mommy kitty problems

Question
Hello,and thank you for taking the time to read my question.

my four year old cat unexpectantly gave birth for the first time to two baby kittens last night. the first was born and we assumed that it was the only one because,we could not even tell that she was pregnant to begin with.
Also,she seemed to stop going into labour right after. Shortly after its birth, momma kitty would would not lie still long enough for baby kitty to nurse, so I have been bottle feeding it myself every two hours. It also seems as though the mother is not lactating very well.
She had another kitten beteen the bottle feedings about 9 hours after the first was born, while I was asleep. Unfortunatly, it was dead by the time I woke up to feed the first one. I could not tell what had happened to cause the kitten to die, other than its hind leg looked a little bloody, but I could see no bite marks.
momma kitty will not stay in the room with her newborn even though she has everything she needs (food water,calm atmosphere. ect.)
She constantly yells at the door to get out. She still will not lay with the kitten for very long,she just tries to move it out of the box and into the closet. thn she returns to the door to yell. she is a nervous cat to begin with.
I guess what I'm trying to ask, is if she may be a danger to the one surviving kitten. Should I raise it completly on my own or just watch her carefully when she is with it?
your answer and time are greatly appriciated. God Bless.
Amanda

Answer
Hi Amanda, these are tough situations and we just make the best decision we can and then hope for the best. If your mom is not wanting to take care of the kitten then you are better to take it away and feed it in a place that mom cannot get to it. See what happens when you do that. She may suddenly develop some maternal instincts when the kitten is removed and may want to settle down and nurse it.. or she may not care at all.If you can get her interested enough to clean the kitten every few hours that will be good and will make your job easier.
But I would not leave her alone with the kitten UNLeSS she is laying with it and nursing it.
NOW>. the other question is.. Why is she not interested in nursing this kitten?? Is it possible she has a retained kitten? or a retained placenta? I think it would be worth getting her a vet check to make sure that she is ok. A mom that is still waiting to pass stuff will not be a good mom to the kitten she has. So , get her a health check up and if all is well.. and she is not interested in being a mom.. then you are going to have to raise that baby yourself. You can always contact shelters and vets and see if they know of anyone with a nursing cat that could take the baby and raise it for you. This would be the best thing for the kitten and would allow the kitten to have a normal 'mom' relationship... and nursing moms will easily take on an extra kitten!
Teresa