Keebler's had a bit of a setback Positive Update this evening :-)

[magical thyme]

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2016, 07:43 PM - Edit history (1)

2 days ago he was 2.5 ounces. Yesterday he was bouncy and hard to weigh, but somewhere between 2.5 and 2.75 ounces. I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Today he was back to 2.5 ounces and pretty quiet. Worse he was thin and wrinkly, and the tent test said possibly dehydrated.

I decided the best bet was to try supplemental feeding, so after research I picked up some Kitten Milk Replacer.

The feeding didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I got some into him and he seemed to like it. But I don't think I got enough into make any sort of difference. Their bellies should fill like little ping pong balls; his was as flat after as before. It may at least have re-hydrated him. Hopefully I didn't introduce any bacteria into him or cause any other problems.

He was very quiet after; I wasn't sure if I'd killed him or if he was just content wrapped in his toasty towel.

[alfie]

1. Sending Keebler good vibes and well wishes.

Hang tough, Keebler!

[ginnyinWI]

2. how did you feed the KMR?

I had success with a regular nipple for three of my recent kittens, but two of them balked at it. So I went to the pet store and found a long skinny one. Cut the tip off it and they liked that one a lot. Alternatively you can use a syringe (needle removed) and see if he will take it that way. It might take him a bit of practice.

[magical thyme]

4. I used a little syringe

I got some into him, but it was very slow going. I may try to find a tiny nipple if anyone has one around here.

[ginnyinWI]

6. If you have no pet store--

Walmart has them.

[magical thyme]

8. ty. I checked online. my local Walmart only has a bottle with large nipple

and my local tractor supply carries the kits with the skinny nipples, but is out of stock.

However, there is a pet store in Augusta that carries the kits. Twice as far, but there if I need it.

In the meantime, I checked this morning, and found 8 full bellies. Keebler's actually looks fuller than it did last night, with the smallest black bunny's looking more like his last night. So I think Snickers may be feeding them twice/day. I had guided her one evening, the next morning and then a second evening, in part because Keebler didn't get as much that first night's feed and in part because I hoped she would decide to feed twice/day.

Her behavior has changed a lot in the last few days, too. She used to go to the furthest end of her hutch away from the babies when I opened the top. Now, she greets me right by the babies. She also used to get a little anxious when I took the nesting box out. Now she seems much more relaxed about it. She always checks it as soon as I put it back, seems to assure herself all is well under the fur without actually looking but more just sniffing the air a bit above it

She has always been a sweet, calm girl but her sweetness levels lately have me totally in love with her.

[magical thyme]

3. Positive update: all 8 have full round bellies this evening

I just finished setting everybody up for the night.

I usually just peek at the babies, but this time I wanted to see if they'd been fed yet so checked them all. I've never been sure when she feeds them, but I've suspected late afternoon because that first day when I accidentally walked in on her standing over them in feeding position and spooked her.

So one of my concerns when I fed him this afternoon was what if I caused him to miss a meal. I was happy and relieved to find 8 full bellies. His was the least full, but it's the fullest and roundest I've ever seen it.

I'm going to continue checking him morning and evening and feed him an extra meal if necessary. I'm thinking he may have somehow missed yesterday's meal. Some of the big babies were pretty pushy at feeding time during those first meals when I was guiding Snickers. I'm looking at you, Nilla and Cookie Monster!

[japple]

5. Some of the nipples on nursing bottles don't allow the milk to flow very well, esp.

if they have silicone nipples. Many of my cat rescue bottle feeder colleagues use the long pointy nipple like the one on the top left-hand side of the picture in the link below.

view-source:https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Ag-Nursing-Kit-Bottle-Carded/dp/B003WRL8SG/ref=pd_sim_199_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51gm3dRzDmL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR236%2C320_&refRID=T6ZKEFJZ2421WZASFXSG

[ginnyinWI]

7. Yup that's exactly the same one I used.

It said to cut an "X" in the top, but that didn't work, so I just snipped the end off, creating a little "o".

By the way, at my local PetCo I paid 7 bucks for that same set!