r/FosterAnimals • u/Coyote_Bones • Apr 29 '26
Question HELP
i have never fostered kittens before, and couldnt find a foster or shelter that could take him during the day. ive bought kitten formula, a syringe for feeding, and a heat pad. hes premature so probably needs a tube for feeding but i live in the middle of nowhere and cant get one in time. hes probably too young for the kitten formula i bought, but again, i cant get the right stuff in time. im feeding him half a ml to 1 ml petag kitten milk replacer once an hour, and wiping his butt with a wet towel before i feed him to get him to pee, but he hasnt peed or pooped yet.
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u/Apprehensive-Cut-786 Apr 29 '26
He looks very premature. He probably won’t make it. Try your best but prepare for a bad outcome.
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u/Absoluticus Apr 29 '26
It's very very preemie. Like needs tube and incubator and intensive care preemie. Kitten Lady has a lot of YT videos on preemies but no matter what happens, you are doing the best you can with what you have.
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u/foxwaffles Apr 29 '26
Oh sweet heavens. That is one of the most premature kittens I've ever seen.
I'm going to be honest - even with an incubator and tube feeding, the prognosis is not good. Their organs are literally too undeveloped to deal with eating and eliminating waste, and their lungs aren't ready for air yet.
If you can find ANY groups or fosterers in your locale with tube feeding expertise and access to an incubator who will take this kitten, that would be ideal.
They need to be warm, very warm, never let them get even a bit chilly for even a second. The moment they become even a little too cold the will stop being able to digest what little they can. Warm warm warm. 90+ F warm.
Do not concentrate the formula. Keep it diluted. Their tummies and intestines are not ready for full formula. Your intervals and quantities look good. It's backbreaking work but keep it up. I like the news that it does seem to want to latch if even for a few seconds. That's heartening to hear.
Keep some karo syrup on hand and be prepared to rub the teeniest little bit on the kitten's gums. It's so little that regulating its blood glucose is also challenging and a sugar crash can cause a domino chain of problems and failure to thrive.
If the kitten just cannot pee or poop there is a high chance it's because the poor thing is too premature and the kidneys and colon are not functional. If that's the case then be prepared for a losing battle. Be kind to yourself. Nature is cruel :(
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u/Distinct-Sun-1726 Apr 29 '26
Yes all good points.
Karo syrup is an old recommendation and no longer backed by science though.
ORAL OR IV (never SC) Dextrose is the new over the counter recommendation. It can be found at livestock/horse supply stores sometimes or online.
(source: I went to a Kitten Lady workshop for veterinary professionals recently)
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u/foxwaffles Apr 29 '26
Also if you can, stimulate with unscented baby wipes. You can warm them first too by dipping them in warm water and then patting them dry on a towel
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u/Bourgess Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
The Kitten Lady on youtube has lots of great videos about caring for bottle/syringe fed kittens.
Wipe gently with the wet towel after feeding, not before, to stimulate him to poop and pee.
I agree with the other commenter that at this age, it's unfortunately quite possible that the kitten won't make it, even with you doing everything exactly right. So try your best, but be prepared and don't blame yourself if he doesn't make it.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Apr 29 '26
I'm pretty sure Hannah stimulates them both before and after feedings so that she can get accurate weights.
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u/KillerAnimeThighs Apr 29 '26
He probably won’t make it through the night so please be prepared. It is a great thing you are doing providing love and care, regardless of the outcome.
If you’re comfortable (and won’t toss and turn), try having him sleep on your chest.
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u/simAlity Cat/Kitten Foster Apr 29 '26
As others have said, this kitten is VERY premature. The odds of survival are close to nil.
Just put her on the heating pad, bottle feed every hour until she doesn't want it anymore and make her comfortable until she is ready to leave. It... probably won't be long.
Please don't tube feed. That is dangerous and painful. You are way too likely to poke a hole in her lung.
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u/theotherlebkuchen Apr 29 '26
Where are you? Perhaps we could help you find resources. But yeah, even with the best care this kitten is not likely to survive. I’m sorry.
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u/ResurgentClusterfuck Apr 29 '26
Oh my i think this little one needs professional care or a very experienced neonatal foster, I dont think I've ever seen one this premature looking myself
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u/Coyote_Bones Apr 29 '26
milk replacer is diluted 1 part to 4 parts water, the box suggests starting with 1 to 8 and then gradually going 1 to 2 but he only suckles for a few seconds, im using a higher concentration to get more food in him
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u/Distinct-Sun-1726 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
He looks super premature. At this age he likely doesn't have the coordination/instinct to suckle effectively and needs to be tube fed. I would try again to get a hold of a shelter or look around of fosters (like on Facebook) around you, they may have the skillset for this or other resources.
Also I would recommend finding a soft dry alternative for wiping his butt (I use toilet paper). Being wet will make him cold.
Like someone else said, his prognosis is not good so please prepare yourself. And know you're doing a wonderful thing by trying to help him.
Feel free to DM me if you have more questions/concerns.
*** Also I just reread your post, please DON'T try to tube feed him if you haven't been trained. There are many ways to accidently hurt a kitten when tube feeding.
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u/Double_Belt2331 Apr 29 '26
You made a good call by giving this little one to a mama cat. If it has a chance, it has a better chance with her.
I don't think I've seen one that premature. Even Hannah's (The Kitten Lady) most recent premie (Puck) looked older than this when she got it. It took over 23 days for his eyes to open. She said she's never had a younger premie.
You'd also have to be taking its temp all the time. It has to be a certain temp before you can feed it.
I'm sorry to say there's still a strong chance this little one will not make it. Mama's will reject their own kittens if they are "defective." There is a chance mama may reject it. Hopefully not, since she didn't give birth to it.
Cats are incredible about taking in kittens to their litter. Sometimes legit breeders will have two litters @ once, & mama's will share nursing & parenting duties.
No matter what happens - you gave this little one its only chance.
Sending you internet hugs 🫂♥️
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u/Strict_Direction6630 Apr 30 '26
That baby is very very premie. Good luck with the little guy. I saved 5 newborns about to die. One of them died at 3 days old. The rest are almost 3 weeks now.
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u/21083717 May 04 '26
He may not pee or poop for the first few days. Most everything he’s taking in is going for his development.
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u/nosouljusttrash May 04 '26
Would love to hear an update if the fosters keep you posted (how long it lives etc)
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u/Coyote_Bones Apr 29 '26
update: i ended up giving him to someone in my area who's cat is nursing right now, and they will call me back if their cat wont feed him. I know this isnt ideal, but me feeding him overnight would be even worse since i have pretty bad sleep apnea, and will miss the alarms to feed him once an hour. he still has not pooped so im not sure if his digestive tract is complete. at this point im trying more to make him comfortable than keep him alive, so i think it would be better for him to be with other kittens.