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- #41
I think we’re at six now. They’re all dark grey, like mama, with some white feet. And they’re on a fleece that is black with white paws…so very camouflaged!
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fostering pregnant cat
- Thread starter imogen
- Start Date
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #42
Seven…
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- #43
You were right! You called this large litter.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #44
Maybe eight. 
Holy-moley-guacamole..... Momma and babies all doing well I assume
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- #46
I think there are NINE.
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- #47
number nine crawled under Mama's back leg
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- #48
All well so far. Mama ate 1/2 can of kitten pate after #7 and another 3/4 can this morning + some kitten formula. I'm giving her some space to sort things out on her own, but have formula and bottle ready if we need it.
Last night she was up on the bed, enjoying her usual belly petting, when I could feel the muscles in her stomach tense and her water broke. (I didn't know that then, but suspected contractions were starting.) She looked so surprised! After a few minutes, she got up and starting looking in the hidey hole on the cat tree, so I brought out a whelping box. She climbed in and settled down...and I was amazed.
Then, she got out and went under the bed.Lol! She had one kitten there. I put that kitten and her in a box, and she had the rest of the kittens in there. I was surprised at how she would clean the sac from the kitten when they were only half way out...and then ignore until after the placenta was delivered.
Last night she was up on the bed, enjoying her usual belly petting, when I could feel the muscles in her stomach tense and her water broke. (I didn't know that then, but suspected contractions were starting.) She looked so surprised! After a few minutes, she got up and starting looking in the hidey hole on the cat tree, so I brought out a whelping box. She climbed in and settled down...and I was amazed.
Then, she got out and went under the bed.Lol! She had one kitten there. I put that kitten and her in a box, and she had the rest of the kittens in there. I was surprised at how she would clean the sac from the kitten when they were only half way out...and then ignore until after the placenta was delivered.
Momma did amazing!!!!! And good on you for making sure she and kittens were all doing well and everything went as smooth as possible.
Omgoodness it's just a big fluff puddle lol they all blend in with each other pretty well lol
Omgoodness it's just a big fluff puddle lol they all blend in with each other pretty well lol
Nine! That’s two litters. Please weigh all kittens right away and keep a log. You’ll need to begin rotating the 5 biggest and 4 smallest every 2 hours. The ones not with mom each 2 hours need to be on a heating pad set on low under a blanket with room to move off. This will be around the clock.
You’ll for sure have runts who will need supplementing — possibly with a syringe if they are less than 90 grams, which is considered a premature birth weight.
Here are previous threads about large litters:
Advice for a large litter - 9 kittens!
Organized newborn rearing
Get on this right away. We’re here if you need us!
You’ll for sure have runts who will need supplementing — possibly with a syringe if they are less than 90 grams, which is considered a premature birth weight.
Here are previous threads about large litters:
Advice for a large litter - 9 kittens!
Organized newborn rearing
Get on this right away. We’re here if you need us!
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #51
I've read those. 
Thanks!
Thanks!- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #52
Silly mama! I went in to offer her something to eat and was surprised to find her out of the box...looking guilty. She came up for pets and I heard mewing...from out of the box. She moved all the babies from their cozy, multi-layered fleeced box under the bed farthest from the a/c vent...to the hardwood floor under the other bed. It's the spot she had the first kitten, so seems to be her nursery of choice. I put all the kittens in a different cozy, multi-layered fleece-lined box and put that box under her chosen bed. She seems to be agreeable to that compromise...for now... LOL!
But, it let me confirm that there are, indeed, NINE sweet kittens.
While I really and truly appreciate all the advice to separate and rotate the kittens, our vet disagrees and says to "let mama be mama", while keeping a close eye to be sure everyone is thriving. So, for now, I'm going to do that. I'll keep you posted...and try not to spam you will all the kitteny joy. They are so precious.
edited to fix an auto-correct "out" to "our"
But, it let me confirm that there are, indeed, NINE sweet kittens.
While I really and truly appreciate all the advice to separate and rotate the kittens, our vet disagrees and says to "let mama be mama", while keeping a close eye to be sure everyone is thriving. So, for now, I'm going to do that. I'll keep you posted...and try not to spam you will all the kitteny joy. They are so precious.
edited to fix an auto-correct "out" to "our"
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #53
weighed very quickly on my postal scale while mama was eating:
130
110
110
100
100
100
90
80
80
Honestly, they all look about the same size, lol. I couldn't pick out the biggest or the smallest(s) by sight.
Less than a day old!! Way to go, Mama.
130
110
110
100
100
100
90
80
80
Honestly, they all look about the same size, lol. I couldn't pick out the biggest or the smallest(s) by sight.
Less than a day old!! Way to go, Mama.
Do you have kmr ready? The small ones will definatly need help to catch up to their larger siblings. You could use a srynge or mirical nipple to give it to baby. Keep baby chest down so baby doesn't asperate on milk.
Large litters like this will have failure to thrive often without help. The first week is when they are most vulnerable but larger siblings will often knock the little ones off moms breast. Most cats have 6-8 breasts so please have kmr to help the little ones.
Large litters like this will have failure to thrive often without help. The first week is when they are most vulnerable but larger siblings will often knock the little ones off moms breast. Most cats have 6-8 breasts so please have kmr to help the little ones.
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Yes! The 3 tinies need supplementing for now.
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- #56
Yes, we have it and bottles and syringes.
Wow! I am amazed at the number of kittens! I skipped to the end page because I couldn't stand the suspense, and you may have already heard this, but bless you for fostering! You are a kind soul. 
The world needs more people like imogen!
The world needs more people like imogen!
Congratulations! Certainly your outstanding care contributed to the succesful delivery and post-partum success. I definitely concur with
Sarthur2
about rotating kittens OR , if in doubt, recommend consulting a 2nd vet who is a feline specialist Even the most dedicated mama kitty will be at risk of sore nipples, infected claw marks on her teats, etc., and, unchecked, the larger kittens do get the "lion's share" of maternal nutrition. When a vet has a more "practical" philosophy, they may have a mindset that "Mother Nature thins the herd" and fewer kittens require fewer homes and fewer resources. Of course, Mama Kitty might do just fine with no intervention - I have confidence in you - you have already demonstrated excellent instincts and skills. But should you need to supplement feed, Mini-Miracle Nipples and raw goat milk are often the most easily tolerated by kittens who also nurse from a mom. In the US, your local farm advisor and local feed store usually can help you locate good, fresh raw goat milk at a better price than health food and pet supply stores. Some stores, including Walmart, supply Meyenberg powdered goat milk which is another alternative.
Sarthur2
about rotating kittens OR , if in doubt, recommend consulting a 2nd vet who is a feline specialist Even the most dedicated mama kitty will be at risk of sore nipples, infected claw marks on her teats, etc., and, unchecked, the larger kittens do get the "lion's share" of maternal nutrition. When a vet has a more "practical" philosophy, they may have a mindset that "Mother Nature thins the herd" and fewer kittens require fewer homes and fewer resources. Of course, Mama Kitty might do just fine with no intervention - I have confidence in you - you have already demonstrated excellent instincts and skills. But should you need to supplement feed, Mini-Miracle Nipples and raw goat milk are often the most easily tolerated by kittens who also nurse from a mom. In the US, your local farm advisor and local feed store usually can help you locate good, fresh raw goat milk at a better price than health food and pet supply stores. Some stores, including Walmart, supply Meyenberg powdered goat milk which is another alternative.- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #59
Everyone is doing great so far!
Mama moved the kittens to the hardwood floor under the bed (where she had the first one, actually) instead of the cozy box options under various pieces of furniture. Yesterday, it seemed to me that Mama wasn't spending much time with them. Panicking, I called the shelter and then put them all--kittens and Mama-- in a medium-sized dog kennel, covered by a quilt. I let Mama out to eat and use the litter box about every four hours. And she wanted lots of pets and attention from me. (They told me that very affectionate cats can be distracted by their people coming in to feed/water/etc. and will feel more bonded to their person than their kittens.)
The second time she came out, I was able to pet her into nursing position and then pulled out the three smallest (at a guess-I wasn't going to rummage through a pile of sleeping kittens!) to nurse. After about an hour, I put them back in the pile. Mama got up and took one...under the bed to the hardwood floor. !!! Maybe she's hot. ??? I ended up turning off the a/c vent and putting some fleece there for the kittens and Mama has HAPPILY stayed with them...even when I come in to feed and water. Once in a while she'll come out for pets, but quickly goes back.
I think the kennel was actually giving her shelter flashbacks.
We have a vet appointment tomorrow that I'm not sure we need any longer...but I will probably keep anyway. Baselines are good! I'll call and update them before making the drive.
For now, all is well! Everyone has round, full tummies. Two days in, lol!!
(I quickly slid out the fleece to show you the pile of cuteness we have here. Then, back under the bed they went. Sorry one is moving toward the camera! I'm sure more and better photos are coming.) The second one was quite dark, but a little photo editing magic lets us all see mama and kittens without a flash or bright lights.
I'm just so proud of Maggie.
Mama moved the kittens to the hardwood floor under the bed (where she had the first one, actually) instead of the cozy box options under various pieces of furniture. Yesterday, it seemed to me that Mama wasn't spending much time with them. Panicking, I called the shelter and then put them all--kittens and Mama-- in a medium-sized dog kennel, covered by a quilt. I let Mama out to eat and use the litter box about every four hours. And she wanted lots of pets and attention from me. (They told me that very affectionate cats can be distracted by their people coming in to feed/water/etc. and will feel more bonded to their person than their kittens.)
The second time she came out, I was able to pet her into nursing position and then pulled out the three smallest (at a guess-I wasn't going to rummage through a pile of sleeping kittens!) to nurse. After about an hour, I put them back in the pile. Mama got up and took one...under the bed to the hardwood floor. !!! Maybe she's hot. ??? I ended up turning off the a/c vent and putting some fleece there for the kittens and Mama has HAPPILY stayed with them...even when I come in to feed and water. Once in a while she'll come out for pets, but quickly goes back.
I think the kennel was actually giving her shelter flashbacks.
We have a vet appointment tomorrow that I'm not sure we need any longer...but I will probably keep anyway. Baselines are good! I'll call and update them before making the drive.
For now, all is well! Everyone has round, full tummies. Two days in, lol!!
(I quickly slid out the fleece to show you the pile of cuteness we have here. Then, back under the bed they went. Sorry one is moving toward the camera! I'm sure more and better photos are coming.) The second one was quite dark, but a little photo editing magic lets us all see mama and kittens without a flash or bright lights.
I'm just so proud of Maggie.
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- #60
Thank you! I haven't been able to track any down but didn't think about feed stores. We have two nearby. How do I find a local farm advisor? I'll google!
