made sure he was on his tummy and head up, but he wouldn't take it. Do you think it might have something to do with the nipple? The box it came in had like a couple different ones. I used the longer narrower one, should I have used the shorter fatter one?
Im reading, will write soon.  anyways, with the weak ones its often easier to syringe feed them.  This is why Sarthur mentioned syringe...   And you MUST go on, otherwise you will lose him for sure.  His chances  arent good even with help, but none at all without active help.

Be sure he is warm enough when you feed him, and the milk is body warm too....

I will return shortly.
 
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Thank you so much! I'm not really sure what mark syrup is. Can I get it from a pet store or grocery store? I will definitely want to get that tho. since he has been really slow. I will see about taking him to the vet and see about tube feeding. But I'm not sure if we'll be able to to since we are having some bad money problems  but I'm not giving up on that option. My mom and I knew there might be a good chance the other kitten's foot wouldn't make it and I warned my mother about it so she could be prepared to take him to the vet if we had to when he's older. The kittens at your shelter with foot problems got good homes? Good! That makes me really happy and hopeful he will too ^-^ We are actually going to try to get my grandma to take him since she took one of our previous kittens from a previous litter and thought it wouldn't be so bad to have a friend. Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it and you gave me some more hope for these two kittens. I really hate seeing the one not eating just lie there, I really want to help him, as I think he is strong enough to survive, and why we named him Barakooda. A strong kitten would need a strong name. Also what is cleft plate? Could that be a reason he isn't wanting to eat? When I was able to get him to latch before he drank perfectly fine and happily...the problem is I can't get him to latch to her anymore or a bottle :(
What it is supposed to be, is glucose sugar,/ dextrose / As its not common in USA in pure form, american rescuers use other sources for it. the easiest is honey. Or rather, thick honey water.  White caro syrup or even maple syrup  are other source.   My guess here mark syrup was typo for maple syrup.

You can smear some thick glucose water on the lips and gum of a weak kitten. It gives quick energy, as glucose syrup goes into blood already in the mouth, through the thin skin there.  It doesnt need to be digested, unlike common table sugar.

You can also add some honey water to his food too, if necessary.

And such glucose sugar source = honey, + salt, is a base for simple home made pedialyte - this too useful i many emergencies.
 
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StefanZ

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Observe, many vets arent good at helping weak kittens.  Qute a few dont even know how to tube...  So do phone before you go to such a vet.  Be sure he can and want show you, and lend you gears....

This is btw the main reason we dont mention tube feeding more often - vets often dont know how, and its risky to try yourself, if you hadnt been showed exactly, and have the right gears.  

Feeding with syringe is usually enough good.

Cleft palate was mentioned (hole in thr roof of the mouth) - if the cleft  isnt too big, the kitten can often survive.  Their problem is they cant suckle properly, so bottle feeding doesnt helps.  the trick is to syringe feed them.  Syringe fed  its enough they can swallow...

Tube feeding is another option of course, but amateur rescuers do it seldom.   Semi professional rescuers on the other hand, they often have many charges at once, so they simply donthave time to sit and feed them drop after drop...

Re the foot.  We had similiar cases earlier, where the owner went to the vet. Usually the vet tells them to wait and see... If its because it is really what to do, or example  most vets arent good with small kittens,  is a speculatition.

The kittens may make it (possibly with losing the foot but sruviving nicely)  or they dont make it, if the damage was big...  It varies, and its just to fight on.

As you describe it,  your kittens foot isnt too bad, with any luck should be OK.

The advice you got to massage it regularly is a good one.
 

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My cat had just had 7 kittens two or three days ago and she was at first having some first time mommy problems, since she was overwhelmed by the size of her first litter. Her mother instincts have been becoming better, and has started to groom a few of her kits and stimulates about a few, but I'm worried she hasn't been stimulating them all to go to the bathroom. She has a runt that had it's poor foot tangled in all the other kittens placenta cords and to the point it turned purple when we found it so my mom and I had to cut all their cords since mama wouldn't go near them and wasn't interested and didn't eat a single one, we had to cut them because we didn't want the kitten to lose his foot. His foot has been looking better but still looks a little wonky. My mom and I have decided that if he has trouble finding a home that we'll just have to keep him. He has no problems with nursing at all, so I'm not to worried about him. But I do have a kitten who is average sized and was the last born. He won't nurse on his own and to get him to latch to one of her teats I have to put it in his mouth a couple times before he starts sucking and latching. What I'm worried about is that he is not nursing without me at all and I don't think that's good for him. My mom had bought KMR milk from petco the other day and a bottle with different size nipples for different aged kittens. We are afraid to use it, because we don't want to give it to him wrong and cause the formula to go into his lungs. Any advice? We named the kit Barakooda, and he seems more interested in sleeping and won't even look for a nipple at all. When I'm able to get him to latch he drinks perfectly with no trouble and I make sure no kittens try to steal from him. Also since she has 7 kittens that always leaves one kitten out when their nursing because she only has 6 nipples that work. The very top two are to small and none of the kittens care for them, so should I KMR bottle feed the kitten that is left out? Thanks for any advice!
You are thinking and doing nicely.  As I can see, you have done everything right so far.

Yes, help momma take care of them, stimulate and so on, what she doesnt manage, you must do...

Out in the wild, its not unusual cat sisters, or cat momma and her oldest daugters, help each other, so helping momma out isnt THAT peculiar, and is not either anything against Nature - if anybody has such thoughts....

You bbeing afraid - right, there ARE some addtional risks, especielly if done unskilled or wrong.  But the alternative is usually death soon enough...  So its really usually not much choice, no?

Tummy  down, head up, may be diagonally raised up somewhat,  not too fast, never squirt in - so the kitten manages to swallow.

The same basic postion when ususng syringe - in the corner of the mouth, give dropwise, so you are sure she swallows.  If she is good at swallowing, it may go fairly quickly.  If not, it will take patience and time...

Burp afterwards alike a baby.

Use syringe of 1-1,5 ml. You can get it at a pharmacy. Often for free if you ask pleasantly...

Its needleless syringes, nothing useful for  injections...

Although, IF you do have a realy syringe, you can use it too, just take off the syringe, of course.
 
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cattyonna

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Okay I'll have to get a syringe then for sure and the honey. I think we might have some, but is there a certain honey or just any will work? Should I water it down first so it's not to much on him? I will look into the other syrups you mentioned. Which one do you think is the best? I got him to latch a couple of minutes ago and he drank for a little but as I left and came back into the room I noticed he was off and it looked like another kitten bullied him off. At least I got him to latch tho! I'm so excited ^-^ I cried and asked for a miracle and I got one, and I'm so thankful. I've noticed that the mom has been bleeding a lot and I think after doing some research that she might still have a kitten or placenta inside her causing the bleeding. I know I have to get her to the vet but we have money problems and it might be a little before we can save the money up to take her. Do you know how serious this is? Is it dire I take her immediately? I'm super worried about her too :(

When I tried to feed the kitten before I made sure the Kmr was warm by putting it in the microwave. Is that safe? Or should I just let it sit until it becomes room temperature? I don't think the milk is coming out enough or maybe to much? He fights me like crazy when I try to put it in his mouth so I think the syringe will work better so I should try that when I get it. Do I put a nipple on the end of it? Or leave it like it is? I will never give up on this little guy and I want him to make it to the point I'd give my own life for his.

I will add some honey water to his food if he starts acting weak for sure. And I will look for some glucose syrup as well if that can get him going for feeding and such.

And man okay I'll definitely call about the tube feeding before taking him in (If I can). Tube feeding sounds advanced and I definitely don't want to try that without a proper 'how to' from someone experienced and knows what their doing. That will be an absolute last resort. 

I still haven't checked for cleft plate just yet, but I will try to soon. His latching and willing to feed should be a good sign against it right? I certainly hope so. I would definitely sit for hours on hours if I have to, and if it means he's getting what he needs. I hope my vet will know how to tube just in case it comes to that :(

I will massage the foot every so often as I can :) he is a good nurser and is using his foot nicely, and as it still is discolored a teeny bit, is still looking a lot better. If it comes to having to remove his foot and ever looks worse or he begins to have troubles we will take him and have it amputated if needed, whatever it takes to have him survive as well. 

Thank you. I hope I am doing things as correctly as I can. I still need a scale to weigh and have to put that on the list of 'to gets' so I can see their gainings. While mommy is feeding them I get a cup of really warm water and dip a cloth in it (Since the cloth becomes cold really quickly I can have the warmer water near by to keep the cloth warm) and start to rub their areas until they pee/poop. She is starting to clean them up real nice lately too :) I'm always there to help. 

Yeah I'm afraid to because our last problem kitten I feel I did more harm then good when trying to bottle feed and it's death broke my heart to pieces. I will get over this, and if I have to I'll get my mom to help and see what she can do. Your right it's better trying and doing it right than not. While feeding him on his tummy, how far would i insert it in his mouth? Just to make sure, in case I do it wrong. When I srynge feed it means it doesn't suck itself and I have to squirt tiny drops in? I know you said to put it in on the side of it's mouth, so that means I control what comes out right? Just also making sure so I can get it right.

I will burp afterwards as well :) Just small soft pats on it's back?

I will see about going to the pharmacy soon. Hopefully I will be able to get one soon.

Thank you so much for your advice as well! I'm so grateful to this site, and don't know what I would do without it and it's members. Thanks again, all this advice helps a lot!
 

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Okay I'll have to get a syringe then for sure and the honey. I think we might have some, but is there a certain honey or just any will work? Should I water it down first so it's not to much on him? I will look into the other syrups you mentioned. Which one do you think is the best? I got him to latch a couple of minutes ago and he drank for a little but as I left and came back into the room I noticed he was off and it looked like another kitten bullied him off. At least I got him to latch tho! I'm so excited ^-^ I cried and asked for a miracle and I got one, and I'm so thankful. I've noticed that the mom has been bleeding a lot and I think after doing some research that she might still have a kitten or placenta inside her causing the bleeding. I know I have to get her to the vet but we have money problems and it might be a little before we can save the money up to take her. Do you know how serious this is? Is it dire I take her immediately? I'm super worried about her too :(

When I tried to feed the kitten before I made sure the Kmr was warm by putting it in the microwave. Is that safe? Or should I just let it sit until it becomes room temperature? I don't think the milk is coming out enough or maybe to much? He fights me like crazy when I try to put it in his mouth so I think the syringe will work better so I should try that when I get it. Do I put a nipple on the end of it? Or leave it like it is? I will never give up on this little guy and I want him to make it to the point I'd give my own life for his.

I will add some honey water to his food if he starts acting weak for sure. And I will look for some glucose syrup as well if that can get him going for feeding and such.

And man okay I'll definitely call about the tube feeding before taking him in (If I can). Tube feeding sounds advanced and I definitely don't want to try that without a proper 'how to' from someone experienced and knows what their doing. That will be an absolute last resort. 

I still haven't checked for cleft plate just yet, but I will try to soon. His latching and willing to feed should be a good sign against it right? I certainly hope so. I would definitely sit for hours on hours if I have to, and if it means he's getting what he needs. I hope my vet will know how to tube just in case it comes to that :(

I will massage the foot every so often as I can :) he is a good nurser and is using his foot nicely, and as it still is discolored a teeny bit, is still looking a lot better. If it comes to having to remove his foot and ever looks worse or he begins to have troubles we will take him and have it amputated if needed, whatever it takes to have him survive as well. 

Thank you. I hope I am doing things as correctly as I can. I still need a scale to weigh and have to put that on the list of 'to gets' so I can see their gainings. While mommy is feeding them I get a cup of really warm water and dip a cloth in it (Since the cloth becomes cold really quickly I can have the warmer water near by to keep the cloth warm) and start to rub their areas until they pee/poop. She is starting to clean them up real nice lately too :) I'm always there to help. 

Yeah I'm afraid to because our last problem kitten I feel I did more harm then good when trying to bottle feed and it's death broke my heart to pieces. I will get over this, and if I have to I'll get my mom to help and see what she can do. Your right it's better trying and doing it right than not. While feeding him on his tummy, how far would i insert it in his mouth? Just to make sure, in case I do it wrong. When I srynge feed it means it doesn't suck itself and I have to squirt tiny drops in? I know you said to put it in on the side of it's mouth, so that means I control what comes out right? Just also making sure so I can get it right.

I will burp afterwards as well :) Just small soft pats on it's back?

I will see about going to the pharmacy soon. Hopefully I will be able to get one soon.

Thank you so much for your advice as well! I'm so grateful to this site, and don't know what I would do without it and it's members. Thanks again, all this advice helps a lot!
careful with micro!  it heats up unevenly, it some parts are room temp, while other parts are steaming hot - big risk for burn- wounds!

IF you must use micro, do shake the contents vigorously, so you are sure the heat has spread evenly.

The safest way is to heat up in a water bath.  You have the bottle in warm water... as you do with babies

continue!
 

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Okay I'll have to get a syringe then for sure and the honey. I think we might have some, but is there a certain honey or just any will work? Should I water it down first so it's not to much on him? I will look into the other syrups you mentioned. Which one do you think is the best? I got him to latch a couple of minutes ago and he drank for a little but as I left and came back into the room I noticed he was off and it looked like another kitten bullied him off. At least I got him to latch tho! I'm so excited ^-^ I cried and asked for a miracle and I got one, and I'm so thankful. I've noticed that the mom has been bleeding a lot and I think after doing some research that she might still have a kitten or placenta inside her causing the bleeding. I know I have to get her to the vet but we have money problems and it might be a little before we can save the money up to take her. Do you know how serious this is? Is it dire I take her immediately? I'm super worried about her too :(

When I tried to feed the kitten before I made sure the Kmr was warm by putting it in the microwave. Is that safe? Or should I just let it sit until it becomes room temperature? I don't think the milk is coming out enough or maybe to much? He fights me like crazy when I try to put it in his mouth so I think the syringe will work better so I should try that when I get it. Do I put a nipple on the end of it? Or leave it like it is? I will never give up on this little guy and I want him to make it to the point I'd give my own life for his.

I will add some honey water to his food if he starts acting weak for sure. And I will look for some glucose syrup as well if that can get him going for feeding and such.

And man okay I'll definitely call about the tube feeding before taking him in (If I can). Tube feeding sounds advanced and I definitely don't want to try that without a proper 'how to' from someone experienced and knows what their doing. That will be an absolute last resort. 

I still haven't checked for cleft plate just yet, but I will try to soon. His latching and willing to feed should be a good sign against it right? I certainly hope so. I would definitely sit for hours on hours if I have to, and if it means he's getting what he needs. I hope my vet will know how to tube just in case it comes to that :(

I will massage the foot every so often as I can :) he is a good nurser and is using his foot nicely, and as it still is discolored a teeny bit, is still looking a lot better. If it comes to having to remove his foot and ever looks worse or he begins to have troubles we will take him and have it amputated if needed, whatever it takes to have him survive as well. 

Thank you. I hope I am doing things as correctly as I can. I still need a scale to weigh and have to put that on the list of 'to gets' so I can see their gainings. While mommy is feeding them I get a cup of really warm water and dip a cloth in it (Since the cloth becomes cold really quickly I can have the warmer water near by to keep the cloth warm) and start to rub their areas until they pee/poop. She is starting to clean them up real nice lately too :) I'm always there to help. 

Yeah I'm afraid to because our last problem kitten I feel I did more harm then good when trying to bottle feed and it's death broke my heart to pieces. I will get over this, and if I have to I'll get my mom to help and see what she can do. Your right it's better trying and doing it right than not. While feeding him on his tummy, how far would i insert it in his mouth? Just to make sure, in case I do it wrong. When I srynge feed it means it doesn't suck itself and I have to squirt tiny drops in? I know you said to put it in on the side of it's mouth, so that means I control what comes out right? Just also making sure so I can get it right.

I will burp afterwards as well :) Just small soft pats on it's back?

I will see about going to the pharmacy soon. Hopefully I will be able to get one soon.

Thank you so much for your advice as well! I'm so grateful to this site, and don't know what I would do without it and it's members. Thanks again, all this advice helps a lot!
Common honey is best,  and make it into honey water.  If you smear on thick honey ti will just be sticky no?  So a water solution is practically a must.

Its easiest with fluid honey, but fluid honey doesnt contain so much glucose, its contains more of fructose - not that useful.  So use common, fast form honey.

White caro syrup contians much glucose - depending on brand and batch, it may even be almost pure glucose...   And its half liquid.
 

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Re mommas bleeding.   This is potentially dangerous, if its real blood more than some droplets.  Red colored watery discharges are common and normal, but living blood is always alarming.

If you notice its much blood, you MUST get her to a good vet.  You may try and phone at first, the vet can hopefully give more accurate questions and guidance.

If you dont have the money, you can perhaps lend some from relatives or neigbours?

In our Health Forum, there is a nice article with links on how and where raise money if you dont have...

Or yuou may perhaps find some cheap vet?

Begin with that asap.  If the bleeding is as bad as you tell, she will need help ASAP or at least, very soon..
 

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Its good the little one do latch on and get some.  He gets some colostrum, the first milk extra rich in immuno-antibodies...  But how much he really gets, we cant know.  The only way to know for sure is to have weighting on a scale every 12 hours.

But count on he doesnt gets enough, and count on YOU must step in and give him as much he needs.

Btw, goats milk is also good, esp if you can get raw.  For some forumites its easy, for other almost impossible.

What he need is 8ml / oz a day,  if he being small is 75grammes, gives 21/2 oz, gives about 20 ml a day.

If you give it every second hour, gives about 2ml each time.    Or 1ml every hour  ( and you sleep some in the night).

He shall gain at least 6grammes every day - but 10 is even better.

If he with your and Gods help do lives on and gains weight, these amounts will of course be bigger with time.
 

StefanZ

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You can use the syringe as it is.  But for some it works nicely with putting a nipple on the syringe!  If the kitten manages to suckle, it may be very nice.  Petsmart has such suitable nipples.
 

StefanZ

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Okay I'll have to get a syringe then for sure and the honey. I think we might have some, but is there a certain honey or just any will work? Should I water it down first so it's not to much on him? I will look into the other syrups you mentioned. Which one do you think is the best? I got him to latch a couple of minutes ago and he drank for a little but as I left and came back into the room I noticed he was off and it looked like another kitten bullied him off. At least I got him to latch tho! I'm so excited ^-^ I cried and asked for a miracle and I got one, and I'm so thankful. I've noticed that the mom has been bleeding a lot and I think after doing some research that she might still have a kitten or placenta inside her causing the bleeding. I know I have to get her to the vet but we have money problems and it might be a little before we can save the money up to take her. Do you know how serious this is? Is it dire I take her immediately? I'm super worried about her too :(

When I tried to feed the kitten before I made sure the Kmr was warm by putting it in the microwave. Is that safe? Or should I just let it sit until it becomes room temperature? I don't think the milk is coming out enough or maybe to much? He fights me like crazy when I try to put it in his mouth so I think the syringe will work better so I should try that when I get it. Do I put a nipple on the end of it? Or leave it like it is? I will never give up on this little guy and I want him to make it to the point I'd give my own life for his.

I will add some honey water to his food if he starts acting weak for sure. And I will look for some glucose syrup as well if that can get him going for feeding and such.

And man okay I'll definitely call about the tube feeding before taking him in (If I can). Tube feeding sounds advanced and I definitely don't want to try that without a proper 'how to' from someone experienced and knows what their doing. That will be an absolute last resort. 

I still haven't checked for cleft plate just yet, but I will try to soon. His latching and willing to feed should be a good sign against it right? I certainly hope so. I would definitely sit for hours on hours if I have to, and if it means he's getting what he needs. I hope my vet will know how to tube just in case it comes to that :(

I will massage the foot every so often as I can :) he is a good nurser and is using his foot nicely, and as it still is discolored a teeny bit, is still looking a lot better. If it comes to having to remove his foot and ever looks worse or he begins to have troubles we will take him and have it amputated if needed, whatever it takes to have him survive as well. 

Thank you. I hope I am doing things as correctly as I can. I still need a scale to weigh and have to put that on the list of 'to gets' so I can see their gainings. While mommy is feeding them I get a cup of really warm water and dip a cloth in it (Since the cloth becomes cold really quickly I can have the warmer water near by to keep the cloth warm) and start to rub their areas until they pee/poop. She is starting to clean them up real nice lately too :) I'm always there to help. 

Yeah I'm afraid to because our last problem kitten I feel I did more harm then good when trying to bottle feed and it's death broke my heart to pieces. I will get over this, and if I have to I'll get my mom to help and see what she can do. Your right it's better trying and doing it right than not. While feeding him on his tummy, how far would i insert it in his mouth? Just to make sure, in case I do it wrong. When I srynge feed it means it doesn't suck itself and I have to squirt tiny drops in? I know you said to put it in on the side of it's mouth, so that means I control what comes out right? Just also making sure so I can get it right.

I will burp afterwards as well :) Just small soft pats on it's back?

I will see about going to the pharmacy soon. Hopefully I will be able to get one soon.

Thank you so much for your advice as well! I'm so grateful to this site, and don't know what I would do without it and it's members. Thanks again, all this advice helps a lot!
You put in the drops inside the mouth but still in the corner, so you dont risk to squeeze them into wrong throat.  Having controll as you say.

If he swallows good, you can do it fairly quick - he may even actively suckle...  And this is OK.

You can perhaps borrow a scale from somebody, a neigbour or school mate?   A common postal scale or kitchen scale.  The best are electronical weihting in grammes.

His foods sounds as be improving...

But if the bleeding of momma arent going better, you got to do something with it.
 
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cattyonna

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I got him to latch by himself a little bit ago! :D I put him up to the nipple and he sucked and latched all by himself! This is good progress! I don't think I'm going to get any sleep tonight. I'm probably going to stay up all night to see if I can get him to latch every two hours or so ^-^ The good thing is that he actually showed he was looking for it when I put him up to it c: I had to move a couple kittens out in a warm box in another room so the smaller ones can have their turn at nursing and then I rotated them when mom got up. Alright so add some water to the honey. Will do. I need to get. Syringe 2. Scale 3. Caro syrup 4. Maybe honey 

Goats milk? My mom's boyfriend used to live on a farm and his mom has some goats. Would that be okay? They can get it raw. I can see if anyone near me has a scale in the morning. Lets hope they do. Okay I think I got how to put in the syringe in it's mouth. I might come back and ask some questions later once I have it, just to be sure and on the safe side since I'm probably going to be a little paranoid on doing it. I do want to make sure he is getting enough. I will see if putting a nipple on it will work. Mama has stopped bleeding as bad as she was, as I don't see any spots anymore as she walks, so I think that's a good sign for now. I will see about borrowing money from a friend for the vet bill, but I'm not sure if it'll work since I'm not sure if he's in a money situation or not. I could see about selling some things as well. What site is it that helps you raise money? I'd love to know. That might help too. I will see if I can locate the health forums, since I'm new I'm not exactly sure where that is yet. How much would you estimate her vet bill to be for this? I will try to see about calling our local vet. I'm not experienced with vets, but I do know their pretty expensive. I can also see if I can try to get ahold of some relatives. I'm glad too that he was able to get moms first milk. I know that it's vital for them, because it has stuff in it to protect them from getting sick. How many times a day should I help stimulate them? After each feeding? I will try to do that. So I will add some water to our honey to put in the Kmr, and should that be it? Do you recommend putting anything else in the formula to make it better? Once I get Caro syrup should I start putting that in instead of the honey? Should work, and maybe even better. The honey and syrup can both be used for rubbing on the gums? How much? Just a drop should do?
 
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