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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 7:36pm | IP Logged
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Our neighbor has some rescued kittens (probably about 2 weeks old) that arrived at our house this evening. She had been gone all day, and the poor kitties were close to ... well I cannot say it. My dd called me at 5:15 wanting me to take them to the vet.
Of course, I told her it was whatever the will of God was in this case, but ... she brought them home. They are so cute. They weigh about 6 ozs. My dh went out on the internet and found several formulas for abandoned kittens. We fed them evaporated milk, egg yolk and karo syrup. They finally took some and seemed to be more energetic.
They are now sleeping in a box with a towel and a stuffed animal that they seem to think of as mom. My other cats will have nothing to do with them (I have four). This is, of course a temporary situation. My dd loves animals (that is why we have a minature zoo around here). I would like to nurse them to the point that I can give them away or to the Humane Society.
Just wondering if any of you ladies had any great advice for taking care of abandoned kittens. Thanks ever so much.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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MacBeth
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 7:47pm | IP Logged
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Goodness, I'm sure that Karen T, a vet on the list, could give you more advice, but I would get over to a pet supply store and get kitten formula and a tube feeder. It's easier to see how much they are eating, and the kitten formula is closer to cat milk than most home made formulas. The most popular formula is KMR for kittens.
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MacBeth in NY
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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Also, please contact your local cat rescue group (you probably have one somewhere nearby) and ask them for advice. If you don't have one, let me know and I will talk with my s-i-l in Oregon...she is big into cat rescue.
Please try hard...my two beloved kitties were rescued by a very kind lady when they were just 2 weeks old; she bottle fed them and saved them, and they're just wonderful pets.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 8:07pm | IP Logged
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MacBeth, thanks for the advice. We live (where believe it or not) there is no pet supply store. My dh just called me from Tractor Supply (yes, this is farming country). They had no kitten formula or tube feeders, but the did have a small pet bottle.
They really seemed to take to the formula that we mixed up for them. They are much more energetic than they were when they arrived here--meowing incessantly and asking for more formula. We are going to mix up a different formula tonight--either one with bone meal or another with condensed milk. I think they may like the sweetness! 
We have soccer on Saturday in Tulsa, so I will be able to visit a pet supply store then. I will keep your advice in mind. And I will also call my vet tomorrow. He is a good country doctor (kind of like James Herriot). He may even make a personal visit!
In the meantime, we will rely on our loving children and whatever grace the Lord grants us in this situation.
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Carole ... in Wales
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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 8:13pm | IP Logged
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Nancy, never fear. All of our cats (four of them) are rescued. But they were rescued by individuals who were willing to spend the time bottle-feeding them. We love all of our pets (most of which are rescued as well). We have just never rescued any ourselves. I will call the Humane Society tomorrow and find out if they know of someone who can help us out.
Thanks for the advice!
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MacBeth
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 8:23pm | IP Logged
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Carole, your vet may have a supply of KMR on hand. It can also be found online, though you may have to wait for delivery. If they will bottle feed, so much the easier for you! 
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 02 2007 at 8:43pm | IP Logged
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Yes, they really seemed to take to the bottle! They are so cute (no more cats, Carole!) I am really enjoying this.
Thanks so much.
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Carole N.
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| Posted: May 03 2007 at 8:10am | IP Logged
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I am sad to report that the kittens did not make it through the night. When I came down this morning Blackberry was already gone and his brother, Domino, was laying beside him with his arm wrapped around him. He was barely alive, and my dd held him in her hands as he died.
It was so sad.  She tried so hard not to cry. We have told her all along that their survival chances were slim. I really thought that they were doing so well last night. They seemed very energetic. Dh explained that frequently animals (humans as well) have what seems to be a recovery, but then they die.
Now I am worried about my dd. She seems to be denying her sadness. And of course, I have to tell the neighbor who had the kittens before last night. And I have to not cry to much myself ...
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Carole ... in Wales
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 03 2007 at 8:38am | IP Logged
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Carole, I'm sorry to hear this...I hope you are able to give your daughter lots of comfort today.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Karen T
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| Posted: May 04 2007 at 9:59pm | IP Logged
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Carole, I"m sorry to hear about your kittens (and I'm late reading here, sorry)
It's very possible that the kittens didn't receive any colostrum from the mother, which would have made them very susceptible to any virus, etc. Also, the mom may have been sick as well and passed it on.
finally, one thing to think of in the future is that if the kittens are too cool (body temps should be around 101 or 102 and they cannot generate it on their own, so must have supplemental heat, such as the hotwater bottle, etc.) they cannot digest anything. It's better to warm them up first and then feed them. Also, kittens and puppies less than 2 weeks old cannot defecate or urinate without stimulation, so you have to rub the area with a warm wet cotton ball after feeding.
In this case, however, I'm sure they were weak and sickly to begin with - thanks for giving them a try!
Oh, sometimes rescue groups will know of another nursing mom who might be able to adopt the kittens.
Karen T
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Help! We have rescued kittens!
