Hi everyone,
I've fostered many kittens before and had never lost one. A week and a half ago I brought in four beautiful 7 day old babies from the shelter to foster (which had been fostered previously but by someone who didn't know what they were doing). The kittens were in rough shape and the fifth kitten had died before I got them. 4 days after bringing them home, one of the kittens who failed to put on any weight despite eating well started fading. I took them to the shelter vet and they told me nothing could be done, they seemed fine. He died the next morning after struggling for his life the whole night. Then two days ago, another one who hadn't put on any weight either died.
The only problem that I've noticed is that they seem to apirate A LOT! Its so stressful because I've never had kittens aspirate and definitely not like this. The formula comes out of their noses and it's a struggle because they are so hungry and keep crying/scratching me for food.
I was syringe feeding them but it became such a struggle because they stopped latching. They're drinking from the bottle now and the one who eats better will drink a bit, then stop swallowing and I see milk come out of her nose. The other one is such a nightmare to feed because she gets desperate for the bottle and will clamp down her jaw and I can't get the bottle in, when I finally do she sometimes suckles, but then she starts coughing up milk.
This usually happens every feeding and they're still doing well but I'm so worried about them. I turn them upside down immediately every time to help them cough it out. I do hear some gurgling noises but only for a short period and then it goes away.
I've looked into their mouths and there's no issue that I can see like a cleft palate.
With the two I have left, I'm really trying so hard to help them survive but they continue to aspirate and I'm worried about them.
I've taken them to the vet and they won't do much for them because they are so little. They say that
Has anyone had a litter of kittens similar to this?
What did you guys do to help them and what was the final outcome?
Should I be worried about this or is it normal?
I've fostered many kittens before and had never lost one. A week and a half ago I brought in four beautiful 7 day old babies from the shelter to foster (which had been fostered previously but by someone who didn't know what they were doing). The kittens were in rough shape and the fifth kitten had died before I got them. 4 days after bringing them home, one of the kittens who failed to put on any weight despite eating well started fading. I took them to the shelter vet and they told me nothing could be done, they seemed fine. He died the next morning after struggling for his life the whole night. Then two days ago, another one who hadn't put on any weight either died.
The only problem that I've noticed is that they seem to apirate A LOT! Its so stressful because I've never had kittens aspirate and definitely not like this. The formula comes out of their noses and it's a struggle because they are so hungry and keep crying/scratching me for food.
I was syringe feeding them but it became such a struggle because they stopped latching. They're drinking from the bottle now and the one who eats better will drink a bit, then stop swallowing and I see milk come out of her nose. The other one is such a nightmare to feed because she gets desperate for the bottle and will clamp down her jaw and I can't get the bottle in, when I finally do she sometimes suckles, but then she starts coughing up milk.
This usually happens every feeding and they're still doing well but I'm so worried about them. I turn them upside down immediately every time to help them cough it out. I do hear some gurgling noises but only for a short period and then it goes away.
I've looked into their mouths and there's no issue that I can see like a cleft palate.
With the two I have left, I'm really trying so hard to help them survive but they continue to aspirate and I'm worried about them.
I've taken them to the vet and they won't do much for them because they are so little. They say that
Has anyone had a litter of kittens similar to this?
What did you guys do to help them and what was the final outcome?
Should I be worried about this or is it normal?
I’m especially rooting for the small one for you! As long as this kitten is not losing weight it will hopefully make it. Let it eat as much as it wants. How often are you feeding?
