Sick Kittens???

I've never really been around very young kittens so I'm not sure what is normal or not. I have noticed that the four kittens we have from a feral mom occasionally breathe with there mouths open...almost like they are hissing or something or breathing really hard. Is this normal? I'm a bit worried. Please tell me this is normal! They turned a week old on Thursday. Mom cat is still feeding them. It seems everytime I go check on her she isn't laying in the box with them. She seems to be getting in the box to feed them and then out she goes again! She is keeping them nice and clean. And tonight I noticed that the at least the two orange ones have there eyes open! They are just soooo cute!!!! I can't wait until they are a bit older so we can cuddle and love on them.

Becki

Most important Are they eating?
Is the mother healthy?

I know mom cat is feeding them. Sometimes I will go check on them and they are feeding. Not sure if they are getting anything. There tummys seem full...they don't seem to skinny or anything. And usually when I go in to check on them they are peacefully sleeping. I never hear them cry out or seem upset. We haven't gotten mom cat or babies tested for any diseases yet so I'm not sure how heathly she is. She looks good...nice clean coat. Healthy eyes...eating well. Do you think they are okay?

Becki

I'm not an expert on kittens this young but if they are eating and she appears healthy I think you don't need to worry. Hopefully the people who know kittens didn't go away for the long weekend and will see this.

Good luck
Fern

Thanks! I'm sure it is nothing. They are just so tiny and fragile I worry about them. Hopefully everything is fine and I'm just over protective! (keeping fingers crossed)

Becki

Hi again! Okay this is frustrating. I talked to one person who said open mouth breathing is not good. They could be having heart problems and may need to be put to sleep. But then I talked to someone locally and she said that they do that sometimes and they are probably fine!!! She said since they are in the garage maybe they are breathing in some dust or something. I'm not sure this is the case. What do you guys think? I've been peeking at them today and haven't noticed them doing the open mouth breathing so far. I don't want to stay in there too long since it seems to stress mom cat out. She doesn't like it when we are in there with her. So I can't monitor the kittens as closely as I would like. I have been strongly recommended to take them at three/four weeks from mom. If I do this at least I can bring them into the house instead of them living in the garage. They will be closer to me and I can monitor them closely. I can't bring mom and babies in since the cage they are in is too large and can't fit through the door. Plus I have no room for this cage inside the house and I don't think mom cat would do well inside. She is just way to feral.

Becki

Hi

I know Hissy knows more than I do, but I am sure the most important thing is that Mom is healthy and feeding them, more than whether or not they are inside orin a garage. I wouldn't take them in so soon, 3 or 4 weeks is too soon if they don't need to be. Let them be with Mom as long as you can.

I would think open mouth breathing could many things. Many of which could be fine. Mostly just give Mom good food and comfort and give them warm blankets. Nature is in charge then.

And don't worry so much and pat yourself on the back for being so caring. I know all my worrying usually turns out to be nothing.

Hi! Well I talked to someone that knows lots about kittens and we think they are going to be just fine. They are not doing the open mouth thing anymore thank goodness! I think they may have been hissing! I have a lot to learn about these little guys! Anyway! Three of the kittens are doing fantastic....one of them I'm keeping an eye on. He/she seems to sneeze a bit. The others do not do this. So I am hoping he isn't catching a cold. Other than that they are eating well and there eyes are all just about open. We have been taking them out once or twice a day to handle them for a few minutes so they get used to us. Mom cat doesn't seem to mind too much but she sure doesn't like it when I try to put the box with kittens in it back in the crate! She almost got me a few times now! Fiesty little devil! It sure is difficult taking care of a feral! But it is way worth it. Thanks for the help!

Becki