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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3925.0. "Kitten critical time???" by YUPPY::AMERR () Tue Aug 21 1990 09:30

    My Persian has just given birth to 4 kittens, and my question is fairly
    simple; what is the critical period for newborn kittens (apart from
    when they attack my couch!). They are only 2 days old but appear pretty
    lively and noisy.
    
    Thoughts please.
    
    Russell
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
3925.1Not a professional.MLCSSE::LANDRYjust passen' by...and goin' nowhereTue Aug 21 1990 12:398
    
    My cat only had 1 litter but I think that as long as she's nursing
    them and seems to be taking care of them everything should be fine.
    Usually the mother knows if there's something wrong with one of
    the kittens and may refuse to feed her or something like that.
    
                     
    					jean
3925.2*A TREND ??*AIMHI::OFFENTue Aug 21 1990 13:559
    Another non-professional opinion....
    
    I have read a lot of notes here and noticed a trend towards the
    *critical time* of 3 to 4 weeks of age.  I lost my one litter at
    3 weeks of age.  After that they seem to do fine.
    
    Sandi, mom to Thunder, Lightning, DejaVu, Storm and Patches
    
    
3925.3CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Tue Aug 21 1990 14:3916
    Jo recommends that you get a postal scale and weigh the kittens every
    day.  If they start losing weight you start bottle feeding.  In fact,
    it would be a very good idea to get some KMR and a bottle just in
    case.  Besides, when they start eating canned food you can mix it
    with the KMR. They'll love it.  
      KMR only lasts for about 48 hrs once you open it, (read the label) 
    but the mom cats love it so you can give it to mommy after the 48 hrs.
    
    We had to nurse a couple of ours because they were a little dehydrated.
    You can tell that by gently pinching the skin on the back of the neck
    and shoulders between your fingers.  It should feel tight and should
    bounce back down immediately.  If it feels loose or if the skin sticks
    together then the baby is dehydrated and you must take immediate 
    action.
    
    Nancy DC
3925.4CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Tue Aug 21 1990 14:403
    With four, mom should be able to nurse them pretty well, but still
    watch them.  Halie had seven to nurse.  She needed a bit of help.
    
3925.5Thanks but...YUPPY::AMERRTue Aug 21 1990 15:192
    Thanks for the replies so far. Re; .3 What is KMR? Do you know what the
    likely UK name for it might be?
3925.6Kitten Milk ReplacerCSSE::CSTIsn't that a moon cat?Tue Aug 21 1990 16:411
    
3925.7WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityTue Aug 21 1990 17:1717
    I consider the first 4 weeks to be critical, and I do recommend
    the daily weighing.  The weighing will make it obvious when one
    kitten is losing ground and not nursing.  Then you can supplement
    that kitten.
    
    Normal, happy kittens shouldn't make a lot of noise.  Usually, if
    they are crying alot, that is a bad sign.  They will squabble for
    the best nipples, but other than that, they should be content to
    just nurse and sleep.  If they are wobbling around looking disoriented
    or upset, then you may want to proceed with supplementing.
    
    I don't know what the UK equivalent is to KMR, but KMR stands for
    Kitten Milk Replacer and it is made by Borden.  I have a home recipe
    for kitten milk, I have posted it in this file, but I don't know
    where, maybe someone can help us find it.
    
    Jo