[Aonir]

I was jsut give a couple hours ago two kittens without a mommy! The people who found them didn't know what to do! The contacted their friend, who reffered me. So now I'm landed with kittens.
The problem is, it's my first time with momless kittens. They STILL have their tummy-cord. (I can't spell the real name) And their eyes aren't open, I have them kitten milk from the pet store along with a kitty-bottle. I've been told to use a warm washcloth to help them 'go potty'.
I have a vet appointment for them on Thurs, which is the soonest they can get me in.
Can anyone give me any helpful advice in taking care of these cute kitties? Mail me, post here, do anything to get ahold of me! 8)
Thanks

 

[lexxie109]

Make sure the kittens are in a warm, draft-free, quiet spot. They need a constant supply of artificial heat (heating pad, etc). If you are using a heating pad, have it so if the kittens become too warm they can crawl away from the heat and cover the pad with a towel so they aren’t lying directly on it. When getting the kittens to go to the bathroom, gently stroke their bottom area before and after feedings. If the kitten does not go at that time, try again within an hour. They should be fed about every 3-4 hours. Hold the kitten in one hand supporting their chest and abdomen. Do not feed the animal like a human baby (lying on it's back) or else the kitten might choke. Hope this helped! And if you have any other questions, ask away!

 

[Aonir]

I, personally, don't like it when anyone holds any animal like a baby. I mean, they aren't meant to be on their backs. But then again, I've had animals who loved being on their backs, so they prove me wrong, lol.

Right now I have them in a cat-crate, with a heating pad. I have a towel over them to keep them warm. (it's pretty cold in here, so I turned the a/c off!) The front part of the crate doesn't have the towel, so if they want to cool off, they can crawl out. The tiger one pokes its head out.

I've fed them around 6, and again at 9, I plan on feeding them before I go to bed (around midnight). I also get up every night at 3am to let my puppy out, so I can feed them then also. My fiance wakes up at 7am, and he can do it then too. I let the kitten lay in my lap with my hand around it, and the bottle slightly lifted.

I used a wash cloth to help them go, but only the tiger has once! I'm a little concerned about that.

That sound ok? Anything else I should know? (besides cleaning around its eyes)

 

[Audrey]

Sounds good!! u're doing ok there!
The one thing what's really important is that they go to the bathroom, else there bowls , and blather get infected and they could die...
My friend also had a kitten without the mommy and she didn't know that she had to stimulate the little tummies to go to the bathroom and 1 of them died just before the vet arrived

 

[Aonir]

Blacky hasn't gone to the bathroom yet.. I'm going to feed them again at 10am, if nothing happens I'm calling my vet back. I swear I needed a sooner appointment. :roll: Tiger is urinating around ever 6 hours, s/he's gone 3 times. No bowel movements yet, but they also are just on milk. Does that make a difference?
Wait til I tell my teachers I bottle-fed kittens on my 4wk summer vacation, lol. I had summer school/college :lol:

 

[lexxie109]

The kittens should have a bowl movement at least once a day and should be urinating after every feeding. The kitten that is not going to the bathroom might be constipated. If this is the case, you can add a little corn syrup (clear) to the formula. You might also want to try simulating the bottom area for a longer period, but remember to rub gently. You can also dilute the kitten’s formula a little, which might help the kitten go to the bathroom, but once the kitten begins to have bowl movements, stop diluting it. Another thing I suggest is purchasing one of those small scales that measures in ounces that you can buy at Wal-mart. This way you’ll be able to tell if the kittens are getting enough food and gaining weight.

 

[Aonir]

I am calling a vet right now to see their suggestions. I went and bought a food weigher last night (yay!). They weighed 3 ounces last night, and I'll weigh them again tonight. I'll try the corn syrup thing.

I also dont know what 'dilute' is? Can you fill me in on that?

 

[lexxie109]

It just means to add little more water, e.g. if your using a little bottle, add about a teaspoon. Or you can use a syringe and give him one cc or mL of mineral oil.

 

[kittygirl04]

I had no idea that you had to stimulate the kittens to get them to go. So, what happens if they are still with their mother--does she help them in some way? Just curious--I've always gotten older cats--Yoda was the only small kitten that I've gotten and she was 9 weeks, the rest have been 2 years and older when I got them.

Aonir--I think what you are doing is wonderful. Are you planning to keep the kittens?

 

[Audrey]

After the kittens have eaten , the mother licks their bellies to stimulate the blather and the bowels and licks their genitals and swallows everything! So the nest stays clean!

 

[Aonir]

I called my cats vet. They weren't any help at all. Just got my upset. So I called my puppies vet, he was very reassuring and nice. He told me not to worry yet, and told me to use a thermometer to help stimulate bowel movement. Now I gotta go get a therm and some stuff to put on it.. More money to spend (i think i like this excuse, lol). Tiger seems to be doing well, very strong and demanding on the milk. I think Black had a lil tinkle a bit. He might me constipated - im hoping it's nothing more serious. I had a cat with a bladder infection once. Poor guy..

I'll add a lil more water and do the therm thing and see if that helps!

 

[Jeanie]

You'll find all sorts of help at this link:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Poin ... wners.html

Please let us know how they're doing as they grow. A Snuggle kitty would be helpful. You can find them on the internet. They purr, are warm, feel like mother, and hold the bottle. They were invented for a situation like yours.

 

[Aonir]

Oh that has a lot of links..! I'm sure that will help a great amount, thanks very much.

Both kittens started purring!!

 

[lexxie109]

Well I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and your little kitties. I've been in your situation tons of times so I know that it can be challenging but can also be very rewarding in the end. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[riotgirl007]

online resource

this is an online handbook on raising orphaned kittens. it is quite helpful http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

 

[Aonir]

Riotgirl: You're a little behind.. The kittens have already died.. I've had all the tips/tricks I could learn. Blackie died 12 hours before his vet appointment. And Pearl died right after her 2nd vet appointment, and the day she was supposed to get a mother cat.