Help with the Chocolate 4 pls!

[Gillian Harvey]

BUT you know as well as I do that in your house, once they are sat on the tree.............. THEY STAY WITH YOU 

Noooo way  - they are drving me mad! 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Glad the vet didn't think it was ringworm, good luck with them all.

[maryas]

Gilian I just    this little lot BUT you know as well as I do that in your house, once they are sat on the tree.............. THEY STAY WITH YOU 

Doing a great job - they look fab and sure people will fall in love with them.

Mary 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Chunky is gorgeous 

[Gillian Harvey]

This kitten - Chunky (chunky chocolate  ) has the very annoying habit of getting under my typing chair and sitting right by the castors - I have to keep checking every time I want to move in case I run him over  He also keeps trying to get in behind my computer where all the wires are  . Can't believe it, might have a home for him already! - the receptionist in one of the other vet branches heard about him from the vet I saw today and is interested in the 'chunky confident' one 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I hope Coco will forgive you quicker than Sasa forgives me, two months and still counting.........sigh

[Kirst]

Aww I am sure she will soon forgive you. LOVE the coco-pops!!

[nickynoo93]

Bless them. I love the Coco Pops name.
Good luck with Coco, hope she doesn't hate you too much.

I keep coming on here to have a little look at them.

Nicky

[Gillian Harvey]

Just back from the vets - am exhausted  Two of the kittens were no trouble getting into carrier, third one eluded me for quite a long time.......

Coco wedged herself into the bookecase again and unfortunately I had to scruff her into the carrier - she's gonna hate me again now 

Anyway all checked over (vet thinks even older than 8/9weeks, perhaps 12 weeks), deflead, wormed. The bald bits on a couple of the kitten's hocks vet thinks is prob because they've had diarrhea, and is like skin burns from the poo. She also thinks the tails and round the bottoms have actually been shaved (she wondered if the vets I picked them up from did it because of the diarrhea - could be I suppose).

We had to gear ourselves up for Coco, vet tipped up carrier, I grabbed scruff just before she shot off the table (Coco, not the vet LOL!)  Scanned to see if microchip - of course there wasnt one. Vet did a spot on flea/worm treatment for mum because theres no way I'd have been able to do it on my own at home.

An all home safely, phew! 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Good luck at the vets and i hope it isn't ringworm

Seconded 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Good luck at the vets and i hope it isn't ringworm

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Love that picture 

The Coco Pops .........love it 

[princessmaizie]

 

I want I want I want (stamps feet and glares!!)

Seriously, how could someone dump them?? Those little faces 

Fab names by the way!! 

[Gillian Harvey]

Goodness, what a loooooong kitten LOL! 

[Gillian Harvey]

Do they have names yet ??

Well sort of  - mum is Coco and the kittens are her coco pops lol!

[princessmaizie]

Just back again to ogle!! The kittens are gorgeous but Mom is just 

If you were near me I'd defo be on a kidnap mission!!!

I'm glad to hear they're all coming round to you, good luck with the final kitten!! Do they have names yet ??

[Gillian Harvey]

the reason I asked about the fur was that we have two kittens in with ringworm, and one of their tails is identical to the one with fur loss.

Oh god I hope its not the R word!  They are all off to the vets tomorrow (if I can get mum in the carrier) she may look relaxed in that pic - but she still won't let me touch her.

[Jiji]

What a gorgeous family 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Gorgeous pics - the reason I asked about the fur was that we have two kittens in with ringworm, and one of their tails is identical to the one with fur loss. I hope it is just nibbling at the fur, but I would be tempted to get it checked out to be on the safe side, as that would be a good reason to dump mum and kittens. If they are more 8-9 weeks, it is fairly normal for mum to be fed up of them.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

How beautiful is she 

[Kay and Penny]

magic - and with those eyes there's no doubt she at least is a purebred BSH

don't think there'll be much problem rehoming her

[Liz]

See you shouldn't doubt the magic of your home - she looks quite relaxed just keep doing what you are doing it is working

They are gorgeous

[Gillian Harvey]

Oh my goodness, look at this - I'm sitting at the computer, and mum has got up onto the cat tree, so managed a quick snap, still looking a bit wary - but then I turned to talked to her, and look how she's responded, she looks quite relaxed, how lovely is that?!!!  Thats 3 down - 1 kitten to win over   

 

[Kirst]

Oh they are lovely - I am sure you will bring them around Gillian.

[AliCat]

Awww they are gorgeous!!

[Guest]

I have nothing to add apart from they are beautiful but how they were dumped - grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Gillian Harvey]

Thanks for all the advice  - glad you thought older than 6 wks, I was starting to think they must be older too. Well what a difference a couple of days make! - two of the kittens are like putty in my hands (well almost!) can stroke them, pick them up, cuddle them and we get lots of purrs, but the other one is still very skittish and although he will stay in the room and play while I'm in there, any move towards him and he's off!

They are gorgeous.  Would love to see a piccie of mum.

Ha, you'll be lucky lol! - I'm lucky if I see her never mind photograph her! Saying that, mum IS now coming out when I feed them - think hunger got the better of her!, but again, any move towards her sends her rushing back to hide again. She doesnt want to know the kittens at all, spits at them (think she blames them for all this trauma LOL!) - I think you may be right that mum has never been a family pet and has just been used to breed 

and Gillian I am sure you wont mind me telling you that I am getting worried about the amount of work you are taking on  I see another me in the making, dont go down that route its not all cat cuddles as you know, more poop and piddle 

LOL! never intended to have any more indoor rooms in use for cats - but all our fosters have full pens (plus dining rooms and bedrooms!), it IS only supposed to be temporary until one of our other fosters has a spare pen, then either mum or kittens could go there, or I may have a spare pen possibly next week or week after.

Has the kitten on the first pic got some fur missing on its tail? Do they have any other bits of fur missing?

Yep, 2 of them have, and 2 have bald legs at the back, think they have been nibbling at those areas.

Here are the two confident ones:

[Desley (booktigger)]

Nothing more to add to T and Lesley's good advice other than cage asap, I made that mistake with some kittens I Wasn't told weren't socialised (I stupidly assumed that as they had been in her house for 7.5 weeks they woudl be handleable) and it made the job very hard. Has the kitten on the first pic got some fur missing on its tail? Do they have any other bits of fur missing?

[Tiggy's Mum]

No advice, just a shameless What little cuties! 

I'm sure you'll do them proud Gillian and with top advice from the rescues on Purrs you can't go wrong 

[LesleyW]

Not much to add to Teresa really.  I would separate mum and kittens if they are no longer feeding.  Kittens in a pen to help with the litter training and getting used to you, mum loose in the room with radio or other background noise.


Kittens definitely look older than  6 weeks, my guess same as T, 8 - 9 weeks old.


Best way to get kittens used to you is the playtoys T suggested and trying to feed by hand before giving them all their food.  I find food to be a great friend when trying to socialise kittens.


I would have though, being BSH mum is just terrified of everything that has happened to her and will calm down eventually, unless of course she was just a breeding machine and not so much a family pet.


They are gorgeous.  Would love to see a piccie of mum.


Good luck with them and I am only in Hampshire if you need anything Gillian.   If you get desperate kittens could go in my maternity room with my other leftovers.

[Teresa Pawcats]

Beautiful family but I would say kittens are more 8-9weeks.
Think first problem is litter training so setting up your cage would be a good idea at least to Pen the kittens.I would leave mum loose if she is using tray, that way you can monitor her feeding. Worming if not done will also help kittens do seem to have huge wormy tums.Once kittens are clean to tray you can allow them playtime in the room and they will run back into cage for food.
Leave radio on in room if possible, if kittens are in cage you have more control and will be able to stroke, more easily.Peacock feathers are the best thing in the world to capture cats/kittens attention withoiut scaring them otherwise a gentle dangly toy held at a distance.If you can spare the time sit or lie on floor in room reading and totally ignoring them curiosity will get the better of them.This is the gentle way of earning trust.
The other way which I am often forced to do is the quick way, hand in pen get bitten /scratched pick up kitten and stroke for as long as possible.
Sorry this is a bit brief and not a miracle cure but time is short here at present  and Gillian I am sure you wont mind me telling you that I am getting worried about the amount of work you are taking on  I see another me in the making, dont go down that route its not all cat cuddles as you know, more poop and piddle 

[Daisymac]

I know Angie and Teresa have had the same situation this year,  they will be able to help,   I will PM them your link xx

Also Lesley is online and she would be able to help x

They are lovely,  wish I could help 

[Dawn F]

they are beauties, you need Julie or Teresa or someone, maybe pm if they don't see your post

[Zenith (Liz)]

Wish I could help you're in wiltshire arent you.  I still dont have a job but may have one by the middle of next week so no good offering to take anyone on.

With regards to skittish mum, can you sit in the room with the radio on and a book for you maybe?  talking out loud works sometimes, you'd know more than I though.

[Gillian Harvey]

Thanks Gill  kittens arent feeding off mum at all now and to be honest have completely ignored her since they came lol! As I'm typing I have 2 kittens by my feet, looking quite contented, yet if I got up they would scarper! Mum is still wedged in the bookcase  I've been able to touch/stroke 2 of them as they feed, the other one doesnt come out for food until I've gone (I sneak a peek through part opened door!) I'll try the hand feeding thing though.

I'd really like another fosterer to have either the kittens or mum, then I could concentrate on one or the other (think I'd prefer to work with mum, much as I love the kittens - I think I could bring her round if it was only her to focus on), but no-one seems to have room 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Cant see first picture but they look lovely.

I have no expertize but would keep mum and kittens together. I dont know if kittens at this age play but would try to get them to play with you and as they love food this will be, I think, the easiest way of getting them to you.

Put food in your hand and they should come for it..............if not put it in a bpowl as usual but about 3 fft from you sitting down..............if they then eat make the next days meals 2 ft away, and each day bring the dishes closer to you.

Dont attempt to move while they are eating but tha aim is to get them feeding out of your hand and then stroking. They have to understand you wont hurt them and all of this is pleasureable.

The mother is more of a problem and I would give her some upturned boxes with a side hole in that she can hide inside and watch when the kittens are feeding. If she has been socialized ever she hopefully will lose her fear.

Sasa at 7 yrs old responded to the feeding thing and she will eat out of my hand as long as I dont touch her and even now she will come and sniff my hand sometimes if I hold it out, so the kittens should be far quicker and easier to train.

I hope this might help a bit.

[Gillian Harvey]

Picked up mum and 3 kittens (probably British Shorthairs - all chocolate colour, althgouh they look black in the pics) yesterday from local vets. All four had been dumped in a carrier outside someone's conservatory  The person took them to her vets and they contacted several rescues (all full of course!), BSH rescue couldnt (wouldnt  ) help, but a local persian rescue contacted our rescue - and somehow my spare (NOT!) room was nominated  .

Kittens thought to be about 6 wks old, unsocialised, although I have been able to touch 2 of them. Today, they are comfortable enough with me in the room with them, as long as I don't move! Soon as I move they scatter and run in all directions. Litter tray usage isnt consistent, but how do can I get them using it properly when I can't get near them just to quickly pick up mid wee/poo to pop in litter tray? Mum is completely terrified and has wedged herself in my bookcase, been there most of yesterday and today, this evening I went in and she was on the cat tree, but scarpered back to the bookcase as soon as she saw me.

How do I start to get the kittens used to handling etc, just by keep trying? and also mum, I've had nervous shy cats before, but never one thats been so terrified. Would it be better to confine kittens and/or mum (I've got a large cage). I can't tell if mum is eating, kittens are wolfing down food. I'll need to get them checked at the vets in a couple of days, goodness knows how I'm going to get mum back in a carrier 

One kitten is good size, chunky, the other two are little scraps really and you can see in the pics one has baldy bit on tail and the 2 littlest ones have bald hocks.