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IN THE BEGINNINGLate on Thursday evening (3/7/14) we found a family of cats in one of our rental property, no food, water or litter trays. The place stank of feces, urine and marijuana. Mum cat was in a bad way and emaciated and anemic, she didn't have any strength left at all and it was all she could do to lift her head and growl. Her small family of 5 were in several states of wellness, from the exceptionally thin red boy who was more fleas than cat to the bigger Paws, who was busy running around chasing his brother Trout. We tried every rescue center and it was also getting late. The worst call was to the RSPCA, we shall NEVER ring them again, they are a waste of time and patience. The Cats Protection offered to neuter Mum cat which was excellent. Coventry Cat Group were the most helpful with excellent advice on what to do about the fleas and the huge bundles of tape worms. Having never seen fleas like this, we were concerned about how to deal with them because Mum and some of the kittens were so sick. They gave us a good list of products we could and could not use on kittens. No one had any advice about how to help them come down from Marijuana and nicotine inhalation which I suppose was like going 'cold turkey'. They shook and shook and slept to start with, food was of no interest at first.
Mum was so poorly that her first tiny spoonful of chicken brought up with it a hard compacted sausage made up of card board and Bluebottle flies. The poor girl was so thirsty and kittens were weaned as such, but they kept relying on Mum for milk. She was so ill, it was touch and go if she might just fade away, especially after a flea treatment and worming paste made her 'go' both ends at once. We were pumping fluids in as fast as we could without shocking her body. The kittens didn't know how to lap water, so we made a chicken soup with electrolytes and vitamin paste in it - they loved it! Mum was on small portions of the same every few hours to break her body in gently. She finally stopped reacting badly on Saturday afternoon and turned a very huge corner thanks to Ade, who sat with her all day. The kittens have moved on from mushy kibble to hard kibble, but we have to keep an eye on Mum, she can eat a whole dispenser full if left with it! So we HAVE to come home throughout the day to feed small meals instead until she settles down. We have been overwhelmed with support form the cat fancy and family and friends who have all put something towards food, litter, toys, bedding, vaccinations, neutering and microchipping. They really do deserve a decent start in life. Mum is currently still trying to over eat, like you would, but is a secret eater, so we can't leave food down currently. She waits until babies have filled up and then finishes EVERYTHING off. Much to her tummy's annoyance! The kittens growl at each other and each day this is getting a little less with our help to socialise them and help them be happy rounded babies. It's such hard work as we want them to have the best start and not be scared and worried about food and fret about sharing. UPDATE: On Monday 14th July, the Kittens went for their first vaccinations, by Tuesday they were all really poorly and by Thursday we thought we were going to lose Ginge & Torte, but out vet assured us that we were doing the very best for them and the hydration fluids and specially made kitty gloop & Hills AD paste was keeping them alive enough to fight a terrible virus. It is thought (currently) that they have the Virus FECV, but further tests are being done to rule out panleukopenia. Their immune systems were hit badly and there has been a full week of two hourly feeds and hydration all through the day and night. It's been a really disheartening job because they were so full of beans and making great headway. On Tuesday 15th it was found during a routine spay that Hope had a colon problem and our vet Simon corrected that for her with emergency surgery. Of course, things are never straight forward and although separated from the babies, still became a little sick herself. It seems to never end. There is a final light at the end of the tunnel, they are all recovering AGAIN for the second time around and this time they are fighting fit. All Kittens are ready by the 15th August they will be ready to fly the nest - although, some are staying a little longer due to holidays. Read on to meet Hope (Mum) and her family of adorable tearaways! |