posted 03-05-2004 02:33 PM         

This is just one of the hundreds of links that came up: http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

I'd suggest leaving the kittens with their mother, but keeping a close eye on them and assisting them with feeding and such. The mother's milk is a more natural and healthy (and free) than KMR or other milk substitutes.

posted 03-05-2004 02:55 PM         

You mentioned you raised a kitten from the previous litter. So in a sense, you do know the hard work involved.
But newborns are just 10 times harder.

It is important that they get at least SOME of the milk mum produces in the first 24 hours, this is called colostrum and is essential for the kittens to survive . If they do not get this 'first milk' they will most likley succumb to infection and die. This milk holds antibodies that will protect them in the short term.

They need to be FED EVERY 2 HOURS with a special kitten milk formula purchased from your vet. They need to be fed with a bottle and soft kitten teat. This means setting your alarm clock and feeding them in time, if they do not have a feed in more than 4 hours, they will go into hypogycemic shock and die.
They will eat about 2-4 mls of milk that will increase as they gain weight.

They need to me STIMULATED to go to the toilet, this means taking a peice of cotton wool or tissue or cloth, dampen it with warm water, and rub the genitalia region, firmly but gently. This will stimulate them to uriniate, and if you continue rubbing, they will eventually do a poo as well.
The first poo is black, then it will turn into a mustard color. The consitancy should be no more liquid than toothpaste. If it is runny and foul smelling, they have an infection and need help from a vet ASAP.
Once a kitten is sick, they can die very quickly, so URGENT help is required.

They need to be kept CLEAN, HYGIENE IS SO IMPORTANT with these little ones. Bedding must be changed DAILY.
They need to be kept dry and out of draughts.
THEY NEED TO BE KEPT WARM constantly, with the aid of a neonatal heating mat or warm water bottle changed every few hours.
They CANNOT regulate their own body temperature and will die very quickly if they get cold.
This will continue for several weeks, until they are able to maintian their own body temperature and huddle togetrher to keep warm.

This is EMERGENCY ADVICE ONLY. you must do more research and speak with your vet if you are wanting a good results.

I am wishing you all the best and will be thinking of you.
If you need any more advice, you may email me and I will help as much as I can.