We're having some problems. My darling British Longhair, Kelly, gave birth for the first time six days ago. She got three kittens, and everything seemed to go well. She took care of them just fine, and they had normal weights.
However. They didn't gain any weight. After two days, they had even lost a little bit - and we went to the vet. Kelly had an x-ray (to make sure there wasn't anything left in the uterus - there wasn't), and a blood test, which came out normal. The kittens are normal (no abnormalities), and Kelly has plenty of milk. She did have a slight fever, so she got a penicillin shot and is put on antibiotics for ten days. They all got some fluids, and we went back home. The vet advised us not to try and feed them, since according to them, that very often caused pneumonia.
Another day went by, and the kittens still weren't gaining. So, I started feeding them formula. (Using KMR.) They suckle just fine, both on the bottle and on Kelly. She eats Hills A/D right now, and gets Nutrical as a supplement. Shouldn't be a nourishment problem. I have bottle-fed them for three days now, and they do gain a little weight from that but they certainly don't grow at the same rate as my kittens usually do.
Is there anything else I can check, something I haven't thought of..? Kelly takes care of their hygiene, too, so it's not a matter of constipation...
Any input is greatly appriciated - I've had such good luck with all my previous litters, and it's really disturbing when something goes wrong. Oh well - time to go home for the next feeding!
However. They didn't gain any weight. After two days, they had even lost a little bit - and we went to the vet. Kelly had an x-ray (to make sure there wasn't anything left in the uterus - there wasn't), and a blood test, which came out normal. The kittens are normal (no abnormalities), and Kelly has plenty of milk. She did have a slight fever, so she got a penicillin shot and is put on antibiotics for ten days. They all got some fluids, and we went back home. The vet advised us not to try and feed them, since according to them, that very often caused pneumonia.
Another day went by, and the kittens still weren't gaining. So, I started feeding them formula. (Using KMR.) They suckle just fine, both on the bottle and on Kelly. She eats Hills A/D right now, and gets Nutrical as a supplement. Shouldn't be a nourishment problem. I have bottle-fed them for three days now, and they do gain a little weight from that but they certainly don't grow at the same rate as my kittens usually do.
Is there anything else I can check, something I haven't thought of..? Kelly takes care of their hygiene, too, so it's not a matter of constipation...
Any input is greatly appriciated - I've had such good luck with all my previous litters, and it's really disturbing when something goes wrong. Oh well - time to go home for the next feeding!
