[Avernus]

I rescued a cat from the pound only to find out she was pregnant so I couldnt get her spayed. Well she had her kittens yesterday. There are only three and they are all attached by their belly button it looks like. I dont know anything about this stuff but is that normal??
Thank you

 

[Bengalsownme]

The mom should chew it off and eat it. Are there heads cleaned off? If they are not you to act fast adn wipe the sace off of them. They will have a umbilical cord just like a baby would. The mom should have chewed off most of it and cleaned them up. Check to see if the babies are nursing. If not you'll have to get bottles and milk supplements. I'm sure the mama will do everything on her own. Just make sure there is not a lot of traffic around her so she doesn't get stressed. Make sure she has fresh water and food at all times.

 

[Jeanie]

Avernus, Has mother started to care for the kittens yet? Don't give up until you have helped teach her by holding a kitten to a nipple. I had great success with that when I got my cat to adopt one whose mother had died. At first mother did not like it, but by the second day, she was caring for the kitten herself. I wish you good luck!

By the way, how long is the remainder of the umbilical cords? Are they drying up, as they should? Please keep us updated!

 

[Avernus]

Ok well I was advised by a local doctor to separate them. I left them all a normal amount of cord. Now its Wednesday and she had them on Sunday, I just found one in the crate dead Why would it die now?? Shes always in there I havent been letting her out and its always clean and dry. Should I worry about the 2 that are left?

 

[Jeanie]

Avernus, I'm so sorry about the kitten dying. That's so hard to take. However, it may have had a birth defect. Was the doctor a vet? Are mother and kittens separated? I'm not quite sure.

Have you been bottle feeding, tube feeding, or is mother feeding them?

If you are feeding them, please be careful not to allow the milk to flow fast. The kitten could choke on it and it could go down into the lungs. If you have not consulted the vet, please do so. Even if the mother has no milk (a vet will tell you) her mother love would be helpful.

Could you go into more detail? Your cat might be too young, On occasion the kittens are not strong or big enough to survive. Use your vets advice on how many cc's of kitty formula to use. Do not use cow's milk out of a bottle. Buy a can of kitten formula at a pet supply store or at the vet's.

Of course, mother's milk is best. Good luck. Keep us informed!

 

[Bengalsownme]

Sorry to hear one didn't make it.
~~~Should I worry about the 2 that are left?

Thats hard to say. It's depends on how the others look. Are they nursing? Do they look like they are healthy? Are they moving around? Is she licking them and cleaning their rear ends? Use your common sense and if you feel they don't look too good. Bring them to a vet and they could care for them or you can start caring for them yourself but that is quite time consuming. Please keep us updated!! I'll be thinking about you and the kitties!

 

[Avernus]

THank you all so much for the answers and support. I get instantly attached ya know? The reason its so hard to deal with is because that kitten looked so healthy, was plump like the others and I wish I would have noticed if something was wrong. The other two seem to be nursing
and they don't look dirty or anything. The mother is constantly purring and with them. Is there a way to know if she has milk or not? They look like they are getting bigger so Im assuming she does. Thank you again!

 

[Bengalsownme]

Her breast will look sort of puffy or swollen. If they are nursing I'm sure they are fine and have enough milk. That kitten could have had a congenital defect such as a heart murmur. It's so sad! I would just keep an eye out with the other kittens and make sure they are growing and moving around okay.