Meet two new kitten foster babies! I wasn’t supposed to be taking these guys in (especially because I’ll be having another single babe coming in tomorrow night) but when I got the email this morning I couldn’t say no. These sweethearts were found outside a few days ago. The person who saved them wanted to help and fed them cow’s milk, which ended up being a fatal mistake. The third kitten passed away an hour before I went to pick them up. They are 3-5 days old but the tux weighs 83 grams and the panther weighs 90 grams. These are weights less than those of a newborn kitten. Thankfully they both latched on to the nipple and ate well, so I have hope for them. They’re currently fast asleep with their heated disk and snuggle puppy next to them.
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Tip: never feed a kitten cow’s milk. Instead, feed KMR or goats milk, which can both be found at a grocery store. windycityfosters Said.
windycityfosters
I started tube feeding these two last night. They were latching on to the syringe, but weren’t eating enough. I’m pretty sure they’re both boys and they’re doing pretty well. They’re active and strong, but my concern is their diarrhea. This could be leftover problems from the cow’s milk or just their bodies trying to get used to the KMR. I’ve replaced the water in their formula with Pedialyte to keep them hydrated. The video is sped up because I don’t want people trying to learn how to tube feed from it. There are dangers with tube feeding so you need to learn from a professional before you attempt it! windycityfosters Said on Instagram .
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This little man is still fighting. He gained 4 grams yesterday, which is not as much as I’d like but is still a small victory. He is able to drink milk from the syringe but still won’t latch on. The last two feedings he drank enough from the syringe that I didn’t need to tube feed.😌 He’s also now got constipation so I’m giving him a little drop of olive oil in his formula to help him out. It’s difficult to be optimistic when I know how quickly it can all go down hill, but we are taking this one day at a time.
I was trying to come up with names, when I realized I’d already been calling them Tux and Panther. So those are their names…the simplest naming process I’ve ever gone through. Even though Tux is gone, I felt he deserved an official name.
windycityfosters Said on Instagram .
windycityfosters
Panther is doing ok! He finally reached 100 grams, which is the size of a healthy newborn kitten. When I first got him I thought he was 3-5 days old but reevaluating him now I think he was only about a day old (people at the shelter told me he was 10 days old…whaaaa?). This means he’s 5 days old now. He’s the sweetest little baby and loves being brushed. Sometimes he will let out these quiet purrs that make my heart melt!
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Look who was visited by the eyeball fairy last night!👀🧚🏻♀️
Panther is doing so well! He is now latching onto the nipple and drinking 4-6 mls each feeding. He’s gaining 10 grams a day. He also had his first normal poop today after being constipated for days…all thanks to diluting his formula with goat’s milk! Things are looking up for this #tinybutmighty baby!🍼🐱
windycityfosters
Ok little dude take the cuteness down a notch…how am I supposed to get anything done around here? I could stare at him all day if I could.
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For all the people who asked me if Panther purrs…he does! Kittens develop the ability to purr very soon after birth.☺️ Volume up! (and ignore the fact that I need a manicure😬).
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My heart is shattered. I just got a call from the shelter informing me that Panther began to have seizures and the decision was made to humanely euthanize. These babies had severe neurological deformities hidden within and it was a miracle that Panther made it this far. I know I did everything I could but these kittens were doomed from the beginning. I’m sorry little one. It’s so hard to see you go, but I’m glad your suffering has ended.
