Pregnant Cat Due Soon

[Willowy]

Yay! Glad it worked.

 

[MikyPiky]

Here's an update on the kittens bad eye.

So yesterday his second eye started tearing up too. When I checked on him this morning both his eyes were stuck shut with discharge. I cleaned them with warm water then treated with tea. The discharge is clear at first, but when it dries it's greenish. I'm scared that it's going to get infected or that it already is. He doesn't seem irritated by it, he won't scratch it or anything. It's not puffy or red. Whenever I look it up on the internet they always say take the cat to the vet, which I can't. Any advice?

 

[Sarthur2]

Order a tube of terramycin antibiotic ointment online (or buy it at a tractor supply store) and continue wiping the eye clear. The terramycin will clear the infection.

Here’s a link:
Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment for Dogs & Cats - 1800PetMeds

 

[Willowy]

Just keeping the eyes clean will work, but it'll take a long time to clear up. So don't panic if you can't get terramycin, just keep cleaning his eyes. But terramycin will clear it right up, it's terrific, so get it if you can.

If ordering online or getting it from a farm store doesn't work for you, call your vet. They may do curbside pickup or mail it to you or something like that. It's non-prescription so they should be able to sell it to you without seeing the kitten.

 

[MikyPiky]

Thank you so much Sarthur2 and W Willowy for all the info, it is greatly appreciated. I will check around my nearby town to see if they have any terramycin, it's pretty unlikely though cause it's such a small town. You put my mind at rest when you said it would clear up on its own, I thought nothing would heal it except for antibiotics, so thank you. Hopefully I can find terramycin!

Also I will update you soon on all the kittens with some pictures!

 

[Willowy]

Well, I don't want to guarantee anything or give bad medical advice. I've always seen it clear up eventually and the kitten was fine as long as their eyes were kept clean. But I'm sure there are some cases that don't clear up, so be careful. And be very careful to keep the eyes clean, because the infection will take the eyes if they're allowed to crust shut for too long.

Do get the terramycin if at all possible---it's great stuff and can be used for minor eye irritations too, saving a trip to the vet. And although it's a tiny tube, it'll last a few years if you keep the nozzle clean.

A few different buying options:
Pfizer Terramycin Opthalmic Ointment, 1/8 oz., 3851 at Tractor Supply Co.
Amazon.com : Zoetis Animal Health Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment 1/8 oz : Pet Supplies
Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment for Dogs, Cats & Horses, 3.5-g (Not for California) - Chewy.com

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, order the terramycin if you can. It will clear it right away and is good to have on hand. I gave you a link and Willowy did too.

 

[MikyPiky]

Yes, order the terramycin if you can. It will clear it right away and is good to have on hand. I gave you a link and Willowy did too.

Yes thank you for that! The kittens eye wasn't fully closed this morning when I went to check on him, does this mean it's healing?

 

[Sarthur2]

It’s healing if there is no yellow or green discharge and the eye is not crusty or goopy or sticking shut.

 

[MikyPiky]

Sorry I haven't updated yet. For some reason I can't get the pictures of the kittens from my other device. Hopefully it will work soon!

 

[MikyPiky]

I have some really bad news.

This morning I went to check on the kittens, I took off the lid and immediately my heart lurched with fear, there were only 2 kittens. I quickly looked around and thankfully found the other three in a different box. I was so confused why Momma would do that? Me and my family started to look around for her, but to no avail. I wasn't worried, Momma leaves for periods of time just to get away for a bit. But that's when it happened, we found her dead body by the road. I was shocked. How could she have passed away when she had 5 kittens? We immediately brang the kittens inside and stimulated and fed them. Right now they're in their old box in a quiet room, you can tell the miss Momma.

 

[Willowy]

Oh no! That's so sad!

Yes, you're going to have to feed them and take care of them now. Do they take the bottle easily? Make sure you weigh them every day to make sure they're growing properly.

 

[MikyPiky]

Oh no! That's so sad!

Yes, you're going to have to feed them and take care of them now. Do they take the bottle easily? Make sure you weigh them every day to make sure they're growing properly.

Well I don't have a bottle right now so I'm using a syringe, though only one kitten even likes it. The others like to drink from a spoon, that's what's easiest for them. I bought wet food today and four of them gobbled it down, the smallest one didn't like it so he's just on formula. Theyre doing really well, they seem content, I'm so happy they have eachother. They just played for a while and now they're all sleeping snuggled together. I did weigh them and they have been gaining weight so that's a relief. Do you have any more tips?

 

[Willowy]

Oh I forgot how old they are, if they're eating from a dish that makes things easier. I'd probably keep giving them some KMR until they're 10-12 weeks old, just for a nutritional boost. You can mix it with the canned food or offer it in a separate dish.

When they start on solids, it's time to introduce the litterbox. Use a shallow container (cardboard can trays work well) with non-clumping clay litter, and put them in after every meal and skritch around with your fingers to start their digging instinct.

 

[MikyPiky]

Oh I forgot how old they are, if they're eating from a dish that makes things easier. I'd probably keep giving them some KMR until they're 10-12 weeks old, just for a nutritional boost. You can mix it with the canned food or offer it in a separate dish.

When they start on solids, it's time to introduce the litterbox. Use a shallow container (cardboard can trays work well) with non-clumping clay litter, and put them in after every meal and skritch around with your fingers to start their digging instinct.

Yes I've already made the litter box, and will introduce it tomorrow!

How often should I feed and stimulate them through the night? I'll feed them before I go to bed, and im wondering what's a good amount of time that they can be left without helping them?

Also do I have to clean them? Like should I go over them with a damp cloth everyday to keep them clean?

 

[Sarthur2]

Yes, wipe them down and wipe their bottoms daily with a damp cloth - no wipes with alcohol. You should check on them once during the night and give formula to the little one for now. Kittens this age need to eat about every 4 hours.

 

[MikyPiky]

Ok well last night I fed them all, tomorrow night just the small one? He's gained a lot of weight and doing really well, he misses his mommy so much though and is constantly wanting snuggles.
The others are just enjoying kitten life, they seem happy and content so that's great!

Taking care of 5 kittens is so much fun, but also a lot of work!

 

[Sarthur2]

If you’re up feeding the small one and the others are hungry, feed them too!

 

[MikyPiky]

4 of the kittens haven't pooped since Momma died (yesterday morning). I know kittens will get constipated when they switch to formula, but is there anything I can do to help? I've heard a drop or two of olive oil will help, but how much exactly and is that safe?

 

[Sarthur2]

It’s safe (non-toxic) and add a couple drops to each of their feedings. Give them time. They’ll poop.