Can you tell how pregnant a cat is if you've just met her?

sugarmuffin

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Is she paddling her back feet when bum is in the air?

Yes! hahahahahaha

splishsplash

A quick update...
One of the kittens developed a sniffly nose and a gummy eye on Friday last. On Saturday morning, the littlest one had a runny nose too. By yesterday morning, the littlest one no longer had the strength to feed, and was constantly being pushed aside by her siblings and getting chilled.

Since then we have been bottle feeding her goat's milk every hour and a half... the most she has taken is 5mls, and she and her sister are both on antibiotics now - 0.5ml via dropper twice daily. I have a heater on in their room to keep it toasty warm, and we are constantly washing eyes and wiping runny noses, especially for the littlest one. The one who first developed problems is almost fully recovered now, but it's still very much touch and go with the littlest.

The other two are fighting fit and getting big. They are looking at us now when we talk, and are too cute for words. Mum has become really playful, and takes frequent breaks downstairs or outside during the day. We've decided to encourage this, because we've seen her toss the kittens around the box by their heads when she gets excited:eek:.

Will post photos later - fingers crossed for the littlest one.

pixelation

You can get kitten formula which will be better for the kittens. So sorry to hear they are having a bad time. Don't forget to stimulate their bottoms, a warm damp towel works for me.
There is a situation called Failing/Fading Kitten Syndrome when they just fade away for no reason. In 35 hand-reared foster kits we have lost 4. It does just happen and you should not feel bad about it.
Good luck with the smallest baby.

Fire_Fox

Please contact a rescue about the littlest kitten ASAP, you need some experienced help on board and you need proper kitten formula (from the vets or a rescue, eg. Cimicat) not goats milk. Local rescues are listed on CatChat, or post on Purrsinourhearts if ringing round does not get you anywhere as there are so many rescues represented there.

Also do keep mum indoors as she can get pregnant again very quickly. Good Luck!

~Chameleon~

You can buy Lactol to feed the kitten from local petshops, including Pets at Home. Better to keep with current mum & litter if possible. Well done, lots of help and advice available here for you :A

splishsplash

Thank you all for the advice - yesterday was a bank holiday here, so we couldn't get the formula until today. I was advised to use goat's milk in the interim, as it is lactose free and would get some fluids into the littlest one. Today she's had some cimicat, and hopefully will have some more in another hour or so, along with more antibiotic. Mommy cat seems to be taking care of the toileting, and thankfully is happy to snuggle and warm the baby as much as she can. I've tried the wiping bit but haven't been able to em, produce anything .

Unfortunately, there are no petshops here - the nearest one is 30 miles away. I went there yesterday, and they were the ones who advised the goat's milk as an emergency measure. We have no cat charities locally either, just the ISPCA, again 30 miles away. That's also why I'm so grateful for all the excellent advice received on this thread, thank you all so very much:T.

sugarmuffin

splishsplash wrote: »

Thank you all for the advice - yesterday was a bank holiday here, so we couldn't get the formula until today. I was advised to use goat's milk in the interim, as it is lactose free and would get some fluids into the littlest one. Today she's had some cimicat, and hopefully will have some more in another hour or so, along with more antibiotic. Mommy cat seems to be taking care of the toileting, and thankfully is happy to snuggle and warm the baby as much as she can. I've tried the wiping bit but haven't been able to em, produce anything .

Unfortunately, there are no petshops here - the nearest one is 30 miles away. I went there yesterday, and they were the ones who advised the goat's milk as an emergency measure. We have no cat charities locally either, just the ISPCA, again 30 miles away. That's also why I'm so grateful for all the excellent advice received on this thread, thank you all so very much:T.

Arrr keep up the good work, you are doing a brilliant job! Can't wait to see some more piccies - fingers crossed for the little one xxx

splishsplash

Our little baby seems to be doing well today. Yesterday and the day before she was too weak to lift her head, her eyes were gummed shut and her nose kept blocking up all the time. Feeds consisted of dripping drops of milk under her tongue and she had no interest in it really.
Four doses of antibiotic and several supplemental feeds later and we seem to be turning a corner:j. Her two eyes are open, her nose is clear and I'm not sure if she's getting any or much milk from mum, but she's certainly fighting her way to the nipple now, and making her feelings known the same as the rest of them! She still looks a sight, but a mile away from the little limp thing I had in my hands for the last couple of days.

Without further ado, I'd like to present:-)
Kermit


Honey


Chanel

and *drumroll* Coco

This one looks terrible, but it represents a huge improvement since yesterday... and she's sleepy here because she's full of milk, not because she's too weak to be otherwise, and she's just been thoroughly washed by both me and her mum!


Thanks to everyone again for all the good advice, I guess I should leave this thread for now as it's not particularly moneysaving, but it's a testament to the people who use the site and freely offer help and advice - you all have certainly eased these little ones' journey into the world:beer:.

morg_monster

Just read through the whole thread, well done, and what lovely lovely kittens! torties are my favourites!

Just also wanted to reiterate about keeping Mum indoors as they can get pregnant again very quickly. I'm not sure if you are planning to keep mum but I believe she can be neutered once the kittens are weaned, ask the vet.
and well done again! :-D

sugarmuffin

splishsplash wrote: »

Our little baby seems to be doing well today. Yesterday and the day before she was too weak to lift her head, her eyes were gummed shut and her nose kept blocking up all the time. Feeds consisted of dripping drops of milk under her tongue and she had no interest in it really.
Four doses of antibiotic and several supplemental feeds later and we seem to be turning a corner:j. Her two eyes are open, her nose is clear and I'm not sure if she's getting any or much milk from mum, but she's certainly fighting her way to the nipple now, and making her feelings known the same as the rest of them! She still looks a sight, but a mile away from the little limp thing I had in my hands for the last couple of days.

Without further ado, I'd like to present:-)
Kermit


Honey


Chanel

and *drumroll* Coco

This one looks terrible, but it represents a huge improvement since yesterday... and she's sleepy here because she's full of milk, not because she's too weak to be otherwise, and she's just been thoroughly washed by both me and her mum!


Thanks to everyone again for all the good advice, I guess I should leave this thread for now as it's not particularly moneysaving, but it's a testament to the people who use the site and freely offer help and advice - you all have certainly eased these little ones' journey into the world:beer:.

OMG they are so gorgeous! Lots of love and luck from me and my 2 !!!!!!s, Sugar & Muffin xxx