Topic: Another family helped- now having to handrear kittens. (Read 11586 times)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #49 on:** December 14, 2008, 10:48:49 AM »

There certainly is, the longest one has been waiting here is 14 months, with a couple more that got to between 6 and 12 months here, but we persevere with them, regardless of time. Kizzy is a little love, I adore her - she doesn't quite agree with me wanting to pick her up daily though!!

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #48 on:** December 14, 2008, 06:39:26 AM »

very true hun! I always believe that there is a home out there for them all if we look hard enough and wait long enough... granted wee toots took me 2.5 yrs... but I hope that your wee Kizzy finds her place a lot sooner than that. It only takes just 1 person to fall in love with her! and she IS

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #47 on:** December 13, 2008, 21:23:08 PM »

Yeah, we just need to find Kizzy a home now - she could have one here if she tolerated cats, but at least until she does find a home she is in a home environment, things could have been a lot worse for her.

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #46 on:** December 12, 2008, 10:25:39 AM »

great news that everything is going well for this little family!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #45 on:** December 11, 2008, 20:50:14 PM »

Rach is keeping one of Kizzy's kittens, the little tabby that had heart problems one weekend. He is 16 weeks old now, so booked in for neutering today, he is a tad small for 16 weeks - vet didnt' actually believe his age!! Everything went well though. I took him up, so Kizzy got to briefly see him in the carrier, and doesn't like him any better than she did when she saw him at 2 weeks old!! RAch was surprised with the difference in her, she is looking really healthy and a good weight now, although still swiped at RAch's daughter, despite not doing that for ages unless in play or after a few strokes, so definitely needs a child free home. When I get some time, there will be some pics, as I took some of Tiger in his carrier, he is such a gorgeous little kitten.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #44 on:** November 01, 2008, 20:26:06 PM »

Not a problem!!
Can't believe she has been here for 2 months tomorrow, I just wish I could make her realise all I want to do is cuddle her cos I love her so much.

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #43 on:** November 01, 2008, 18:46:45 PM »

Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on October 31, 2008, 23:22:28 PM

Carol - there was never any option about Kizzy being anything but an only cat,

I should have realised you would already know that and should have kept my big mouth shut until I'd read the whole thread (my feeble excuse is I'm still catching up after being away)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #42 on:** October 31, 2008, 23:22:28 PM »

Helen - not sure, he might have to stay with Rachel, but I will be talking to her this weekend and make a decision.
Carol - there was never any option about Kizzy being anything but an only cat, she even pinned Oscar (4 months) to the floor just for running downstairs and being in her sight. The only advantage was he didn't fight back, so it wasn't an overly vicious attack - she even hisses at him if he is in the carrier on the landing (only way I can clean the bathroom, he thinks it is great fun to dive on your back and on the brush when trying to sweep up his litter - he likes to scatter it!!), and sometimes spits at the closed door to get him - she hasn't taken such a dislike to the last two kittens in the bathroom, but she hates him for some reason - and she doesn't like any of the adults either.

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #41 on:** October 31, 2008, 14:13:11 PM »

Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on October 30, 2008, 08:18:22 AM

She is a very odd girl though, she likes fusses, and makes a big deal when I get home, but by the time I have done some housework, sat with the other fosters, she doesn't want to know me, and just sits on teh ohter sofa ignoring me.

Sounds to me like she might be jealous of the attention you give to the others. Perhaps she would do best as an only cat.

Janeyk · « **Reply #40 on:** October 31, 2008, 13:29:37 PM »

good luck with Tiger and Kizzy

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #39 on:** October 31, 2008, 12:20:45 PM »

Good news about the babies

Hope the perfect home for Kizzy is out there too, what will happen to Tiger if he can't be rehomed?

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #38 on:** October 30, 2008, 08:18:22 AM »

2 of Kizzy's babies have gone to good homes now, we are holding back on Tiger, apparently his heart still feels a bit fast, so I think we need another vet visit to decide if he can be rehomed or not. Kizzy is much better, I can rub her belly from time to time, and she loves to play now, but she is very nasty towards OScar even though he is in the bathroom, she will happily try and attack the door, I think he is too noisy in his playing (he does bash his toys against the door quite a lot), I think I am going to put her on the rehoming page now, I dont think her aggression is going to get any better, as it is now only when you are doing something she doesnt like, such as clipping her claws, picking her up to cuddle her and just the odd time when she is too into a play mode and you get too close grabbing the toy. She is a very odd girl though, she likes fusses, and makes a big deal when I get home, but by the time I have done some housework, sat with the other fosters, she doesn't want to know me, and just sits on teh ohter sofa ignoring me.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #37 on:** October 14, 2008, 08:21:23 AM »

Yeah, she really is responding well to love, and she loves Da Bird so I am going to have to buy another one, cos it is Phoebes favourite toy too!! It is wonderful to see her wanting to play by herself, at times she looks really young, bless her. I try to encourage her away from the catnip banana, dont want her having too much catnip. Still trying to convince her that hugs and kisses are good, but she is more tolerant of stroking now. I just hope at the end of this we can find a wonderful home for her, and that her nose doesn't get any worse

JackSpratt · « **Reply #36 on:** October 13, 2008, 18:05:33 PM »

You're winning her round Desley - good for you!!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #35 on:** October 13, 2008, 16:02:52 PM »

What an improvement from when she first came to you

You can see the difference in these two pics.

Before - skinny and with a haunted look about her

After - putting weight on and having her tummy tickled with a feather

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #34 on:** October 12, 2008, 19:37:27 PM »

Some updated pics of this family, you can see in the last pic that Kizzys nose still isn't right, I think I will have to take her back to the vets, although there isn't much you can do for noses. On the third pic she has taken to sleeping on my ironing board, so there is a blanket on there to stop too many hairs getting on it - I can't always move her off there. She is responding to love though, which is good, but she still has that edge to her, and still hates other cats.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2008, 08:27:44 AM »

Had a really good night with Kizzy, she decided not to be anti-social and sat with me on teh sofa, and I got lots of strokes and only one nip, and even that wasn't nasty. Her nose isn't looking great though, the vet picked the scabs off when she was neutered, and they are more prominent now and there are 2 that I dont remember seeing before, so not sure what we are going to do about that, it is only 2 weeks since she was last seen. Dont think the vet will get much chance of checking them while she is awake either!!

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #32 on:** October 07, 2008, 08:22:35 AM »

Yeah, she played with me again yesterday - but has realised that I put the fleecy blanket behind the sofa when I dont need it (so it is handy reach you see) and despite putting one on the arm of the sofa for her, she prefers the one behind the sofa!! So I had to leave her loose in the house again last night, and met her on the stairs (I was running late as I forgot to set the alarm!!). Still holding off homing her as long as possible, so she doesn't think she has been abandoned again, and also to see if she can shake this lashing out for no reason.

madkittyrescue · « **Reply #31 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:14:11 AM »

sounds like you're getting there tho Desley. Fingers crossed

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #30 on:** October 06, 2008, 08:30:20 AM »

Yep, her owner got her as a kitten 10 years ago. I am pleased she is learning to play again, although she wasn't interested last night!! She does seem to like being here, but it doesn't stop her swiping at me for no reason whatsoever - she seems worse if you are trying to get somethign near her - it can be over a hands length away and she will still go for you. She was also really following me around yesterday, bless her, but I can trust her to be out of the kitchen overnight now, as she stays in the front room until she thinks it is breakfast time - she was an hour early yesterday, but bang on time today, I met her on the stairs. She still hates other cats, but I am going to try and hold off homing her as long as possible, hopefully being here a few months will help negate all the bad memories of being abandoned, and her aggression issues can die down, otherwise homing her will be tricky.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #29 on:** October 05, 2008, 14:50:44 PM »

I was just reading back over this and you estimated Kizzy's age at about ten, didn't you? Do you still reckon that's right? If so, it's so poignant that she is just learning to play again. She's obviously taken to you, though.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #28 on:** October 05, 2008, 13:12:20 PM »

kizzy has learnt how to play now, which is wonderful to see, and she does like sitting on my knee, and following me round. Still not good with other cats.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #27 on:** October 01, 2008, 08:25:25 AM »

Kizzy ended up having to wear a collar cos she irritated the skin that had been shaved, rather than teh scar, that comes off tonight. She was really affectionate Mon night and sitting on my knee, but pretty much ignored me last night!!
Kittens are doing well, eating on their own, and very well socialised, they should be ready to rehome in a few weeks, think they are 6 weeks old now.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #26 on:** September 20, 2008, 18:27:26 PM »

Can't wait to see new pics of these. At least you have a few weeks before we have to consider rehoming, and the way this week has gone, it wont be long before we find you something to fill the gap!!

purrlover · « **Reply #25 on:** September 20, 2008, 12:11:03 PM »

kizzys babies are doing really well. Started to play this week and follow me around everywhere. they have taken over my daughters heated teddy bear and love it. Will try and get some new pics on this week. It is going to break my heart when these are rehomed

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #24 on:** September 20, 2008, 09:36:41 AM »

This story gets worse - I have had a text from the person who notified us about this family, so asked if she could find out how she was treated, and what I hadn't known until this morning was that her owners partner had made him leave her alone in the house cos of a new baby, and that he hadn't even left a litter tray down for her, she was having to toilet in the house - we knew she was pregnant when he moved out, so it is no wonder she has issues, poor girl. It does explain why she was so bothered by being in one room, she probably wondered if I was goign to leave her there. That has settled down a lot now, she is happier that the cage is down and she just sleeps in front of the radiator (the bed was left there to wash, but she took it over, and I ain't disturbing her to give her clean!!), she isn't as interested in coming into the front room with me when I sit down to watch TV, but she did show some interest in playing last night. Unless she improves a lot after being spayed, I am not sure I will be putting her up for rehoming this year, I think she will benefit from a few months in one place before being moved.

dabs · « **Reply #23 on:** September 19, 2008, 11:29:54 AM »

Sounds like she has been used as a football in the past Des.

May explain some of her behaviour.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #22 on:** September 18, 2008, 22:11:05 PM »

Kizzy is booked in to be spayed next Tues, still being a little bag, I mustn't have fed her quick enough this morning cos she was hissing and swiping at my legs (her latest favourite thing to do!!). I do hope it calms her down, as I dont know what I am going to do otherwise, she hates the other cats, and will snap at nothing, I would rather have a feral i think. At least that wont fuss you, scratch you, rub against left foot then bite right foot within a few seconds.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #21 on:** September 13, 2008, 09:00:36 AM »

WEll, I have no need to worry about him getting her pregnant, she attacked him last night, so the poor mite is frightened of her now, and he obviously isn't smelling like a full tom anymore!! She is a very temperamental, aggressive cat, hates being confined, but also hates other cats, and will swipe at my legs for pretty much no reason - yet when she is in a good mood, she will happily be fussed and sleep on the settee next to me. One very confused little girl, and prob quite hormonal too.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2008, 08:02:09 AM »

Everything i have read says that males can produce sperm for up to 6 weeks after (although some people are now saying 4 weeks), so i am not willing to risk it with her background. Mind you, she followed me into my room last night where he was on my bed, and went so mad at him that I dont think he would risk it. He did try and mount Phoebe a couple of days after she was done, but now he just sleeps on the bed wtih the girls and ignores them. She is starting to settle, she is in the kitchen now so she doesn't wake me up, and although she still cries, I think she is realising that I am not going to abandon her again.

Angiew · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2008, 11:16:49 AM »

Quote from: Desley (booktigger) on September 09, 2008, 21:33:44 PM

Charlie also has issues being confined, but has only been neutered for 12 days,

I'm not sure why this is a problems? as his testicals have been removed and i remember from biology that sperm doesn't survive long.
surely he won't be able to impregnate even if he still has the need to try?

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2008, 21:33:44 PM »

Mum is having major issues being kept in one room, or being left on her own, not sure which, although with her past month or so, it is no wonder - which could have been why she snapped at Rachels, she has just gone for me again for putting her back (she had been sat on the sofa with me - I have logistical issues at the moment, cos Charlie also has issues being confined, but has only been neutered for 12 days, so I can't have them both loose at the same time), I have tried putting her in a different room this time, but dont think i am going to get anywhere with her. Other than that, and touching her tummy, she is lovely, and is desperate for affection, but hates other cats.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2008, 08:06:01 AM »

Mum is also a lot happier, bless her, she hates being in teh cage though. i let her have a wander round the kitchen when I was doing hte washing, and she was all over me, but I had someone coming round, so couldnt let her out in the front room till they had been, in case she made a dash for the door, but after that, I let her back out, she loved the catnip banana and followed me round bless her. Not happy again this morning, although she was loose in the kitchen rather than being in the cage. Still temperamental, although not nearly as bad, think she only snapped twice last night, and once i was trying to feel her body to check her condition. She is going to be booked in to be spayed in a week or two, and a full check up then, so she doesn't have to go through 2 sedations, and everything can be sorted in one go then.

purrlover · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2008, 11:04:24 AM »

Update on the kittens. I am totally hand rearing them now and they are doing well. Settled and curled up between feeds and guzzling when I feed them. Don't seem to be missing mum at all, in fact much more settled

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2008, 08:09:54 AM »

We had to separate mum and kittens yesterday, something had got into Kizzy's little head and I ended up at Rachel's for 3 hours before we felt she was calm enough to put in the carrier to come here, and I think it took us about half an hour, and 2 of us, to be able to get the tray, food, water and blanket out of the cage, she had made a real mess bless her. Kittens were actually happier without her, we hardly had a peep out of them in the 3 hours, poor RAchel is handrearing them now, but at least they are 3 weeks old tomorrow, so they dont need feeding as often, nor will it be weeks. We did manage to get a good luck at mum's nipples, and she had so little milk, you woud have thought the kits were 8-9 weeks old, not 2, and she wasn't bagging up despite it being 3 hours since a feed - in fact, she still hasn't while she has been here, and she has eaten well - she has also toileted more while being here, and does seem happier without the kittens. She still isn't as nice as she was on Fri, I am wondering if she has come back into heat - she will be having a vet visit, but when I feel she can be examined without attacking, which wont be the next couple of days.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2008, 20:45:14 PM »

Have spoken to Rachel tonight, mum is doing worrying things such as oblivious to where they are, one did end up in the litter tray last night cos she wanted a fuss from me, and she has done it more today, so we are thinking of separating them cos of concern to the other 3 - and we do know she has already lost 2 already. She isn't bothered when they are taken out, so hopefully she will be OK, and we are probably going to bring mum here so she doesn't fret and partly cos she doesn't seem keen on Rachel for some reason (mind you, her other foster cat hates me).

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2008, 15:47:03 PM »

Poor Kizzy sounds to have been starving and still exhausted. No wonder, from your account, Desley. I hope good food and Rachels help with her kittens will see the whole little family right

purrlover · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2008, 15:35:00 PM »

Mum and babies are doing really well today. I had just given them a bottle when des came last night so they were all flat out. First time I had seen them really asleep before they were either latched onto mum or wriggling about and crying so much better now. Mum's appetite has gone through the roof since she started eating and she doesn't seem to be able to get enough but at least she is getting a break from babies now as I am feeding them twice aday for her. Its the first time I have had kittens this young so a steep learning curve (last animals I hand reared were chipmonks) Mum is still only weeing and pooing once a day, and very rarely stands up for me is lay down most of the day (probably knackered) her coat has improved even since Tuesday (quite surprised how quick it has improved)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2008, 23:03:47 PM »

They are happier now they have had a bottle, so I suspect what they are getting from her isn't great, but she has only had proper meals since Tues night, and at first she wasn't eating much cos of the move, but she is now eating Gourmet Gold, and has had pilchards, corned beef, ham, and cat milk. Only toileting once a day at the moment though. She was very happy to see me, poor babies got ignored, she was standing up to say hello, regardless of them being latched on - she hasn't been that keen for fusses with Rachel, so we got to see her standing up more, I am not sure she is in that bad condition, think she is on a par with the 2 here, who are both underweight. Pics will be done tomorrow.

They were quiet unless we handled them, which I think is a good sign. Mum is actually white and black, and called Kizzy.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2008, 13:44:48 PM »

Thanks for the advice, I shall update later after seeing them - mum is eating more now, which will help a lot - I forgot to post that her owner moved out while she was still pregnant, and she has just been fed once a day between then and us getting her on Tues eve, which I think is causing the biggest issue with her milk - a neighbour did try and go in to help her, but mum was very hissy towards her. Apparently when she stands up her backbone shows, hopefully she will like the a/d I am taking up tonight. We have been told this is only her second litter in her life, which I find odd in all honesty.

Author Topic: Another family helped- now having to handrear kittens. (Read 11586 times)