Maine Coon had 6 kittens- one isn't gaining weight...

LeesaB

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Hello,

Our Maine Coon just had kittens. She had 2 on Saturday, one didn't feed and died and then she had 5 on Monday morning (May 3rd)- so 6 total. Have been weighing them daily since Monday. All are gaining at least 10 grams per day and the biggest ones weigh 174 and 178 grams at 2 days old. One weighed 128 then 127 and now 129. As far as I can tell, she is nursing and doing okay but I am concerned. Should I start supplemental feeding or wait another day? Any advice appreciated.
 

Sarthur2

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Her weight is good but her gains are not. I would begin to supplement 2-3 times a day until she’s gaining better. Many kittens with a mom will not take a bottle, so you may want to use a syringe.

Here’s a helpful video:

Syringe Feeding — Kitten Lady
 
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LeesaB

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Thank you! Here is the the weight chart I am keeping. I will look at the video and start supplementing. Just wasn't sure if I should start now or wait another day.

DateBig TabbyDark body, gray face, white around muzzleBig Foot - looks like Born First and striped tailLight GraySmall TabbyBorn First (looks like Big Foot)
5/3129123129135128117
5/4158141144162127127
5/5174158158178129141
 
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LeesaB

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One more question- would it be good to just pull the kitten away and have it nurse separately? Is that just as good? The others are so big and aggressive, I think she is just not up for the fight.
 

Sarthur2

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You can put this runt on a nipple when the bigger ones are sleeping. You may need to supplement every couple of hours for now until this baby begins to gain 6-10 grams a day on a consistent basis. Has it taken any formula yet?
 
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LeesaB

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Hi- I watched the video and tried a bottle that we had by 4paws but that didn't work. Tried a syringe and it took a little but we don't have a nipple for the syringe so just very slowly put drops in the mouth. We did get .5 ml in (size of the syringe). Her website says 2-6 ml per feeding which seems like a lot.
 
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LeesaB

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Okay- we just got 2 cc in using the .5 dropper. Thanks for the advice. Have you seen situations like this with a positive outcome? The others are so big already and it is like a boxing match in there while nursing.
 

Sarthur2

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Yes, we see it all the time with big litters and runts. It is common place and with extra care the runts do indeed thrive. 😊
 
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LeesaB

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Unfortunately the little kitten died early this AM despite supplemental feeding and giving it alone time with the mom. Think she just had a weak suck and wasn't up for the fight. I really appreciate your quick response and advice. We will continue to weigh daily.
 
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LeesaB

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I have another question- all the rest have been gaining well- 10-29 grams/day so far in their short lives. Should we start supplemental feeding right away if we notice the is less than a certain number (6? 10?) or wait one more day for the pattern?
 

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LeesaB

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Thank you! I was holding my breath when we did the weighing today and praying all the weight gains were healthy- as you can see by the chart, they were:). Big Foot and White Muzzle were entangled in Light Gray's umbilical cord when born and we had to take all 3 to emergency. Only Big Foot was injured - 2 leg lacerations that were sewn up with surgical glue- and a very swollen foot (hence the name). Pretty good weights for 3 day old kittens, right? Now if they are extra big like this - I should still start supplemental feeding/alone time nursing if a gain less than 6 grams, right? Thanks so much!
DateBig TabbyWhite MuzzleBig FootLight GrayWhite Stripe
5/3129123129135117
5/4158141144162127
5/5174158158178141
5/6197182192200172
 

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No, they seem not to need supplementing. They all look like they are doing quite nicely!
 
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LeesaB

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IMG_2371.jpg Pic of the daddy (now neutered). He is a big cat. All kittens seem well this AM. We tried to put a heating pad under the towel that they are on but Zoe (mom) doesn't like it.
 
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LeesaB

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How frequently do you recommend we change the towel the kittens are on?
 
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LeesaB

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Thanks! Will change today- this will be about 3 days on this same towel. Really appreciate how quick you are to respond.
 
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LeesaB

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Hello, We have been weighing our 5 kittens (born 5/3) every day. Today the formerly biggest one was down 7 grams! Here is the weight chart. He is still 255 grams at almost a week so not small and gained 31 the day before but I wanted to be proactive. We also had one that just gained 9 grams. Would you start supplemental feeding/ alone time immediately or wait another day? For just Light Gray or both Light Gray and White Stripe?

DateBig TabbyWhite MuzzleBig FootLight GrayWhite Stripe
5/3129123129135117
5/4158141144162127
5/5174158158178141
5/6197182192200172
5/7219207206231191
5/8251220237262209
5/9276233263255218
 

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I just wanted to acknowledge your post. I am sorry that I don't know the answer, other than to consult the vet. However, there are some breeders on the Site who would know a lot more about nutrition. Bless you for being so caring about your kittens! Just out of curiosity, is Big Foot going to remain the name of the one kitten? I think that is so cute!
 

Sarthur2

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You do not need to supplement. Your smallest kitten is the size of a 14-day-old, and your largest is the size of a nearly 21-day-old kitten. The one who lost 7 grams is taking a break. The only concern is if he continues to lose, but he has had huge gains, and may be on a plateau for a day or so. All of your kittens appear to be doing well.
 
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