Help! mother refuse to feed newborn kittens

cuteminicute

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My gal had two kittens at 2am, May 22rd. the kittens are about three days old.

this morning mother refused to feed kittens, left crying babies in nesting box.
I found her nipples are not that swelling, blood spots on the top of nipples.
is that normal?

What should I do now, it's my gal's first litter, God...I am so worry about the kittens..

should I feed them myself?
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by CuteminiCute

My gal had two kittens at 2am, May 22rd. the kittens are about three days old.

this morning mother refused to feed kittens, left crying babies in nesting box.
I found her nipples are not that swelling, blood spots on the top of nipples.
is that normal?

What should I do now, it's my gal's first litter, God...I am so worry about the kittens..

should I feed them myself?
If mom is unable to feed the kittens...you are going to have to take over. You can buy KMR formula (kitten replacement formula) at your local petstore along with a bottle. Below is a link on feeding kittens:

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

I would also call your vet....I'm not familiar with what you are describing, but mom "may" need to be seen by your vet. For now, make sure to keep mom and kittens strictly indoors only and keep us informed on the situation.

Katie
 
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cuteminicute

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Thanx a lot Katie,

I think the mother dosen't produce milk anymore..She's a persian.

dose this happens a lot in cats? but the babies are just 3 days old..
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by CuteminiCute

Thanx a lot Katie,

I think the mother dosen't produce milk anymore..She's a persian.

dose this happens a lot in cats? but the babies are just 3 days old..
I don't think it happens often..which is why I think a call to your vet is in order.

Katie
 
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cuteminicute

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I did call the vet, they said they don't have any injection which helps cat produce milk.

the only way is find another nursing cat or hand feeding.


I just don't understand how could this happned? my gal is not weak, not sick, no pain, she' always been very healthy and happy...
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by CuteminiCute

I did call the vet, they said they don't have any injection which helps cat produce milk.

the only way is find another nursing cat or hand feeding.


I just don't understand how could this happned? my gal is not weak, not sick, no pain, she' always been very healthy and happy...
I don't know what could have caused this to occur...but I think it would be best to have your girl spayed. Did you tell the vet about the blood on the nipples?? Do they want you to bring her in??

Katie
 

randdom

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I am sorry that this is happening, but it might be worth hand feeding while you try and find a nursing cat, don't give up hope
 
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cuteminicute

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NO, they didn't ask me to bring the cat. they said maybe the kittens sucking cause the blood spot.
I can see my gal is worry about her babies too..but she just dosen't know what to do.
My husband just went out to buy kitten formula and feeding bottle, I am so sad this happned, but I'll try my best to save these two poor babies.
 

wookie130

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Find a different vet ASAP. Blood on the nipples could indicate something serious with the momma cat, and you do not want to let that go any more than you want the kittens to starve. In the meantime, go NOW, to Wal-Mart, or to the pet store, and pick up a large can of KMR, and a nursing kit (bottles, with different sized nipples)...when you get home, jump on www.kitten-rescue.com for imperative information. Those kittens need to eat, and they need to eat NOW!!!!!

After they've been fed, find a different vet. The momma could have an infection, and may need treatment as soon as possible. Please, find a vet that will actually look at her.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by CuteminiCute

NO, they didn't ask me to bring the cat. they said maybe the kittens sucking cause the blood spot.
I can see my gal is worry about her babies too..but she just dosen't know what to do.
My husband just went out to buy kitten formula and feeding bottle, I am so sad this happned, but I'll try my best to save these two poor babies.
So he wasn't concerned that she wasn't producing milk?? That to me is rather odd. Your poor girl probably wants to take care of them and since she isn't able to..is probably distressed. Good of you to get the KMR...yes, these little ones need several feedings.

Katie
 

gayef

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The ~very~ first thing I think you should do is to contact other vets in your area and get a second opinion. While I am not at all familiar with Persians as a breed nor do I know anything much about their specific issues, I know there are Persian breeders on the Forums who will hopefully chip in. What I am familiar with is basic reproductive issues in cats at large and I believe the other breeders here will tell you that what you are seeing on this girl is not normal, she needs vet care now and you must begin hand-feeding these kittens or you stand to lose everybody.

Three-day old kittens do not have teeth sufficient to cause a wound on or around the nipple serious enough to raise blood.

The sheer fact that she is not producing milk is enough to lead me to think you should see a vet. While I have never had this problem and am not aware of any specific treatment which exists to help milk production, there are things you can do with diet to promote a healthier mother cat.

I don't think can be stressed enough, you must be comfortable with the advice your vet gives you - and in your shoes, I would be hardly comfortable with what your vet has told you. Please seriously consider getting the opinion/s of a couple more vets in your area.

Sincerely hoping everything will work out for the best,

~g~
 

cookandcompany

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Bless your heart! I have persians myself & have yet to have the problem first hand but I do know of several others that have, 1st, Go to another vet & request an oxytocin shot ASAP! This should hopefully start milk production, also they do have other hormone treatments that may help as well. 2ND I do believe the blood is from the sucking & getting nothing, Kittens have a strong suck even when this young. Leave her with her kittens though to continue bonding and such. If she is not taking care of them otherwise, put a touch of butter on each of them, she will lick it off & that will kick the instincts on hopefully.3rd, I'm not sure how they are surviving if they aren't getting any milk from mother, But you must hand feed until you get her sorted out. Be very careful to feed them with them placed on their bellies & you really want to watch their noses also because with Persians, the milk is easier to come out of their noses when they are full & could cause their lungs to aspirate. Keep them with momma as much as possible & let them nurse whenever they want but do feed them every 2 hours until they are 3 weeks old. I know there are other opinions on how many hours in between but I feel 2 hours worked best with my 4 since they didn't get to hungry & try to eat too much too fast which can be dangerous with their little smooshed faces.. Please pm me if you need anything at all. I will pm you my phone number if you need any support or information. Call anytime day or night. Good Luck! Dawnde & Family
 
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cuteminicute

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I called the vet and asked if there's any shot can help my cat produce milk, but they said No.

BTW, my cat didn't eat the afterbirth, is that why? there were two placentas, but she ate nothing.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by CuteminiCute

I called the vet and asked if there's any shot can help my cat produce milk, but they said No.

BTW, my cat didn't eat the afterbirth, is that why? there were two placentas, but she ate nothing.
I don't think the afterbirth has anything to do with her not producing milk.

Katie
 

gayef

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The placentas do contain properties which aid in milk production, but not all cats will eat them ... so it wouldn't make a difference one way or the other if she didn't eat them after delivery.

Have you consulted with different vets and are you hand-feeding the babies? What are their weights today?
 

jlutgendorf

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Can you also talk to the breeder who sold you your girl as well as stud services? Does she have advice for you? Or maybe even current nursing mom who can take over the care of your babies?

~Julia
 

godiva

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Oxytocin can indeed be used to stimulate milk production, in humans and kitties. I'd get a second opinion! Perhaps they just meant they don't have it in stock...


Crossing my fingers for your babies...
 

kluchetta

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Is there any update on this? Seriously - you need to get that cat to a vet who cares. I know that some vets are overwhelmed with the kitten population and a couple non-nursing kittens are no big thing to them, but you need to get a vet you can get some answers from, and if you are a breeder, you have a lot riding on this cat and on her litter. Please let us know what is happening!
 

gottalotagals

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I'm so sorry to hear that. My kittens were born on the 22nd
too.
Did you guys get some milk for the babies? Let me know how it goes. I've got some for my kittens too due to the fact that Holstein had a litter of six.
I'm praying your babies make it.
 
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