Mary Allen
Newborn kittens are blind, unable to regulate their temperature, and need feeding every two hours. They even need help to empty their bowels and bladder.
Causes
In the worst case, the causes of the failure of the mother are her death, but also illnesses that weaken the mother too much. Inflammation of the milk ridges or insufficient milk flow can lead to an undersupply of the young. First-time mothers can also simply reject the boys.
Symptoms
The mother moves away from the young and shows no interest in her offspring. First-time mothers should be watched closely for licking their babies. Kittens that are starved of food will begin to cry tenderly and become restless and desperate for warmth and food.
Measures
The best solution is to find a cat nurse. If no wet nurse is available, the veterinarian can provide you with substitute milk (emergency services can also be reached at weekends and at night). The kittens need to be fed every two hours (carefully, you don’t want the babies to choke). After each meal, the anal area must be massaged so that the little ones can empty themselves. Blankets and an infrared lamp provide warmth.