Kitten not nursing HELP

Okay all, need some experienced help. One of my 5 kits to my
feral Mom Za is NOT nursing well. He/she is not adding weight,
I fear there is failure to thrive. He/she maybe is not getting
to enough of the nipple? I tried to feed myself, but he/she was
not eating from / nursing from the nipple of the bottle I was using.

Can I dip a cloth in KRM and have him/her nurse/suck it? Would
that work? I think he/she just doesn't like the bottle/nipple.
Also how warm should the KRM be? I was using room temp,
but perhaps that's not enticing enough? What is the proper
body temp of the milk??

How should I hold the little one when trying to get to nurse?
Should I have him/her wrapped up in something?

And, any other suggestions on how to supplement this little one?
I don't want to loose him/her

He/she was last born and is the runt, and Mom didn't take the umbilical cord off, I did that. (Although she did clean up membranes on the kit.)

It is one week - should I supplement or take her / him entirely away from
Mom and try to bottle nurse? How hard is it to bottle nurse after
the first week or so? I am desperately hoping to get it to 2 wks, and
then try some strained baby food if that is okay? Help all. Don't want
to lose any of my kits!!

Opilot..

I would suggest reading this site:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/bottle_feeding_kitten.html

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/what_to_feed.html

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/feeding_techniques.html

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/kitten_..._schedule.html

Katie

Those links will definitely give you more help than I can. However, I'm wondering if you can try using a syringe to drip the formula into the kitty several times a day? Then return her to her Momma for her loving care?

I would warm the formula until it feels skin temperature, not room temp. And the kitty should be on its tummy, with its head tilted up to nurse. It feels awkward at first, because human babies lay on their backs to nurse. Maybe try making the hole in the nipple bigger, too.

My runt was born tiny, and is growing slower than the others, but he is still growing steadily. I hope yours begins to eat better, too!

When they get weak, they cant nurse or even suck. I use a syringe of KMR, they dont like it at first but when they taste it they start drinking! I saved our little Doodle that way, and kept supplementing her for several days after she started nursing again.

You're weighing them to make sure he/she isn't gaining? It doesn't fall asleep on the nipple, and/or cries while or after nursing? Is the tummy plump at all? I tried supplementing our runt, and I don't think I really needed to. She was just really tiny. (Also, I didn't have Becky's excellent advice and was trying to nurse her the wrong way!!!)

Another thing is do not let it get in there nose. I read they can get a resp infection. If am wrong feel free to correct me.

Is the kitten lethargic or cold.
It will not and can not eat if it is to cold.
If it is lethargic try rubbing a little Caro syrup on its mouth before feeding.

Originally Posted by Basklcj13

Is the kitten lethargic or cold.
It will not and can not eat if it is to cold.
If it is lethargic try rubbing a little Caro syrup on its mouth before feeding.

Click to expand...

My puppy is a pomeranian and I have to give her the cali supplement or something like that every few hours. Would it be possable to use this stuff. If so it is good. It says you can never give to much. It is irrisistable. Just a thought

I'm afraid the kitten may have passed. This is the thread I found because I was searching to see if there were any updates.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82166

Originally Posted by kluchetta

I'm afraid the kitten may have passed. This is the thread I found because I was searching to see if there were any updates.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82166

Click to expand...

Ok I will head there now. Thank You