New mum cat is trying to kill smallest kitten?

[tigwig]

My SIL cat had 5 kittens 2 weeks ago. The smallest one does not mix well with the others and has been struggling to feed. The others all huddle up together and she is always on her own. The others knock her out of the way when feeding and until now mum would feed her seperately but today she has been seen laying on her like she was trying to suffocate her? I have no idea if this is what she was doing or if it were coincidence that she happened to lay on her. My SIL has tried after this event to feed her with a syringe but couldnt get anything down her. Can anyone offer any advice please?

[lankeela]

There is a good chance that this kitten has something wrong with it, the mothers seem to know instinctively if something is wrong. Any pet shop will sell a kitten feeding bottle with a teat, and you can buy milk replacement powder. However, I am afraid I would not be too hopeful. See a vet and check it hasnt got a left palate or something that would prevent it feeding properly and if it has then the vet will put it to sleep rather than let it suffer.

[lankeela]

Take care with a syringe, she could end up drowning it by putting the fluid down into its lungs instead of the stomach. Also dont use cows milk, until you get milk replacer use evaporated milk watered down.

[lankeela]

If the kitten hasnt got a problem, just small, then at 2 weeks it wont be long before it could be weaned and fed from a saucer with the milk replacer and then onto mushy cat food.

[andy-hughes]

lankeela is right - a lot of wild and domesticated animal mothers will kill a runt if it may not survive - thus giving her milk and attention to the fitter ones who will carry on.

It feels cruel, but it is simply evolutionary instinct.

Hope the little one survives, but be aware, it may have a birth defect which the mother can sense. Get your vet's opinion.

[Eve]

Definitely contact a vet to get proper professional advice on both the kitten itself and how to hand rear properly if that is required and the best course of action generally for the kitten.

[tigwig]

thanks guys I will pass on your advice. The only thing that now makes it even worse is that she starts a new job tomorrow so she cannot be around all day.

[Eve]

Will there not be someone looking after the kittens during the day? How long will she be away from them for? Is she keeping the little one separate from mum cat?

[tigwig]

I havent yet had time to actually speak to her so I dont know what is going on. I will update as soon as I find anything out. Hope the little ones ok.

[tigwig]

I found out today that nothing else is happening to the kitten and she seems to be ok and continuing as normal so fingers crossed.

[rowanwitch]

kitten might not have been feeding as too cold and mum trying to warm it

[tigwig]

The kitten died last night, just seen it on FB but dont know any details yet. Poor thing:(