Rescue Momma and Kittens... Advice Needed Please!

They are one week old today! Time for their weigh-in and more supplementing! Overall I am happy with their weights today, Some of them look like they haven't gained but I think thats due to my scale only measuring in oz so I can't see small gains. 

1- 6.5

2- 5.0

3- 5.0

4- 6.0

5- 5.0

6- 6.0

7- 5.0

8- 5.0







This is #1 with #8, my giant and my runt!


The older they get the mouthier and more attitude that they get!

Also #7 has opened one of her eyes today! Is it normal for just one to open? I am excited for their eyes to start opening! Its only been a few days but they are growing up so fast!

Yes, it's normal for one eye to open before the other. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Oh good! Does it sound like everyone is gaining like they should be? I definitely want to buy a digital scale that weighs in grams but I just spent most of my rescue budget on the scale I have now, formula for the babies, flea medicine and canned kitten food for mom, so what I have left I am wanting to leave in my emergency vet fund, so for now this scale will have to do! Everyone looks good to me, they are getting mouthier and moving around a lot more, I love watching them grow!

ashade1

Can you return the scale you purchased and get one that weighs in grams?

It's impossible for me to comment constructively on weight when I cannot see gain or loss in grams.

The scale does not have to be digital, but it needs to show grams or tenths of ounces.

How often are you rotating? How often are you supplementing and how many mLs?

Hi All! Sorry I haven't posted an update in a couple of days, I've been so busy with these kittens, my other fosters, and work.
Today (10 Days old) Weights in oz
1- 7.5
2- 6.5
3- 7.0
4- 6.5
5- 7.0
6- 7.0
7- 6.0
8- 5.5

I have been worried about 8 since he hasn't been appearing to gain as much weight as everyone else. I have not been able to run back to the store to get a scale that measures in grams yet- I probably won't have time to until this weekend. Do you think that I should be worried about 8? Or do you think he is fine since he is gaining and not losing weight? He seems fine and is as active and mouthy as everyone else lol. Just not as fat. (although not skinny) Another question, I am working a 16 hour shift on Friday so unfortunately I won't be able to rotate them out every 2 hours. I plan on supplementing them before I leave and when I come back but I am worried that it might be a problem.. do you think that they will be fine one day without being rotated? Or should I try to find someone to come by a couple of times and rotate them and supplement them while I am gone ( I am not sure if I know anyone that can).
I am rotating about every 2 hours and feeding about 4mls each rotation- usually they will take that much before they start spitting it at me lol.

Otherwise everyone is doing awesome, about half of them have their eyes open, I got some pictures today but I will have to post them later! Thanks for your help!

ashade1

The goal for 2 weeks is 8 ounces, so they are actually doing quite well!

Number 8 is behind. Four days ago he weighed 5 ounces, and today 5.5. A half ounce is only about 14 grams over 4 days. They should each gain a minimum of 6-10 grams per day. He gained 3.5/day.

My suggestion for number 8, besides supplementing him every chance you can, is that he always stay with mom and not get rotated out at all, so he is never deprived of an opportunity to eat.

It sounds like you have no choice but to leave the kittens with mom during your 16-hour day. I'm assuming they all stay with mom anyway while you work your normal shift and when you sleep. What profession do you work in that requires 16-hour shifts?

Just be sure to leave PLENTY of wet and dry food for mom while you are gone. You will have some hungry kittens to feed when you get home. They clearly depend on supplementing to help them grow.

You originally said their goal was 8 oz for 2 weeks old, so I thought that everyone was still on track- except for #8. I picked up extra shifts before I got these kittens, I also work 7 day weeks, just to help fund my rescue stuff. My boyfriend is going to be home in the evening and he will rotate them/ supplement them a couple of times at least that day and I am trying to find someone who can stop by for a few hours that morning too. How much should I be feeding each time? Is 4-5mLs good for every two hours?

Thanks

ashade1

Oops! You are correct! The goal is 8 ounces at 2 weeks, and I corrected it above. My mistake! They are on track, except for the runt, who definitely needs to gain more, but appears healthy and active.

If 4-5 mLs is what they will eat, that's fine. It's likely what they need to top them off.

It's great your boyfriend can help. That is probably enough without anyone else coming in. Kudos to you for supporting your rescue! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

How is mama kitty holding up?

Momma is doing so much better than when I got her! She eats about 6 cans of Fancy Feast kitten food plus a lot of dry IAMS kitten food a day, she has really perked up from the overwhelmed, drained Momma that I took in a week ago! 

And great news! I just rotated the groups again and supplemented them all and #8 and he/she ate 6mLs this morning! Which I thought was great, then I weighed him/her this morning because I thought I might start weighing him twice a day to closer monitor and he weighed in at 6 oz! I'll update with everyone's weights this evening!

Ah, great news on the runt and mama! The more mom eats, the more and better quality milk she will produce as well.

So pleased to hear that the runt ate so well and has gained another half ounce! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Today's weights I am pretty impressed with!

1- 8.5

2- 7.0

3- 8.0

4- 7.5

5- 7.5

6- 8.5

7- 6.5

8- 6.5

There are still some that are gaining more than the others, but I am pretty pleased with the overall gains of everyone! Holy cow are some of them getting big!

Also everyone's eyes are now open!

I see where you re-read laceyloowho 's thread again about her cat and nine kittens. It's good you did as I think the same advice applies to you both. Some of her kittens were even smaller than yours.

Your kittens appear to be making good gains, and none are losing. The ones gaining the most have probably claimed the best-producing nipples, and are likely bullying the smaller ones off when they are all together. So rotating helps to give all kittens extra time at the best nipples without struggling. And of course, supplementing is helping a great deal as well.

All eyes opening is exciting! [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Oh I definitely know about the rotating! They are only with Momma when I am at work, when I am home I wake up every two hours to rotate and supplement them! How exhausting! Lol I am nervous about today since I am working so long and they will have to be with Momma the whole time, but I feel better since my runts gained a good bit yesterday!

It is extremely exhausting. Will your boyfriend be coming in to help?

ashade1 said:

Today's weights I am pretty impressed with!
1- 8.5
2- 7.0
3- 8.0
4- 7.5
5- 7.5
6- 8.5
7- 6.5
8- 6.5

There are still some that are gaining more than the others, but I am pretty pleased with the overall gains of everyone! Holy cow are some of them getting big!

Also everyone's eyes are now open!

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Good looking weights to me although I am looking forward to when you get a digital scale as I think grams is the best way to weight them at this age.

Just to put it in perspective...
At 12 days old my biggest kitten was just 8oz and my smallest was only 5.4oz. Your kittens are bigger than mine and that is good (I had some super tinies). Just keep being observant of them and keep rotating and supplementing. Some do gain slower than others, I found that to be normal. You just do not want them to stall or lose for days at a time. That is a red flag that needs careful monitoring
You are doing a good job. It is not easy and super exhausting but it does not last forever I introduced solids at about 3.5 weeks (it is early but worked for us) and they went right after it. Once solids happen, it gets much less stressful. Hang in there!

The weights for 8/16/16- the day that I worked a lot, my boyfriend did help some but they still only got rotated and supplemented a couple of times.

1- 9.0

2- 7.0

3- 8.0

4- 8.0

5- 7.0

6- 8.0

7- 7.5

8- 6.5

So it looks like a couple of them gained weight 1,4,& 7. A couple stayed at the same weight 2, 3, & 8. And a few lost a little bit 5&6. Overall I am a little impressed that my runt that I have been having problems with gaining (8) didn't lose weight like I worried. I believe that today since I definitely will have a lot more time to rotate and supplement them they will all gain a good bit today Also I am planning on getting a digital scale today too!

Also @LaceyLooWho How did you know when to stop doing as many rotations/supplementing? Just whenever they start weaning?

Thanks!

Yes, lots of 2-hour rotations and supplemental feedings is called for today. The several who gained nothing, and the couple kittens who lost, need extra special attention.

A digital scale that weighs in grams is absolutely essential. Hopefully, you'll see gains today! Overall, they are doing well.

Is mom eating a lot?

ashade1 said:

The weights for 8/16/16- the day that I worked a lot, my boyfriend did help some but they still only got rotated and supplemented a couple of times.
1- 9.0
2- 7.0
3- 8.0
4- 8.0
5- 7.0
6- 8.0
7- 7.5
8- 6.5

So it looks like a couple of them gained weight 1,4,& 7. A couple stayed at the same weight 2, 3, & 8. And a few lost a little bit 5&6. Overall I am a little impressed that my runt that I have been having problems with gaining (8) didn't lose weight like I worried. I believe that today since I definitely will have a lot more time to rotate and supplement them they will all gain a good bit today Also I am planning on getting a digital scale today too!
Also @LaceyLooWho How did you know when to stop doing as many rotations/supplementing? Just whenever they start weaning?
Thanks!

Click to expand...

I am glad you are getting a digital scale today. That is going to really show you what is going on with these babies. Losing a half an oz is a huge amount to lose as that is 14 grams. I would definitely be paying particular attention to the non-gainers and the losers. Try to weigh all of them at the same time each day. I usually did it in the evening right before I supplemented them.
I really stopped rotating my litter at around 2 weeks but I do not think you should do that right now since you have babies losing or not gaining. All my babies were doing well without it and I only supplemented 1-2 times a day as well (unless someone lost or mom was sick). I just trusted my instincts and adjusted if anything changed. I still sort of supplement them because I still mix their wet food with kmr but I stopped syringe feeding once they were eating solids and drinking kmr out of a dish

   Bravo on your rescuing that not-so-little cat family!!! MamaKitty sure has a great guardian angel that sent you out her way      Has MamaKitty gotten over her diarrhea? It could have been the KMR - but if it continues, you could consult your vet & see if they recommend giving her an antibiotic because that poor cat probably is unvaccinated. It was a miracle that she was able to deliver safely and yet another miracle that she was rescued and turned over to you!!! You have the heart and stamina of the most valiant knight ever, to work so much and still do round the clock kitty care, plus shopping, fostering, meeting adopters, etc.....Heaven has a very special place for you!!

Did you get rid of the fleas? I assume so ....but if it ever comes up, you can use warm salt water to help de-flea cats. It is safer than the detergent, lacks the irritating (esp to sensitive feline noses) fragrances and doesn't need to be rinsed....speaking of fragrances, scented litter has been known to cause diarrhea to cats not to mention irritating sensitive rectal tissues.

Thank you so much for all you are doing!  We love seeing the pics - and seeing someone busier than me gives me encouragement