Im taking care of five days old newborn kittens without their mom. (The mom is a stray cat and she is really sick in ICU; and I have zero experience with newborns). Ive been trying to bottle feed the kittens for past 10hrs with kitten formula with bottle that comes with the formula. I think something is wrong cause one of the kitten had sort of hiccups after the feeding and now there is this clicking sound in her chest and neck when she breathes. I did my best to feed them on their belly with their head elevated but they're really wiggly and angry. I am scared out of my mind that she's gotten the 'aspiration pneumonia' because of my shitty feeding skill and now there is formula in her lung!!!!!!!! I cant leave my place to go any vet because of corona lockdown at where I live. Its almost impossible to find open vet now at this time. (it's 3am in the morning here) I found one open vet and called them on the phone asking what I can do and he said "feed her! she must be hungry." I think this vet is an idiot. There is something wrong with this noise!! I am freaking out!!! what shall I do???!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!
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Clicking sound in newborn kitten!!!!HELP!!!
- Thread starter Gigi898
- Start Date
You are a good person for taking care of them. Just keep in mind that you are trying your best and without you they would have been dead. You can hold the kitten head downward and tap on each side of the chest. Obviously since they are very tiny you don't want to do this too hard. Are you fostering as part of a shelter program? If not then please contact a local shelter for assistance. They can give you antibiotics that you can start in the event the little one needs them. Signs to watch out for include food refusal and lethargy. When kittens are tiny or used to nursing you need to syringe feed instead of bottle feed. Kitten Lady on YouTube has a great info video on how to do this.
Feeding with the kitten in his tummy is right! Position as though at the mothers nipple so head not up very high. Feed verrry slowly. If needed, drops at a time. Let me find some links to kitten care for you. I’ll be back. Don’t be too nervous. It’s intimidating to everyone at first but help will be along to escort you through the process. Hang in there and than you for helping the little ones!
Click on this link. Hand Rearing Kittens: What You Need To Know To Save A Newborn’s Life
I’m going to find more info for you so hang on.
I’m going to find more info for you so hang on.
Here is a great link that covers a lot. Go to the part about feeding and click there. Kitten Care - View All — Kitten Lady
Others will be along to help.
catsknowme
has helped a lot of babies. There may be a time lapse before others respond since many live in others places but they’ll be here.
Others will be along to help.
catsknowme
has helped a lot of babies. There may be a time lapse before others respond since many live in others places but they’ll be here.- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
Thank you so much for your kind words. I've tapped her as you described, she is still making that clicking sound...
Trust me! Ive been watching kitten lady's videos on repeat for past few days. She makes it look so easy but it's actually extremely hard to feed these little angry stubborn ones.
I'm not part of any shelter program. It's a stray cat gave birth in my friend's garden. My friend has never had a cat before so she is clueless. I'm no better than her either 'cause I mostly rescued adult cats or kittens that were older than 4 weeks old before and I never dealt with any nursing mom or newborns.
So far we've lost one kitten, she just stopped latching on her mom for no reason and died after 2 days. I thought the worst was over and now all will be fine. But yesterday out of nowhere the mama cat started drooling with foam and got into toxic shock. We brought her to the closest vet asap; and they suspected that she was either bitten by a poisonous insect or ate a poisonous insect. What are the chances?!?! ... I dont know man.. There are still no news from ICU..
Now one of the kitten is making clicking noise in her chest most probably because I fed her wrong
I just wish I could teleport these kittens to KittenLady and make her do her magic on them ...
The clicking noise may be congestion. I know how hard it is to get the babies fed without their mom. If you have a clean, sterile makeup sponge you can try that or even a washcloth. Soak it in formula and let the baby suck on that. Are there any rescue groups near you? Maybe a foster that can help? Next door is a good way to find someone near you. You can also do a google search for kitten or feral rescues and then add you city, town or county to the search bar. You can try calling Humane societies in your area and tell them you need a foster or perhaps they have a mother cat that lost her kittens. Often a kittenless mother will adopt. You can also call the vet you took the mom too and ask for help.
Let me see if I can find others who might be online here to help.
kittychick
Furballsmom
Mamanyt1953
Let me see if I can find others who might be online here to help.
kittychick
Furballsmom
Mamanyt1953- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
Thank you so much!
Do you know if its normal for kittens to wiggle and refuse syringe or bottle repeatedly or do you think they're still not that hungry ? The last time mama cat fed them was around 15-18hrs ago before she got sick. Over the night we've been trying to feed him every 2hrs. Two kittens ate a little; the other two completely refused everything and fought back really hard. I only managed to leave a drop or so in their mouth throughout the night since the clicking started after my first failed attempt at bottle feeding one of the angry ones. I completely gave up bottle now cause I noticed that its very hard to control how much is leaving the bottle during the feed. They make peepee every 2 hrs and its still light coloured, so Im assuming that the few drops I left in their mouth made its way down? :? Im so lost here...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #9
Yea. I've been looking for nursing mom in my city since the incident with our mom cat. No luck so far. I'm going to the vet in 2hrs to check on the mom. Im also looking for someone experienced enough to feed these kittens. I'm just scared that by the time I found solution, the kitten with congestion might get really worse... I was hoping if I could find some home remedy to remove the congestion..The clicking noise may be congestion. I know how hard it is to get the babies fed without their mom. If you have a clean, sterile makeup sponge you can try that or even a washcloth. Soak it in formula and let the baby suck on that. Are there any rescue groups near you? Maybe a foster that can help? Next door is a good way to find someone near you. You can also do a google search for kitten or feral rescues and then add you city, town or county to the search bar. You can try calling Humane societies in your area and tell them you need a foster or perhaps they have a mother cat that lost her kittens. Often a kittenless mother will adopt. You can also call the vet you took the mom too and ask for help.
Let me see if I can find others who might be online here to help.
I don’t know about removing congestion short of letting it be absorbed by the system or getting antibiotics but just keep trying. Light colored pee is great! Are they pooping? Do you have any Karo syrup or honey? Rubbing a little on the gums may buy you some time if the kittens aren’t eating enough.
. It can literally be a drop at a time when syringe feeding and takes time but slow and steady can get it done. Tou’re really doing great! Just keep at it. The ones refusing are the ones clicking? Just a drop at a time for them but keep the drops coming. When you talk to the vet, tell them about the kittens and tell them of the clicking. They can advise you best. Bravo for all your hard work! I’m sorry one was lost but you are giving them a much better chance than they would ever have without you. “Next door” might be a place to find a foster.
. It can literally be a drop at a time when syringe feeding and takes time but slow and steady can get it done. Tou’re really doing great! Just keep at it. The ones refusing are the ones clicking? Just a drop at a time for them but keep the drops coming. When you talk to the vet, tell them about the kittens and tell them of the clicking. They can advise you best. Bravo for all your hard work! I’m sorry one was lost but you are giving them a much better chance than they would ever have without you. “Next door” might be a place to find a foster.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
Yes. The one who is refusing the most is the one who's clicking.She wiggles with all her strength and screams like if Im trying to eat her the moment syringe touches her mouth. She is the most stubborn and the angriest one; also she is the smallest one in the litter. thats why Im worried.
It’s not uncommon for them to refuse a syringe or bottle. It’s not the mom they are used too. You just need to keep working with them. I wish I could make this easier for you but babies of any kind are a lot of work. You’re really doing well with them. You can try wrapping the babies, burrito style, in a cloth while they feed. It’s sort of a security blanket for them. I have laid on my back and placed a kitten on my tummy to feed it. I held a hand over it to keep it secure and warm. The kittens need to be warm enough too. Placing them where they can feel your heart beat before feeding or after can add comfort. I have put them inside my shirt before to snuggle for awhile. That seems to calm them. Be sure to rub tummies and you may even get tiny burps.
Sorry 4 showing up late! Right now, the basics are 1) keep warm; 2) keep up blood sugar levels; 3)maintain hydration; 4) keep "plumbing" going.
KittenLady is great but she has elite resources. Our own member Hissy has an excellent website: www.kitten-rescue.com that approaches feral rescue from a rural/layman style that serves well for more primitive conditions.
My recommendations are: rub karo syrup on the gums to keep energy & blood sugar up. Give them a 50/50 unflavored pedialyte & good water (bottled, filtered or good well water - most municipal tap water has harsh chemicals). You are already keeping the "plumbing" going.
The clicking may resolve with adequate hydration or may require antibiotics.
Liquids & formula should be warmed to 98°~100°. The nest should be around 90°~95° ambient air temperature. Also, goat milk is often a better base than whey - kitten-rescue has good recipes for formula aka glop & homemade pedialyte. Try to use pink salt if available.
StefanZ
,
Sarthur2
. often have great ideas. I will give you some links.
KittenLady is great but she has elite resources. Our own member Hissy has an excellent website: www.kitten-rescue.com that approaches feral rescue from a rural/layman style that serves well for more primitive conditions.
My recommendations are: rub karo syrup on the gums to keep energy & blood sugar up. Give them a 50/50 unflavored pedialyte & good water (bottled, filtered or good well water - most municipal tap water has harsh chemicals). You are already keeping the "plumbing" going.
The clicking may resolve with adequate hydration or may require antibiotics.
Liquids & formula should be warmed to 98°~100°. The nest should be around 90°~95° ambient air temperature. Also, goat milk is often a better base than whey - kitten-rescue has good recipes for formula aka glop & homemade pedialyte. Try to use pink salt if available.
StefanZ
,
Sarthur2
. often have great ideas. I will give you some links.
Orphaned Kitten Care How to
Critical Care of the Sick Neonatal Kitten
Shelter Medicine – UW–Madison
www.uwsheltermedicine.com
You can read and watch these videos as time allows. Remember that you are not alone in this. I truly believe that God chose you to help these tinies because HE knows you are capable; I often feel self-doubt & lack of confidence too but just keep trying to remind yourself that God knows what He is doing when He chose you.
OH GOOD! I was not aware of HIssy's website! I'll reference that from now on!
Kittens fighting the bottle or syringe is normal. It isn't warm and soft, which is what they are used to. And
Jcatbird
's idea about putting them where they hear your heartbeat is a bit of genius!
StefanZ
, I know how busy you are, but you know as much about newborns as most anyone I know!
Kittens fighting the bottle or syringe is normal. It isn't warm and soft, which is what they are used to. And
Jcatbird
's idea about putting them where they hear your heartbeat is a bit of genius!
StefanZ
, I know how busy you are, but you know as much about newborns as most anyone I know!
The clicking is what we all are afraid of, as it is usually a symptom of pneumonia. But I have noticed, its not always pneumonia, or at least, not always a serious pneumonia, and quite a few of the clicking kittens surivives and grows.
Its more problematic with this wiggling and refusing to eat... It may be your lacking of experience. But looking from afar, it seems some are troopers, they fight for their life and take whatever the get. While others dont, they are goners...
Still, its just to proceed as well you can. Pray, to get yourself the calm, patience and strengh necessary... And do what you can...
Use a little syringe if you have, otherwise a dropper. Slowly, drop by drop...
What some try with, is a sponge such as used for make-up. They drench it with kmr or goats milk... It works for some, and if you get the idea it may even be easier for you.
Goats milk? Yes goats milk is a good alternative, and the kitten will perhaps have easier with the taste... If you can get raw goats milk its the best.
Make sure the kitten is warm enough!
Last but not least; if necessary or the kittens seems going downhill, use just the pedialyte, or your own make of water, caro syrup and a tiny trifle of salt...
Because with weak kittens going downhill the digestion arent working, while these fluids mentioned dont need to be digested. The glucose sugar goes straigt into blood already from the mouth and the intestines....
Just this fluid isnt enough to thriwe and grow on, but the kitten will survive several days on it, and it may buy you necessary time...
Good luck!
G Gigi898
Its more problematic with this wiggling and refusing to eat... It may be your lacking of experience. But looking from afar, it seems some are troopers, they fight for their life and take whatever the get. While others dont, they are goners...
Still, its just to proceed as well you can. Pray, to get yourself the calm, patience and strengh necessary... And do what you can...
Use a little syringe if you have, otherwise a dropper. Slowly, drop by drop...
What some try with, is a sponge such as used for make-up. They drench it with kmr or goats milk... It works for some, and if you get the idea it may even be easier for you.
Goats milk? Yes goats milk is a good alternative, and the kitten will perhaps have easier with the taste... If you can get raw goats milk its the best.
Make sure the kitten is warm enough!
Last but not least; if necessary or the kittens seems going downhill, use just the pedialyte, or your own make of water, caro syrup and a tiny trifle of salt...
Because with weak kittens going downhill the digestion arent working, while these fluids mentioned dont need to be digested. The glucose sugar goes straigt into blood already from the mouth and the intestines....
Just this fluid isnt enough to thriwe and grow on, but the kitten will survive several days on it, and it may buy you necessary time...
Good luck!
G Gigi898
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #17
Finally got a call from the vet!!!!!!!!!! He said I can bring the kittens to their mom. She's still on IV fluid so I cant take her home yet. Let's see what happens now. I hope the mom accepts them with their new smell. and I hope the kittens accept their mom back with all the new medicine smell. From what Ive been seeing, these little ones are very picky. They've been hissing at everything around them all night. I really hope the clicking kitten would feel better after her mom's milk and the vet visit.
If necessary, take to the momma only some, say the weakest. The strongest whom you manage well to take care of, arent that critical.
I expect they will all be glad to be reunited when they can be together. The bonds are strong. Mom may be tired and the clicking baby may need some encouragement to resume feeding if it is weak. If there is any hesitation, keep putting the little one back up to mom’s belly. Show it where to feed. Sometimes a baby can get very excited to resume so just keep placing it next to the right spot to feed. The vet should be able to help with this.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #20
UPDATE: (I didnt bring the kittens to the vet by myself since Ive been awake for more than 24hrs and I wasnt very fit to drive with the kittens, plus only one person is allowed to enter the vet consultation area due to corona restrictions).
Anyway, they all accepted each other with no fuss. The mama cat started cleaning them the moment they put the kittens next to her. The three bigger kittens started crawling towards the mom looking for milk straight away. The clicking kitten was apparently not crawling to her mom and was asleep. So they moved her close to her mom; and the moment the mom licked her, she woke up and went crazy looking for milk and she even slapped her bigger sized brother away from his latched nipple and took it by force. If all is well, they will be discharged from the vet tonight. Im praying so hard that the clicking kitten gets through this. I feel so guilty for force feeding her. Everyone was telling me its better to force feed since there are no other options. To be honest, now I think it is better to have starving kittens than kittens with pneumonia. They survived all night with few drops of milk. But I dont know if the clicking kitten will survive pneumonia. Painful lesson learnt...
P.s. The mom's condition is stable. She is currently on IV fluid and she started eating on her own. All the test result indicate that she was poisoned; probably by a black widow or wasp. There is a high chance that it was black widow. Black widow nests were spotted in that neighbourhood recently; and she was showing all the symptoms of black widow bite poisoning. (drooling, screaming in pain, not being able to stand or walk etc)
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