Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Several days ago we heard meowing and some scratching coming from behind a wall in my apartment, and finally after 2 or so 90 plus degree days I decided a cat must be stuck (sorta near the ceiling). At about 3am I made an enormous fuss to my apartment management and they got a maintenance man to come out. Long story short we found 3 kittens about 3 weeks old. Momma took off as soon as he broke into the wall area. She somehow had access in and out which no one can figure out.

   Long story short, in many aspects the kittens are looking much more lively, their eyes are cleaned up (had a gross booger like covering from the dust from the drywall and insolation) but after reading information online I have become literally spooked about proper care for my new kittens.

   For one, I have had them a little over 48 hours. At the vet they weighed between 6 and 7lbs and their eyes are all odd colored, no normal blue eyes being seen yet, is this normal? I worry about blindness from the drywall and insolation.

   My more pressing concerns though come from a lack of detail on feeding. Everything says the same thing. I have good formula (which the kittens seem to enjoy) and the best thing for feeding them I have found is a 1ml syringe. I know it is small but usually after 4 or 5 syringes fool they usually curl up and sleep, which seems to me that they're full. After feeding we usually stimulate them and only get urine. I'm worried already that something has been done wrong on my part.

   My second question then is, is this an appropriate amount for 3 week olds? Can ANYONE give me ball park estimate of what to shoot for with these 3? Hopefully in ml?

   The kittens seem active enough, so I'm only semi worried I am truly underfeeding, we feed every four hours.

   My last question is that my girlfriend to this point has helped me, she wraps a kitten up in an old t shirt and holds her sorta out and up, with back legs resting on her hand, much like a standing person so the head is easier to get. From this though I am super worried about fluid getting into the lungs. One of my little girls in particular is a noisy and messy eater and while gently pushing the plunger down she will cry and cause bubbles. Likely I am concerned for nothing but as I claimed them from a mother clearly caring for them (although stray) I am hell bent on taking top-notch care of them.

   Quick version:

   1. Can holding the kitten semi upright during feeding be dangerous?
   2. Ball park estimate of food that should be given in ml?
   3. When will the kittens eyes become the blue color? After about 3 weeks mine are like all black. Vet acts like its normal.

   For details on questions please see above! Any and all help is appreciated!

   Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

2. 

   Welcome to the Daily Kitten!

   I don't have a lot of knowledge about taking care of the little ones, but somebody who knows more about it should be on in the morning.

   Posted 2 years ago by owlwatcher_974 #

3. 

   Hi, Ken, welcome to TDK. You totally rock for looking after these little ones, good on you! You have come to the right place, as OW says, we have heaps of experienced and very knowledgeable kitty foster mums who can help, and will be logging on again in a few hours, so keep checking back.

   In the meantime, I'll try to help as best I can. Quick version:

   It would probably be preferable to have the kitten on all four legs, as this is the way it would be feeding from its mum. Don't put it on its back, as this could be dangerous. Semi-upright, I'm not sure. If the kitten aspirates milk and starts to choke, hold it upside down until it stops choking. The websites I'll give you at the end of this have tips on the best way to hold kittens while feeding.

   Here is the feeding chart from one of the websites:

   FEEDING GUIDE

   Age / Average weight of kitten/ Amount of formula per day/ No of daily feeds

   1 week/ 4 ounces/ 32 cc/ 6

   2 weeks/ 7 ounces/ 56 cc/ 4

   3 weeks/ 10 ounces/ 80 cc/ 3

   4 weeks/ 13 ounces/ 104 cc/ 3

   5 weeks/ 1 pound/ 128 cc/ 3

   Kittens should be weighed frequently to ensure that they are growing properly. You'll soon know if your orphans are thriving because they will grow at an incredible rate.

   I would say, if they eat then curl up and sleep, and aren't miaowing, then it seems to me they're probably full and doing fine. Also, if they're continually putting on weight, then they're fine.

   I wouldn't worry too much about the pooping thing yet. They're only on formula after all, and kittens don't need to poop every day. This seems to be a perennial question on TDK so click on the pink tags 'poop' and 'constipation', top right hand corner of the page, to read about other people's experiences with kitten poop.

   The eye thing is more difficult. That sounds unusual. Usually young kittens' eyes are blue and they fully get their forever colour at about three months. I can see why you're worried but you say the vet acted like this was normal. Did you specifically ask the vet to check their eyes or voice your worries? If not, could you ring him or a vet tech to check on whether you should be worried. Are they acting like they're blind -- can they follow the movement of your finger? If you did ask the vet and he/she wasn't worried, then I would try not to worry too much but just keep an eye on them.

   The other thing with kittens is that they can't regulate their own body temp so make sure to keep them warm -- a heating pad or hot water bottle, not too hot, covered with a towel and with room in the box so that they can crawl off it if they get too hot is a good idea.

   Useful websites: http://www.kittenrescue.org/pages.php?pageid=15
   http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/orphans.shtml
   http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html

   You sound like you make a great kitty dad! Have you given them names yet? We would love to see pix!

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

4. 

   1. Siamese cat (male) Sam
   2. Calico (female) Barney
   3. Tortie cat (female) Princess, shes noisy when she eats.

   All just got fed and stimulated and are arranging themselves for a 4 hour nap.

   Will get some pics for you guys soon. Thanks for the help.

   Also, does the wrapped up in a towel upright feeding position work ok for kittens? Could it cause problem?

   Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

5. 

   Awwww, they sound absolutely lovely. I adore calicos and torties and how did you manage to get a meezer in there? :)

   I'm having trouble picturing what you mean exactly by semi-upright. Are all four feet pointing towards the ground? Is his/her little belly facing downward? Is her head in the same position as it would be if she were standing on all four feet on the ground (not upside down)? If the answer is 'yes' to all these, then I think you'd be okay -- the problem comes when you try to feed them on their back, like a human baby. But hopefully someone more experienced than me will be able to tell you for sure. (Most of my -- not very many -- foster kittens have either had their mum with them or already been weaned.)

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

6. 

   I am not feeling good about the upright feeding position. Sometimes wrapping the kitten in a towel can help, but the upright thing makes me uncomfortable because kittens are just learning the difference between breathing and eating anyway! They need to learn to swallow without the help of gravity. As others suggested, hold the kittens on all fours or on their bellies and let them suckle that way, with the bottle at a 45* angle. When they are finished suckling, they will refuse any more food. Do not force feed.

   Good luck!

   Posted 2 years ago by FosterMom #

7. 

   Thanks Fostermom, yay for the input of an experienced mum and bottlefeeder!

   Posted 2 years ago by jcat #

8. 

   Ken, sounds like you have things in hand and as there are some wonderful people here who know what they are doing, like Fostermom and JCat, I'll let them give you the advice. I'll just give you a hearty welcome to TDK!!!

   Geeze, why don't I ever find any kittens? (Not that I actually need anymore)

   You rock for rescuing and taking care of these little ones!!!!!

   Posted 2 years ago by Crazycatman - CA #

9. 

   They are at a 45* angle usually, sometimes they move onto their back, great news is all three are suckling like pros now. But Sam (oldest, and heaviest and my best eater) just had diarrhea. I gave all three less food just to be safe and all are quiet now so all is well on the home front. Part of the feces looked semi solid, and semi diarrhea like so is any part of that good?

   Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

10. 

    Ken - semi-solid is good, diarrhea not so much. Kittens can get dehydrated quickly. you could get some unflavored Pedialyte and use that to reconstitute the formula instead of water. If the diarrhea persists it is probably worth a call to the vet. The fact that you have three is both good and tricky - they keep each other company, but can share any bug they might have picked up... did the vet say anything about worming?

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

11. 

    BTW - you and your girlfriend are champs for taking on thses babies! Good job!

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

12. 

    Welcome to TDK Ken, sounds like you and your girlfriend are doing a great job. Thank you for saving these babies. Do you have any pictures???

    Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

13. 

    no pictures uploaded yet, many taken.

    On the issue of diarrhea, the first one who had it (semi solid) no longer appears to have it but now one of the girls has it. It could be out of slight over feeding, as were still finding the right balance with them.

    Have moved feeding from a syringe to a bottle, their suckling is growing so fast.

    My one little girl (princess, were beginning to call her honey suckle though) still is semi on the syringe as she's quite finicky on the formula still.

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

14. 

    HI Ken..the bottle is easier...Gallo is 5 weeks now but I got him when he was 1-2 days old.... Thanks you for loving these babies....

    Posted 2 years ago by opahall #

15. 

    Ken - I was thinking... is/was it the first poop that was runny? Sorry for getting right to the point - we talk about and celebrate kitten poop here quite requently... it may be that "getting the system going" as it were resulted in the solid/liquid imbalance. Just pay attention, and if they get listless they may be dehydrated... I think you will find the bottle easier since they can take the formula at their own pace. Keep up the good work!

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

16. 

    The first poop was not stimulated, it was a "surprise" on the brand new baby blanket in the kitten den. We discovered it when we woke up this morning, so it could have come out solid (without stimulation) and then been stepped in, which i think Sam did.

    This last feeding though Barney, one of the females was being stimulated and she had some yellow-brown poop going on.

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

17. 

    Are those the babies in your avatar???? OMG!!! They look so lovable...Thank you for giving us a peek

    Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

18. 

    Some variation is likely to happan as their systems adjust - Is that Sam on top of the kitten pile? What a cutie-pie...

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

19. 

    Yayyyyy! I love kitten poop chats! Hi Ken and girlfriend......Welcome to TDK! You guys are so cool for helping these little cupcakes. You're doing a great job and wouldn't be too worried with the runny poops as Nawlins Mom says it could merely be their systems going for that test run and will likely work out on its own. Looking forward to pics too! =)

    Posted 2 years ago by Karenopa #

20. 

    This is the pic of them. Sam usually is the easiest to spot being white and he likes to lay on top of his sisters. Princess/Honey suckle (cant decide between the two names) is in the middle and Barney is on the right. Sam is the one I probably love on the most as I plan to possibly adopt him myself. I hope to be getting more pics soon.

    Thanks for all the help everyone!

    Also, a concern of mine. I have an adult male tabby of about 5-6 years old. He has for the most part been away from the kittens. How majorly bad is it that he is not caught up on his shots? I figure I'll get everyone that needs it shots all at the same time. Are their clinics that will give my little ones shots for free? Its looking like $250 for the kittens and $275 for my big hunk of orange (think of Garfield and you have my oldest, Nimitz). My other concern is if I do decide to keep Sam (a male) while their be a hue rivalry or will the hissing from Nimitz subside once Sam begins to mature? I worry about fights between the two, especially Nimitz attack Sam in the future. I know this is a ways in the future but if I truly can't hold on the Sam to keep, i wanna mentally prepare now, as I have quite the attachment to the lil guy.

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

21. 

    Is there a local Humane Society that gives discounts on shots? I took my Nala in to Petco for her FELV testing and shots and it was sponsored by the humane society, so it was very cheap. In your original post you said the kittens weighed 6-7 POUNDS--I see by the picture you must mean ounces.
    If the males are neutered there should not be a problem.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

22. 

    I checked with the humane society, it looks like if I have to do that I will have to give them up completely, which is better than spending $1000 total for four cats (my adult and the three kittens). Has anyone dealt with the humane society before? I worry about them finding good homes for them. To me money isn't an object if it means these guys have a good life.

    Sheba's mom, I do believe I mean ounces, not pounds. I have to admit this site has been more help than the vet has been.

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

23. 

    Is there a Petco or PetSmart in your area? They might know of a discount place. Is there a veterinary school nearby, that is another source for discount services.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

24. 

    Ill look into the Petsmart, another thing I was thinking is would it be possible to go to the Humane Society, let them know I will be turning the cats over upon time they are able to be adopted out but be the caretaker until that time? Has anyone done that before? Would the Humane Society then cover expenses? As I said money isn't the bottom line here. My first and foremost concern is whats best for the two I for sure plan to adopt out.

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

25. 

    Most humane societies that are no-kill shelters welcome foster parents. Ours here has a Saturday class one must attend to be approved, and yes, they cover expenses.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

26. 

    Since I am new to TDK, I decided I would go ahead and introduce you to my full family. Please visit my profile and my catster account to see my amazing cat family on their. Be sure to add me. Thanks everyone for all the help. I'll keep you guys posted!

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

27. 

    In addition to the humane society, you may find that your area has cat/kitten rescue groups... they often have arrangements with vets for reduced cost services... If the vet you are seeing periodically is not being helpful, maybe you need a new vet??? My vet gives multi-cat discounts, especially for stray litters... a few phone calls could make the whole process more pleasant all the way around. Where in TX are you?
    Nimitz needs to be kept away from the kittens until they are much older - whether he has had his shots or not. And then if you do keep Sam, you will need to introduce them gradually to each other. That is a whole other discussion that is probably premature right now... You are doing a great job!

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

28. 

    Right now there is a total of five cats involved. My gf has a russian blue who regardless of living inside is still feral, she has shots and is fixed thanks to the big heart and love of Alyssa. Nimitz was born to a feral mom who was caught, so all he knows it the life of luxury. I plan to 98% keep Sam, although before this situation I was going to keep Chanel (Alyssa's cat) when she went to school on the west coast, luckily her parents will take Chanel, which enables me to regain the all male feel of my apartment in a few months.

    Thus far we are keeping both adult cats from the kittens for safety and simplicity, as the kittens are growing it seems in 3-4 hour cycles their diet increases. I will keep looking around, as I am not very solid on vet advice right now, or SPCA help or giving them up to the SPCA. No one will love these lil pain's in the butt like I and Alyssa do. Everyone on here has been such a huge help and lent so much support.

    I'm in Waco, Tx

    Posted 2 years ago by Ken #

29. 

    No wonder you love Sam; what a darling little white hinny he has. I like the name Honey Suckle best.

    If Nimitz has been fixed (going to the spa, we call it), he shouldn't give the newcomers any trouble because of male territorial issues. He could be jealous and not happy about sharing his human, though.

    If he hasn't been neutered, you should probably have it done. Neutered males tend to be much calmer than whole males.

    My 8-year-old male cat is the best mom in the world. Whenever I get a new kitten, he grooms the it, sleeps with it, tries to keep the other cats away, in general he just adopts the new one and raises it. Nimitz may warm up pretty quickly given a chance but don't leave them alone with him until they are old enough to defend themselves.

    If Nimitz hasn't had shots recently, it would be a really good idea to bring him up to date - both for his sake and for the new kittens sake. They could pass on something to him as easily as he could give them something.

    Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

30. 

    Hey Ken I am in austin TX.....I know here that we have clinics here that offer spay/neuter for a reduced price and shots...Emanci pet is one....

    Posted 2 years ago by opahall #

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