I found premature Kittens in a corner of my apt. The kittens are to small to try to feed from the mama. I went to wal-mart and got New Born Kitten Milk and a Eye-Dropper and forcefed them. Is there anything else I can do? What are the odds on them living?
by 
Marj
ANSWERS: 6
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Keep them warm. Feed frequently, rub them "down there" so they can expel their wastes. The chances are slim but they will feel that someone cares for them and that will help give them the will to live.
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This is not good for them. They need to be with the mother cat and will develop behavioural problems in the future. Now you have touched them the mother may reject them. Put a blanket in a big box and make it comfortable. Put holes for ventilation all over. Put the mother cat and her kittens gently inside the box and seal down so she cannot get out. Take them to an animal shelter or vet. Do it now, that is right now. That is their best chance of survival. Be expected for the worst though.
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You can force feed them yourself, that's every two hrs, twenty four hrs a day. Try putting a heating pad in a box with blankets. Try an alarm clock too. Ticking may mimic sound of mom's heartbeat kinda.
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Keep them fed every two hours with that kitten milk. Bring the mother in and keep them with her so when they can, they can nurse from her. Keep them all warm and sheltered. Buy kitten food for the mother - vets always recommend pregnant cats and nursing cats eat kitten food for the extra nutrients in it. And prepare for those kittens not to make it, because their odds aren't very good at all. And if you're not sure what you're doing, consult with a vet or your local SPCA for advice. The SPCA would probably give you free advice.
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I have had to do this many times. Keep them warm *AT ALL TIMES*, with a heating pad on the lowest setting if you need to. Check them three times an hour for body temperature. Feed them every two to four hours, around the clock. This means waking up especially when they cry. You may have to take them to work or school. Do not leave them alone. Take a warm, moist q-tip and rub their genitals to stimulate going to the bathroom. With a clean one, do this to their face and around their ears to simulate licking. Boil nursing bottles and syringes between every use. Kittens that did not nurse on the mother their first 72 hours did not receive the first milk. Those kittens are more susceptible to diarrhea so wash your hands well. After each feeding hold the kitten upright with its tummy against your belly and pat it gently until it burps releasing trapped air. Nursing bottles that do not release enough milk lead to more air being trapped as the kitten nurses.
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Take the cats to a vet or animal shelter where people who are trained to care for them can do so.
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