I'm fostering 2 one day old babies...

[moosmom]

Okay, call me crazy. Two babies need someone to bottle feed them. Their mama, a very young cat, gave birth to them but couldn't pass the placenta. She didn't chew the umbilical cords, so she walked around dragging them. A wonderful woman took mama and babies to the vet. He cut the cords and gave mama a relaxant to help her pass the placenta, which she did. Unfortunately, because of the trauma, she has absolutely no milk, and shows absolutely no interest in these babies. The woman, Lydia, doesn't have much experience in bottle feeding such young kittens and sent an email around.

I've volunteered. It means waking up every 2 hours to feed them and make them pee and poo. Maybe this will help me with my grief over Mollie Rose.

I'm also going to call around to my vet and the Humane Society to see if they have any lactating mothers that can help.

I'm looking forward to getting these two babies strong so they can be adopted. Lydia is going to provide all the supplies I need. I'm going to put them in a large carrier with a blanket and heating pad, right next to my bed. I'll cover the carrier so my cats will leave them alone.

Am I nuts??? I'd appreciate any advice.

[katladyd]

You sound perfectly sane to me. Something tells me Mollie Rose had something to do with this. Remember, your connection to her will never die.

[freckledimple]

Prayers, purrs and good luck to you
http://www.petplace.com/ has some wonderfully informative articles dealing with caring for orphans. I used a lot of the info there to help with caring for Pretty Mama and her babies. Bless you for taking care of the babies

PS. Give them some good strong names to give them something to live up to

[3Catcondo]

that is awesome, way to go!!! That is a brave thing to do. I would be scared of them being that young.
Thank you for taking care of them

[Moesha]

You are a very special lady. Mollie Rose sure helped instill love of kitties deep in your heart. Keep us posted on their progress please.

[kitten645]

You are NOT crazy! You have a heart as big as they come. Thank you for your courage and strength to help these wee ones along. Good luck!

[smokey the elder]

I think Mollie Rose had her paws in this up to the shoulders. It'll make a good distraction for you to love on the tiny babies.

[pomtzu]

Way to go. But what are you going to do when you have to go to work???

[Laura's Babies]

You are not crazy at all! I would do it in a heartbeat myself. They are so sweet and innocent, there is no way you could say "no!". Just be warned, you WILL fall deeply in love with them... how can you not?

No advice since it sounds like you have it all under control already. Good luck to you and those babies.

[moosmom]

Ellie,

I haven't quite figured that work thing out yet. I thought of bringing them into work with me and putting them in my manager's office (he's a cat lover). If that's not feasible, I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

The mama was tested and is negative, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about.

As far as becoming attached to them, I probably will. It's hard not to. Keeping them is not an option. I've already got an offer for a 6 week old tortie. No other cat can replace my Rosie girl.

My camera is broken so there's no way I can post pictures once they get here.

[Queen of Poop]

Like the others as soon as I read this I knew that Mollie Rose had her little paws in this situation. She's sent you these ever so needy babies to help you get over your grief. This is just wonderful, you're not crazy, you're blessed.

[lvpets2002]

No Donna your not crazy.. Your just a loving meowmom.. You will do fine with these babies.. Good Luck..

[catmandu]

One thing that i have read is good is to put them on something warm, and have something like a clock that ticks, so they think its thier Mommas heartbeat!
Good Luck with those Babies on this critical phase of thier life, and Molly Rose will be there in spririt helping you all the way!!

[Freedom]

Way to go, Donna!

But um . . . you are going to need back up. You have to sleep so you can work. Getting up every 2 hours around the clock will wear on you quickly, and that won't help the babies at all. (not to mention it won't do much for you or your furkids.)

Finding a lactating mom sounds good!

Maybe post on craigslist in your area, the feral cat rescue groups may have a female who can help out.

Oh and check with ALL the vets, not just yours, for a female as well.

[GILL]

YA!!!!!!! Donna, well come to my world. Everyone is right Mollie Rose sent these babies just for you. Lucky was 1 day when we got him, but I was lucky to have LB (Little Bear) filling in during the day. Roz was able to eat some can food so after 2 weeks she went on a mix of can & dry. Our Chessie was a bottle baby as was Patches.
Good luck and god bless, please get a new camera soon, we need pic's.