Kitten watch - day 10

Once again, I was so sure I was going to have kittens this morning - the point that I had a dream about it last night (although she gave birth to the four week old kitten I met at the shelter yesterday)  - because she had a little vaginal discharge.  but alas, still no kittens, and she's just taking a nap. 

I must remember, better on time and healthy then early and too undercooked to survive. All in due time.  I guess I'm just freaking out that there is something wrong because she keeps giving me strong signs that it is that time, and it keeps not happening.  But she's eating and active and if something were going wrong, she wouldn't be.

I also saw Jiminy and Cricket at the shelter yesterday.  He's doing great, happy and robust.  She on the other hand, feels like skin and bones.  At least she was happy to see me when I went to snuggle her.  I hope they go into a foster home that can help her right quick.

Jiminy and Cricket are gone.. New kitty has arrived

Well I have to say, I am a little sad and a little happy at the same time.  I was able to get Jim over his fear of people, and definitely made some major improvement in Cricket.  They both were interested in me when I showed up and Cricket didn't mind when I patted her if she was just sitting there (but please don't when I'm busy) I felt bad about having to keep them locked up.  When they had free run of the room, they peed on the couch twice (not sure if it was both of them or just her) so I covered the couch.

Which worked ok at protecting the couch, but not the cat beds (see the peeing across the room post) So I covered those.  They seemed to be ok using the box when they were locked in the cage (see image above far left) but I couldn't leave them in there all day, kittens need exercise.  So for an hour each morning I let them run around.  They seemed to be doing ok in the peeing front as of last night.  But this morning I realized it was a different story.

As I mentioned, they weren't eating well at all.  I tried dry food, I tried KMR, I tried loaf food, I tried shredded food, high gravy food (biggest hit) and fish food.  Still between the both of them they might have eaten 3 oz of food a day... not nearly enough for growing kittens.  They were losing weight.  The litter box had urine clumps in it the first few days.  I wasn't so concerned about no stool since they weren't eating much.  This weekend I noticed there was stool debris - as if they had diarrhea.  So I gave them some strongid. I thought if they had worms, it would account for the diarrhea and some kittens have poor appetites if their stomachs are full of worms.  It wasn't getting better, and this morning Cricket had diarrhea all over her back legs.  I called the shelter and gave them the story of not eating, losing weight, and now the diarrhea, and they wanted to see them.  I brought them in, and they think it is best if they watch them for a few days and hopefully get a stool sample to test.  it is a problem when it is pure liquid getting a sample in to them, as it is absorbed by what ever it is in, and is impossible to test.

So I brought them in.  I was thinking I'd get them tonight or tomorrow AM, but they think it is best to keep them for a few days, and since they didn't have an empty cage to put them in, they asked if I could take a new one.  Chances are J & C will end up with the manager and go from there.  I'm sorry I'm not going to see this one through, but when I cleaned up the room from their romp this morning, I realized someone went pee out side of the box again.  I went to put the litter box down for the new pregnant kitty I took in, and saw a pile of stool in the corner.  It was almost pure mucus... which is not good.  So on the upside, I won't have to deal with inappropriate elimination. I just hope they don't have some foreign problem that is going to infect the kitty I just brought in (because while I cleaned, I didn't have time to bleach every surface so if they have something hardy and long lasting, it could be an issue)

I set momma kitty up with a new litter box, and a new box for a bed, and she seems to like it just fine:

She doesn't have a name at this point.  She ate half a can of food, and enjoyed looking out the window as I was leaving. I'm hoping she pops out the kittens right quick and everything goes smoothly.  I know I can't see these kits till the end, as we are going to Florida in a month, but I can at least open up a cage at the shelter for a month.  *fingers and toes crossed everything goes ok*

I didn't check this morning, but I was in there on Sunday, and I saw the July fosters.  Cordi had been adopted, but Angel, Willow and Spike were all still there, and in a cage with a number of little black kittens.  It was so adorable, Angel and Spike were right at the front of the cage looking for attention, Willow was curled up in the back surrounded by little black kitties.  She really didn't want me to disturb her, so I didn't.

peeing from one end of the room to the other

I let the kittens out of the cage this evening and let them run around.  I engaged them both in playing with a fishing pole toy, and Jiminy was very engaged, and loved the attention.  Cricket was not fond of being patted but at least she was playing with me.

After a few minutes (not more then ten) she looked in the cage, turned right around and then almost immediately went to a pet bed on the far side of the room and squatted.  I said "no" and grabbed her and transported her across the room and put her in the box.  She remained squatted, and finished peeing.  I praised her (not sure how much good it did since she's not all that interested in what I want)  She then went to the upper level of the cage, and I decided I'd put Jim away and feed them, so I reached over, kneeling to reach him, and grabbed Jim.  When I stood up, I realized my knees were spotted wet, and it took me a moment to realize that Cricket was peeing the entire time.  Silly kitten.

see next post first

cause if you read this in order, it won't make sense :)

Looks like FF is a winner.. She's eating, he's playing

2lbs = 4 weeks??

When I was given these kittens (I'm thinking they are going to be Jiminy and Cricket) I was told they both weighed over two pounds (which they do) which means they are about 8-10 weeks.  Well they act very much like they are 4-6 week old kittens.  They are shy, they are CLUMSY! and they are peeing on the couch!!  I introduced them to where the box was (inside a cabinet that is very easily accessible and they have both been in it on their own) so it isn't like they didn't know where it was, but I think a lack of being able to see it caused the problem.  so I've now covered the couch with objects and taken the litter box out of the cabinet, so hopefully we won't have another issue.

They also aren't eating much of anything.  The first can of pate seafood was nibbled on, maybe 1/8th of that disappeared.  The second was shredded turkey, and I didn't notice any of that going. The water appears untouched, the dry food untouched.  So I went and got some kitten milk - ignored (although a few ccs were shoved into their mouths and consumed) and the A/D got nibbled on but I gave them less then 1/4th of the can and there was still quite a bit left in the bowl this morning.

So this morning they got a can of gravy lovers fancy feast.  If they don't eat that, I'm going to have to break out the raw and hope they've been introduced to meat.  I can't deal with them not eating much - seeing how much I love watching kittens eat.  They are healthy, active, not mucus covered, so I suppose they just don't need as much as the last group (NO one really needs as much as the June group ate.  Zander and Oz were a little excessive in their love of food)

They are still freaking out when I hum.  They don't mind me when I first come in the room to love over them, but trying to get them used to me also freaks them out.  Cricket will play with me for a bit (all be it very much like a 4-5 week old kitten plays) then goes and hides.  *shrug*  I just need to remember that every kitten is different :)

names??

I tried out Eli and Elizabeth on the kittens last night, and they just didn't seem to fit.  So I'm looking up twin names, and saw Cinnamon and Spice, which really made me do a double take because I had a dream last night I was visiting a neighbor that I had when I was growing up, and I mentioned the woman down the road who owned a set of kitties named C & S.  I even commented in my dream about the kitties.  Unfortunately that just doesn't seem to fit them either, but I'll have to keep that in mind for future kittens.

I thought of George and Gracie, and thought a nice love match would be nice seeing as they are almost always on top of one another, but that doesn't seem to fit them either.
Kiara & Kovu came up, from the Lion King II.
Jimminy & Cricket?
Ozzie & Harriet?
Oohh.. Desmond and Penny??  (lol)
Peek & Boo?
Robin and Marian?  Kinda like that one..
Fred & Wilma?  interesting..

Griffin and Sabine
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth?  no, if I don't like Eli and Elizabeth, that's out.
my co-worker just suggested Bella and Jacob.. ha ha ha.

I should be working - aka kitten cam

Hey, where are you!?!?

THERE you are!

Gonna get you!

*wreskle wreskle wreskle*

love you!!

feeling a bit better

I was thinking of B, Z and O last night, and I realized I was happy about their adoption.  I guess the pain of losing them  sending them on really was wearing on me.  I guess I'm just being overly emotional for what ever reason.

the new kittens are quite the pair.  They really like one another.  Here are some photos from the web cam this morning, The shots I took of them this morning will have to wait until I find the cord for my camera that I'm sure one of my cats ran off with..

I went to snuggle them a little bit and I started humming to them, that was apparently just the freakiest thing EVER, because they really didn't want me to do it.  They got used to it, but it took some time, and I could hear them saying "please stop that!!" very distinctly :)

and then there were two

The July fosters went back this morning.  My intention was to hang around for their adoptions, but I soon learned that it was probably not a good idea.  A woman and her husband and dog and child came in and she wanted a "short haired female" kitten that would go outside.  I'm assuming short hair because people think they shed less (my DSHs shed way more then my medium or long hairs) and female because she heard they were friendlier. (total myth btw) When I told her that I have an even mix of genders and some of each are friendly and standoffish, she was ok with a male.  She really liked the idea of Angel, but then she talked about letting him out - which of course set me on edge, and I went into the explanation of the dangers, and tried to be as non judgmental as I could about it, but being emotionally invested in these kittens and knowing Angel as I do, I don't know if I was.  The mother was quite odd, and I was surprised she was there to get a kitten.  She would not let her child nor her dog walk on the floors of the shelter.  She asked about germs and it was explained that the floors are sanitized but being as active as they are there very well could be something - so the dog and the kid stayed up off the floor.  She talked to me about care of a kitten and was wondering if she would be "overwhelmed" .. well yea, THEY ARE KITTENS!!  *sigh*  They picked Angel, and my heart broke.  I went to find the shelter manager about their information and I couldn't find her, and when I went back into the adoption lobby the couple was gone.  They had gone outside to discuss it, and realized they were going to visit friends and there might be litter box issues..   so they decided to hold off

you know, I feel that people who worry too much about litter box issues really shouldn't have cats, let alone kittens.

I had tried to talk her into an adult cat, as I think that would be a much better fit for her paranoia needs and her family, but no go.  They are going to come back in the next few days (or maybe next week) and pick one then.  Hopefully they'll find a good match for their home.

I felt a little uncomfortable that I might have been a little unPC talking about going outside, and I was such a mess from the thought of Angel going outside, that I decided to go home.  I found the shelter manager and explained how I was feeling, and how I was not even going to have new kittens to distract me.  She suggested a short term foster, and I went to go see what she was offering.  Two little tuxie kittens that are two pounds, and I took them.  one short haired (but fuzzy) boy and one medium haired double pawed girl.  They aren't nearly as people orientated as the last set, and that is probably a good thing.  I'm sure if I shove them full of food that they'll be ready to go by the end of the week.

I was thinking I'd call them matching names.  The boy looks a lot like my Eli so I was thinking Eli and Elizabeth.  I haven't settled on that though.  They do remind me a lot of Happiness and Joy.  Happy was a tuxie, but Joy was a tabby with white so I'm not quite sure why I feel the connection... they aren't feral, nor are they even that fearful.  *shrug*  I'm sure something will come to me.