This is What I Will Be Doing...and Pictures As Munkie Grows

[Traci]

Is Cuddles current on her vaccinations?

If the kitten moves away from the hot water bottle, take it out, they can fast suffer hyperthermia as well as hypothermia, I'm sure you know this, just wanted to make mention.

Glad to hear he's doing so well...

[Tambrey]

Yes, all of our regulars are current on their vacinations...

We went in to visit Ceileigh today...she got spayed yesterday and we asked them to keep her over the weekend as we want to get the bathroom done, and she likes to run the stairs too much...

Took the baby in to get weighed and the vet picked up the stuffed animal, looked at it, and said he did not think there was much hope for it
He laughed and took the kitten and placed it on the scale...it was 5.4 ounces or 150 grams today...so it gained 1.2 ounces since Wednesday...I hope that is not too much too fast...

I have not been making the bottle as hot, just keeping it warm for now, since it is so hot elsewise...and it has been curling up on the other side of the stuffed bear...which by the way weighs 115 grams and the vet said we may have to consider using a feeding tube....

It's a boy...and he said the foot looks like it will straighted up on its own as it starts to move around and use it more...and I just massage it out like it should be during every feeding session...

I have been feeding every 2 hours or so, and it is drinking 1-2 teaspoons each time, more in the evening thanduring the day...would it be okay to start extending it to 3 hours at this point?...I noticed the last couple of times, I woke it to feed it, so maybe going a bit longer between is an option at this point?

[E's]

Love it that there is a surrogate (sp?) mama cat - and that her name is Cuddles! The vet report sounds positive re the foot. I seem to remember mother cats staying away from the nest longer after a few days, but Traci would know more. How will you go about keeping the little fellow safe in a house full of adult pets when he is ready to play and start exploring... but guess you've done all that before. right? Thanks for sharing the ongoing saga.

Glad Ceileigh is staying at the vet's a couple days - `Eowyn was 6 or 7 months at the time she was spayed. I was living in the one story apartment of my house then, but still had a time keeping her from overdoing... and the steep staircase was a problem after later operations.I remember I put a baby gate across the bottom but Winnie was so big... and so determined to do exactly what she wanted to do... I didn't dare leave her alone...

[Tambrey]

Thanks E's...I hope all is well with you and yours...

When it is time to start exploring and interacting, I usually let a cat or two in with the baby to begin with...of course, Cuddles will be used to it by then...and probably Roo, my big baby will be next...supervised always....and then I can close off the main oart of the house and let it explore the upstairs and downstairs halls with Cuddles and Roo...and eventually in with the others...

However, I am hoping to find it a good home...people keep telling me I should make it a library cat since I work there, but the current director, even though she is a cat lover as well, does not take to that idea...
People that come in think he is adorable, so maybe someone there...
But then, one of my son's friends has also fallen in love and has to take a peek every time he comes over...they have 1 or 2 cats in their house already...housecats only...so maybe he will take the baby...

I really want to find homes for about 8 of the cats we currently have in here...easier said than done, as picky as I am...hahaha

[Traci]

He's barely a week old, so you have to be very careful about his feeding amounts and schedule. I think every 3 hours would be ok as long as he is starting to be more alert and active and is eliminating normally every day. He should be urinating several times a day via stimulation, and at least one or two bowel movements a day (may not be quite formed yet, but should be getting there). As a rule (I'm sure you remember), he will let you know when he's had enough formula at each feeding, so he may start eating a bit more this coming week.

No, he's not gaining weight too fast, you actually want him to gain weekly (in grams).

[Tambrey]

Thanks Traci...yes, he is urinating at every feeding, and having a "toothpaste consistency" stool about every other...2-3 times a day at least...I know when he is going to do that becasue his litlte tummy gets hard and he starts to grunt...hahaha...so cute...

The KMR can says to feed about 2 tablespoons daily (divided) for every 115 grams of bodyweight, but of course each kitten varies, so I usually fix 2 teaspoons (1 scoop form the small end and two water in that scoop) and if he is still acting hungyr, I will fix up another 1 teaspoon for him...
on average of 1.5 teaspoons every feeding, and he is getting about 8 or 9 right now, so he is getting about 3 or so tablespoons in a day, whcih I figure is aobut right for his weight right now...

I figured at this rate he is gaining about 70 grams a week, and the kitten care link here says anywhere from 50-100 grams a week, so we are at a good place I think. Depending on how hot it is, he has taken anywhere from 1-3 teaspoons at one feeding...and oh yes, he is very insistent when he is done and pushing that bottle away!!!
Usually he drinks a bit, then I stimulate him to go potty, and especially if he has done a stool, he is ready for more after that...then he gets put on a towel on the floor and he scoots around a bit, and I work that foot...and I offer him whatever is left in the bottle when he is done scooting around and drowsing off again...just in case he wants that last little bit...
oh and of course, he needs his bely rubbed all the time now...this thing is not even going to know it is a cat!!!

I moved him to a bigger box today where he has more room to exercise when he is awake...he still has the water bottle on one side, and his teddy bear, but more room to move about, and higher sides so he cannot climb out, as he was trying to do that already as well...the little bugger!!!

It looks at times like his eyes might be starting to open...I will look at him and the inside corners look like little triangles...so maybe in another day or two he will get to see his world

[Traci]

Might want to check the KMR, I think one full scoop equals 1 or 2 tablespoons rather than teaspoons (can't remember at the moment). Then add water as per instructions per scoop. I usually make up a full 2 oz. bottle and keep in fridge for a day: for newborns and first week of age or so, they usually drink the whole bottle within a 12-16 hour period. (that averages about 8 tablespoons). After the 2nd week, they tend to drink almost the full bottle at each feeding, depending on the kitten, growth spurt, and activity level.

[Tambrey]

the can of KMR I got has a 2-sided scoop...the small size is a teaspoon and the large size is a tablespoon...so I do a full scoop of the msall one, then two of that with water, so it makes 2 teaspoons, and sometimes I do make an additional teaspoon with half a small scoop and one water...

He is starting to drink a tablespoon each feeding, so I am going to just start making a tablespoon each time...

Since the bathroom is upstairs, and I do not feel like running down to the fridge each time, I just mix it each feeding and then wash out the bottle each time...I have a bottle of bottled water in there that I use to mix it with...
He has been drinking about a full bottle full during the period of a day, but I was noticing this afternoon that he is really getting long and growing so fast, so I am sure he will be drinking the equivalent of 2 this next week or so...If I do a tablespoon every 3 hour feeding, which is about when he is eating right now...that is equal to 8 tablespoons, or two bottles full...

I need to take some pics of him...I wihs I had a video camera to show how cute he is when he rolls over for belly rubs...

[Traci]

Is he getting more active?

[Tambrey]

oh most definitely...he is still sleeping quite a bit, but when he is awake, it is for longer periods of time and he is beginning to wobble up on his hind legs and moving them in more of a walking motion, rather than scootching along pulling himself with his front paws...
and that hind foot is beginning to work right and grip in rather than roll under like it was when he was born...