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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

My bottle-fed kitten died and I’m devastated

22 replies

PippiStrongstocking · 26/10/2021 09:10

Nursed a bottle baby for over a week, she seemed so strong and lively, then had a seizure and died shortly after taking her to the vets.

Feeling really low right now, like I’ve failed her. Just need a handhold I guess 😞

OP posts:
legosunqueen · 26/10/2021 09:14

That's so sad, take some comforting that you did your best for her Thanks

Dadvdtret · 26/10/2021 09:14

Ah I'm so sorry Pippi, some just aren't strong enough to make it. You did your very best for the little mite. Unmumsnetty hugs.

SunnySideDownBriefly · 26/10/2021 09:14

Oh Pippi - I'm so sorry to hear this. There isn't anything you could have done to prevent a seizure and you gave her so much love and attention in her short life.

HH

legosunqueen · 26/10/2021 09:14

Comforting = comfort in

clockover · 26/10/2021 09:16

You loved her for as long as she needed you. I'm so sorry she didn't make it Thanks

GuppytheCat · 26/10/2021 09:16

Oh, sympathies here! I’ve lost a foster kitten in the past, too. Were you bottle feeding because she’d lost her mum or been rejected?

Hopeisallineed · 26/10/2021 09:16

So sorry, so tricky when they are tiny. You did your very best.

Original poster
PippiStrongstocking · 26/10/2021 09:25

@GuppytheCat

Oh, sympathies here! I’ve lost a foster kitten in the past, too. Were you bottle feeding because she’d lost her mum or been rejected?
I’m not sure, she was separated from her mother somehow and crying/distressed on her own.

Roughly a week old when I found her. She seemed to thrive and gain weight.

The vets think it was sepsis or aspiration pneumonia.

Thank you for the nice messages, it feels pretty rough right now.

OP posts:
Foodielady · 26/10/2021 09:44

It's so hard to bottle feed kittens - I think 25% don't make it. I found 2 newborns in my garden 6 weeks ago - the mother was sick and disappeared for over 24 hours so I took the kittens in. Both seemed strong but one faded away over a few days while the other one is doing well and is now weaned and on solids and almost ready for adoption. I did exactly the same thing with both kittens so I know it wasn't my fault, but it was still upsetting. You will have done your best and given the little one love and care during its short life - far better than just leaving it where you found it on its own.

MrsCatE · 26/10/2021 19:08

I’m so sorry. You obviously did the utmost to keep her alive and we all understand how difficult it is to bottle feed - even if haven’t had personal experience x Flowers

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 26/10/2021 19:11

She had a lot of love in her short life - you did your very best for her. Flowers

TheLongRider · 26/10/2021 19:22

You definitely did your best, you kept her warm and sheltered and fed. Flowers

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 26/10/2021 19:31

I had the same, mum refused to feed her so my friend brought her round to me to feed. Only managed 48 hours before she died. Was awful , then mum became ill and I helped hand rear the other 3 . One is still with us and the others went to new homes at about 10 weeks.

LettertoHermoine · 26/10/2021 19:46

You did a great thing and you nurtured her and loved her. Not everyone would or could do that, takes a special kind of person to do what you did. You made her days here as comfortable and cosy as possible. You are amazing and I am so sorry she didn't make it but it wasn't for the lack of love and caring you gave xx

GoodVibesHere · 26/10/2021 19:48

I'm so sorry. It's awful to lose a kitten, the bond is so strong, it's just horribly sad. You did your very best, the kitten was just destined to have a short life.

You will feel better, slowly. Take care x

Pipplekins · 26/10/2021 19:55

OP she was loved, safe and warm. So sorry for your loss.
If you have Facebook check out kitten lady, she rescues and has many years of experience, the best medical team etc but she still losses babies.

icedcoffees · 26/10/2021 20:03

It's not your fault Flowers

It's really tough to bottle raise kittens. You did everything you could and did the right thing by giving her a chance.

Be kind to yourself.

AppleButter · 26/10/2021 20:14

I am really sorry to hear of your loss.
It is clear that you did your best and gave her the best care possible. There wasn’t anything more you could do.
I think she knew you cared for her and tried your utmost.

Pudmyboy · 26/10/2021 21:27

Flowers like all of the other posters, I have nothing but praise for you and your kindness to the little mite. That she didn't survive wasn't for want of trying. I am so sorry for you, I hope you are comforted by all the comments and the knowledge that you really tried your very best.

Ellmau · 26/10/2021 22:48

So sorry, you did your best, but such little ones often fail to thrive without their mum. Not your fault at all. You gave her half her life's love and comfort.

CatChant · 26/10/2021 23:01

I am so sorry. You didn't fail her. You did your absolute best and made sure she was warm, safe, fed and loved.

I watch a Canadian cat rescue site called Tiny Kittens on YouTube regularly. I don't think there's anything the woman who runs it doesn't know about rearing kittens and there's no length she won't go to to save them.

But every year some don't make it because their little bodies just weren't strong enough. Nature is harsh.

Be kind to yourself.

Original poster
PippiStrongstocking · 27/10/2021 08:03

Thanks for all the kind messages.

I keep telling myself these things too, as sort of a mantra. I’ll come to believe it 🥲

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