Old cat had kittens

[meredith101]

Typically they have never survived (the ones she had 8yrs +), they just never grow that big (some more than others) then catch something like flu, or just get weak, malnourished, and die. I think her nipples chap????

Anyway, she just had another batch. 3 died, didnt develop past birthweight. The remaining 3 are HUGE, bigger than any of the previous nonsurvivors got. Her nipples aren't chapped. I hold out strong hope for them. Is this justified? Should I be doing anything, get them jabbed, call in a vet (is it expensive?).
Thanks.

[daffy654]

For crying out loud get the cat spayed. Why are you allowing this cat to keep having litters despite her age and the fact the kittens keep dying?

[meredith101]

she's feral.

[annavc]

I can't believe this. Get the poor cat spayed. I have seen cats die from over-breeding. Why on earth would you let her keep having kittens at that age, especially when they keep dying. The fact that they keep dying is also I suspect largely down to the apparent ignorance you have about when to call a vet. Get those kittens that are still alive to vet RIGHT NOW! If you're worried how much it will cost you should never have got a pet in the first place.

[meredith101]

Any non-righteous non-crazy people without PMS care to give a constructive answer? :-)

[annavc]

I'm neither righteous nor suffering from PMS I just get really really mad when I see animals suffer and your original post made no mention of the cat being feral - I apologise if it was somewhat irate!

Constructive advice - call the Cats Protection League or similar rescue organisation in your area. They will come out, trap her and her kittens, neuter the mother and give any medical care necessary to them. They will then try to find homes for the kittens (hoping they survive) and either find a suitable outdoor home for the mother or return her to where she is if you are happy for her to be there. Please do this straight away as the longer the kittens are left the less chance they have of surviving and it won't be long before the mother will be pregnant again.

[meredith101]

I can't call them they already stole 4 of my kittens.

Does anyone know what I can do to maximise my kittens chances of survival? I'd go to the vet as a last resort. I'm considering breast feeding them myself, will this work? Will it pass human traits on to them?

[daffy654]

You never said that she was feral in your initial post meredith,you can't expect animal lovers not to get upset when they read what you wrote. Why don't you try phoning the RSPCA and see if they will come and get her and the kittens.

[annavc]

oh my god!

[meredith101]

I did just give it a go, but it is extremely painful. I didn't know cats had teeth.

[daffy654]

Ok this is obviously a wind up,i'm sure you're laughing your t**s off meredith. It really isn't funny though.I'm having nothing more to do with this thread.

[meredith101]

oh no please come back and shout at me again.
I'm a grown up. I know what spayng is, the RSPCA is for, blah blah. I have kittens that are weak and at risk. I do not want to pay for a vet. I would rather do something than nothing. Thus my original question.
Tits still very painful though.

[jules77]

No........really, you breast fed kittens, is it April 1st?

If you really want substitute kitten milk you can do a search on google.

[meredith101]

I tried that but it's a hard one to work out. I don't know when to 'strike' with hand feeding. Mother is the ideal but not if she has no milk.............. How do you know if they suckle properly? What kind of milk? I tried previously with a syringe but it's hard to get it to work. I struck too late last time, they were too weak to suckle.
I'm not convinced human breast milk is that suitable for kittens.

[jules77]

ok, will give you the benefit of the doubt, are these kittens actually feeding from their mom as if they are why do you want to supplement the milk?

If not, you should take them to the vet before they get dehydrated.

http://www.safehavenforcats.com/newborn.htm

[meredith101]

thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt, they must be feeding from their mum cos they are huge but going on past history i guess she maybe dries up. maybe not, they just maybe get an infection, but probably dehydration as they all fall at the same time. I was really wondering if they get so big that they move on from the big risk stage. I've never seen a kitten this big before dying of natural causes.

[jules77]

well you need to watch for dehydration and you must ensure they are kept warm and are feeding.

I know you say the cat is feral, but presumably you have them all in the house, and think you should get them all to the vets, the kittens will need worming, so will mom, she may need calcium and you should get her speyed. If you cant afford it, you should contact the cats protection league as they will pay for it.

[pastafreak]

you said "i call them they already stole 4 of my kittens"....who? the Cats Protection League......if so then those kittens are probably safe and in good homes now. don't you want that for THESE kittens?? Get the silly idea of nursing them out of your head(bizarre!) They need cat milk and kitten food for goodness sake. Call the CPL...they will find homes,they won't destroy them. they will also sort out spaying and medication. If you need a vet and are on housing benefit you can get free treatment with thePDSA......do something!!!

[meredith101]

from the above link: "The most important thing to remember is: treat these babies just like they are newborn humans. " and my mom used to always saiy, 'Breast is best', so until i hear different I'll teat them as my own. Surely cannot harm them?

[wiggal]

well for one, if you take a cat that is not yours, i.e feral, you will not have to pay for it.

[pastafreak]

You'll"teat "them as your own...is that a pun??? how old are the kittens...if they have teeth they may be ready for kitten food. Human milk and cats milk are totally different....besides-you CANNOT produce milk unless you have recently given birth...surely you know that?....or am I asking stupid question???