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annie2 · Mar 18, 2006, 12:01 AM

I have a litter of kittens that are 1 week old.
The mothers first kitten, born is half the size , eyes not opening and is the only one not nursing.
It has no strength and just lays on her side crying.
We have been feeding this kitten and it is reluctantly get some formula..
I now believe this first born which was breech was oxygen deprived and has
Issues with motor skills.. what should I do?
Leave it to dye with the litter? Continue feeding and see if anything changes.. hasn't yet.. I'm torn and this seems to be affecting the children, and I need to know if there are any disabled cats out there that can't use some motor skills and are able to live a pain free life.. Please Help

orange · Mar 18, 2006, 01:51 AM

You can continue to feed the kitten, as it this seems to be the most humane thing to do, especially if you have children that are watching. However, I wouldn't count on it surviving in the long term. If a kitten doesn't get its mother's milk, its chances of survival, even with the substitute feeding, are slim.

If it survives the odds and lives, it most likely won't be in pain, even if it lacks some motor skills. Cats are very "gracious" about having disabilities. They make due with what they have, and don't complain. I've had a perfectly happy cat who had only 3 legs, and another cat who was blind but still very happy and loving. The real issue is, will the disability endanger the cat in the future? For example, if the cat was outside, would it be able to run up a tree quickly enough if a dog was after it, or run out of the street if a car was coming, etc. I would encourage you to keep it as an indoor cat if it can't properly defend itself.

If the kitten survives, take it the vet once it's eating solid food, and have the vet do a complete check up. (S)he can advise you further about any special care it may need. And please come back to let us know what happened to the poor thing. I hope it lives!

AKaeTrue · Mar 21, 2006, 01:33 AM

If the kitten is not being kept warm by cuddling with the rest of the litter, or if the mother is pushing it away then it needs to be separated and placed with a heating pad and fluffy blanket and covered with something like a receiving blanket. Before each feeding (every 2 hours), wipe privates with a warm wet paper towel to stimulate it to go potty, then feed it - This needs to be done every 2 hours. One week old kittens don't do much - especially if malnourished (kitten formula and kitten bottels sold at walmart and pet shops)... no cow milk. Kitten could be crying cause hungry, cold or has to go potty.
Good luck
-Kae

abjdhsfs · Oct 6, 2010, 01:54 AM

Kittens don't open there eyes till about 2 week old and when my kitten was ilkl at 4 week old it never fed of the mother so I went to pets at home and bought a small feeding bottle and kitten powdered milk and it took it and now its healthy and feeding of mum again