Kittens in the Coal Mine
08-10-2010, 01:03 PM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Snohomish WA
Posts: 884
Don't wait for your vet to return - little baby hasn't much time, being already dehydrated as well.
Feed stores should have the formula. Also pet stores.
Also call animal shelter to see if they know where to get it.
Feed stores should have the formula. Also pet stores.
Also call animal shelter to see if they know where to get it.
08-12-2010, 09:27 PM
#75
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Kaneohe, HI
Posts: 2,041
On a less less pleasant subject, are they eliminating okay? They look young enough that they may still need a little stimulation to urinate and defecate. If they are not eliminating enough, you need to rub a warm rag or paper towel, down near their bottoms, on their belly. Rub in little circles or from rub from the lower tummy down towards their privates in quick little strokes, like their mom would lick them.
Kitten constipation is a very serious problem with kittens removed from their mothers at an early age.
I am currently taking care of some feral kittens here too. They are about eight to nine weeks old and have an upper respiratory illness. I have two of them housed in my dog crate. They don't like me much. Thank goodness they don't need the tummy rubs any more..
I am giving them antibiotics and using a/d prescription diet for them. One of them was severely dehydrated last week, but is much better now.
I have not been able to catch one of the kittens. But he doesn't seem as ill as his siblings.
The older feral cats in the colony.. well.. let's just say they know me.. they run TOWARDS me when I open the door or pull up in the car. A couple of them roll around in front of me and trip me and want to play. They are last years boys.
I need to get them all fixed...
Kitten constipation is a very serious problem with kittens removed from their mothers at an early age.
I am currently taking care of some feral kittens here too. They are about eight to nine weeks old and have an upper respiratory illness. I have two of them housed in my dog crate. They don't like me much. Thank goodness they don't need the tummy rubs any more..
I am giving them antibiotics and using a/d prescription diet for them. One of them was severely dehydrated last week, but is much better now.
I have not been able to catch one of the kittens. But he doesn't seem as ill as his siblings.
The older feral cats in the colony.. well.. let's just say they know me.. they run TOWARDS me when I open the door or pull up in the car. A couple of them roll around in front of me and trip me and want to play. They are last years boys.
I need to get them all fixed...
08-13-2010, 05:05 AM
#76
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo, which is near Niagara Falls)
Posts: 3,884
One of our kitties, I had to raise from about 2 weeks in age, and I was amazed at how neat/clean it was to just go through the feed - groom- cleanup cycle. Even though she obviously was not litter-trained at such a young age, she only eliminated during the groom/cleanup task. So there never was any mess in her little bed!
She grew up to be a robustly healthy (though small), clever tortie, and is now eight years old.
She grew up to be a robustly healthy (though small), clever tortie, and is now eight years old.
08-13-2010, 05:48 AM
#77
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 611
Sorry I haven't updated! I've been very busy, LOL!
All are doing great! The vet said they were in extremely good condition considering their circumstances. He estimated their age at 4-5 weeks (this was Monday). He said the coal mine actually helped with that, as they weren't exposed to the things in nature that most wild cats are. It kept them from getting parasites, fleas, etc. Mama cat knew what she was doing, didn't she?
He said keep giving them the formula for another week or two, in their dish is ok as long as they drink. Keep letting them have the soft cat food mixed with baby food( for all who said that, you were right!) and the Nutrical. I have to take them back for shots and worming.
As for water, they are drinking it fine now. I've got them set up in one of my dog crates now, one of the ones that are like wire all the way around, that folds up. I put them a little box in there with an old soft t-shirt, and their water and food dishes on the other end. I put their little temporary litter box right outside of it. They LOVE it!
I leave the door open when Im in the room and they can come and go. They will come out and play and then go back in their little bed/box and go to sleep.They can also see everything/everyone when they are in it, so I think they like that better than the one that had solid sides.
They can't fit through the spaces on this one, too. I carry it from room to room with me, LOL!
They are sleeping much better now! They've been going about 4-5 hours now without waking me up. They are playing much better now, too!
The best news, though, is that Simba(my cat) has taken up with them! He is grooming them, and playing with them and loving them. He was terrified of them at first!
Here's a pic of him grooming Gizmo with Daisy checking them out. She LOVES them.
All are doing great! The vet said they were in extremely good condition considering their circumstances. He estimated their age at 4-5 weeks (this was Monday). He said the coal mine actually helped with that, as they weren't exposed to the things in nature that most wild cats are. It kept them from getting parasites, fleas, etc. Mama cat knew what she was doing, didn't she?
He said keep giving them the formula for another week or two, in their dish is ok as long as they drink. Keep letting them have the soft cat food mixed with baby food( for all who said that, you were right!) and the Nutrical. I have to take them back for shots and worming.
As for water, they are drinking it fine now. I've got them set up in one of my dog crates now, one of the ones that are like wire all the way around, that folds up. I put them a little box in there with an old soft t-shirt, and their water and food dishes on the other end. I put their little temporary litter box right outside of it. They LOVE it!
I leave the door open when Im in the room and they can come and go. They will come out and play and then go back in their little bed/box and go to sleep.They can also see everything/everyone when they are in it, so I think they like that better than the one that had solid sides.
They can't fit through the spaces on this one, too. I carry it from room to room with me, LOL!
They are sleeping much better now! They've been going about 4-5 hours now without waking me up. They are playing much better now, too!
The best news, though, is that Simba(my cat) has taken up with them! He is grooming them, and playing with them and loving them. He was terrified of them at first!
Here's a pic of him grooming Gizmo with Daisy checking them out. She LOVES them.
Look at Simba's tounge, LOL!
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08-13-2010, 06:05 AM
#79
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 2,438
Oh my they are so cute! Look at those blue eyes. I love kitties with blue eyes. If I only didn't live so far away I'd take one even though my husband is sooooo allergic to them. Your pictures with the older male cat and dog PRECIOUS!
08-13-2010, 06:28 AM
#80
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
Posts: 16,518
This is such a heart warming story! Thanks for all the pictures and the updates. Simba is adorable taking such good care of the kittens. And Daisy!! Well, it is so neat to see her staring the kitten right in the eyes wanting to bea part of the rescue. Adorable!
ps My grandfather worked those coal mines as a blacksmith. He was also a mason.
ps My grandfather worked those coal mines as a blacksmith. He was also a mason.
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