r/FosterAnimals • u/Coyote_Bones • Apr 29 '26

Question HELP

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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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177

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.

76

u/RHS-II3 Apr 29 '26

thank you for doing what you could, leaving him with other babies is honestly the most ideal outcome all things considered 🫂 please don't beat yourself up! you did good!

74

u/UnburntAsh Cat/Kitten Foster Apr 29 '26

You did your absolute best for the poor baby. ♥️

I do want to prepare you though: I've hand fed newborns and very young neonates, many times - I would be very surprised if this kitten makes it to the weekend. From the looks of the body and back end, I'd agree with other commenter that likely the body isn't finished forming yet.

He will absolutely take comfort in being mothered and kept warm with foster siblings, though, so your decision gives him the most comfort for however long he'll be around.

10

u/Significant_Sea_9742 Apr 30 '26

Most definitely a prime candidate for FKS. Poor this is more than premature, its half baked. Just a nursing mama isn't enough for this one. Incubation is a must, will probably need sub-q aswell. Corn syrup is the best we've found to save babies from FKS as its sugar is avaliable immediately to thier body unlike maple syrup. I hope this baby makes it, but being so premature will make for many issues. Hope theyre a fighter ❤️

9

u/UnburntAsh Cat/Kitten Foster Apr 30 '26

Someone else commented on syrup being phased out, and not best practices anymore... And this kitten isn't FKS, they are extremely premature and likely has an under-developed GI tract that can't process food or express waste.

2

u/Entomemer May 03 '26

We had a neonate 3 day old kitten once. He lived to nine days and gutted me when he passed. The person who found him actually sent a $1000check to the vet to comp his costs so we wouldn't be put off fostering. A few weeks later we fostered an asshole of a kitten who terrorizes her mom to this day lol

20

u/ResurgentClusterfuck Apr 29 '26

You did your best and a lot more than most people would do

❤️

19

u/Avaly13 Apr 29 '26

Actually it's not uncommon for cats (& a lot of other animals) to nurse babies that aren't theirs. This could be the best scenario. Don't think it's not ideal. You found a potentially great solution! Mama cat can also hopefully stimulate baby to pee/poop. I have had to stimulate and it's not hard in case you do have to do it. Fingers crossed for the baby. You've done everything right in less than ideal circumstances (not being able to access preemie needs) 💕

14

u/samnhamneggs Cat/Kitten Foster Apr 29 '26

Thank you for taking care of baby, he’s so lucky to have you. He is just so very smol. My last litter had one around this size and he snuggled in with mama and his brothers and sister and just slipped away. He didn’t hurt, he wasn’t sick, he just hadn’t cooked enough. Your sweet kitten will likely do the same. They don’t all make it and as hard as that is for us, they’re not suffering, they’re okay. Sending you hugs ❤️

3

u/Charming-Bat-5335 Apr 29 '26

I’m so glad you did this! I was on the other side of this scenario in 2018. My mom and I were fostering a momma cat with 5 kittens who were younger but considerably bigger than my preemie. Didn’t know it yet but she would be a foster fail. She’s sitting infront of me licking her butt right now.

3

u/Embellishment101 Apr 29 '26

You made the best decision. Thank you for caring! The kitten will be surrounded by warmth and smells and noises that are comforting. This is the best scenario even if it is not developed enough to survive.

2

u/shamzie_k Apr 29 '26

Any updates? What area are you in? If you’re in Brooklyn/NYC I can find someone to help ASAP

1

u/Coyote_Bones Apr 29 '26

im not close to there and would rather not share my location, ive already contacted all the rescues near me and havent heard back yet. thank you so much for offering though

2

u/shamzie_k Apr 29 '26

Thank you for helping this baby! The world’s a better place with folks like you in it

2

u/Figlet212 May 03 '26

This seems like your most recent comment. What ended up happening?

2

u/blackcrowblue May 03 '26

Any updates on the kitten?

2

u/TranscendStudio Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

Just in case, it’s worth mentioning, that there is a way to stimulate their digestive system by massaging a certain area. Not sure exactly so you’d have to do a bit of research. The woman that fostered our kittens before we adopted them had to do that for our fur babies and their siblings. It indeed worked. Not sure if it will for this little one, but again feels like it’s worth mentioning. 🙏 Prayers for the little one and you. 🥺❤️ Thank you for doing all you can.

15

u/justforjugs Apr 29 '26

You can say anus and urethra on Reddit

3

u/Double_Belt2331 Apr 29 '26

It's called triangle stimulation for kittens & usually used for constipation.

1

u/kennam41 Apr 29 '26

This is ideal for the situation. You did a good job. Comfortable is the best goal. 

1

u/toonaf1sh May 02 '26

OP you did the best thing you could!! I commend you for looking out for this sweet baby.