Help! I have three kittens 4-5 weeks old, their mother was killed, and I'm taking care of them.?

Question

I work at PetSmart and a woman brought them in and told us their mom had been hit by a car and killed
She gave them solid food, which they're not big enough to handle, so theyve been starved and scared for at least 24 hours.
I offered to foster them until they're big enough to be put up for adoption. My boss said that in all honesty, it would be really lucky if even 2 of them lived that long. I want to do all I can to increase thier chances, so does anyone know any good tips/websites/whatever that could help me.

I have an eyedropper and the cat milk you get at PetSmart, its supposed to be the best kind available. 2 of them are licking out of a paper plate, and I'm dropper feeding the other one.

And I cant get them to poop. My boss said that you should take a paper towel, get it damp, and rub their butt with it (to act like the mother cat licking them) and I've tried that and gotten nothing from it.
I also put a desk lamp in there and a blanket under it for warmth.

one of them shakes really badly. We thought if we got him to eat he'd calm down a bit, but he hasnt. What would cause this and what can I do?

Answer 1

This is the best site I've seen for the care of orphaned kittens.

If you would like any more info, please send a message. They will be fine! Do not panic.

It's printer friendly friendly also

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I extremely have a 4-week old kitten that develop into lined with fleas. I used first light dish detergent and a large number of the fleas died instantly away. She did not like the tub very a lot, yet she looked as if it would sense better effective right away. I used a blow dryer on the lightest putting and held it faraway from her body to dry her. She loved it. I placed her on my abdomen and held her with my finger for the era of her back so i might want to sense if the blow dryer develop into too warm for her. It killed virtually each and every of the fleas. I basically had to %. them off with a comb. strong success searching after the sweet kittens. i will't trust that those people were basically going to leave them.

Answer 3

4-5 weeks is actually a big transition stage for kittens. My cat had 4 kittens so i remember most of what I tell you, but there is also a very good website http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm.

At 4-5 weeks they can control their own temp. so you don't need the warming pad, but im sure it wouldnt hurt. Also, at this time they need to be weened. In other words, taken from milk to food. Get them first to lap the formula out of a bowl, then slowly start adding something slighty solid. When we had kittens we used this stuff that was like kitten oatmeal or something. We got it at Kroger and my mom used it for her kittens when she was little. Its a dry formula that you mix with water and is very soft and get the kittens used to taking bites...I wish I could figure out what it was called. Either way, check out that website, and take them to the vet!!!

Answer 4

Lots of good posts here. Just keep up the "butt" thing for pooping, although I would use a warm, wet washcloth. They could be stressed right now.

Try also calling a animal foster group just for their advice, they probably cannot take in any more kittens.

Try a "hot water bottle" wrapped in a towel to keep the shaking one warm. Put a stuff animal in the box with them.

Ask someone to help with them. Even if you have to take them back in a week or two, it will help.

Try to find something to help mimick the heartbeat.

Answer 5

A kitten will shake after eating sometimes. Especially if the formula was to cold.
To make a baby kitten potty take a warm cloth and slowly rub from almost the middle of its belly down towards the rear end. It may take a few minutes.
If you give them scheduled feedings as recommended on the kitten formula you got things should go fine.
Just keep them warm and away from drafts.
Good luck.

Answer 6

You are suppose to massage the lower stomach, not necessarily the rear end itself. If they are already 4-5 weeks old, you might have a chance with these guys, since there's only 1-2 weeks left before they begin to wean off of the milk.
Definitely consult a vet, they can help you with the proper care, and see what'll work the best.

Answer 7

If you can get another female cat that has kitten's or just raised a litter of kittens you can probably get her to take them. In order to get the surrogate mother to take them, you have to rub her scent on the babies. After that she' should take them with no problem.
But keep working with the cat milk and eye dropper if you can't get a female cat, warm up the milk. To help the kitten's to "poop" you can give them molasses and warm water, in order for this to work you have to give this to kitten's instead of milk for one of the feeding's. And use this every time you notice the kitten's not "pooping". Continue with rubbing there butt's with a warm wet paper towel.

Answer 8

If you haven't already, get them to the vet. The vet can say for sure how old they are. I adopted a kitten that was found in the storm drain and starving. The vet put her at about 5 weeks, but she was able to eat soft food. We bought Nutro Natural Choice for kittens at the pet supply store. It comes in a pouch and has lots of liquid. My little "Stormie" loved it. She has grown into a beautiful young lady. If your kittens cannot eliminate on their own, your vet can show you how to make them eliminate after they eat and also advise you on a feeding schedule, usually every few hours because they cannot eat much at a time.

Answer 9

How long have you had them? I you've only had them for a day then pooping isn't a big concern. When I got my twins they didn't use the box for almost 2 days. They were 6-7 wks. The very best thing to do for them is take them to the vet or to a no kill shelter, they know whats best and they can treat them.

Answer 10

To initiate pooping, your boss is right. But you should first take them to the vet to check for worms and feline leukimia.. Word of advice....find a friend cause your not gonna be sleeping with 4 babies-i was in the same position with a baby squirrel once.