New born kittens... runt at risk... advice needed

[1monster]

Yesterday, my beautiful brindled Calico cat had five kittens. Not a one is Calico or brindled. One is black with a white face, one is beige, one is grey, and two are white.

One of the white ones (a male, I haven't checked the others) was born half the size of the others and with very little fur. I've been feeding it formula because it doesn't seem to know how to latch on to momma's nipples. He'll eat about one milliliter of formula about each time I've fed it (about five times in twelve hours). Momma caught me feeding him last night and took the kitten back to the large box I have for her and them.

He is moving around fine, but I'm not sure he'll survive. Any advice and/or suggestions?

[AnnabelLee]

1. Kittens can deteriorate so quickly

If he's eating, even if you have to do the feeding, that's a very good sign. You might want to put a heating pad on the low setting under mama & the babies to make sure he stays warm. I would recommend getting advice from a vet--if the kitten starts becoming dehydrated, it will go so quickly it will be difficult to save him. Often, mama knows what's up before you do--if she doesn't make the effort to feed & clean him as she does with the others, that means she doesn't think he will survive.

On edit: What kind of formula are you using? I've seen the KMR brand become rock-hard inside of kittens, so you might not want to use that.

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Just keep doing what you're doing

There is probably an even chance he'll manage to catch up to the point where he'll survive.

[Divernan]

3. I would feed him oftener - like every hour.

nt

[radwriter0555]

4. White animals (outside of polar bears and bunnies) are sort of genetic

mutations and often have deformities, anomalies or genetic predisposition towards non-survival.

Feed the kitten more often, but if its a runt already and mom is concerned, he may be in peril and nature may have to simply take its course.

[SoCalDem]

5. Just supplement the kitten, and watch the Mom

If she starts isolating that kitten, YOU will have to be the MOM..
As long as it stays warm and eats it should be fine.. They do not eat much when they are newborn.. I used a kitten nurser bottle that contained 5 tablespoons and using the same bottleful for all 5 kittens, at first they only drank half a bottle..:)

Your baby will be fine..:)

and if you get really worried, take it to your vet.. They probably won't even charge you:)..Mine didn't :)

[Milfhunter69]

6. Let it die

only the strong deserve to live. Ruggid individualism I say.

Signed - Rush Limbaugh.

[1monster]

7. Thanks, I'm not sure of the formula brand, I threw the can away, but will

check. I am rubbing the kittens tummy after feeding just as momma cats do to help the digestive process.

Momma dosen't seem overly concerned, but she has not abandoned it either.

I am concerned about other genetic problems, but thus far, it seems okay, just undersized and unable to latch on to eat. It sucks, somewhat feebly when I feed it.

Going to feed it right now while Momma is otherwise occupied.

[tnlefty]

8. watch him

To see if he's getting more successful with nursing and if the others and he are together to stay warm. I've used hot water bottles for a kitten we had who was near death (stray) and he curled up around it and I covered him with a towel, too. I don't know about formula. The vet told me to use goat's milk with mine as the goat's milk was easier on the digestive system and loaded with calories to help him put on weight. I carried him around a lot to keep him warm for the first couple of days, but he didn't have mom to help keep him warm. I think it's encouraging that the mom is showing signs of protecting him.

Good luck.

[SoCalDem]

9. If you have a PetSmart, they have kitten formula

I have used KMR and another brand that I ordered from the internet..If the Mom is washing its little bottom, it should be fine..
If Mom is really docile, try to move a few of the others aside and put some of the formula on her nipple..You may have to open its little mouth,... It may start nursing from mom....The other kittens may be overpowering it.. Remember..it cannot see, and if it keeps getting puched away, it can't find the spigot :)