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Miracle nipple will save your life (and theirs!) https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Nipple-Syringe-Included-Original/dp/B00SQIDLF4
I’ve seen some good suggestions on both discussions. But one thing I’d add in addition to other suggestions is to try blending good quality kitten tinned food with a little water, then syringe feeding it to her as a way to try to kickstart her appetite. You need to blend it in a blender though as even the tiniest lumps will block the syringe. I’d suggest using a 10ml syringe.
If this doesn’t kickstart her appetite within a couple of days then it means there’s something a lot more serious going on.
As to what food to blend, I’d suggest Hills Science Diet A/D Urgent Care. But if you’re can’t get that, then any good quality tinned food fir kittens will do.
While she’s old enough not to need it, it may help to mix in a little kitten milk replacer (like Wombaroo or Divetelac). Even if it’s just because the taste might be comforting for her.
And I also recommend warming it a little in the microwave before giving it to her. So it’s a similar temperature to what her mum’s milk would be.
I’d also recommend adding some L-lysine powder to the mix. You can mix it into any wet food too once she’s eating on her own. It’s flavorless and mixes in well. Something like this; https://www.amazon.com.au/Vetoquinol-410633-Viralys-Powder-100gm/dp/B000FULBT4
In addition, I’d also be giving her a “high energy vitamin concentrate” paste, such a “Troy - Nutripet”.
Edit; When I say syringe I mean just the plastic syringe. No needle.
If nothing else helps, you can "force" them to drink even if they don't open their mouths. But for this you need a special feeding syringe with a long thin plastic opening, of yourse NOT POINTY.
Carefully pull down the bottom part of the mouth, so that you can see the teeth. You should be able to push the opening of your syringe between the teeth CAREFULLY!! I know it sounds rough, but just try to slip it in, so that the opening touches their tounge.
Once you reached the tounge, press the syringe gently. As soon as they feel it on their tounges, they have the reflex to swallow.
This advice was given to me by a vet, and it worked. My kitten died anyway because he was too weak (I fed him every hour like the vet told me, but he was already barely alive), please learn from my mistake!
Something like this will work fine: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B08GQSBBC4/ref=sr_1_6?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=feeding+syringe&qid=1600099896&sr=8-6
Please make sure to measure their weight often and give them a special kitten liquid with high fat!
Oh, interesting! Tespo is a brand of pet playpen panels that look very similar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XTG94TH. They are a nice and pretty cost-effective and customizable way to keep foster kittens contained. At 28" tall, most kittens cannot escape - 8 week olds sometimes start to realize they can though. But they're great for setting up any space of any size.
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With that said, what a great idea to use storage cubes like that! Never thought of that but they would definitely be stronger than the Tespo panels for holding weight. Awesome idea, I may think about getting some!
I’m so sorry 💛 You could try Kitty-DT for panleuk symptoms - it helped my kittens stop throwing up and having so much diarrhea and gave them their appetite back. I’m so sorry you’ve got such sick kittens again 💛💛💛
These ones are a bit cheaper (and currently have a 5% coupon too)...and I ordered them and they're exactly the same as the more expensive ones. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0781JFDVJ/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o05\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm not sure what tespo is. Here's the link for what this is. Not sure if it's the exact product but looks the same. It holds up 2-3# kittens no problem (tested with my last batch) but starts to bend when my 9# boy gets on it. So I would guess it would be perfect for 5-6# and under.
Kidkusion Indoor/Outdoor Banister Guard, Clear, 15' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000E2DIE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BZR7CHAD07PYHDN09KXY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This! It’s been a lifesaver. We have 2 foster rooms, one with normal drywall and paint and another with painted wainscoting. Both have been subjects to scratching, torrents of diarrhea being hurled at them and so many cleaning supplies and were ruined. We repainted everything finally and caulked between the floor and baseboards (because once pee leaks once every group will pee there) and installed the plastic over the walls with heavy duty mounting tape and small nails. Cleaning is so much easier (we bleach, rescue and hydrogen peroxide) since we are the ones that take the sickest groups and need to be extra safe. Hope that helps
+1 for Rescue or bleach (We bleached the crap out of our house when we had panleuk kittens come through unknowingly as well).
I now keep Rescue on hand at all times:
Carpet extractor. My cat likes to occasionally shit on the rugs. The extractor with Oxi solution makes quick work.
Something like this:
A bathroom can definitely work! Just make sure the toilet is always closed.
That said, for my last several foster litters I used this tent in an XL. There is enough room in there for a litter box, cat bed, scratching post, and even a small cottage/cube/house of some sort plus food/water bowls and plenty of space to play.
It pops right into shape, is easy to clean and can be used in any room.
Look at a Snuggle Kitty with heartbeat simulator: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Snuggle-Kitty-Behavioral-Tiger/dp/B001V7UHG8/
I have used the puppy version a couple of times for sole survivors.
You could try Kitty DT (on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kitty-DT-Botanical-pets-Digestive-Support-Felines/dp/B0038U5WO8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3RNCVVXUL2PHR&keywords=kitty+dt&qid=1653279143&sprefix=kitty+dt%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-3). Sometimes small pet stores carry it too. I had a set of foster kittens with really bad diarrhea and vomiting and lethargy (they tested negative for panleuk but had all the symptoms) and it helped them a ton. I really hope they all pull through and thank you for fostering and giving these little guys a chance.
I’ve used the Tomlyn high calorie nutritional gel to add to their wet food or add to a syringe to get them some extra calories in and it works well on skinnier kittens who need the boost.
Bro that is TOO MANY. You need help from other fosters. The rescue I foster for won't send more than 2-4 bottle babies at a time to a single foster and that's with NO other fosters in the home. You're doing yourself and them a disservice. PLEASE get your load reduced. You will lose kittens and/or neglect them this way.
Also, look into the milking bowls that will feed multiple kittens at once. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JKF3W3Z/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_P3ZJ4PYXS420EFZDZ7PD
I’m here in solidarity. My last litter of 5 had three butt-suckers, then once I separated them (little kennels errywhere) one started sucking her own butt. Come ON. They do grow out of it., mine quit after a week of me staying vigilant. If I can find it I’ll post the video of the self suckler in her sock onesie. You’re doing the right things. I did pick up a little battery operated heart beat on AMZ that they seem to love. It’s $15, there are cheaper ones but this one seemed sturdy and has AAA batteries. So far have not had to change them.
Also try a couple of different nipples. I’ve had the most success with the smallest miracle nipples. And they’re precut, which saves me the ass pain of trying to get it just right. They are very expensive but I found a really good dupe on Amz for 13 dollars! The angled bottles in the set are pure rubbish but it’s 5 nipples and 4 syringes also. And the nipples fit on my PetAg bottles. All of my kittens so far like them.
Gufastoe Pet Feeding Silicone... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QCF11YK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Personally, I think the mesh play pens are a little too small, unless the kittens are under 5 weeks old. I use plastic panels like these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085Z7WVXR/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_TYSFERG4S9RQQ4X76N65) that can be reconfigured. I found some used locally for much cheaper! I start with a rectangle that's around 6' x 5', and when they start to climb, I turn the panels into a wall to keep them in my living room. Plus, the panels are MUCH easier to clean!
Hey I know Amazon there are toys that can be warmed up. It might help her to have something to soother or cuddle with during bed time. They even have some that mimics a heartbeat to have a more soothing effect. Here’s a link for the lowest cost I could find :)
Simulated Pet Puppy Plush Toys for Small, Medium, and Large Dogs Stuffed Plush Pet Toy for Puppy in Knnel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BB699RN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VDEF479B7QSF530KA1VS?psc=1
Try a Booda Dome with stairs. I have a cat who wouldn't always go fully inside the litter box, and this fixed it. They have to go further inside to get to the litter.
Also, if you can afford it, I've seen actual results with Feliway Optimum. I'm not sure if it'll work for your cats, but when we have fosters and/or when people visit with their animals, it helps our cats who are very territorial. I'd also go with the advice already here from u/Username_52. Steps like that have helped a lot.
Recently ordered this item:
KOUSI Small Animal Pen Indoor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LH14YPJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I haven’t had a chance to use it since I do not have any current fosters, but I took it out of the pack and like it. You can customize the shape and you can stack them. You might be able to stack them three high to make them tall enough?
Put her crate next to your bed.
You can look at getting a Snuggle Puppy for her. It is a stuffed toy with a heartbeat simulator - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB?pd_rd_i=B0722XGRMB&pd_rd_w=JRpxQ&pf_rd_p=7ea8e9d0-fed1-49e8-a002-f2d3f5cb151d&pd_rd_wg=RMaDw&pf_rd_r=4ZNGD7ZCWET49PAPVZ9F&pd_rd_r=087a03ab-2cf6-4c9a-9abf-b806f274ecf7
First of all, thank you for fostering these sweet babes!
Our CH cat is pretty mild so YMMV. We definitely have high sided litter boxes because he does this downward dog move and shots pee into the sky 🤦🏼♀️. We also have pee pads around the box but definitely out the door because he just walks in and starts peeing sometimes (so it goes out the door).
We have these pet stairs by our bed. Other versions were too narrow, steep, or wobbly. They can also be used by couches or other furniture/cat towers as needed.
Our guy navigates stairs okay but any more severe and I would recommend no stairs if possible.
Cat towers have been tough to find because he is really only comfortable with up to 12 inch “jumps” and obviously needs deeper platforms that aren’t too steep to get down. He does LOVE this scratcher as a window seat because it is the perfect height for our windows and is wide enough for him.
Oh, I don’t recommend declawing for any cat but especially not for these guys as they need the traction.
We have to brush and help clean our guy’s back half regularly as he can’t quite reach properly or coordinated enough to do it himself.
As they get older, adding a joint supplement like cosequin might help with mild aches and pains from not moving properly.
It really depends on your circumstances. If you have other pets I’d say closed. If you are taking younger cats or kittens I’d say closed unless supervised for safety reasons(kittens get into everything). You also have to take into account cleaning. You should be using a disinfectant on everything in between fosters and if you have other pets. If you are fine with cleaning all that stuff be my guest but it is important that you do it. Also make sure to use a pet friendly disinfectant . Whatever you decide keep in mind that all new fosters should be quarantined to a closed room for 1-2 weeks. This is to make sure the cat has a clean bill of health before letting them roam around your home. Shelters don’t always catch everything so you want to make sure the cat has no fleas, ear mites, worms/parasites, viruses, or bacterial infections. If you let them out and then find out they’re sick you’ll have a whole lot of disinfecting to do. New cats should also be quarantined so that they can get used to their new space. Being moved around is really stressful and exposing a cat to a lot of unfamiliar space can be really overwhelming and can encourage habits like hiding under furniture(which you do not want!). Giving them one space to get used to helps them get used to their new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed. Once they appear confident in the space and possibly curious you can start opening other parts of your house for them. I hope this was helpful!
I'll be honest, you'll probably need to run an extension cord to the room. Keeping them warm is so important and while heating bottles work, it is far less consistent for overnight and regular use. This is what we use and you can have only the chew proof cord in the room. You can safely keep it on as long as you are careful about the flooring. https://www.amazon.com/RIOGOO-Heating-Upgraded-Electric-Waterproof/dp/B07XHPRHGJ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=kitten+heating+pad&qid=1609816197&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSzZSUTJPWDRRRjVXJmVuY3J5cH...
Hi, r/fosteranimals! A few people have asked about the enclosure I use. I got it on Amazon atfter noticing it in a video by kitten rescue advocate and YouTuber Kitten Lady. It's designed for small critters like rabbits and guinea pigs, but it is strong enough for kittens up to about 12 weeks. Unlike most playpens, it's modular, packs flat for stowability, and most of all, climb-proof. I'm ordering a second set so that I can build larger enclosures and have some spares.
It’s not better or worse, but in my experience, kittens tend to drink more chicken juice because it tastes good. You should definitely leave out water for them at all times, but you can also offer them chicken juice several times a day to make sure they’re drinking enough and staying hydrated.
I’ve never heard of wet food as a whole category causing diarrhea in kittens, but oftentimes kittens will have a bad reaction to a certain type of food. Maybe the brand of wet food is causing diarrhea? There’s also a chance that something else is causing their diarrhea - giardia, coccidia, food allergies, etc. They might need probiotics (Benebac and Fontiflora are good ones you can get from Amazon) or an antibiotic like metronidazole or another treatment depending on what’s causing it. I’ve also had a lot of luck with Kitty-dt for diarrhea - it’s an over the counter anti-diarrhea and tummy problem supplement for kittens you can get from amazon or some small pet stores.
Try Kitty-dt for your kittens who were exposed. You can get it on Amazon and sometimes local small pet stores carry it. It helps give them their appetite back really fast and it helped save my foster kittens last summer. https://www.amazon.com/Kitty-DT-Botanical-pets-Digestive-Support-Felines/dp/B0038U5WO8
I get mine from Amazon. The one in this video was given to a friend, so I don’t have it, but I replaced it with this one: Ruff 'n Ruffus Pets Portable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ3FNTD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share