I am new to this site - found while trying to google for help in raising 5 orphaned kittens. They were found probably about day 2 - still had their cords (dry) hanging in a bundle on friends yard. Said I would do my best to help them. My daughter and I have been feeding kitty formula with first dropper and now (day 5 of having them) from small kitty bottle. They are eating about 6 ml a feeding X 6 to 7 times a day. We lost #6 on the 3rd day of having them - don't know why. We keep a heating pad on low on one side of the box to keep them warm. Their eyes are still closed but some of their ears are out. They crawl around everywhere and try to get out of box. They seem very healthy other than I worry that they have very round bellies - they are pooping (now it is yellow/brown and some runny) First few days was more firm and very sticky. Even though we do the stimulation...they still pee and poop in the box on their own. I have read it is too early to worm. Any ideas about the round bellies. They seem very calm other than when hungry. they keep each other company :-)
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
abandoned (5) kittens - help!!
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I'm sorry to hear about # 6 but other than that the kittens sound like they are doing well,that you are doing a great job. It's difficult I know. I thoroughly exhausted myself raising 2 feral newborns. They probably have worms but I don't know when it's safe to worm them,others probably will. Please check back frequently as others will log on and and answer your question.
Welcome to TDK!!! -
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Welcome! 5 is certainly a large undertaking, bless you for loving and caring for these babies! I can't imagine 5, I have had at max at one time 3 and that was exhausting!
You seem to be doing everything I would do, I am by no means an expert yet but I have hand-raised quite a bit and am going to keep on doing it for as long as I can.
I would see if you could get them into a vet, though. I found one that would take on my feral kits for only one office fee (no matter how many kittens I had) and discounted testing, meds, etc. Being feral and abandoned we don't know what they may have been exposed to and a check-up might be helpful in keeping them as healthy as possible.
As for the poo, it sounds normal to me - yellowish brown and not too firm. As for the self-relieving, I have never had kittens that did that until about 2 weeks of age - but I would just make sure the bedding is always clean (Mama cat keeps her babies pristine and spotless as well as her nest, so replicating that is always a good idea.
You are doing wonderfully it sounds, I can't wait to see how these babies grow and am looking forward to pictures!
Posted 2 years ago by SnowFlower #
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Wow, that's a lot of babies! You must be exhausted. I added a couple of tags in the upper right hand corner which will take you to other threads where people have gotten advice about hand raising kittens.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Yes, I am exhausted....but thrilled that the kittens are doing well. It seems they are doing everything they are supposed to be doing according to what all I read... I am going to take some pics tonight and post. They are so cute. I sure wish they would clean up after themselves though :-) They are very messy little ones. By the way, I was told it was ok to bathe them and it works well to bathe, dry thoroughly (I hold dryer a distance away), then feed and they are so content. I have been using baby shampoo and it took care of the couple fleas they had too.
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Hi,
I wouldn't recommend bathing the kittens until they are 6 or 7 weeks old. Glad to hear you're helping along though, sounds like they are doing great!
Messy kittens though? NO WAY! Lol, Sorry sarcasm comes rather naturally to me. :) I actually think I'm rather lucky with Snowball not being messy really, she's very dainty. She loves to explore of course but doesn't really "get into things".
Enjoy your new family members. :)
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Hi None, welcome to TDK - sounds like you're doing a great job, looking forward to seeing the pictures!
And welcome Elm! - a fellow fan of sarcasm, yay! :o)
Posted 2 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #
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