Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: livinginsudan on March 24, 2008, 14:56:24 PM
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Hi anyone that can help!! I am an aid worker living in Sudan but originally from UK and I was really hoping someone could help. I just recieved a kitten yesterday, quite unexpectadly, from a Sudanese person on the street, literally a box was thrust at me and they ran away!
According to my net searches the cat can't be much over 2 or 3 weeks, and I have looked at the reccomended items for raising a kitten and I don't think it's possible here where I am there are no vets, pet stores etc etc, so really I have to use traditioal household stuff to raise the kitten.
My questions are - how much do I need to feed the kitten? what sort of food should it recieve? should I be ordering drugs for it from somewhere??
Thanks a lot for any information can help with,
Best,
John
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Hi John, not the sort of thing you would expect to have to deal with I imagine. Do you have cans of evaporated milk? Some cotton you can use as a wick, or something similar. The kitten will need milk for some time to come - and I am sure someone here can suggest a properly balanced formula. Full evaporated milk would be too rich, so you would need to dilute it with boiled milk, but what proportions etc are better coming from an expert. There is a company called VetUk that is accessible on-line and I am sure i you contacted them with your predicament they would be able to supply all your needs within a week, so you only have to get through the next week with luck (although that rather depends how far you are from civilisation.
Vetuk.com should get you there. Meds, no. the kitten is way too young for that. Boiled water until someone comes on line with a proper formula mix for you and good luck!
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oh, and I found this link - not sure how helpful it will be ...
http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm
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ah, and it uses goats milk - you shouldn't have problems getting your hands on that! ;D
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ah, and it uses goats milk - you shouldn't have problems getting your hands on that! ;D
thanks so much for that info! that hanbook looks v useful. one other thing, my kitten seems to be haking when it is not asleep - is that normal for a young kitten? could it be cold or nervousness??
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ah, and it uses goats milk - you shouldn't have problems getting your hands on that! ;D
thanks so much for that info! that hanbook looks v useful. one other thing, my kitten seems to be haking when it is not asleep - is that normal for a young kitten? could it be cold or nervousness??
i meant to say shaking there, if that was not reallly clear!
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fear, certainly - it needs something warm and safe to cuddly up to, preferably with a heart beat. If you can make a sling and wear it under your clothing against your skin that should do the trick nicely
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one other thing, my kitten seems to be haking when it is not asleep - is that normal for a young kitten? could it be cold or nervousness??
It could be terror as the poor little mite is far too young to have been separated from his or her mother (in normal circumstances). Very well done to you for caring and taking over the little ones care :hug:.
There are some experts on handrearing kittens on here and I will draw their attention to your plight. They will be able to advise you.
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John
Just got this reply from Teresa, who runs Paws Inn:
Jo [Blackcat] has given good advice with a link which I dont think I could improve on
Best wishes to you both
C
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:-[ gosh, thanks t!! I am flattered :-[ :-[
Keep us posted John, won't you. We would love to hear about some of your adventures if you have the time to share with us! ;D
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Thanks guys for the help! I will update you how the kitten gets on,
Cheers
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Quick update and further request for assistance! Am giving the Kitten kitten gloop from a rescipe I found online, however it is not peeing or pooing, I have tried stimulating it to but it does not seem to be working and the cat seems generally pretty unhappy about it. Blackcat it is fair to say this is very little like my average work! I have fed it a little cooking oil in the hope that works. Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance!
J
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Dont worry about the pooing just yet what goes in will come out.Dont give cooking oil.
The weeing is more of a worry, try using a warm damp piece of cotton wool sometimes it helps if you gently stroke kittens head whilst stimulating the rear end, is it possible that kitten has wet himself without you noticing? Just occasional a kitten can get a little blockage through a bit of dirt or plug of mucous so make sure genitals are clean.
Best of luck.
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Hav'nt got anything but "Good Luck" to add.....and "Thank you" for caring! :hug:
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Good morning John and :welcome: to Purrs
Thank you for looking after this kitten, good luck and do you have a name for the kitten?
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Good morning John and :welcome: to Purrs
Thank you for looking after this kitten, good luck and do you have a name for the kitten?
Hi Yvonne, gone for the biblical name of Lazarus. I got him on Easter and wasn't about to call him Jesus so that seemed like the next best :), thanks for the welcome.
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Good morning John and :welcome: to Purrs
Thank you for looking after this kitten, good luck and do you have a name for the kitten?
Hi Yvonne, gone for the biblical name of Lazarus. I got him on Easter and wasn't about to call him Jesus so that seemed like the next best :), thanks for the welcome.
Cat is now peeing, yay
never thought I would say that sentence.
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Thats wonderful ;D
How does it feel to be a mother cat ;D
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Cat is now peeing, yay
never thought I would say that sentence.
We are all cheering with you :hug: Has he pooed yet?
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Cat is now peeing, yay
never thought I would say that sentence.
We are all cheering with you :hug: Has he pooed yet?
Not yet! will let you all know...
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Ah, another person on Poo Watch. I am so glad it's not just me!
:welcome: to the forum. When you get a mo pop a pic up if you can (though don't use the flash on the camera so as to not damage baby's eyes).
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Ah, another person on Poo Watch. I am so glad it's not just me!
:welcome: to the forum. When you get a mo pop a pic up if you can (though don't use the flash on the camera so as to not damage baby's eyes).
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:drool; I want!!!!
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Aw, so cute!!! You are doing a wonderful thing by helping poor little Lazarus!
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Oh my , how cute ;D
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Aw kitty is beautiful....so glad he/she has had a pee pee......sending positive vibes for the other~~~~~~~ :hug:
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Hi John and Lazarus :welcome: to Purrs,
So glad you found us and pleased to hear Lazarus is now weeing :evillaugh:
You are doing a wonderful job looking after the little fella I assume he will be "your" cat after all this?
We would love to hear more about the Sudan and what an ex-pat is doing out there ... apart from handrearing a tiny kitten :rofl:
All the best and give little Lazarus a cuddle from all his new Purrs friends.
Sam
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Hi John and Lazarus :welcome: to Purrs,
So glad you found us and pleased to hear Lazarus is now weeing :evillaugh:
You are doing a wonderful job looking after the little fella I assume he will be "your" cat after all this?
We would love to hear more about the Sudan and what an ex-pat is doing out there ... apart from handrearing a tiny kitten :rofl:
All the best and give little Lazarus a cuddle from all his new Purrs friends.
Sam
Will do!! :thanks: for the welcome all. I work for an agency called Medair, and am about to take over leading their country programme in South Sudan www.medair.org <- if you want details. This cat will absolutely be mine after all this :) , handrearing is not a side business I plan on getting into here!
poo update coming soon I hope!!
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Cant add anymore advice as you have been given 1st class advice already so just going to say Good Luck, Hope Lazarus continues to do well (what a great name) and also just wanted to say that i admire you and the work you do in the Sudan. We had a lady from our Church who was out there for years as a missionary xxx
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Have just caught up with this, John.
Well done you for saving this tiny one. Praying that Lazarus will survive and grow strong.
Thanks for all you are doing. x
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Well done John, on both fronts, the kitten seems in safe hands and the work you are all doing over there is wonderful - I am full of admiration!
You won't catch me about during the day because sadly I have to trek up to London in the mornings. I am usually on line first thing (around 6am) or in the evenings. But to be frank Teresa is the expert here and has years of experience running a rescue. Fortunately I have never had to hand raise a kitten (though I have had my fair share of puppies, goats and poultry, lol). Just carry on as you are and you should hopefully get a good outcome if the kitten is otherwise healthy. He looks lovely BTW - a silver tabby? And such a lovely wee face. His eyes are still shut, I assume.
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I have been snooping today but didn't get a chance to post - just wanted to say well done on all you are doing for this gorgeous baby :grouphug: Lazarus is gorgeous! :wow:
Lovely to hear you will keep him, and look forward to more piccies!!
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Well done John on helping this little kitten and also on what you are doing in Sudan, people like you deserve a medal :hug: :hug:
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Thanks all for the assistance! His eyes are open - black cat, and his ears are beginning to stand up, though he is still shaky walkig around.
Peeing seems to be no worries but he is definately not going for any no. 2s! Is this normal? I am feeding him a kitty gloop recipe - can I expect him to not go for a poo until I feed him solids?
Am a little bit concerned about size of his belly, and whether that is related.
Thanks again everyone for the help!
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Hi John
He will poop when he is ready, keep trying sometimes kitchen roll stimulates better than cotton wool as it is similar in texture to mother cats tongue, failing that use your bare finger, sometimes it needs very patient and gentle stimulation, once he starts the floodgates will open.
Your doing a great job. :hug:
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Hi John
He will poop when he is ready, keep trying sometimes kitchen roll stimulates better than cotton wool as it is similar in texture to mother cats tongue, failing that use your bare finger, sometimes it needs very patient and gentle stimulation, once he starts the floodgates will open.
Your doing a great job. :hug:
Bang on! he did, thanks for advice
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morning John, glad to hear he has pooped! ;D you will find it is the little things that make all this so rewarding :rofl: :rofl:
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Well John, Greatness has seemingly been thrust upon you in the form of a kitten.
Well done for caring for Lazerus as well as you have in light of the conditions, you must be thrilled!
Keep up the good Work, Please do keep us posted!
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John that is excellent news.
I am wondering if we could legally get a small parcel of things to you like kitten wormer,flea treatment etc. perhaps someone will have an idea as to the legalities.
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Excellent news!! Well done.
T, John himself might know of this. I think there might be a few logistical issues but I'll have a squizz online now and see if we have a way.
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According to the Sudanese Customs website, Human and Veterinary medications should have approval from the Pharmacological Directorate and be pharmacy approved. Maybe John will know if its fairly simple to ship something out. Just looks like it has to be declared and approved locally.
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According to the Sudanese Customs website, Human and Veterinary medications should have approval from the Pharmacological Directorate and be pharmacy approved. Maybe John will know if its fairly simple to ship something out. Just looks like it has to be declared and approved locally.
Thats a really sweet idea Teresa thanks! So appreciated. I have a postal office address in Kenya as there is no functioning postal system in South Sudan (in the North - like Khartoum- there is but it is hard to get stuff down here because of border tensions). So something can be sent there... I can private message someone the address, maybe?
Cheers!
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PM me with the address detaisl John, will discuss with the others what we can send you to tide you over. Will you be ok with customs from here to Kenya?
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I've got to put an order in with RC today so I can order some kitten milk for the little one if that's any help, I've asked John for details and I can get it into the post as soon as I receive my order.
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Cool Dawn. Might be more cost effective if we send one package with wormer, kitten frontline or the like?
Am happy to send it out myself, might speak to VetUk and see if Ian can make sure he sends me a prescription for medications so that customs allow it through?
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Should I send the kitten milk separate :shy: I was just thinking if I post it to you and then it has to be posted on again, it's more time wasted. I put my order in today and I should receive it Monday, not sure how long it would take to get to Kenya :shy:
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We need to check though as it might be considered food instead of medication. LEt me check with VetUK if we can classify it as that. If we can I can buy some direct from him together with all the other stuff. But if it is classed as food stuff you can send it but might have to pay duties. LEt me check.
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Okay, let me know when you hear :hug: Other thing that may be worth considering sending in the event that the little one gets unwell, is some Synulux Palatable Drops for kittens. As you know kittens can come down with all sorts, and treatment is needed asap and as there is no access to the vet etc over there, these would be worth John keeping in stock. They come in a powder form initially and they are made up with water when needed. If you have any problems getting anything, I can get stuff through my vet, not a problem :hug:
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I've just asked Ian. Since he ships all over the UK we might be able to purchase direct from him and he can ship it to John in Kenya. I've asked him about the milk. What we might need Dawn and if you can swing it, is to have Sean provide a prescription for everything we might need, including the flea treatment, wormers (just in case) and we can send that to Ian and he can ship?
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Send me a list and I'll get onto that this afternoon :hug:
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Send me a list and I'll get onto that this afternoon :hug:
Thanks guys, have passed on address to DD! :hug:
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Ruth, I'm pm'd the address to you so you can give it to Ian with the order :hug:
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Ruth if your happy to do the leg work I will chip in with the cost. Apart from wormers,flea treatment and antibiotics, things like Electrolyte and the royal canin liquid concentrate food(comes in powdered form) are handy standbys in case of emergencies along with syringes.
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the royal canin liquid concentrate food(comes in powdered form) are handy standbys in case of emergencies along with syringes.
Would this be better than the normal RC kitten milk or as well as?
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Both are handy to have, I always keep the liquid concentrate to hand great for sick adults and bottlefeds.
Fucithalmic eye ointment another good thing to have in emergency box.
Lazarus is going to be ready to start weaning in another week or so,how can we get kitten food to him?
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Thanks peeps. Between you and Dawn T, we can get a good list of supplies to send out. Don't worry about cost both of you, I'll sort that, you need that for both your rescues.
I'm just waiting back on a response from VetUk to see how they can help, they might even be able to provide some of this at cost to them. I'll see about food as well T, we can get some from VetUk too at the same time if necessary.
I didn't think about syringes so will see about getting those too.
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Thanks peeps. Between you and Dawn T, we can get a good list of supplies to send out. Don't worry about cost both of you, I'll sort that, you need that for both your rescues.
:Flowers: You are so kind! :Luv:
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You are wonderful people :hug:
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can I also suggest that with the kitten milk you send a kitten feeding bottle as I suspect John is currently reduced to either a syringe or to soaking cotton fabric for the kitten to suck. Am happy to pitch in financially as it is payday tomorrow, so someone PM me somewhere to send money. Also, perhaps a few small cans of kitten wet food to start weaning Lazarus when the time comes.
Some sterile wipes may also be useful, though I suspect John can get them where he is, but those medical supplies are for humans in dire conditions, so if we can provide them he won't have to raid local supplies.
Also maybe some puppy training pads to line the sling John may be using to keep the kitten with him during his day.
How exciting!!! Purrs to the Rescue Internationale!!!
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can I also suggest that with the kitten milk you send a kitten feeding bottle
I've ordered Royal Canin kitten milk which comes with a bottle ;)
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phew! it's the little things that count, lol ;D
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Ruth contacted me earlier and Ian has sent her links for sites to the manufacturers and not actually offered to provide the stuff :tired: so I had a chat with Trevor (owner of surgery) and he's agreed to do a prescription for me and supply us with whatever John will need. The first thing he asked after I explained was "so you're not going over to collect it then" :Crazy: :Crazy: Not sure what he's trying to say :sneaky:
We will need frontline but will the frontline kitten drops be better than a spray as these will be lighter? We'll have to compose a list of what and how much we need :shy:
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think I'll leave that to those of you with more recent experience than mine ............. :scared:
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Teresa I know uses a kitten spray but have no idea if that's a combo since i've only ever used ampules on Lexy. I do recall seeing Teresa use it on the
terrible angelic four before Ellie and I absconded with three of them :naughty: and it looked relatively easy to use and manageable.
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Ruth you saw me using Frontline spray. I tend to use Kitten stronghold now, I think pipettes would handle the post better.
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I'll be going to the vets tomorrow so I'm going to have a chat with Trevor to see what he thinks would handle the post better. I think with the pipettes as well, they are small and lightweight so won't take up much room. Stronghold and Frontline, are they for kittens 6 weeks and over? Ruth and I have also been discussing wormers and wondering whether to get a powder or whether Milbemax kitten tablet would be better, again I think the tablets are for 6 weeks and over so would have to double check. Stronghold would kill round worms anyway so the milbemax would be okay waiting until he's old enough. Up to now the list would include:
wormer
Flea treatment
Kitten Milk
Kitten Sachets - I tell you what I have got but may cause some controversy but will save pennies, Buddies sent me a load of kitten packs but they are Iams, both dried food and wet :shy: I have got some Royal Canin kitten packs coming if peeps prefer these to be sent and we can buy sachets separate.
Syringes
Synulux Palatable drops
Fuciphalmic Eye Ointment
Electrolyte
Canural
If anyone can think of anything else that needs to be added, as my head is frazzled tonight :tired:
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Why dont we ring Royal Canin and ask them to donate a few months supply of food to Lazarus, they could post direct it would certainly be good PR for them and save us postage ;I dont mind trying but I think you are cheekier than me Dawn (no offence meant) also you have the details . The babycat Royal canin can be mixed with any amount of water to get Lazarus weaned, maybe RC could be persuaded to donate babycat and kittendry and the milk.
Think the canaural maybe surplus to requirements if using stronghold.
Perhaps some wound powder or Fuciderm cream just in case.
Hoping Lazarus and John are ok this morning.
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That's a good idea T. I'm just getting together a list of how much we need of everything so Dawn can order it.
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OMG you guys are truly amazing ..... I love the way everyone just pulls together on projects like this.
I really am so proud to "know" you. :Luv2: :hug:
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I dont mind trying but I think you are cheekier than me Dawn (no offence meant) also you have the details .
:innocent: :evillaugh: I'll ring them shortly, just waiting for a phone call about these other cats that need sorting and I'll get onto it.
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Dawn ask Trevor pls for prescription for 2 months supply of wormers and a box of the frontline pipettes (which should cover him for 6 months), and especially in Sudan the baby will need to be Frontlined once a month.
Otherwise you judge the amount of food and other meds. I'd say a couple months supply for everything and then we can try to help John find a vet in Kenya/southern Sudanese borders.
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Just spoke to Royal Canin and the lady I spoke to said all they can do is send some kitten samples out to me and that was it :tired: I asked if there was any possibility of milk or being sent direct and she said no :sneaky: Not to worry, it was worth a try anyway :)
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Nice to know they can't see the marketing potential there! ;)
PM me when you know how much we have to buy
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I have got some of the baby kitten dry sample homing packs here.
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Nice to know they can't see the marketing potential there! ;)
have we tried VetUK or Zooplus and putting the hit on them?
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Anyone heard from John today?
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nope, but I imagine (from recent news reports) that he has a lot of other things to contend with other than keeping us updated .......
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Thanks Jo, not seen or heard news yet
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there have been recent attacks on aid workers (not John's organisation, thank heaven) resulting in deaths ......... :(
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Yes we've tried VetUk though not Zooplus. Due to the time though we won't get any response before Monday so we can approach that avenue if and when. For now this shipment is covered, but later shipments we might be able to encourage some donations from Zooplus or the like.
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I have got some of the baby kitten dry sample homing packs here.
Thanks T, I've got some coming on Monday, so I'll see what the weight is when we sort the other stuff and take it from there. Ideally we need to keep it to no more than 5 kgs.
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Thanks for all of this guys, I am completely bowled over! Lazarus is doing well, as am I, things are a little bit heating up over here but not around my area right now, thanks for concern. Can I help with the organisation of any of this?
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Without wanting to step on anyones toes, but there was a recent thread about Samui and paying a vet in South Africa and this was a success. So would it not be possible to use there services again? Pay them a fee and ask them to post the items. Just a thought, but I'm sure you guy's at 'international rescue' know better.. ;D
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Hi Barney,
The situation with Samui was different to this one, though that option has been considered. It's not much different to offering help from here, so we'll see what we can achieve.
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Hope everything is okay with John and Lazarus, anyone had any updates on how the little one is doing?
I think we've managed to get everything together now for the parcel that's going to John, all I'm waiting for now is the prescription off Trevor which hopefully will be done tomorrow. I'm not sure of the weight as yet but no doubt this will be a nice surprise when I go to the post office :shocked: , hopefully everything arrives safely and the gorgeous Lazarus grows up to be strong and healthy :Luv: :Luv:
John, if you can think of anything else you want sending, let me know and I'll see what I can do :hug:
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Wow! you guys are amazing, just caught up on this and just wanted to say that I am proud to be a purrs member :hug:
I have gotten Zooplus to donate before (when I did the Christmas collection 2006) and they sent me two HUGE bags of Royal Canin and a litter tray -so its worth a try I suppose?? They seemed very generous. They said they would "send something" and then a big box arrived. Wonder if they would ship to Kenya though.
Again a big :hug: to Ruth, Dawn and T and of course John :hug:
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Wow! you guys are amazing, just caught up on this and just wanted to say that I am proud to be a purrs member :hug:
I have gotten Zooplus to donate before (when I did the Christmas collection 2006) and they sent me two HUGE bags of Royal Canin and a litter tray -so its worth a try I suppose?? They seemed very generous. They said they would "send something" and then a big box arrived. Wonder if they would ship to Kenya though.
Again a big :hug: to Ruth, Dawn and T and of course John :hug:
Hey all! sorry for radio silence. I am currently in a place called Yei in Sudan in the midst of a cholera outbreak. Lazarus is getting bigger and bigger but remaining blue eyed and adorable. Until Friday he is being taken care of by a friend who has been supplied with enough Kitten Gloop to sink a ship and a telephone directory of kitten advise. I am sure he'll be fine. Can't wait to get this package! Everything you have suggested sounds great!
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So pleased he is okay and you are of course :hug: If you can think of anything that you may like sending over for yourself as a little thankyou for helping this little guy, let me know before I send off the package :hug:
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Hey JOhn, hope you've had your shots :rofl: Glad to hear you are still on top of things and Lazarus is doing well. We really do appreciate just how hard it must be for you out there. Take care of your self, won't you!
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Hey all, quick kitten update :) see pic, he is doing well and still amazingly cute. Any idea what I should feed the kitten now he has teeth?
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Aw, he's so cute!!
I'm not sure about the food but theres some very knowledgeable people on here who will know the right thing for him.
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I guess as commercial cat food isn't available there, I wonder if you could feed him a raw diet? - If you can get ground meat (including bone), you can add vitamins to it - It is actually a lot better than any ready made stuff. I have seen variants so hopefully Gillian or someone else that feeds raw can advise the best mix. From what I remember, you add water, b complex, vitamin E and taurine but I'm not sure of proportions.
Great looking kitten :)
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He is gorgeous and if he was in UK it would be kitten food solids I guess but I am sure one of the experts will advise ;D
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Hi John
Hopefully our package should be with you soon, with a few extras for feeding in there.
The more experienced lot will know about feeding, I just wanted to say he's adorable and if you weren't so far away I'd be thinking of catnapping him!
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Aw bless he is really coming on leaps and bounds! :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
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Hi John,
Laz is gorgeous and looks so cute.
With regards to "raw feeding" the following link may be of interest: http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,13328.0.html
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Looks like you are doing great work there John! And I am bumping this up so that one or more of our resident kitten experts can advise you about the next stage of food plan for Lazarus :)
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what a little cutie :wow: :Luv:
you are doing a wonderful job with him John, as others have said, a little ground mince would be a good start, mix it with a little boiled and cooled water so it is mushy (I only suggest boiling the water because I assume your water supplies are unreliable. If you have good water then no need to boil it). The aid parcel will probably also contain some solid foods for you. Hope it has gotten there safely or is nearby ...
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Hi John any news on Laz?
Hope you are both OK.
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Dear All!
Sorry I haven't got back to anyone on this in months but just wanted to say thanks so much to everyone for their help in handrearing a kitten in Sudan! Lazarus sruvived and is definately alive and kicking and sometimes biting in Sudan, see pic attached!
Thanks again,
John
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Great to hear from you John and wonderful to see Lazarus looking so well,you have truly worked miracles with him.
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JOhn, he is GORGEOUS! what a fabulous looking kitten! You must be so proud!!! Well done you, it can not have been easy in those conditions!!! :wow:
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Great to hear from you John and wonderful to see Lazarus looking so well,you have truly worked miracles with him.
Aint that the truth...
:Luv:
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Hi John great to hear from you. Laz is simply stunning .. he probably won't like me to say this but he is VERY PRETTY ... gorgeous eyes.
He is a credit to all your hardwork and care ... I hope you and he will have many happy years together.
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Great stuff John. I hope that our little bit helped relieve your mind. Lazarus is simply stunning. Well done you.