This is Lilly... She is a 10 year old chihuahua that has raised 3 kittens from one litter and 2 more from other litters. I came home one day and a friend had called to ask me for some help with a cat that had abandoned her kittens. I hurried over to her house to find her holding a towel with 3 kittens in it that were still attached to the placenta by there cords. I quickly went into action and sent my friend off to the feed store to get supplies that I would need to care for the babies. When I had cut and tied off the kittens, we got busy warming them and getting them some nourishment.
We decided that it would be best for me to take the kittens home with me as they would require care just like a newborn every 2 hours or more. When I got home, Lilly heard and smelled the kittens and went berserk!! She wouldn't leave me alone trying to get to the little ones. I put them down by her carefully and she began to groom them. The next 24 hours she would bark at me to let me know that they were hungry! I fed them by the bottle for the first 24 hours. The next morning when I got up for the early morning feeding, I couldn't believe my eyes!! The kittens were nursing on the dog!!
Much to my surprise, Lilly had began to lactate!! She was now producing enough milk to feed all 3 kittens!! From that minute on, my hands were free! She took complete care of them! I was shocked! I spoke with my veterinarian and let him know that Lilly could be a surrogate mother if he ever needed help with abandoned puppies or kittens.
Lilly has raised all 5 cats and they are all now 3 times her size. We have 2 of the five here with us and Lilly is as content as can be! Now when I am sitting in the house I can make a high pitched meow that sounds just like a new born kitten. Lilly will come running with her ears up and tail wagging! She's a great mom!!
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