Help!!

[lizbud]

You can get everything you need including the kitty (milk)
at Petsmart. Believe it's powered, so needs to be mixed.
Can you call a vet for help with this? I would wait to be sure
Momma kitty is not coming back before you get involved with
moving them. K & L ,or Moosmom on the cat bb will surely
know what to advise. Try not to let the Momma cat see you
watching her or the babies. Do not look her in the eyes when
placing food out. Put it out & then leave quietly.Hide & watch
for her & the babies.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Thanks so much Debbie and Lizbud! I on my way out of here shortly to see if they are there. There is a Petsmart not far from my house. My hope is momma is doing her job as I think that is always best (with animals at least). I am afraid that we scared her with all the attention.

Ihope she has come back today.

[Randi]

We once moved 5 newborn kittens, born in our backyard, to a house we built for them all, but the mum would have nothing to do with them after - they were all inside the house.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Sara ~

Maybe Mom can't jump up and out with the larger kittens?

Could you place a box, or ladder, down into the window well to reuduce the distance she has to jump? Might try that for a while this evening.

If she doesn't use the "stairs" by dark; then KittenNap the lil guys and try you hand at Kitten Feeding .

Good Luck to you and the Kitties .

[aly]

The milk that you feed the babies is called KMR. It comes as powder or already mixed, but costs a lot more already mixed. If you mix it yourself, its easier to make it in a big jar then funnel it into the bottles. But it is only good for 24 hours once mixed and must be kept in the fridge. Keep the can of powder in the fridge too.

After you funnel it into the bottles, warm it in the microwave for a few seconds and check the warmth on your skin (like you do with human baby bottles). You may need to gently squeeze the bottle and keep encouraging them and letting them know what is in the bottle. Some babies are harder to get going than others.

After feeding, get a damp warm paper towel or cloth to stimulate them to go potty. I usually do it over the trash can, less clean up Don't be surprised if they don't poop for awhile.. it took mine almost a week!!! That KMR can get them a little constipated. Don't be worried if you see diarrhea either. They may do that on their own.

Set up a crate for them with soft towels and a stuffed animal (they think this is their mom). I like to have soft classical music playing for them too.

***Emergency phone call.. will continue this post in a few....

[lizbud]

Cinder & Smoke,

Glad you mentioned placing a board or ladder down into
window well. That thought about the momma having a harder
time jumping up with some of the kittens did cross my mind.
I felt a sense of urgency in my response so I just blabbed
out all I could think of in the few minutes I had to post.

I even forgot Aly as a good source of information on this.

Thanks, Liz & Buddy.

[Edwina's Secretary]

We just finished burying the two orphaned kittens. My niece got them out his afternoon. One died shortly afterwards. She and I went to Petco and bought the formula and bottle, etc. Also per the recommendation of my sister-in-law (a vet in Maryland) peroxide to clean off the maggots (eck). We made him a nice soft bed and fed him a few times. He nursed very little. Brought him in and had a hologen light over hm for extra warmth.

I didn't have much hope. He appeared to have a number of issues I won't describe. He held on for about an hour and a half.

I believe the mother took the two with the best chance of survival. I wish I knew to where.

Phred...the reason I was hesitant to put a ladder down for momma Elizabeth -- the window well was really a good place because the possum and coons can't get down there. With a ladder they can. (Had a possum in the window well once. It couldn't get out. We put a board down -- and off he went.)

[aly]

Oh I'm so sorry That kitten breathed his last breath knowing what true love was and he is now running with his sibling at Rainbow Bridge. All you can do is your best and whatever was meant to be will happen. Thank you so much for helping and caring for those homeless little lives.

Debbie, thanks for emailing me and giving me the heads up on this topic!

[lizbud]

I'm so sorry. I know you did your best.

When you spoke of the flies earlier, that worried me ....

Could you please still watch out for the Momma kitty, and
maybe leave food if you seen her again. She is probably in
poor health herself. Thanks for trying. Liz.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so sad. I was really hoping the momma would come and take care of these two also, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. You and your niece did your best though, and at least they died knowing that *someone* cared for them - poor little things.

I was actually looking forward to helping bottle feed the little squirts.

With all the other critters you have around, you can leave food, but you'll never know who actually ate it. If it were me I would still leave it out though, and hope that it's momma that's eating it. And momma kitties are usually pretty good about picking safe places to have their kittens. She did pick the window well knowing the other critters couldn't get in, she probably just didn't know about the flies and such. So she has probably picked another safe place. You can keep an eye out for her and leave the food near her if you do happen to catch a glimpse. Otherwise you might not see them again until the kittens are old enough to be out and about.

You're welcome Aly. With your experience with tiny kittens I knew you would be a big help here. I had forgotten that you sent the two previous emails about local shelters, which was a good thing because one of them was very helpful.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Last night I was so devastated. My husband rubbing the little guy, my niece trying to clean out his little mouth so he could eat better. Nature can be a cruel thing to witness. I will not describe the unpleasant aspect but I had some very bad dreams last night involving creepy crawlies.

I am now angry. We haven't seen strays in the four years we have lived there. If, as I expect, this is one of the cats I saw (and fed) the other night, Elizabeth is just a tiny, scrawny thing herself. Who dumped them???? They should have been there last night watching ...well I'm getting emotional again.

I will donate the rest of the milk and supplies we bought. We have discussed the best place to put out food for Elizabeth where she stands a chance of eating vs. coonie, possum, et al. Perhaps back in the window well?

Again...thanks to all who helped and Debbie...come over and see my dim little light bulb any time!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
Last night I was so devastated. .........Again...thanks to all who helped and Debbie...come over and see my dim little light bulb any time!

I'm sorry it was such a bad experience for you. Poor little things - nature can sure be cruel sometimes.

Then...when when you put it like that, how can I not come and meet the Little Miss Edwina? I'll see if I can figure out a date when it would work for me and I'll let you know. Thanks for the invite!

[catland]

So sad.

Thanks for sharing your story - sorry it didn't have a happy ending, but at least the little kitties weren't alone when they died.

[AmberLee]

Ooooh. How discouraging for you. {{{ES}}}

Hope you have a good trip and feel better soon. It's painful to try so hard and still lose the little ones...

[Cinder & Smoke]

I'm sure God appreciates your compassion and caring for His FurBabies...

It's sad that they weren't survivors on Earth;
but they're playing at the Rainbow Bridge now ~
and will greet you there with Thanks in due time.