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Cats/weak mew born kitten

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Expert: - 7/26/2010


Question
my cat just gave birth 12 days ago to 6 kittens but only 2 lived. one of them seems very well and grew up very fast but the other one look very tiny according to the other one and doesn't drink milk very much. it doesn't move much and doesn't even meao. should i give him a supplement or something or is he going to die???

Answer
Suraya,

A 12 day old kitten should be holding its own.  It sounds as if mama had a very tough delivery and, so it is not surprising that this smaller one is struggling.  You could try tube feeding this kitten (your vet can show you how).  However, our experience has been that being almost two weeks of age and not thriving does not bode well.

So, the first order of business is to get the kitten to your vet to see if there is a medical issue, and, if there is any hope, to learn how to tube feed.

We have had very limited success with tube feeding and then bottle feeding, but we always try it anyway.

The good news is that you have one that is thriving!!!!!!!!!

Please let me know what happens.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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