Topic: Pregnant cat - lots of advice needed, please. (Read 83570 times)

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #259 on:** April 06, 2007, 20:09:13 PM »

Sorry to hear about Lucas

RIP little one.

Sounds like you're doing a good job, Karen. Try not to get too stressed out - you're doing everything you can.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #258 on:** April 06, 2007, 19:36:54 PM »

I am so sorry there has been another problem Karen. You are doing a great job but you must be very tired, I don hope that jasmine will be able to look after the kittens even with a collar on. I have to say if its the vets close to you, after last night I am not impressed with them at all.

They seem to have little consideration for the cats and absoltutley none for their human patient. They just are giving you no support at all.

I do hope things get better for you Jasmine and the kittens.

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #257 on:** April 06, 2007, 17:04:05 PM »

ur doing everything u can karen
hope al is well when u pick jasmine up

Baggy · « **Reply #256 on:** April 06, 2007, 16:26:38 PM »

Karen, it sounds as if you're doing everything you can do for Jasmine and her babies. Hope all is well when she comes home from the vets

.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #255 on:** April 06, 2007, 16:16:58 PM »

What a crappy week for you Karen

I wouldnt move rooms right now, less upheavel the better for them ( IMO!)

You will be able to tell if shes rejected them as she wont feed them and will leave them alone.
If shes leaving the nest more just make sure they stay warm, at that age they cant regulate their own temp.

Your doing wonders for your first time as kitten mummy!

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #254 on:** April 06, 2007, 16:14:04 PM »

hopefully she will as the vet says be able to tend them and sounds like she still very much wants to be their mum.

im not sure about what you mean about kids in your room though ?? i suppose its only natural she's wanting a wee bit of excersise and time away from them.

if she rejects them i presume she will not want to go anywhere near them.

Sarah (seldom_use) · « **Reply #253 on:** April 06, 2007, 16:10:41 PM »

Poor Jas

You're doing great Karen, try not to stress yourself out

Sarah xxx

karenjet · « **Reply #252 on:** April 06, 2007, 16:06:31 PM »

Yeah, she was nursing them fine, and looking after them this morning. She was coming out of the nest alot more this morning though. She wanted out of the room a couple of times, and I let her. She just had a look round the house and back in again.

This is probably the stupidest question, ever. But how will I know if she's rejected them? Will she just refuse to feed them?

The vet seemed to think she could manage ok with the collar, just it will be more awkward for her.

They're going to ring about 5 to say I can pick her back up.

Please cross fingers tight she'll be ok

I had just devised a plan to put the kids into my room, so she could have a bedroom to herself and I could just go in and out to check and feed her, but should I not do that now?

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #251 on:** April 06, 2007, 15:37:46 PM »

oh dear this isnt good news at all.

you are now going to have to spend even more time with her allowing her to have plenty of time with the collar off to tend her babies but also always there to watch like a hawk incase she goes at her own wound again.

You will also have to stimulate them to do the toilet just incase she doesnt manage, I'd say if you did it 3 or 4 times per day would be ok (some else will know better than me how many times is acceptable)

I'm just hoping all this doesnt make her reject her kittens or you'll have to hand feed each one every 2 hrs !!!

are they still feeding ok from mum though and is she still wanting to look after them ??

karenjet · « **Reply #250 on:** April 06, 2007, 14:43:17 PM »

I am at my wit's end here. There was blood in the nest this morning, Jasmine chewed through her stitches and the wound has opened right up. Back to the vets, she needs to go back again at 3.30, go under anaesthetic to have it re-stitched, then have a collar fitted to stop her doing it again. Surely she wont be able to look after the kittens properly with a collar on? Stimulate their bowels etc? The vet didn't seem to bothered about that. This has been the most awful week.

She is so stressed out today. She wants to take the kittens out of this room, but this is the safest place for them. All in all she's a very unhappy cat at the moment, and with a collar it's only gonna get worse

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #249 on:** April 05, 2007, 19:09:50 PM »

RIP Lucas. little man.

I am so sorry to hear about Lucas and hope that Jasmone and the others will be OK. Sounds like you are doing fine and Lynn knows whts she is talking about.

Also you have Teresas email addy if you need any more help with the kittens.

I am sure thay will all be fine

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #248 on:** April 05, 2007, 19:00:44 PM »

karen i'd give them a proper feed ie the full 2 mls rather than a couple of drops but i'd only do it maybe morning and last thing at night.

personally if you were making up formula milk for babies you use normal tap water but boiled and cooled so i couldnt see why that would be a problem with kitten milk.

in between the times you have to feed them and weight them (before the morning feed) i'd pretty much leave mum to do the nursing if she's happy to do that

ps your not being stupid, this is new to you and understandable

Sam (Fussy_Furball) · « **Reply #247 on:** April 05, 2007, 18:16:51 PM »

Karen so sorry to hear about Lucas .... RIP baby

Found a couple of sites that might be able to answer some of your questions on bottle feeding:

http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm

http://www.geocities.com/turbo502002/flessen-en.html

karenjet · « **Reply #246 on:** April 05, 2007, 17:59:25 PM »

I didn't understand it either, Lynn. But underneath the instructions for making the milk it says in bold letters 'Important - use with low mineral bottled water'

And then I, like a dope, boiled it when it said I should have heated it to 50 degrees. I let it cool and tested it first though.

Yeah, I got it from the vets, it's called Royal Canin, I think. It came with a kitten bottle. And, yeah, the vet said about that on the phone. It's only to supplement them, not to give to much cos I still want them to feed from Jasmine.
It says the dose for kittens up to a week old is 2ml, 7 feeds per day. But because I'm only supplementing them, how much should I give? Just a couple of drops each? And how often?

Thanks a million for the info about moving their bowels, I wondered about that. And also about how to hold them, because I did do it wrong the first time.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I'm so confused about everything, and terrified of doing the wrong thing

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #245 on:** April 05, 2007, 15:59:41 PM »

i did not understand about the supermarket low mineral water at all im afraid ??????

firstly if you are bottle feeding you must NOT hold them in an anatomical unnatural postion ie on their backs or with their heads back, try and get them to feed in the same position they would with mum.

i presume mum will still do all the cleaning etc but just incase stimulate their bottom area with damp cotton wool after their feed as this is how they manage to pass urine and motions.
make sure milk is luke warm (sorry common sense i know but if you havent done it before...)
also i'd be wary that you dont over feed them, you still want them to feed off of mum so you're only topping up so maybe only once or twice per day IF you think its necessary (if they dont feed from mum her milk will dry up remember)

and just to make sure...you did get the milk replacement from the vets i presume and not the cat milk stuff from the supermarket (sorry just making sure)

Sarah (seldom_use) · « **Reply #244 on:** April 05, 2007, 15:58:42 PM »

Karen the best thing to do is stay calm yourself because Jas and the little ones will detect that you're anxious.
You're doing brilliantly too and I'm sure some of the others will reply shortly to advise on the bottle feeding.

Take Care

S x

karenjet · « **Reply #243 on:** April 05, 2007, 15:48:09 PM »

Rang the vet, and he said not to take them out of the house if possible, and to get some replacement milk, in case they're not feeding properly. Got some, came home, then I had to go to the supermarket to get some low-mineral bottled water, that it said was important to use on the packaging. I've just tried giving it to them for the first time. Mr Black & White sucked like there was no tomorrow! Miss Grey and white took a couple of little drips, and tortie wouldn't entertain taking any of it at all, although I touched her mouth with the bottle a few times. They're still making alot more noise than I think they should be, and am still as worried as ever. When should I give them another feed? There's 4ml gone out of what I made up, I'd say Mr had half of that to himself, and he's still making an awful lot of noise. How I wish one of you was here to help me do the right things, cos I don't think I'm doing too well here

jo · « **Reply #242 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:52:29 AM »

sorry to hear about lucas, karen. The others are just beautiful.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #241 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:32:02 AM »

Yes that box is big enough karen (it was just a thought)

I would ring your vet, tell them what has happened to ^Lucas^ and take their advice.

xxxx

Ellie · « **Reply #240 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:28:06 AM »

Oh Karen I am so sorry

Love and cuddles to you and Jasmine xxx

RIP Lucas you are a very special wee kitten xxx

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #239 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:15:59 AM »

if you would feel better of a check up then after all its your money paying the vet but perhaps phone them and tell them about the lost one and ask their opinion first !!!! yes if you have a bank holiday it may be a good idea and whilst your there maybe get a tub of cimicat and a baby bottle "just in case"

Id do the weighing thing though each morning.

from that pic to my eye it looks like they are suckling fine.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #238 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:14:33 AM »

Karen - I would personally just ring the vet - waiting rooms aren't the best places for such tiny kittens who dont have a good immune system yet. Kittens should have a nice round belly after feeding.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #237 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:13:42 AM »

You and Jasmine are new mums.... be neurotic, you're entitled.

Ela · « **Reply #236 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:11:41 AM »

Quote

The little black and white

As the Bank Holiday is coming up I personally think that may be the best thing to do.

karenjet · « **Reply #235 on:** April 05, 2007, 11:04:58 AM »

I think it's big enough, tell me if not, just took your daily pic...

I keep thinking I should take them all back to the vet for a check over. The little black and white boy has been noisy this morning. I don't want the vet to think I'm wasting his time, or neurotic or whatever

I picked up tortie a minute ago and she seems to have a little pot belly after her feed.

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #234 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:52:13 AM »

im really sorry karen

RIP precious baby lucas xxxxx

Sabrina (Auferstehen) · « **Reply #233 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:51:45 AM »

So sorry to hear about the poor kitten.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #232 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:48:38 AM »

Oh no

Poor little ^Lucas^ - R.I.P Sweetheart.

Karen is the box that she is in large enough ?
It is very easy for a kitten to get laid on by Mum

xxx

x Beckie x (Buffy) · « **Reply #231 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:26:52 AM »

Karen im so sorry hun.

Play hard at the bridge Lucas xx

Tan · « **Reply #230 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:23:43 AM »

Oh Karen i'm soo sorry

Little Lucas play on the bridge sweetheart, all our babes will look after you.

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #229 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:07:08 AM »

what a shame you lost a little one.

If it hasnt already been advised you could do a little chart of the remaining babies and each morning weight them on a kitchen scales, kittens normally put on a specific range of weight each day if they are thriving (ie 10-20g etc) now i said this not long ago i cannot remember what the exact weight gain per day should be but there is a guide, you will probably find online somewhere i am sure (i must find it for future reference)

Keep a close eye on the kittens when they are feeding and satisfy yourself that all are suckling strongly and immediately after a feed that have round pot bellies .

also regards the spay/section thingy..

It is the kittens suckling that stimulates milk production and not the ovaries or uterus (although they are what stimulates colostrum production initiailly and the hormones will have an influence in the first day or so) so technically cats can be sucessfully sectioned and spayed at the same time with no adverse effects on milk supply. However obviously it depends on size of litter and how great they are in that first day or so of suckling IE a larger litter with big hungry babies will stimulate a greater and better milk supply than a small litter, and perhaps where the suckling isnt so demanding in the first place spaying them at time of section might have enough of an effect to tip the milk supply adversely.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #228 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:00:10 AM »

I'm so sorry Karen.

RIP Lucas xx

Mark · « **Reply #227 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:50:26 AM »

Sorry to hear about poor Lucas

RIP poor little boy.

Cheesecat · « **Reply #226 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:45:25 AM »

Poor Lucas

is there any way of finding out what happened? RIP little one

sending my love for the remaining three and their gorgeous mum, hope there is no more troubles

Ela · « **Reply #225 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:39:43 AM »

Quote

Star had a c section and was spayed 8 weeks afterwards,

It could be just that like many things different vets have different ideas. e.g. many vets will now neuter/spay at 4 months yet other stick rigidly to the 6 month idea.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #224 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:37:11 AM »

So sorry Karen, RIP little Lucas xx

He'll be looked after at the Bridge, you can be sure of that

Liza · « **Reply #223 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:33:28 AM »

RIP lucas xxxx

karenjet · « **Reply #222 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:16:42 AM »

It was him she tried to move the first time, but she brought another out once too.
When I went to go to bed last night she had moved into another box I had in the room and seems more content there. And has used the littertray through the night.

I have no idea exactly why he didn't spay her, all I remember him saying was "because the kitten was alive"

Dawn F · « **Reply #221 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:10:02 AM »

Star had a c section and was spayed 8 weeks afterwards, this was when she was in rspca care then so I'm not sure why they did it like that

Ela · « **Reply #220 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:05:07 AM »

Quote

Ela - I was talking to a breeder on another forum, and she said that when they do a section and spay, that it can affect them being able to feed their kittens - but I am sure Dawn has had it done before and with no issues.

I appreciate it perhaps could happen but it has never happened in any of the cats we have dealt with and that would be dozens.

Also a breeder may have other issues like they may want to to breed again with the queen.

Author Topic: Pregnant cat - lots of advice needed, please. (Read 83570 times)