upper respiratory virus and just gave birth

Question
We rescued a stray cat 3 week ago,she is about 8 months old, gave birth to 4 kittens 1 week ago. 2 survived took her to the vet and they recommended to take the kittens away from her because an upper respiratory virus, sent her antibiotics but the kittens won't accept the bottle.  The kittens don't show any sign of being sick what do you recommend?

Answer
I agree with your vet.  An upper respiratory infection at this age usually kills kittens.  I'd see if any vets in the area or animal shelters know of a nursing mother who could foster the kittens.  If not, feed the kittens with an eye dropper instead of a bottle.  It's easier to force.  Of course, feed them just a couple drops at a time so you don't choke them.  I think if nothing at all works, it's best to allow them to nurse.  At least that way, they have a chance of survival.  If they begin to show symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, inquire about antibiotics.  Most vets are reluctant to give antibiotics to kittens this young, but when the alternative is death because the kittens refuse to eat (this happens with kittens with stuffy noses), then the risk of an antibiotic is definitely worth it.  I've had to treat kittens just 10 days old with antibiotics.

Bear in mind that a one-week-old kitten will usually die if they go without eating for 24 hours.  They burn blood sugar so quickly that if they don't eat every 2-3 hours to replenish it, they end up going into hypoglycemic shock and die.