Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Gillian Harvey on July 30, 2010, 21:11:24 PM
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..........to hand rear that is :innocent: I've never done this before, I'm going to be shown what to do, but its still a bit nerve wracking to say the least. Theres two, and they are only 7 days old, yikes! :scared: The mum has mastitis and is quite poorly, two kittens have died already.
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Good luck Gillian :hug:
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:hug: :hug: :hug: Try to get as much rest as you can. Even a 10 minute nap will help. You'll need all your reserves. :hug:
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OMG Gillian - 2 7day old kitties - I've a feeling the camera will be getting some action - yipppeeeeee :Luv2:
Good luck - a shame about mum and the other kitties.
Mary :hug:
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:luck: Gillian - I'm sure you'll do a grand job... look forward to the pics! ;D
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Loads of luck Gillian :hug:
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Good luck Gillian , I'm sure you will be fantastic! :hug:
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;D Best of luck! look forward to updates :Luv:
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Good luck Gillian, you'll be great -but tired. :Luv2:
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I had to bottle feed Issey's kittens as she had terrible Mastitis -
Its hard work and very tiring but also very enjoyable
You'll do fine Gillian, good luck xxxxxx
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:wow: Gillian. Sending you very best wishes and the two little uns. Eager to hear how things go .... if you get time :hug:
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Best of luck! It's is very tiring :hug: but so rewarding!
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best of luck Gillian, I'm sure you will do a great job!
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Good luck Gillian! ;) Hope poor mum recovers :( RIP little ones :(
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:) good luck and lots of love xxx
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Good luck - the rescue are certainly keeping you busy!!
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Phew! Just come up for air! LOL!
They are actually about 10 days old, one black with some white bits and one grey with some white. I picked them up yesterday lunchtime - the fosterer who had them temporarily demonstrated the feeding etc with the little grey one, then I had a go with the black one. The black one is easy to feed, starts sucking straight away, but the grey one doesnt really get the sucking idea! very difficult to get enough into him - I was warned that that one isnt feeding as well as the black one, and boy does it squeal!
Fosterer gave me some Climacat plus a little feeder - its a clear plastic sort of dropper with a bulbous bit that you squeeze at the end - is that the best thing to use? It seems to be fine for the black one, but I'm wondering if there might be something different I could try for the grey one to see if that helps him/her feed better.
The black one's eyes are opening already, grey one is a bit behind I think - their little ears move when they are sucking, so cute :Luv:
No pics yet, camera batteries are recharging - later.... :)
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I get a one or two ml syringe and then buy Mikki Mothering kits (I think you can get them from PAH). I ditch the bit that looks like a pill giver (and I am sure that what it is :shocked:) but attach the teat bits to the syringes and use that - easier to get it into the kittens mouth.
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/digestive-supplements-early-pet-care-c-5_270/mikki-mothering-kit-p-2559
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Ah, ok thanks :thanks: that sounds like it might suit the little grey one. I'll see if I can get to PAH tomoz. :)
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Hope its all going well?
Can't wait to see pics.
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Batteries charged for your camera yet ;) :Luv2: Can't wait :hug:
Mary
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Not going so well today, little grey kitten not feeding very well, he's hungry, keeps suckling the other kitten's bottom :-[ and generally suckling anything - other than the flippin teat! He was difficult to get started with the suckling right from the start, but once he'd latched on he was generally ok, but not drinking nearly as much as the other one - but today each feed has been a struggle, he's not taking enough I'm sure, although he has actually put on weight, albeit a tiny amount. He looks so different from the other one who is twice his size anyway - that one looks like a proper kitten now, the grey one looks like a little weasel :-: - it didnt help that I had to clean up his face and head and now his fur is all slicked back.
They are both looking a bit bedraggled - I'm cleaning them just with warm water (faces and bottoms) after each feed but I'm a poor substitute for a mum's tongue :doh:
Any tips would be gratefully received! ;)
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Just be careful if he is suckling the other one, they can damage each others skin if they suckle too much. If it continues to excess in a specific place on one kitten, it may be necessary to separate them.
It is sooo hard when you have one that is not easy to feed. How often are you feeding them now Gillian? and how old are they now. Do you have a heat source for them when they are in their "nest"?
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How old are they now?
If nothing else is working you could try trickling it into his mouth via a small teaspoon. I hate using syringes as I always find them hard to regulate the flow, but a small teaspoon or egg spoon may be an easier option.
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Unscented baby wipes are brilliant for cleaning tiny ones.
As Lesley has said beware of him suckling litter mate, be especially wary they do try and suckle genitals which can be dangerous.
Have you tried a Royal Canin bottle, they are brilliant.
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Unscented baby wipes are brilliant for cleaning tiny ones.
As Lesley has said beware of him suckling litter mate, be especially wary they do try and suckle genitals which can be dangerous.
Have you tried a Royal Canin bottle, they are brilliant.
Yes, I also use unscented babywipes, Asda 50p for a pack of 80.
You're another one that can use one of those maddening bottles, Madkittyrescue recommends them, but I can't get them to work - what is the secret with the 1, 2 and 3 on them? :-:
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Have you tried a Royal Canin bottle, they are brilliant.
You're another one that can use one of those maddening bottles, Madkittyrescue recommends them, but I can't get them to work - what is the secret with the 1, 2 and 3 on them? :-:
The numbers are to do with speed of flow and match kittens age ie. No 1 up to 1 week, No 2 up to 2 weeks and so on.My eyesight has been so bad I havent spotted those numbers in ages. I really would give them a go again, so much simpler. Difficult to see tiny amounts gone when feeding newborns but I managed fine with Mac recently, they are also unliked by kittens who have had the luxury of a real milk bar but a bit of milk on teat and away you go with hungry one.
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Thanks :thanks:
I took them to the vets this morning as worried about the grey one. Vet thought he may be a bit hyperglyceamic (sp?) through not feeding enough and may be colicy making him uncomfortable. Also, she thought there was a bit of infection possibly from the mum, so he's had an antibiotic, and she's given me some Fortiflora probiotic and Lectade, which he took some of when we got home. He did the most horrible runny poo when we got back too :sick: couldnt believe how much poo from such a tiny kitten :shocked:
They are 15 days old now, black one weighs 210 g and grey one weighs 150g - and yes, they now have a hot water bottle in the carrier - I was told initially they wouldnt need heat but vet reckons they do.
As Lesley has said beware of him suckling litter mate, be especially wary they do try and suckle genitals which can be dangerous.
Have you tried a Royal Canin bottle, they are brilliant.
Yes, thats what the grey one is doing - I should split them up then really?
No havent got the RC bottle - am using the Catac (banana shape) bottle, which is working fine for the black one. Vet recommeneded syringe for the grey one, but he is so difficult, just moves his head about to get away from it :tired: I'll have a go with the teaspoon as well. They are being fed every 4 hours or so now.
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Welcome to the poop club :hug: little one will feel much better now its out and hopefully feed better. The Lectade is excellent stuff for calming tums.I should try to avoid splitting them, just keeping pulling little one off when you spot him.
Good Luck.
btw think vet means hypo not hyper
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Aaw Gillian :hug:
You're doing greta. I took Bonnie for her annual booster today and there were lots of people with kittens so I was stroking all of them and listenning to all the stories about them - they are so hard to look after when so young.
You and everyone else who takes care of them deserve a medal. :hug: :hug:
Mary
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I agree with Teresa, only split them up as a last resort if you can't control the suckling, they should always do better together. You could try a small teddy bear or something and he may suckle that instead of his sibling, as long as he can't suck the fur off.
Did you get any of the little teats I mentioned to go on the end of a syringe. I am sure I've got some I could send you if you want to try them.
I would think the hot water bottle will help keep them comfortable as well, I always give heat source to orphaned babies, they cannot regular their own heat so cold can be dangerous.
Good luck, you're doing a wonderful job. :hug:
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Well the early evening feed went much better - he just latched onto the syringe straight away - and was even pulling the plunger down himself as he sucked, got quite a bit into him - but the later feed wasnt so good initially, but did manage to get him to take a good amount I think. Thanks for the offer of the teats Lesley, :thanks: yes please, I've not been able to get to PAH what with one thing and another!
I've got to take him back to the vet again tomorrow morning to get him checked over.
I've got a piece of rolled up fur (synthetic) in with them - I cut it off an old coat LOL! Typically, after I put the hot water bottle in, they cuddled up to it - the next time I looked, they'd moved away from it!
btw think vet means hypo not hyper
Yep, thats the one! :innocent:
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PM me your address Gillian and I'll get them in the post to you tomorrow. :Luv2:
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Sounds like your doing a great job there, look forward to todays update.
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Been to vet this morning, we had to wait for her to come back from the other branch - when we finally got in there - black kitten had pooped and grey kitten was smothered from head to tail, ewwww :sick: . Vet and I donned gloves and holding at arms length LOL! - washed both kittens off, then got the hairdryer on them - kittens loved that!
Anyway she was pleased with how the grey one was doing although she thought he/she was still a bit bloated - gotta go back tomorrow for another antibiotic jab just in case, plus he's got sore eyes - so eye ointment too.
They were a bit chilly after all that, so got them home, gave them a feed - grey one took 10ml straight off, no fuss, yay! fresh clean bedding (again :tired: ), hot water bottle, halogen heater on in their room as its a bit cooler here today, and finally - sleeping babies.....
Anyway, sorry, rubbish photo - and excuse the state of them, little bedraggled things, especially grey one, (looks like a little mouse!) we cleaned them up best we could.....
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5830.jpg)
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:Luv: :Luv: what cuties
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Every time I see the title of this it makes me smile :innocent:
You are doing so well and hope they will be OK, I can see the grey one but not sure if all that black is the other ;D
Keep up the good work :hug:
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You're a cheeky ones.... taking them to the vet for a wash and blow dry :naughty: ;) :rofl: ;)
They are so tiny and cute - keep up the good work. :hug:
Mary
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Are their eyes not open yet, Gillian, or is it just that they are asleep? :shy:
I know only full well what hard work they are so I'm sending big hugs to you. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Are their eyes not open yet, Gillian, or is it just that they are asleep? :shy:
Yep, eyes fully open, they were just sleeping like babies after their exhausting trip to the vets!
Hard work? aint that the truth! :shocked:
I'll try and get a better pic - Gill, the grey one has got its little paws resting on the black one whose head is to the left - doesnt help that they are on black and grey vetbed LOL! :evillaugh:
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I've just caught up with this thread Gillian - well done it is really hard work but so worth it in the end to see them thrive.
I have a stockpile of the RC Bottles so let me know if you want me to send you down some - no problem at all xx
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Awww bless them, well done x x x
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Oh bless them :Luv: They look rather bedraggled! But glad the little grey one is taking in food.
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Ahhhhhhhhhh yes can see that now, thanks Gillian ;D
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They are 20 days old now - still struggling a bit with the grey one, we've had 3 visits to the vet so far, last one on Monday for a vit B jab as he wasnt taking any milk and it was all I could do to get some lectade into him. Oddly though, after our vet visit on Saturday - I offered the grey one some milk on a teaspoon - and he just lapped it like he'd always done it - brilliant I thought.....spoke to soon, then he stopped drinking at all, hence the vet visit again. Appetite better again now, still not taking as much as I'd like - and he seems to have forgotten how to lap, so its back to the syringe :tired: Both are gaining weight though, so I must be doing something right!
Grey one is still suckling the black one's bottom - and getting poo and wee all over his face in the process - he is a disaster really :Crazy:
These were taken a few days ago.....Black (and white) one waves hello!
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5836.jpg)
Bit of a snooze on the play mat - look out, grey one coming in from the left!
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5840.jpg)
Oh, launched his attack :evillaugh:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5844.jpg)
Tickle me tummy!
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5851.jpg)
Getting them used to grooming at an early age :evillaugh: (yes I know its an enormous brush - but its real bristle and the seem to love it - only use it gently of course) Grey one got a bit of a Mohican - think he looks like a baby hedgehog now!
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5854.jpg)
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:omg: they're so cute!
I don't think I'd be able to part with them after hand-rearing them, :luck: !
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Awww look at their little paws :Luv2: :Luv2:
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They look gorgeous Gillian - did the teats arrive okay and have they been of benefit to you?
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Hi Lesley - no teats have arrived yet I'm afraid :(
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Don't forget I'm not handrearing at the moment, I've got mums keeping all mine clean and six of them have two mums doing the work.
My handrears always look a bit bedraggled and I often have to give them a full wash to get them looking decent. It doesn't help when they start pooing for themselves as you have no control over where or who it goes on, and then when they start eating for themselves their faces get filthy as well. :rofl: =
Will send some more teats today - might be too late for these ones, but I'm sure they won't be the last. :innocent:
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Don't forget I'm not handrearing at the moment, I've got mums keeping all mine clean and six of them have two mums doing the work.
My handrears always look a bit bedraggled and I often have to give them a full wash to get them looking decent. It doesn't help when they start pooing for themselves as you have no control over where or who it goes on, and then when they start eating for themselves their faces get filthy as well. :rofl: =
Will send some more teats today - might be too late for these ones, but I'm sure they won't be the last. :innocent:
Yes, I got confused thinking it was you handrearing, but it was Angie - so deleted my question but you saw it anyway LOL! :-[ - oh I'm glad its not just my kittens doing that with the poo - thought I was doing something wrong not be able to keep them clean, especially grey ones face! when you say full wash - what do you mean, a full dunking in warm water, not face obivously?
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I'm not sure what Lesley does but when I get one that needs bottle feeding, I clean their mouths and chins with a wet cotton wool ball afterward to get all the excess milk off their coats. Stale milk attracts flies. This time of year it only takes an hour or two and they'll have fly eggs all over the ickle faces. :sick:
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Yes, I always wipe their faces off as milk seems to get on their chins and down their necks.
Yes, Gillian, if they get really yucky, I will give them a dunking with just warm water, keeping their heads dry, wipe them down with a dampened babywipe, a good towel dry and then a blow dry with a very cool hairdryer, to get the majority of the dampness off, before placing them on the heat pad. They often fluff up like little cotton wool balls.
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omg how will you part with them??? look at those little paws
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:Luv: you are so amazing looking after these delightful little darlings well done they look great! :Luv2:
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I don't think I'd be able to part with them after hand-rearing them, :luck: !
omg how will you part with them??? look at those little paws
Thats why I havent named them.....if I don't name them..... ;)
Thanks Leslie and Julie - I wipe their faces each time I feed them, but the little grey one's face is all sticky with poo too :sick: I've tried a moistened baby's soft toothbrush to get in between and around his eyes and round his cheeks, but it really is plastered on! I got him looking really good last night before bedtime, managed to fluff up round his face a bit - looked in this morning and there he was all slicked back again :tired:
Can I use a shampoo? baby shampoo? when I wash their bodies.
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Can I use a shampoo? baby shampoo? when I wash their bodies.
Just plain water. Nothing else. Make really sure it's only tepid of course - not too hot, not too cold. (Goes without saying as far as you're concerned but just in case someone else less able stumbles across this thread in the future. :innocent: ) The key thing is to control temperature and dry them as quick as possible afterwards. A dunking and a bit of a soak isn't going to do any harm now the umbilicus is firmly sealed. ;)
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OK, thanks :thanks:
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I adore those pics - you're doing really well Gillian :hug:
Mary
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I adore those pics - you're doing really well Gillian :hug:
Thanks :thanks:
They had their little wash and brush up and looked much better (for a few hours anyway :tired: ). They loved it too - the warm water and the blow dry, I'm sure they felt better, they certainly smelt better!
Here they are today:
Get me outta here! :evillaugh:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/kittenblack.jpg)
Not sure whether I was going up or getting down!
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/kittengrey.jpg)
Come on bruv (or sis :-[ ), you can do it
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/kittensboth.jpg)
I love this brush :evillaugh:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/kittenblack2.jpg)
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Oh, bless.... their first visit to the beauty parlour! :evillaugh:
They look like they're coming along just fine. Well done! :)
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Sorry Gillian, still haven't sent the teats, had an emergency with my mum taken into hospital. I promised to get them to you over the weekend. :sorry:
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Hmmm.... wash, cut and blow dry and even teaching one how tuse a brush :rofl: :Luv2: :hug:
Love the pics :Luv2: :Luv:
Mary
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Awwww they're SO tiny Gillian-don't know how you're coping, i'd be a wreck! Well done! :hug: :hug:
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i love the photos! sooooo pretty! xxx
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Ta! :thanks:
OK, kitten experts, whats the next step? They are 23 days old (supposedly - I reckon they look younger than that), they are still having the formula every 4 hours or so (not through the night) and these past few days they've been taking about 20ml each time - how does that sound? Still being bottle fed - the little grey one did have a go at lapping a few days ago, but seems to have forgotten how to do it now! :doh: Do I start introducing some kitten food now? I know it has to be mixed in with the milk to make a kind of soup :sick: and do I just put that on a teaspoon and see if they lap at it? or is it too soon to start on the kitten food yet? and if I can start introducing it - do I still do milk feeds plus kitten food slop feeds :evillaugh: or do I substitute one (or more) of the milk feeds for the slop feed? So many questions! :innocent:
They are still in the carrier (soon to transfer into a proper kitten pen), but at the moment, each time I've fed them, they have a little wander around and a play on the big towel I lay out at each feed, they are quite active, sort of wobbly mobile, they climb onto my legs when I'm sat down. Also, can I start introducing them to a litter tray?
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Whilst waiting for the kitten experts.....
Just wanted to say how adorable they all are Gillian and to tell peeps they can left click on pics to make them hoooge swoooooooon :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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Gillian, I know the next step.......adopt them :evillaugh: :rofl: :naughty: :evillaugh: :naughty: :hug:
Then you will never have a spare minute to yourself :rofl: :hug:
Mary
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Now they are getting to the kind of age I'm more used to - I chicken out of the first 2/3 weeks if I can and get someone else to take them. :evillaugh:
No point in messing with meat until they can lap properly, so I'd focus on that first. See if you can get them to lick milk from your fingers. Once they've mastered that, guide them with your milky fingers to the bowl of milk. If necessary stick your fingers in the bowl too so as they are licking your milky fingers, they have to lap at the milk bowl as well. They should pick it up in no time. ;) I suspect your grey one can actually lap very well and hasn't forgotten at all... he's being crafty and lazy and they WILL try it on with you as it's easier for them being fed by bottle than it is to lap in the early stages. :innocent:
I always offer a bottle in addition to lapping for a few days at least. Perhaps 2 bottles a day to 2/3 bowls of milk. Maybe for a week until I can see they are lapping strongly. They will need practice as they will just go swimming in it at first. :evillaugh: Once they are lapping strongly, I discontinue the bottles unless I think they are having a struggle - sometimes a sibbling hogs the bowl and the smallest one can't get near. :shy: And it doesn't matter how many bowls you supply, they WILL all try to drink out of the same bowl. :tired: :evillaugh:
Four weeks old is usually the time I think about making a milky meat mush, but it does depend on how I think they are progressing. Some are ready sooner, some need a few more days. And I make it very milky, like a very runny porridge. I offer that two or three times a day plus a bowl of plain milk 2 or 3 times a day. After a few days on the really runny mush, I make the mixture gradually thicker each day until they are on 100% meat with no milk mixed in. At first you will find only one full meat meal a day is enough to send them to sleep for hours. :evillaugh:
About 5/6 weeks they are down to one bowl of milk a day most days, maybe now and again 2 bowls if they are struggling, and I gradually phase the milk out by the 7th week and try to get them on water instead. They do protest as kittens love their milk (like human babies :evillaugh: ) but sooner or later they have to accept they are big kittens now. :innocent:
Every litter is different. Some take to it really well while others take their time. So all the above is a rough guide only. :hug: :hug:
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Forgot to add... Around 3/4 weeks I place a litter tray near them. As they start to wonder around they usually find it naturally. If not, when I see them squatting for a pee or poo, I scoop them up and dump them in the tray. Sometimes I get hold of their little paws and help them scratch around in the litter. Kittens love digging and when they discover the tray you can barely keep them out! You'll think you've got a little troop of coal miners and want to stick little lamps on their heads. :rofl: Make sure you use wood pellets as they will often try to eat clay or small granules and it can bung them up. :doh:
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Good luck with them, someone on CC has said that she finds they can sometimes eat before they can
lap, so might be worth trying kitten meat - the woman I used to foster for favoured the whiskas kitten supermeat.
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Thats brilliant Julie, thanks :thanks: I've printed those instructions out and am starting the process of teaching lapping, hmmmm! :-: this has just resulted in very sticky, milky fingers, and sticky, milky paws - but I'm sure they'll get the hang of it soon! :tired: BUT - big breakthrough, wait for it.........black one used the litter tray for a wee today - yay!!!! :wow: I popped him in it and scratched around with his little paws - and hey presto!
Sorry Gillian, still haven't sent the teats, had an emergency with my mum taken into hospital. I promised to get them to you over the weekend.
Don't worry Lesley, they seem to be doing ok with the syringe now. Hope your mum's ok :hug:
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Hooray for weeing in a litter tray :hug: :rofl: ;)
More exciting than wining the Lotto :hug:
Mary
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More exciting than wining the Lotto :hug:
Yep, can't believe how chuffed I am that he did a wee in the tray LOL!
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They are so cute and especially love the grey one ;D
I think its my duty to come and inspect them for Purrs :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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Yas , I agree Gill - I think an inspection is vital......................and I appear to have Thursday off this week......... :shify:
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Oh my how cute :Luv2: and yes they do look like little hedgehogs :evillaugh: well done Gillian :)
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Yas , I agree Gill - I think an inspection is vital......................and I appear to have Thursday off this week......... :shify:
I also agree - good idea Gill - maybe we could have a Purrs coach trip - then I can inspect All the Persians, the Moggies and not forgetting Juliet and Chico and the other fosters - it'll have to be longer than a day trip :evillaugh: :rofl: :hug: :hug:
Mary
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sounds like you are doing a great job Gillian!!
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I'm lurking on this thread with interest as you are 9? days ahead of me. (mine are 14 days today).
well done, its hard worrying work is this. Got my midnight feed to go and then zzzzzzzz.....
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Yep, coach trip, you can all take turns doing the kitten feeds - and then cleaning up afterwards!...... :innocent:
27 days old - thats nearly 4 weeks, but they are still so tiny. Started introducing some meat now - made it into porridge with the milk - as per instructions :innocent: and offered on teaspoon first, grey one got it straight away, so lowered the spoon into the saucer - and in he plunged :evillaugh: . Black one a bit hesitant about lapping and porridge - but this afternoon he made up for lost time and took a dive into the saucer - as you can see! :evillaugh:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5878.jpg)
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Fantastic work, Gillian! :wow:
It's always funny seeing them learn about solids. It's always messy. :innocent: They paddle in it, fight each other in it, lay in it, try to sleep in it.. and I've even had one that took a dump in it. :rofl: :rofl: They seem to try to do anything with a bowl of food... fingers crossed more of it ends up inside their tums than plastered over their fur but it doesn't always work out that way. :evillaugh:
Should be some ace Kodak moments coming in the next few days do get some more batteries in for the camera. ;)
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Sitting here laughing......how much mess can two midget kittens make :rofl: :rofl:
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he's going to be soooooooooooooo embarrassed when you show these pics to his new family eventually :rofl:
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:rofl: :rofl: He's so cute.
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he's going to be soooooooooooooo embarrassed when you show these pics to his new family eventually :rofl:
LOL! oh yes - the baby pictures :evillaugh:
The grey one is still suckling on the other one's 'bits' - they are looking a bit sore to me, is there anything I can do, aside from pulling him away whenever he does it (which I do, but obviously I'm not around all the time to see it), or splitting them up? I don't know why the black one doesnt biff him one when he does it - he's perfectly capable of doing so and does it often enough when they are play fighting! The grey one is just so determined to suckle and will do it at every opportunity. Black one isnt going to need neutering later on at this rate! :tired:
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Vaseline or vaseline lip balm is ideal for naughty bits; you will probably find grey fast asleep in his "kitten soup" as he suckles that too; hopefully now he is lapping he will suddenly pile the pounds on and become less of a worry.
You will also find baby wipes will not be sufficient for proper cleaning, johnsons baby shampoo is safe for bathing and as you have already found they love the hairdryer.
Be wary of being over enthusiastic cleaning mouth area as kittens can end up a little bald round the whisker area.
Regards litter tray training, I start my bottle feds off on kitchen towel in litter tray and stimulate them each feed, as they learn to go themselves I put a small amount of woodbased litter ontop of kitchen towel gradually replacing paper altogether.
Those pics brought me so much pleasure thinking back to so many hand rears but I think of all of them Pedro takes the prize.
Youre doing a brilliant job.
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what little darlings....xxx
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You're doing an amazing job Gillian, and those photos have just made me laugh so much, for all the hard work, it must make you smile every second of the day too :Luv2:
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Jeri dopp of http://www.safehavenforcats.com/newborn.htm suggests spraying bottoms with bitter apple, used for electric cables but she is US based and don't know if UK pet shops stock it.
you've done great. My little Annie is still painfully small and I have added 2mls of liquivite into a feed today and will see what comes out - may feed a bit more if it seems well tolerated.
oh yes! http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3014-bitter-apple-spray-236ml.aspx
and our favs (and cheaper)
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/veterinary-supplies-pet-wound-care-products-c-141_169/bitter-apple-236mls-spray-p-1131
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Vaseline or vaseline lip balm is ideal for naughty bits;
Thanks Teresa :thanks: - got some vaseline and have been applying it to his sore 'bits' ;)
Jeri dopp of http://www.safehavenforcats.com/newborn.htm suggests spraying bottoms with bitter apple, used for electric cables but she is US based and don't know if UK pet shops stock it.
Thanks Angie :thanks: I'm going to get some of that spray - thats a good link about handrearing, especially about them not feeding well when they are cold - I think the grey one was feeling the cold first thing in the morning, after the hot water bottle had cooled down and before I pop in to put their heater on, so I put the heater on earlier and also cuddled him so that he was really warm before feeding.
Today something seemed to really click with both of them - and they immediately started lapping strongly at the milk this morning, and then lunchtime they plunged into their meaty mix again LOL! How long before they realise they don't actually have to swim in it before eating it? :evillaugh:
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How long before they realise they don't actually have to swim in it before eating it?
They'll do that naturally when they realise they can't fit into the bowl anymore. :rofl: :rofl:
Sounds like it's all going to plan. ;) Keep up the good work. :hug: :hug:
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I love this thread - Gillian, you are doing so well with them - they are just gorgeous.
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I love the new photo I bet he was a joy to deal with after rolling in his lunch!! I wish I known you lot when we handreared Bluto 19 years ago!
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Gillian I do hope you are taking lots of notes cos you MIGHT be doing it again next year as you are so brill at it. ;) :naughty: :rofl: :hug:
Mary
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How atre the kittens today ?
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The kittens have gone to another fosterer. I asked for someone else to take them for a couple of reasons - one is that I've got some sort of bug (very sore throat - like swallowing barbed wire! and a cough, feel lousy and muscles aching) so was really struggling - it was actually more work now they are eating solid food, because of the clean up afterwards LOL!
The other reason is, at just over 4 weeks old, I was aware of the importance of the socialisation period for kittens, and I can't give them all that they need in that respect (not many visitors, so mainly me handling them etc) - so they have gone today to a foster who has fairly busy household, a family, so lots of people to handle them, plus a dog (who she said is very good at keeping kittens clean after they've got messy from eating LOL!)
Sad to see them go, but pleased they are going to the right environment for their continuing 'education' ;) I'm glad I got them to this stage, because there were times when I didnt think the little grey one would make it, and I'm so grateful for all the help I got here on Purrs :thanks:
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you did an amazing job :cheer:
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Gillian you gave thenm the best ever start to their hopefully long and happy lives.
Mary :hug:
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Thats wonderful Gillian and now you need to get your own sleep and eating back to normal, sure thats why you have picked up something. Get well soon :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I've been over to visit the kittens today, they're still with the other fosterer who took them on to get them well socialised - wow! :wow: OMG they are just gorgeous :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: - I so want them...... :innocent: . They have turned into beautiful kittens, quite mad of course, don't keep still for 5 mintues, so although i got many pics, most were blurrrrrrred..... :evillaugh: Anyway, here are little Truffle (or Trouble ;) ) and Nugget :Luv: :Luv:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5998.jpg)
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb234/scruffyjoe/FOSTERS/IMG_5990.jpg)
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OMG
I NEEEEEEEEED them!! They are too cute for words... :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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Just fabulous Gillian. Gorgeous :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: Well done you and current fosterer :hug:
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OMG they are stunning and so so cute :Luv: :Luv:
Well done to you Gillian (and the other fosterer) for the care given to them. :hug:
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Too cute for words!!!! :Luv2: :Luv2:
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Awwww, aren't they beauties :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
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really lovely kittens. Not surprised you want them!
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O M G :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Well done Gillian :hug:
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Keep thinking about them :naughty: no, no, I have NO room lol! Didnt help that the other fosterer kept trying to tempt me with them!
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:Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: Too cute for words! Well done Gillian ;D
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they are adorable and with that long hair will need someone who knows how to care for it :evillaugh:
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they are adorable and with that long hair will need someone who knows how to care for it :evillaugh:
hmmm, wonder who? :naughty:
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Oh wow :wow: :wow: :wow: sooo stunning they be ;D :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Coo Purrs catnappin mission i fink!! :evillaugh: :sneaky:
Well done hun. what fantastic care you and the other foster are giving them :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Such beautiful little ones!
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:Luv2: :Luv2:
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Oh wow :wow: :wow: :wow: sooo stunning they be ;D :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Coo Purrs catnappin mission i fink!! :evillaugh: :sneaky:
Well done hun. what fantastic care you and the other foster are giving them :hug: :hug: :hug:
So what is the plan to catnap these two gorgeous kittens then Tan I like the black and white one will let you have the grey and white one Tan :cat laugh: :cat laugh:
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they are adorable and with that long hair will need someone who knows how to care for it :evillaugh:
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Dawn you're getting as bad as me ;) :naughty:
They are yummy Gillian ;) :hug:
Mary
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Think I'll be joining you all on the catnapping mission ;) BUT......
So what is the plan to catnap these two gorgeous kittens then Tan I like the black and white one will let you have the grey and white one Tan
.........I'll be havin 'em both LOL! :naughty:
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OI! Get to the back of the queue!! :naughty:
They are MINE! :evillaugh:
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OI! Get to the back of the queue!! :naughty:
They are MINE! :evillaugh:
i had them first! I spoon fed them and washed them, and fed them and washed them again and again, and again ........ :tired: :evillaugh: they's mine :naughty:
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OI! Get to the back of the queue!! :naughty:
They are MINE! :evillaugh:
i had them first! I spoon fed them and washed them, and fed them and washed them again and again, and again ........ :tired: :evillaugh: they's mine :naughty:
Oh......
Okay then, I'll let you off THIS TIME!!! :evillaugh:
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OI! Get to the back of the queue!! :naughty:
They are MINE! :evillaugh:
i had them first! I spoon fed them and washed them, and fed them and washed them again and again, and again ........ :tired: :evillaugh: they's mine :naughty:
You let them go Gillian me and Tan are in the process of plotting to get them :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
They will be well groomed and know what it entails to have a long haired cat so no worries there :garf:
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LOL! :rofl: - their current fosterer is on 24 hour guard to stop any mad cat ladies from catnappin! :evillaugh: :evillaugh: