Rescue Momma and Kittens... Advice Needed Please!

Sarthur2

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Goodness! Yes, letting Andy's kittens go early might be necessary. How will you feed 3-week-old kittens with your job schedule? They are likely 1-2 weeks from weaning.
 

kittens mom

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I don't know how you do it. My two little darlings will be 10 weeks this coming Tuesday.  I never want to see a baby bottle again. Only love can make you rub a baby kitty butt over the trash can multiple times a day. I am thoroughly enjoying this one more time. All their little firsts.

Like all who can foster and let go thank you. It's how I got my Mercy. Someone fostered her from 4 weeks and loved her.
 
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ashade1

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Goodness! Yes, letting Andy's kittens go early might be necessary. How will you feed 3-week-old kittens with your job schedule? They are likely 1-2 weeks from weaning.
Luckily the next couple of weeks I have a more normal work schedule, and also I work overnights so my boyfriend and I's schedules are opposite so I will have to give him a good training on syringe feeding again. I am hoping they are a little older than what the lady thinks they are... I still haven't seen them, I am told they are all black, I will be getting them this evening! At three weeks old how often and how much should they be eating? And I will need to be stimulating them at this point still correct? It has been over a year since I have taken in abandoned bottle babies so I need a quick refresher- coparenting with Andy helped me perfect my syringe feeding skills but I will be on my own with these ones! 
 

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The amount they need will depend on their individual weights. The formula is 8 mLs for every ounce of weight per day.

Example: At 3 weeks they should weigh about 12 ounces. 12 x 8 = 96 mLs each 24 hours. Feeding every 3 hours = 12 mLs per feeding, 8 times a day. This is a minimum to thrive. Many kittens will eat much more, which is fine!

My rule of thumb is one hour for every week old, so at 3 weeks they need feeding every 3 hours; at 4 weeks every 4 hours until they begin to eat mushy solids.

And yes, they will still need stimulating and cleaning for potty.

I would try a bottle first. If they won't take it, you'll need the syringe.

If they have baby teeth, they are closer to 4 weeks. We'll see when you get them. You can also tell age by how well they walk.

I look forward to pictures!
 

Mamanyt1953

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Can't wait to meet this new batch!  Woman, you are a wonder!  Make sure the BF knows how to burp and assist with pottying, as well!
 
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ashade1

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They are here! They were STARVING. Everyone ate at least 16 mLs of formula each! They are 4 identical solid black kittens. I thought I would introduce them to Andy ( I removed Andy's kittens from the room) to see if she had any interest in them because I thought a mom figure would be beneficial to them, and she started grooming them! I thought maybe she would still be producing milk because I think sometimes she still lets her kittens nurse but these kittens were struggling at attempting to nurse off of her. I agree that they are three weeks old! I will try to get weights on everyone when I go back to feed them again, I was most worried about feeding them and them settling in. Probably won't get pictures until tomorrow!
 

Sarthur2

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Oh wow! If they nurse Andy, her milk may come in heavier, but certainly don't count on it. Just having a mama cat around them will help in general. Glad they ate tons! Keep us posted! [emoji]128077[/emoji]
 
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ashade1

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It was a long night but Andy was up all night with me! I love this sweet little girl, taking on another litter after her large litter of 8. They do try to nurse off of her, and she tries to let them, but I am not sure she is producing at all, maybe sometime she will, we will continue feeding them. They seem to be going to the bathroom on their own, so maybe they are older? I can't remember how old Andy's kittens were when they started going on their own. I haven't gotten their weights yet, I have been so busy with feeding them and getting the others ready for their homes! I'll update when I can!

 

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Both you and Andy are the best thing to happen to those little ones. Even if Andy doesn't produce milk, the babies will have a mama they so desperately need [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ She is a gem [emoji]128142[/emoji]

Have you thought of names for the new little ones?
 
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ashade1

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Some pictures of my new babies! Mind the mess they just finished eating! Two of them I have to wipe their eyes and give eye ointment too but I am positive their eyes will look better soon! They certainly eat a lot! I haven't named them yet because they all look identical! I believe we have one girl and three boys!








 

kittens mom

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Even if they aren't getting nourishment or much of it being with a mother cat is beneficial as long as they aren't tearing her teats up. .
 

Mamanyt1953

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Looks like you are going to have your hands full.  I can see mischief in those precious eyes.  And WHAT an angel Andy is!
 

Sarthur2

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They are precious! Andy may start producing milk again. She sure looks content!

I know how tiring this is. Thank you so much for what you are doing!
 
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ashade1

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Buzz and Jessie were adopted today! Tomorrow we meet with adopters for Dolly and Barbie and then Monday we are meeting with adopters for Bo Peep and Rex! Which means we will just have Lenny and Woody (the two orange tabbies) and I am sure they will be adopted soon, they had a home lined up together but then the lady found out that she was pregnant so it wasn't a good time. All of my babies are leaving the nest! 9 weeks old! Where has the time gone? Then I think I will wait to try to find Andy a home until these new babies are older since they seem to benefit each other!
 

Mamanyt1953

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 Then I think I will wait to try to find Andy a home until these new babies are older since they seem to benefit each other!
I think that's a wonderful idea.  Motherless kittens have so many socialization difficulties that you will be able to avoid with foster cat-mama there on the scene!
 

Sarthur2

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So glad things are going well! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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kittens mom

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I think that's a wonderful idea.  Motherless kittens have so many socialization difficulties that you will be able to avoid with foster cat-mama there on the scene!
I was really lucky to have Mercy pick the ball up when we took Tera to the rescue.
 
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