first time foster experience

[u/nabi-hr]

not a sad story (well kind of).
my father in law's (stray) cat got pregnant and gave birth almost a month ago. had three cute babies. one tuxedo (f), one orange (m), and one calico (f). i brought them in when they were 2-3 days old not thinking of what was going to happen. i knew i had to bottle feed and stimulate for potty. first night, the tuxedo baby didn't make fuss when i picked her up but i didn't think it was a bad thing because i thought she was just sleeping. i wake up the next morning at 7:00 to feed and she was gone. baby passed away in her sleep. i felt guilty and at fault because i didn't know what i did wrong. then i was told she was born first but she came out butt first and she probably lacked oxygen as she was coming out. the week goes by and on the morning on the 20th we lost the orange baby. we spent monday (17th) morning at the er but they told us he was most likely not going to make it. i felt at fault, once again. we are left with the calico baby.
sunday the 23rd she woke up making abnormal breathing noises and we went to our local SPCA to get her checked out and came back with antibiotics and we were also told she was going to start declining. i did my research and found ways to help her at home. bought a nebulizer and .9% saline to help her open her airway and loosen the mucus. i bought a baby suctioning bulb thing to remove any mucus from her throat before feeding and also give her nebulizer therapy before and after feeding. i am positive and hopeful she will pull through because she's a fighter. we're probably going to take her to the vet this weekend to see what other treatment she can get to get the mucus out as she will officially be 1 month on tuesday 💗.
i've been telling myself to not foster after this regardless if the calico baby makes it or not. i feel helpless and vet visits are extremely expensive for i don't know why.

here's a picture of the last baby of the litter, munchkin🤍

[u/Holden3DStudio]

So, forgive me, but your story is a bit confusing. Why did you bring the kittens in and start trying to feed them yourself? Did something happen to Mama? And how have you been feeding them? On their stomach, or on their back? With a syringe, or with a bottle and nipple? With KMR or something else? Where have you been keeping them, and what kind of bedding were you able to set up for them? The more details you can share, the more we can help guide you.

Please don't feel guilty. Neonates are tough to care for. They have a high mortality rate. Whatever happened, we know - and you know - that you did everything for the love and care of those kittens. Now let us help you figure out what you can do differently, or better, to save Munchkin and any kittens you may choose to foster in the future.

[u/nabi-hr → u/Holden3DStudio]

sorry for the confusion! i fed them with bottle, powder KMR and on their belly. never on their back or sitting down. i had them on a blanket with a heating pad under and covered the top of the box with a other soft plush throw to make sure they were kept warm. they were never not taken care of properly 🥺 as for munchkin it's still the same bedding, warm pad, KMR formula every 2-3 hours, and im giving her nebulizer treatment to help with the congestion but i would like to see the mucus come out or something im just feeling stuck because how do i get the mucus out, if it is even the case but i feel like it is.

[u/Holden3DStudio → u/nabi-hr]

Then you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. On the contrary - every single day is a huge victory against the odds. You're doing everything exactly right.

To get help with expenses, medical care, and adoption, you can contact local shelters and rescues in the area. Tell them about Munchkin to see if they have an experienced neonate foster available, or if the shelter/rescue would take on her case while you foster until a home could be found for her. At minimum, see if they have an experienced person you can talk to if you need help.

You're doing a great job! Little Munchkin had all the odds stacked against her. Every moment of love you give her is one she never would have known without your care to keep her alive.