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Is it possible for her to pass the first placenta with the next kitten? I was gone for a minute but witnessed the kittens birth and didn't see one.
She seems to be done, she looks so much smaller now! I did get there weights just now as I was moving them into a back up nesting box with the mom so I could clean the one she birthed in.They do nap in between, precisely like you observed. If they meow, they are usually hungry - as you see. If they seem to have difficulties to find the nipples you must perhaps help them. Try to do it while the siblings are sleeping.
Good you were observant and did warmed the first one. Not seldom a seemingly weak one, even a still borne kitten, is basically just chilled. After warming up and some massage, it may regain life and forces.
Try to weigh them as soon you can manage. Ideally it is done the first time immediately after the delivery of each one. Unless mom is extremely disturbed, but they are seldom if you do it respectfully.
Do it near the nest, so mom sees what you do, she sees the kitten is near and is not complaing.
Do it quickly, at most half a minute apiece if you are slow. Easy done with an electronical scale measuring in grammes. You weigh and simultaneously have a quick look see.
Dont let her eat the last seventh placenta, if there comes one more kitten, it may be too much.
Unless she insists of course.
Good luck!
I know! I was surprised at them, it makes me feel a bit better though knowing they started off a little bigger.Those are some great weights for a pretty big litter!
I'm sorry I have two more questions though.If it is not worse than you saw, it is not much - even if it were real blood. Some redcoloured discharges are common and OK, but we dont want to see living blood.
If only a dime it must have stopped by itself, so...
Good you are observant, proceed so!
Good luck!
Mom is cleaning and eating it up! So owners of moms with kittens seldom see the poop...I'm sorry I have two more questions though.
1) all of the kittens are gaining weight the smallest amount gained was 6 grams the most was 27 grams is 6 grams to little?
2) I'm not seeing a lot of poop on the bedding but I see the mom cleaning them, should this cause alarm? Do I need to stimulate them?
Thanks so much! It was a stressful experience as she jumped every time one popped out and I didn't want them to go flying. She did pretty well except she didn't chew off the cords and didn't lick them membrane off of one, I'm glad I was there to assist as best I could. I'm still stressed because I've never done this but so far things are okay. I'm so tired but I can't sleep because I'm worried about her and the kittens, I get anxious really easily as is lol.Congrats on the new babies! I wish my kitty would get on with it!! LOL I will be watching this thread to see how they are progressing! Can't wait for pictures!
Yesterday one of the kittens who gained 6g gained 7g the next day and today it gained 17g so I feel much better. I think the smallest gain today was 14g and the biggest was 20g. I have kmr just in case but they all seem to be doing well now, there really isn't one that is noticeably smaller than the others. The one that was gaining so little that gained 17g today is the smallest weighing in at 146g, hopefully it will catch up to the others. The biggest which has always been the biggest is now 183g lol.As long as they gained, that was fine. In the first day they sometimes don't gain as much . They have to learn how to nurse, plus the colostrum has fewer calories than the milk will have later.
Generally you do want to see them gain at least 10 grams a day especially after the first day or two. It's even better to average 15 grams a day.
But there can sometimes be a day that a kitten gains less some day. It's not really a big deal IMO for one day, because it will tend to average out fine.
But if that kitten keeps gaining only a low amount, I would watch and make sure to put that kitten on to nurse often, and try to put them on the back nipples ( nearest the back legs) which are usually the "best" with the most milk.
& make sure they are warm since they can't digest their food without it. Temperature where the kittens are needs to be in the 80s F. right now.
If you start seeing weight LOSS , then that is a concern.
PS. I don't know the birthweights but a kitten with a lower birth weight to start with , will usually gain more slowly at first.