HELP - Kittens disappeared...

tsunami

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Hi,

My cat gave birth to a litter of 6 kittens on St. Patrick's day. 4 days ago, we found one dead off to the side of her nesting box...all the others seemed fine. The next morning a second one was dead in the same place. I continued to check on the remaining 4 which appeared fine. They were opening their eyes and moving around quite a bit. The next morning I checked on the again and they appeared fined all huddled together in the corner of the box. Later that afternoon my son came home from school and asked where they were. It was apparent the box had been moved a little but there was no sign of the 4 kittens. We looked all over the basement where they were. The mother was just walking around and continually scratching at the sides of her litter box. At one point she disappeared into the ceiling where she hides sometimes so we wondered if she would have moved the kittens there. The part that is concerning is we don't here them crying and now the mother is asking to go outside. Would she have moved the kittens had they died or is it possible she hid them and they are still okay?
 

alliread

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cant u follow her, be sneaky...or atleast get a flashlight and look up where she goes??
Its possible she would move them dead or alive I guess..But I would think it would be hard to not find 4 of them with a thorough search
 

solaritybengals

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Yes and if they did die...you will need to remove them for sanitary reasons. This is one good reason to keep a queen isolated in a room/bathroom while she is nursing so you can keep a close eye on things and she can't hide them from you.
 
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tsunami

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The problem is she enters the ceiling through a small opening and we can't get up there w/out tearing it all down...appears we are going to have to do that.
 

alliread

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I would say you might have to, but you would want to do it soon, incase she moved them and some are still alive, and need assistance..My momma cat never leaves her baby for long, so even the few times baby was out of the nest, because he is a climber..She always was on the side of the nest with him, I cant imagine if you really watched her that she wouldnt lead you to them..Unless she felt something was wrong and doesnt deal with them anymore, not sure if you stated this, but when was this??
If even just 1 is alive you need to find it, incase mommy isnt taking over
 

alliread

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I know you dont want to do this , atleast I wouldnt, bad stomach but....
Can you atleast reach up there and feel around, I know you wouldnt be able to feel far, but maybe she wouldnt have put them far..
 

solaritybengals

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Isn't there some access, maybe through the roof? I know usually even in unfinished attics there is usually a top hatch that will allow you in, in case you wanted to change out insulation or check the wiring, etc. If you can't find them anywhere, it does sound like it will be necessary to force entry. If the kittens are dead it won't be long before the house has a very bad smell. If they are alive then you might be able to revive them if mon isn't doing the job.
 
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tsunami

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It's been about 2 days since they disappeared. The ceiling is in the basement with one small opening - no others. I am going to have to put my hands in there but it is actually fairly deep. She seems to spend more time outside of that area - wanting to go outside more then in the area. Wouldn't I hear them crying?
 

alliread

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You might, might not, thats why you need to find them ASAP..2 days is pretty long, are you letting her back outside?
If you are could she have takin them outside??
At this point they might be dead, or they might be too weak to cry..
Please go look for them , 2 days is too long to not do it
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by tsunami

Hi,

My cat gave birth to a litter of 6 kittens on St. Patrick's day. 4 days ago, we found one dead off to the side of her nesting box...all the others seemed fine. The next morning a second one was dead in the same place. I continued to check on the remaining 4 which appeared fine. They were opening their eyes and moving around quite a bit. The next morning I checked on the again and they appeared fined all huddled together in the corner of the box. Later that afternoon my son came home from school and asked where they were. It was apparent the box had been moved a little but there was no sign of the 4 kittens. We looked all over the basement where they were. The mother was just walking around and continually scratching at the sides of her litter box. At one point she disappeared into the ceiling where she hides sometimes so we wondered if she would have moved the kittens there. The part that is concerning is we don't here them crying and now the mother is asking to go outside. Would she have moved the kittens had they died or is it possible she hid them and they are still okay?
Mom may have tried to move the healthy kittens away from the dead ones....do you have any knowledge of why they died?? At this point, it would probably be best to try to find out where she moved the remaining kittens to and move the entire family into a room that is quiet and private. Mom cat should not be allowed to go back outdoors until she has been spayed.

Katie
 
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tsunami

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I have been terrified to look in the ceiling area I described for fear I would find them dead. I am so relieved to say that I saw momma feeding at least 2 of them.

Thank you for making me go look! Now I have to figure out how to get the out of there - she is at least 6 feet back. Thank you again!
 

jen

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As soon as you can get to them, get them out of there and to a safer place. Put them in small room or bathroom and keep them in there. You need to keep an eye on them and the momma and you can do that a lot better in a smaller place with no access to small holes in the wall or ceiling or anything like that.

Also, please don't be letting her back out side as she can get pregnant again. She needs to stay inside until she is spayed. The kittens need to stay in also until they are spayed and neutered which can be done at 8-12 weeks.
 

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I am so glad some babies are ok! I wonder if you put a few more nesting boxes down, if she would bring the babies back down where you could monitor them better? Then if she brings them to you, put her and the babies into another room where they will be safe.
 

momof3rugratz

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? if you saw 2 nursing where did the 3rd go. You said there was 6 kittens 2 where dead then the kittens disappered.... You need to find #3 If there eyes are open maybe there nose is working also. Try to get them with milk or strong wet food. Am sure they squirm around. You do not want them to fall.
 
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