Cat just gave birth, but half died

[catsknowme]

B Bratcat31 .... your bottle baby looks almost identical my preemie from last year who is now 10 months old and although tiny, is thriving.

 

[Sarthur2]

You’ll need to wrap the kitten, gently hold its head still, and gently put drops of formula in its mouth, giving it time to swallow in between - regardless of whether the kitten closes its mouth, you need to open its mouth to get the drops in. Once it realizes it is milk it should begin to take the milk more willingly.

The kitten is getting dehydrated by now. Its organs will begin shutting down soon without food.

 

[Bratcat31]

B Bratcat31 .... your bottle baby looks almost identical my preemie from last year who is now 10 months old and although tiny, is thriving. View attachment 325653View attachment 325654

They do look alike and my little girl is almost 10 months too! She was 59 grams at birth and dropped all the way down to 53g before we got "life" sorted out. Poor thing could latch but couldn't nurse. We thought she'd need to be tube fed but we sorted it out eventually.

 

[irenepaark]

Yea a
Droplet honey on gum is ok, it will dissolve itself after a while. Or give water with some honey in, if you can get it to drink. Not too sweet, so you barely feel its sweet. You can also add a tiny trifle salt.

Unfortunately, the kitten passed today. A sweet lady who was experienced in bottle feeding/hand-rearing kittens were taking care of it since last night but she just informed me of the news. I am completely heartbroken. But thank you so much for all of your advice.

 

[irenepaark]

They do look alike and my little girl is almost 10 months too! She was 59 grams at birth and dropped all the way down to 53g before we got "life" sorted out. Poor thing could latch but couldn't nurse. We thought she'd need to be tube fed but we sorted it out eventually.

I'm so glad to hear that.. Unfortunately my kitten wasn't as lucky

I actually see that Norachan posted about the same time I did. She can give you great information about the babies. Please do keep us updated. We all care very much as to how you are all doing. I’ll be checking back. I don’t know where you are located but if you need help finding lower cost spaying, we can help you check around for that. If you know how to google “Spay and Neuter clinics” and then type in that and the name of your location, You may find assistance that way. Mom needs to be spayed before being let outside again. They can come back into heat within weeks but right now, make sure everyone is getting all they need and healthy first. Just don’t let mom kitty outside.

Wow! Lol We are both typing at the same time.
I think the kittens need to gain 10 g plus per day. I’m not an expert but that info is here on the site.
I’ll see if I can find a Spay clinic in your area.

Hello,
thank you so much for your concern. Sadly, the kitten passed today.. I'm so sad it didn't make it I had such high hopes and dreams for it. I do still have at least 2 of the original 6 so I'm praying and praying they will be ok.

 

[irenepaark]

Thank you everyone for your kind words, time, and advice. I really cannot express how touched I am at how knowledgeable, respectful, responsive, and empathetic everyone in this forum is. One more kitten, the one that was having trouble gaining weight, passed today. I'm so heartbroken over the whole ordeal. How did only 2 survive from a litter of 6.. I can't help but be in shock and skeptical over my own efforts/skill. If you guys could keep the remaining two in your prayers, I would be eternally grateful. I'm trying to understand that some things are just out of our hands.

 

[Jcatbird]

I am so sorry you lost the kitten. Your fight to save it was a valiant one and you did everything that could have been done. Sometimes there are some that are just weaker to start out and nature seems to know best. We have to trust that there was an unknown factor and the kittens that are here need the things that mom cat is able to give. Please don’t stop posting. I know that I would like to continue to hear updates about you, mom and babies. Also, when things have progressed a bit further, we can help you work through getting mom spayed and when they are ready, the babies spayed or neutered too if possible. I have begun looking in your area and found some groups that do that kind of work. You’ll probably want to talk to them to find the best place.
Please remember that you gave that baby every advantage possible. You did an amazing amount of work and poured hope into the little one. The baby certainly got comfort and love from you. That is the most we can offer and living creature at any stage of life. You gave a gift of yourself. Our hearts are with you.

 

[irenepaark]

I am so sorry you lost the kitten. Your fight to save it was a valiant one and you did everything that could have been done. Sometimes there are some that are just weaker to start out and nature seems to know best. We have to trust that there was an unknown factor and the kittens that are here need the things that mom cat is able to give. Please don’t stop posting. I know that I would like to continue to hear updates about you, mom and babies. Also, when things have progressed a bit further, we can help you work through getting mom spayed and when they are ready, the babies spayed or neutered too if possible. I have begun looking in your area and found some groups that do that kind of work. You’ll probably want to talk to them to find the best place.
Please remember that you gave that baby every advantage possible. You did an amazing amount of work and poured hope into the little one. The baby certainly got comfort and love from you. That is the most we can offer and living creature at any stage of life. You gave a gift of yourself. Our hearts are with you.

I am uncontrollably sobbing reading this message. Thank you so much.. seriously I don't think I would have been able to go through this alone at all. I will make sure to keep updating and thank you for trying to help a stranger like me so much. You are an amazing and incredibly sweet, selfless person who I hope will have infinite blessings. Thank you.

 

[Jcatbird]

Oh dear. I did not mean to make you weep. I am hoping that the tears will take some of your pain with them.
I spend a lot of time just hoping to find people who will help kitties. People like you. When I do find these people and can offer any little thing to help, it’s a great relief to me. You hope for blessings for me and I for you. Know that you are one of the blessings I already have. Thank you for your loving heart and kindness towards kitties and me!

 

[Norachan]

I'm so sorry to hear this I irenepaark It wasn't your fault, you did everything you could to help them. Sometimes these things just can't be helped.



Are the two remaining kittens still with Mum or has your friend taken them too?

I hope they both continue to thrive.

 

[Sarthur2]

I’m so sorry. Let’s hope the other two and mom continue to thrive! Keep us posted!

 

[jen]

It doesn't seem like anyone addressed your FIV question. If the kittens from her last litter first tested positive from it, there is a good chance your female has it, which could explain why she is losing kittens. They can get it through mating or puncture wounds. Kittens don't usually dont always end up with the virus. Could explain why they first tested positive but then later tested negative? They are basically consuming infected milk, the mother is also weak and doesn't really have the health to be reproducing. Do you know who the male is she mated with? If she doesn't go outside it is either another cat in your home or one of her own kittens. I would do every thing you can to not let this happen again. Has she ever been FIV tested?

 

[jen]

"Infected mother cats transfer FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, so kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive test results for several months after birth. However, few of these kittens actually are or will become infected. To clarify their infection status, kittens younger than six months of age that test positive for FIV should be retested at 60-day intervals until they are at least six months old. "

-Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

 

[irenepaark]

It doesn't seem like anyone addressed your FIV question. If the kittens from her last litter first tested positive from it, there is a good chance your female has it, which could explain why she is losing kittens. They can get it through mating or puncture wounds. Kittens don't usually dont always end up with the virus. Could explain why they first tested positive but then later tested negative? They are basically consuming infected milk, the mother is also weak and doesn't really have the health to be reproducing. Do you know who the male is she mated with? If she doesn't go outside it is either another cat in your home or one of her own kittens. I would do every thing you can to not let this happen again. Has she ever been FIV tested?

Hi Jen,
no the mom has never gotten tested for FIV testing. I saw your other post however and one of the previous babies did get retested and was negative. I'm not too sure about the others though because they got relocated to different homes. I'm trying to find a low cost vet around me to try and get them all tested. Thank you so much for commenting!

 

[irenepaark]

I’m so sorry. Let’s hope the other two and mom continue to thrive! Keep us posted!

Thank you so far everything seems pretty good! Finally able to calm my heart down a little. :')

 

[irenepaark]

I'm so sorry to hear this I irenepaark It wasn't your fault, you did everything you could to help them. Sometimes these things just can't be helped.



Are the two remaining kittens still with Mum or has your friend taken them too?

I hope they both continue to thrive.

Thank you, I took some time to heal and am doing a lot better. I still get sad when I think about it but I'm trying to focus on the ones that are here. The two are still with mama and they seem very good. They both opened their eyes and are gaining a lot of weight everyday! Bellies are so round and full so cute. Unless that's a bad thing?! I always second guess everything now, you can never be too sure

 

[irenepaark]

Oh dear. I did not mean to make you weep. I am hoping that the tears will take some of your pain with them.
I spend a lot of time just hoping to find people who will help kitties. People like you. When I do find these people and can offer any little thing to help, it’s a great relief to me. You hope for blessings for me and I for you. Know that you are one of the blessings I already have. Thank you for your loving heart and kindness towards kitties and me!

Thank you this was beautiful again! I am doing a lot better now and it's all thanks to this whole thread. The two other newborns also seem to be gaining (a lot) of weight everyday and I hope they will prosper. They have opened their eyes now! Do you know if there's anything (besides monitoring their weight) I should do for them at this stage? Or should I just let mama cat do the rest?

Thank you so much

 

[StefanZ]

This sounds good what you write about them. I think and hope you are out of the woods now, with these. Unsworen is best, so DO continue to monitor and weigh them every day... But its essentielly the everyday run of the mill now, normal caretaking for momma and the kittens.
WHAT are the daily raises for these two kittens?

 

[Sarthur2]

Kittens get adorable little round bellies! It’s normal and desirable.

 

[talkingpeanut]

Would you like any help finding a low cost spay clinic in your area for a few months from now?

I’m so sorry for all you've been through, and glad to hear the family is doing well now.