When should I step in?

Mluby62987

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One of my cats gave birth to a kitten this morning and I need some advice on possibly having to syringe feed the baby. This is her first(and last)time and she’s doing well with cuddling and cleaning but she won’t sit still long enough for the baby to feed. This has been going on for the past few hours and I’m really worried the baby won’t survive because she won’t stay with it. How long should I wait until I should step in and start syringe feeding it? I’ve successfully bottle fed litters that were only 2 days old before, but not this young. Also, she keeps on sitting on the baby and I keep having to move her off it, so now I’m nervous to leave her alone with it. What should I do?
 

Sarthur2

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You should go ahead and syringe feed the kitten. You may be up all night supervising and feeding. Mom is inexperienced, but she should calm down in a day or two. Her hormones are in high gear. Make sure the kitten stays warm as well.
 

StefanZ

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One of my cats gave birth to a kitten this morning and I need some advice on possibly having to syringe feed the baby. This is her first(and last)time and she’s doing well with cuddling and cleaning but she won’t sit still long enough for the baby to feed. This has been going on for the past few hours and I’m really worried the baby won’t survive because she won’t stay with it. How long should I wait until I should step in and start syringe feeding it? I’ve successfully bottle fed litters that were only 2 days old before, but not this young. Also, she keeps on sitting on the baby and I keep having to move her off it, so now I’m nervous to leave her alone with it. What should I do?
Agree.

When I began as advisor, about 20 years ago, we had the idea it was dangerous for stepping in, because, once the kitten was handraised, it was easier for it th be handfed, and so, would be reluctant to take mommas teats...

So it was a fine balance, how long we would dare to wait and see, and when the handfeed must begin.... Thankfully, I think we managed the balance OK, as far as I know, no disasters happened because on the advices we gave on that swedish forum...

But a little later on; I understood it not quite so. Because kitten suckling momma IS the most pleasant, so if momma has any milk, they will got milk from momma... EVEN if we handfeed parallelly.
So we learned, its OK to handfeed if we think its necessary, and we know the technique and have suitable kmr or goats milk... :)

They will always suckle momma if momma is willing.

Also, in all unsure cases, do weigh the kitten, in the beginning every 12 hours, till you KNOW the kitten is steadily adding.
 
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Mluby62987

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You should go ahead and syringe feed the kitten. You may be up all night supervising and feeding. Mom is inexperienced, but she should calm down in a day or two. Her hormones are in high gear. Make sure the kitten stays warm as well.
Mama seems to be calming down a bit finally. I’m attempting to feed it 1 drop at a time and woo boy, this little one does not like it. It starts screaming as soon as I pick it up and I’m honestly in tears because I just want to get some food in it so it doesn’t die. I’m terrified of it accidentally inhaling some of the formula so I do 1 drop at a time but wipe any excess off it’s face and around it’s nose immediately just in case. I had to take a break from trying to feed it for a few minutes and put it back with mama because it’s making me so upset hearing it freaking out. I haven’t done this in so long, I forgot how stressful it is. I’m also trying to guide it to the nipples but it keeps wiggling away. I don’t think she’s producing enough milk after feeling her tummy, so I put a drop of formula onto one of the nipples to see if that will help it latch on, but no luck yet. The baby is sleeping right now, should I wake it up and keep trying to do 1 drop at a time?
 

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Let it sleep for a bit. Here is a helpful link:

Syringe Feeding — Kitten Lady

Wrap the kitten in a towel with only its head out. This will make it easier. Put kitten on its tummy with head up, as it would nurse from mom. Go drop by drop in the side of the mouth, letting the kitten swallow and breathe between drops. Once it learns it’s good stuff it will stop screaming and fighting as much.
 
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Mluby62987

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Let it sleep for a bit. Here is a helpful link:

Syringe Feeding — Kitten Lady

Wrap the kitten in a towel with only its head out. This will make it easier. Put kitten on its tummy with head up, as it would nurse from mom. Go drop by drop in the side of the mouth, letting the kitten swallow and breathe between drops. Once it learns it’s good stuff it will stop screaming and fighting as much.
Thanks for the help, it’s really appreciated!
 
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Mluby62987

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Thanks for the help, it’s really appreciated!
I tried everything I could for the baby, it started to latch finally but it’s not going to make it. I’m heartbroken for mama, she’s so proud of her baby. Seeing her grieve after it passes is going to crush me. Thank you for the help 💔
 

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What seems to be the issue? Did it take the syringe feedings? If so, why not continue? I gave explicit instructions.

If it has latched, I’m not understanding why it might not make it, unless the kitten has aspirated milk feedings from the syringe or is not yet ready to latch.

I hope you are not giving up so soon. None of this is cured overnight.

Could you explain further please?

Mluby62987 Mluby62987
 
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Mluby62987

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What seems to be the issue? Did it take the syringe feedings? If so, why not continue? I gave explicit instructions.

If it has latched, I’m not understanding why it might not make it, unless the kitten has aspirated milk feedings from the syringe or is not yet ready to latch.

I hope you are not giving up so soon. None of this is cured overnight.

Could you explain further please?

Mluby62987 Mluby62987
I’m still trying to syringe feed it because I don’t want to give up, but I haven’t been able to get it to drink any of it, and it’s getting weaker and weaker. It latched onto mama earlier very briefly 2 times, which gave me some hope, but it’s stopped trying to now. I’ve been googling all day and there’s a lot of conflicting information that’s confusing me…also, I haven’t slept at all so maybe I’m not thinking the clearest about the situation. But it’s been 2 days without the baby getting food into them, and I know newborn kittens can’t survive long without eating.
 

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I’m still trying to syringe feed it because I don’t want to give up, but I haven’t been able to get it to drink any of it, and it’s getting weaker and weaker. It latched onto mama earlier very briefly 2 times, which gave me some hope, but it’s stopped trying to now. I’ve been googling all day and there’s a lot of conflicting information that’s confusing me…also, I haven’t slept at all so maybe I’m not thinking the clearest about the situation. But it’s been 2 days without the baby getting food into them, and I know newborn kittens can’t survive long without eating.
You can try with smearing some glucose sugar / dextrose / white caro syrup / honey on the gum, inside the lips... Just a droplet; or water solution of this... If you have neither at hand, so solve some common sugar in water.... You can of course reapeat that droplet.

This gives quick energhy, and may perhaps be enough....

Also, if the kitten refuses kmr or goats milk, it will perhaps accept barely sweet sugar water....
It wont grow on this, but it will buy you time for a couple of days...


IF you by any chance have glucose sugar / dextrose proper, its best, but its may be difficult to find in USA.... Most rescuers in USA use white caro syrup or honey.
 
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Mluby62987

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You can try with smearing some glucose sugar / dextrose / white caro syrup / honey on the gum, inside the lips... Just a droplet; or water solution of this... If you have neither at hand, so solve some common sugar in water.... You can of course reapeat that droplet.

This gives quick energhy, and may perhaps be enough....

Also, if the kitten refuses kmr or goats milk, it will perhaps accept barely sweet sugar water....
It wont grow on this, but it will buy you time for a couple of days...


IF you by any chance have glucose sugar / dextrose proper, its best, but its may be difficult to find in USA.... Most rescuers in USA use white caro syrup or honey.
I think the drop by drop with the syringe is actually working because little one is still here and has perked up a bit. It pooped twice and has been actively trying to find a nipple and is latching on more. Still screams it’s lil head off when I pick it up to feed it, but it does seem to be going better. I’m so relieved that it’s finally latching on, even if it’s only for a minute or so, I wanted to jump up and down when I saw it lol.

The last newborn kitten I had to take care of was so easy, no problems at all with feeding or anything. She’s now a healthy, happy 11 month old little monster menace girl that loves to drive all the other cats nuts. I’ve raised all of my cats since they were newborns, but they’re all 5 now so it’s been a while since I’ve had to take care of a 2-3 day old baby. I forgot just how stressful it is.

I hope things with this baby will get easier, this is day 2 of no sleep, but it’s worth it. Thank you for being kind and giving me advice. In the past when I needed help, people weren’t as nice and I ended up feeling like an idiot for asking for help.
 

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Unfortunately I can’t afford any of the vets here, I wish I could :(
All I can say is I am rooting for this kitten, and I really hope it survives. I've been reading this story although I have no advice to contribute. Just wanted to offer encouragement. You are doing amazing work for going so long without sleep and trying to save its life. I wish I could contribute some advice.
 
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Mluby62987

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All I can say is I am rooting for this kitten, and I really hope it survives. I've been reading this story although I have no advice to contribute. Just wanted to offer encouragement. You are doing amazing work for going so long without sleep and trying to save its life. I wish I could contribute some advice.
Thank you so much, words of encouragement are very needed and appreciated ♥
 
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Mluby62987

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You're welcome. This may be total common sense but is there anyone you can call to take over while you get some sleep?
No :( My dad lives with me, but he has no idea how to take care of kittens. I have my alarm set for every 2 hours, that way I can get a bit of sleep for atleast an hour and then get back up to try feeding it again.
 

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No :( My dad lives with me, but he has no idea how to take care of kittens. I have my alarm set for every 2 hours, that way I can get a bit of sleep for atleast an hour and then get back up to try feeding it again.
This is a good way. Another tip is of the Power Nap.

Ie, you set the alarm clock to ring in 20 minutes, lay down, relax - and try to sleep. Usually you do... After some training, you will wake up by yourself after 10 minutes before the 20 minutes are up; but you will feel refreshed for several hours...

The alarm clock is necessary, so you may relax, confident you will be awaken when the time is up.
 

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I’m relieved to hear that the kitten is doing better and still with us. Sounds like a feisty one! I know it’s not easy — just hang in there! You’re doing a great job. Hopefully it gets easier soon and you get some rest.
 
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Mluby62987

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I’m relieved to hear that the kitten is doing better and still with us. Sounds like a feisty one! I know it’s not easy — just hang in there! You’re doing a great job. Hopefully it gets easier soon and you get some rest.
*Update*
Little one is still here, and has no problems latching on anymore! Mama is doing great, but there’s another concern now. She’s not producing very much milk at all. Is there a way to stimulate her milk production? I’m still trying to get the baby to take the bottle but he/she still wants nothing to do with it lol. I’m wondering if it’s because of the type of nipple I’ve been trying to feed it with. I ordered some different ones that are more realistic that will be here tomorrow. I’m still doing it drop by drop, but I’m increasing the amount steadily each day. I’m hoping that with my feedings and mamas small feedings it’ll start getting bigger. I don’t have a scale atm, but it’s pretty obvious that it’s not growing like it should be. He/she is already starting to show it’s little personality and it cracks me up because it’s SASSY 😂
 
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