newborn kittens and mother

Question
I took in a stray cat about a week ago. she is very sweet and obviously pregnant she doesn't look like she is full grown yet. and skinny, she gave birth three days ago to six kittens 3 sets of twins very cute. she has moved the family 4 times. each time she leaves 2 or three behind. when i move the abandoned ones to her she takes care of them. is she overwhelmed? what can I do to help? she has also had diarea for 3 days is this normal? she is wandering around the house complaining about something and i don't know what she wants any advice would be appreciated

Answer
Hi Scott, thank you for trying to help this little cat. It is sad to see these young moms struggling away with these large litters.
Sometimes a cat will move her kittens because she does not feel they are in a safe place. When it is a large litter they can easily "forget' a couple especially if the new nest is too far away to hear the forgotten kittens crying. Mom cats are stimulated to care for their babies by the crying. When a kitten doesn't cry or the moms cant hear it crying they do not realize they have to care for it. Deaf moms have a terrible time! If she takes care of them when you bring them to her then that is exactly what is happening.
If she is wandering around your house complaining then I would say there is something wrong with her. Moms usually are very content and stay purring with their babies most of the day. I realize she is a stray and you don't want to hear this but she really should be checked by a vet. It is quite possible she has an infection in her uterus (from a retained placenta or dead kitten) or she has an infection in a mammary gland. This would cause the diarrhea, restlessness and also moving the kittens a lot. She just doesn't feel right! So that is the best advice I can give you. get her checked.Teresa