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cat people, help! (update w/pics)
I'm house sitting for a neighbor and the cat was pregnant. I say was cause the cat had kittens sometime last night. They have had this vacation planned for months. A month ago the vet told them the kittens would be born any day (they took her to be spayed and found out she was pregnant). They didn't want to leave but also didn't want to cancel the vacation on the chance the cat might have the babies this week.
Anyway, there are 3 kittens that are cleaned off and nursing, one kitten that is not cleaned and not really moving but near the mother and breathing, and one kitten that didn't make it. I have no idea if she is finished giving birth.
Any advice? I'm about to hit Google but I know there are lots of animal lovers on here. TIA!
Update: The struggler seems to be improving! Still not doing as well as the other 3 but definitely seems to be getting better.
Re: cat people, help! (update w/pics)
If the one kitten isn;t breathing likely he/she is sick and the mom can sense that. She won't clean off the kittens that are dead or near death
You can try cleaning yourself with just a warm rag and bottle feeding KMR. You'll also need to express the kitten yourself but to be honest it's very unlikely that he/she will make it, I'm sorry. I would still try or take the kitten to BARCS where we have tons of bottle feeders right now and we try to save them all.
For set up what I think works best is a box or some sort or heightened area to keep the mom and kittens in so that she can step out and eat on her own without them still nursing, it will give her just a little place to get a break and she will on her own go back in as soon as she's done eating. Make sure she is also licking them behind to express them and if she's not you'll have to do it with a warm rag but it's unlikely that she won't.
If you need anything feel free to email me! lrevella@gmail.com
Thanks! You have mail!
Ditto everything from NDM, especially the part about allowing the mama cat to be alone for a second to eat and drink. She'll be exhausted but the kittens won't leave her alone. I've seen mamas jump onto window ledges and bookshelves just to get away from them.
Sometimes kittens who aren't nursing will suck a bit of milk from your finger--you can try that while you're waiting to take it somewhere but I wouldn't get your hopes up about saving it.
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15