Help!

I've just been asked by the vets to raise 3 orphaned devon rex kittens. 8 days old! I know nothing about rex's, do I need to do anything special? (other than usual orphaned kitten routine) I know they have very very fine curly coats, but thats about it.

Also, How does one cope with so many kittens/cats?

I have two 5 month old kittens of my own, four 9 week old rescue kittens that I hand reared from 2 weeks (there were 6, 2 have been rehomed, 1 we are keeping) and now these three eensy ones. Admittedly the older kittens dont take as much care now that they are off the bottle and litter trained, but 9 kittens???? Am I crazy??

Oh, wow!!!!
That's a lot of kittens...a big congrats to you for doing it! I'm sure it is very rewarding...
Unfortunately, I know nothing about Devon's, or hand rearing kittens, but I just wanted to offer you my support, and to tell you what a great person I think you are for taking them all in.

I do not know how I missed this post! Please forgive me for not replying sooner!

8 days old! Lucky YOU! What I would suggest is that you go to this site:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/bottle_feeding_kitten.html and read the entire section, links and all on Bottle Feeding Babies. It really is the most comprehensive article for this type of information.

If you have specific questions once you digest all of that, don't hesitate to come back and ask here. We'll be happy to assist - and as always, pictures of the little cuties are always appreciated! *smile*

Hope this helps,

Gaye

Thanks Gaye. That site is my bible! Trying to figure out how much they eat, and whether they've had enough etc is hard, so I'm always re reading the information. I have done this with another litter, but they were 2 1/2 weeks old when I got them, a lot different to 8 days!

I was starting to worry around 3am this morning when they still hadn't got the hang of the bottle, since mum hadn't fed them since about 7am yesterday (they found her body at 11am ) but at the 6.30am feed they seem to have got it and managed to drink about 4ml each. That works out around an ounce a day, is that enough? They are pretty chubby little bubs, and they are weeing lots after each feed, so I'm hoping thats enough.

I'll try and get pics later, not sure how it will go as they are quite dark and rather muted colours (dark grey, black and a black/grey tabby). All we might get a pics of muted fuzzy furriness! lol

Originally Posted by gayef

I do not know how I missed this post! Please forgive me for not replying sooner!

8 days old! Lucky YOU! What I would suggest is that you go to this site:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/bottle_feeding_kitten.html and read the entire section, links and all on Bottle Feeding Babies. It really is the most comprehensive article for this type of information.

If you have specific questions once you digest all of that, don't hesitate to come back and ask here. We'll be happy to assist - and as always, pictures of the little cuties are always appreciated! *smile*

Hope this helps,

Gaye

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