Bottle Babies

As a kitten foster volunteer, you have taken on a difficult but very rewarding challenge to save the lives of orphaned, unweaned kittens. Your efforts will give the orphans in your care the chance to live a full and happy life. Without you they might have died or been euthanized. Community Concern for Cats is truly grateful to you for your commitment to this program.

Many of our members are here to provide support and to answer any questions you may have. You have undertaken a very gratifying feat but it will necessitate work on your part.

The guidelines below will provide you with basic information you need to know about raising unweaned kittens.

Care Of The Kittens

Feeding:

• Feed kittens under four weeds of age every 3-1/2 to 4 hours during the day. Nighttime feeding is not necessary as long as the kittens are fed at least four to five times during the day. However, feed as late in the evening as is convenient and as early in the morning as possible. When kittens reach 12 ounces, or at about 3-1/2 to 4 weeks of age, feed kittens every six hours. It is now about time to wean the kittens off of the bottle and onto solid food.
• Under 4 weeks of age feed only KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer). Mix the KMR as directed on the container. To save time, make up a whole day's supply and keep it refrigerated. DO NOT USE A HOMEADE FORUMLA FOR KITTENS UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY A VETERINARIAN! The new KMR is specially formulated for kittens. and usually does not cause diarrhea.
• The formula should always be fed warm (approximately 101 degrees). Warm the formula in the bottle in a pan of water. Do not put the formula in the microwave to heat. It is all right to warm the water in a glass cup in the microwave, then put the bottle with the formula in it into that warm water. Test a few drops on the back of your hand to make sure it is not too hot or too cold. DO NOT ALLOW THE FORMULA TO COME TO BOILING . If this happens, throw the formula out and start over. At boiling, all protein in the formula is destroyed.
• Feed kittens from different litters with separate bottles and nipples, and keep litters separate from each other, preferably in different rooms. Use different lap towels, different bottles, and different nipples for each litter. Wash your hands before you handle each different litter. You might also want to change shoes when you enter each room The spread of germs is an on-going threat to kittens, so you want to keep this spread to a minimum.
• If the kittens are asleep at feeding time, wake them gently by holding and stoking them. Aside from feeding time, allow them to sleep at will.
• Take care in creating a hole in the nipple. The KMR should not gush out of the bottle, nor should it not come out at all . The hole in the nipple is perfect when you turn the bottle upside down and it goes drip - drip - drip. Gushing out might cause the kitten to aspirate the formula; a hole too small will cause the kitten to not get any milk at all. Use the smallest cuticle scissors you have, as once the hole is cut. it's too late to correct it if you've made the hole too big.
• Grasp the kitten gently under its ''armpits'' and insert the nipple into its mouth. NEVER TURN THE KITTEN ONTO ITS BACK TO FEED. KEEP BOTH to KITTEN AND THE BOTTLE IN AS UPRIGHT A POSITION AS POSSIBLE. Take your time as some kittens nurse slowly.
• The kitten will let you know when it has had enough simply by refusing more. Try the bottle twice to see if, after burping, the kitten will take more.
• Sometimes the kitten will get a grip on the nipple and the nipple will collapse while in its mouth. If this happens, gently twist the nipple to release their grasp, which will then allow air to enter and nipple to expand again.
• Before and/or after each meal place a cotton ball, facial tissue or towel over the kitten's genitals and jiggle to stimulate urination and a bowel movement. DO NOT RUB as this will cause the area to become raw and sore. At about 3 weeks of age a litter box should be placed with the kittens, and the kittens will begin to use it then. At three weeks of age a kitten should be able to eliminate without help.
• As with all newborns, hygiene is extremely important. Wash bottles, nipples, bottle brushes, etc. in hot soapy water and rinse well. Bottles and nipples can also be placed into a pan of boiling water to sterilize them. If a film appears inside the bottle, use either a bottle brush made specifically for kitten bottles, or put about 10-15 grains of dry rice inside the bottle, a drop of dishwashing detergent and a small bit of water and shake vigorously. The rice against the bottle will remove the film. KEEP ALL FEEDING EQUIPMENT EXTREMELY CLEAN!
• Only mix enough KMR to last you 24 hours. lf there is any formula left over after 24 hours, throw it out as it is only good for this period of time. Only heat as much formula as you think the kittens will drink. ANY FORMULA THAT HAS BEEN HEATED AND REMAINS IN THE BOTTLE WITHOUT THE KITTEN Drinking IT SHOULD BE DISCARDED. Already heated formula can cause a bacterial infection if it is reheated. A plastic container that bottled water comes in (such as Calistoga) is perfect not only for storing and shaking, but also to pour into a bottle for feeding without having the formula drip down the sides of the container. BE SURE TO CLEAN THIS PLASTIC BOTTLE WELL EACH 24 HOURS. A brush that is used to clean hummingbird feeders is perfect for getting on the sides and down to the bottom of the container, or use the rice method mentioned above.
• Powdered KMR mixed with water is to be stored in the refrigerator. An opened can of KMR should also be stored in the refrigerator. An opened can is stll good three months after opening if kept refrigerated. For longer life, an opened can may be placed in the freezer up to six months. Treat the KMR like gold - it is expensive! 14, If the kittens are not eating, they may have become dehydrated. They will need fluids (lacated ringer's solution) to rehydrate them. Call a CC4C member to get names and telephone numbers of those persons who can help you to do this.

Daily care:

• Keep the kittens warm by placing a heating pad on the low setting under a heavy towel. Place the kittens on the towel. Be VERY careful to ensure you place adequate padding between the kittens and the heating pad to avoid bums. Be sure to tuck the towel under the pad so that the kittens cannot crawl between the heating pad and the towel.
• Keep the kittens clean and dry. They will probably need their faces and rear ends washed after each meal.
• Keep them in a warm, safe place, away from your small children and your own animals, particularly your cats. This is important to reduce the risk of transmission of possible illnesses between them.
• The mother cat keeps the kittens scrupulously clean. Because you are now their ''mom'', it is your responsibility to do the same for them. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR A KITTEN THAT HAS FECES OR ON THEM. Do not be afraid to give the kittens a bath. Use a sinkful of warm water, or use warm water running from a faucet Use a mild soap, like Ivory, Softsoap, or Dawn, and clean the kittens thoroughly. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a towel and a blow dryer. Be sure to keep your hand between the kitten and the dryer to avoid burning. A kitten should be completely dry before putting back in the box. Chilling is a major cause of death in kittens.
• The towels in the kittens' box should also be kept clean. You might not notice soiling on the towels, but the kittens will urinate, and they should not have to lie in urine-soak, beds. Sometimes you will need to change the towel each feeding. You might find that you will be doing more laundry for the kittens than for your own family, but again, cleanliness is important to the health of these. babies, so KEEP THE TOWELS CLEAN!

Litter training:

• Start litter gaining the kittens at 2-1/2 to 3 weeks of age.
• After feeding, place kittens in a clean litter tray. Encourage them to scratch in the litter. Be sure to have a tray or something with very shallow sides rather than a box so that the kittens can easily climb in and out of the tray. Something similar to a cookie sheet works well, as the sides are not high enough to frustrate the kitten.
• Leave a litter pan available for them at all times at this age.

Weaning:

At 4 to 5 weeks of age start offering Science Diet Feline Growth canned food mixed to a smooth thin paste with KMR and/or baby food either chicken or turkey. To get them started, use your finger to put some of the mixture directly into their mouth Mer they like the taste of the food, use your food-laden finger to bring their faces down to the saucer that holds the rest of the food. The kittens will end up with food all over their faces and your floor, so be sure to use a big towel under the saucer. You, too, might end up with food from your kneecaps to your shoelaces, to be prepare! Continue to offer KMR from the bottle or if accepted by the kittens, a saucer, gradually offering more solid food and less KMR until the kittens are eating only solid food. At this stage KMR can be eliminated. Plain water should be available at all times to the kittens at four weeks of age.

Sick Kittens

Sign of Illness:Sick kittens can go downhill very quickly. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call another CC4C member or your vet IMMEDIATELY:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• breathing difficulties
• refuses to eat. and has missed more than one feeding
• eye discharge or runniness lethargic

Somewhere between two and five weeks, the kitten might develop bloody diarrhea. The culprit is usually coccidia, which is very common in kittens. This is not a worm, it is a parasite, but is very treatable, and must be treated quickly as the diarrhea can cause dehydration. Take both a stool sample and each kitten in the litter to the vet. A medication called Albon will be given, and it is based on weight; hence, the need to take each kitten to obtain their weight. The medication is given seven to ten days in a row, orally, once a day. It is imperative during this time to keep the kittens extremely clean, as the diarrhea will cause their rear ends to become sore and raw. You may use Bag Balm or Desitin (which is used for diaper rash in human babies) to heal the rawness and make the kittens move comfortable. Both of these products can be purchased at a pharmacy, but Desitin seems to be more waterproof. Put on their rear ends each time you bathe, which will most likely be at each feeding, and sometimes in between feedings too. Helping them to urinate and defecate under running water using a mild soap as mentions above will alleviate the pain for them. KEEP THEM CLEAN DURING THIS TIME!

Never hesitate to call a member if you have any concerns about the kittens in your care.

Never consider any question you may have as being too stupid or inconsequential for you to ask for help.

When a kitten dies...

Sadly, however hard we all try, some kittens inevitably die, or become so ill that the veterinarian will recommend humane euthanasia. Often, no specify reason for a kitten's demise can be ascertained This is called ''fading kitten syndrome's Also, the kitten may have a congenital defect or be infected with one of many feline diseases.

Whatever the reason, it is extremely difficult emotionally to lose a kitten you have grown attached to and nursed with loving care, and we understand this and sympathize with you.

Special Issues

Vaccinations and Tests:

The kittens should receive their first vaccinations and a leukemia test at 8 weeks of age.

Fleas:

There is no excuse for fleas on kittens.

Flea infestations can be severely detrimental to the health of young kittens, and they can beige anemic from fleas sucking their blue. It is not safe to use commercial insecticides on such young animals. lf your kittens have fleas, you will see little black specks all over their bodies. Look carefully and you will probably see the adult fleas. Comb the kittens gently with a fine toothed flea comb. Pull off any fleas from the comb and dispatch them in a bowl of soapy water (use a few drops of dishwashing liquid). If the infestation is severe, bathe them very gently in warm water and a mild soap as mentioned above. When the kitten is wet, the fleas are easier to spot, and you can take them off with a flea comb. Dry the kittens thoroughly in a son towel and with a hair dryer on the low setting. Do not allow the kittens to become chilled. If you are concerned about bathing the kittens, call a member for instructions. Even after the bath, comb them daily because some fleas have inevitably escaped the bath, usually seeking refuge on the top of the head. Be diligent in removing them each day.

Raising a single kitten:

• CC4C encourages volunteers to take at least two kittens at a time, as kittens raised nasally are almost always with siblings. However, on occasion, a kitten may need to be raised singly, due to having been found alone, or due to health or other special considerations. The following tips will help such a kitten:
• Provide the kitten with a surrogate mother, i.e., a stuffed toy to snuggle up with Provide the kitten with artificial (fake) fur to sleep on. You will find that a kitten will knead this like it does its mother. You can get lengths of this in a fabric store.
• Hold the kitten after feeding for a while until he or she drops off to sleep.
• Rub and pet the kitten, and talk to it for several minutes.

Socializing the kittens:

Kittens raised without the discipline and teaching of their mother need to be especially well socialized with other cats and with people. Although most orphaned kittens grow up to be very affectionate toward people, occasionally an orphaned kitten can develop bad habits, such as biting, as they grow up. If any kitten in your care starts to bite as it reaches eight weeks of age, hold it in your hand and firmly tell it ''NO!'' Then put it down and withdraw your attention for some minutes.

Kittens raised singly should be introduced to other kittens as soon as possible, so they learn to interact and Play with other members of their species.

When The Kittens Are Ready For Adoption

By eight weeks of age kittens will be independent enough to feed from a dish, will be thoroughly litter box trained and will have been tested. At this time a CC4C member needs to be called to set up cage space for the adoption that weekend. It is your responsibility to take the kitten to the adoption site before the opening time. If the kitten is not adopts that day, it is your responsibility to pick up the kitten by closing unless other arrangements have been made with a CC4C member.

We Couldn't Do It without You!

All of us at CC4C extend a warm and grateful thank you. Through giving your time and love to these orphans. You are giving them the greatest gift of all - their special little lives.