Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Kittens are back at the shelter for now




I took the kittens to the shelter yesterday morning. I decreed to myself that unless they were dramatically better that they would be going into the shelter for them to decide what steps they want to take next. I had left some KMR down for them and some food, and while most of the KMR was consumed, the food was not. I didn't give them much of a going over, but the little one was sitting on top of the cube and she licked her nose and her tongue looked white. I didn't need any more information than that, so I scooped her up and put her in the carrier. Her sister wasn't interested in going, so it took me a minute to catch her.

The drive to the shelter is about 20 minutes, but the smell coming off them was nearly eye watering. It was 40 degrees out, so I wasn't comfortable opening the windows all the way, so I opened up the back windows enough to keep the smell from being overwhelming.

Once I got there, I gave the shelter tech the rundown on what I have observed and what my foster coordinator had given me for medication and that we had tested the stool and it was negative. I mentioned my fear of panleuk and the flea dirt and my thought it might be anemia and parasites. I asked if the shelter ever heard of using tamiflu for a kitten that had panleuk (she had not) and put the idea in her head in case it came up (someone on Facebook mentioned that one). I asked about picking them up that evening, because I didn't like the idea of them being there alone over night and I left knowing they would do something for them.

I called in after lunch, and was told they had been able to give them fluids, that they had gotten a bath (YAY), and they were eating some. I was also told that the staff wanted to keep the kittens for the night for observation. I was sad over it, but I know that it is probably best. This way they are there in the AM if the shelter feels they need to get to a vet hospital. The shelter does have a spay clinic on site, and often will have the vet there examine pets if need be, but it is not a full clinic and doesn't have full diagnostics. I have no idea if the vet was there today or not as I was getting my information third hand and since they aren't my responsibility I didn't want to be pushy.

I relayed the day on FB, and someone felt the need to yell at me (yes, when you type in all caps you are yelling regardless if you know it or not) telling me I should have taken them to the vet on my own implying I was negligent for not doing so and told me I should take them to a vet, even after knowing they were at the shelter. I have to tell you this kind of advice is not helpful. In fact is is downright harmful. This woman left me reeling all afternoon and apparently evening - even knowing I did what was right. It reminded me of the time a student vet tech told me I was wrong for having a pregnant cat spayed after she was spayed. At the time the tech had no way of knowing that the staff had found that the kittens with in the mother had passed and were harming her.. but her words burned and to this day nearly ten years later I remember her with such venom for her unkind words (well and a few other interactions with her over her internship). Telling someone what they should do (not suggesting, but telling) after the fact.. that is just mean. Not to mention that after just spending several thousand dollars on my own cats, taking on the full responsibility of these kittens is just not in the cards for me and I didn't see her stepping up to offer to pay for it..   and frankly while I might not like the way the shelter works sometimes (because it isn't the way I would work) I have trust they know what they are doing and will not let them suffer. If they need a vet, they will get one. Every single time I have disagreed with the way this shelter has handled a situation, the kitten or kittens in question have been just fine and gone on to live long healthy lives. I can only hope that people will understand just how harmful their comments can be are when they tell people who are going above and beyond in rescue what they should have done.. Most of us who are in rescue wear our hearts on our sleeves where they are easily damaged. I have seen many in rescue being harmed by the self appointed helpful people..  (and yes I am a little bit bitter, and no, it isn't all because of this one woman. It has happened several times over the years, and I have seen it happen to others, so I am clumping all of that into this paragraph. If the woman in question is here reading this, know I used what happen as a teaching moment and not a chance to rag on you in particular, although I imagine it probably feels that way.)

So right now that is where I am. I will call in around lunch time and check up on them and see what is what. I am hopeful they will come home today, but if not, that is okay too. Happy Bear will wait for them.

So.. questions. There were a few things in the comments yesterday..

I did have to laugh at "Katnip Lounge's" comment about vicks.. yeah, they smelled so bad I can only imagine what stench that would have inflicted on me..

Bernadette asked about coccidia or giardia... we did a stool test before bringing them home and it was negative. We did give a dose of marquis paste to kill coccidia in case we didn't see it, and they were on albon to help soothe the intestines and work on any left behind. Panacur is usually given for giardia, but since we didn't see it, we held off.

Catonsvillecats suggested a blood transfusion. that is a serious possibility. I've seen vets do it in the past, but that would be a vet / shelter call.

SquirrelQueen wonderfully relayed what she does for kittens from the shelter. Yup, they get capstar here too.. which is why I found flea dirt and not fleas. They also get a dose of revolution to take care of additional parasites. I tend to put diarrhea kittens right on raw food, and it helped the bigger kitten and she produced a nice solid stool after coming home. Unfortunately they weren't eating it very well so I tried a few other foods hoping to entice them to eat more.. this caused the elder one to have diarrhea again. Since they weren't eating that either, I gave them raw again.  As for KMR it isn't my favorite option.. I much prefer goat milk for older kittens because KMR has a lot of sugar in it.. Because I was told they were older, I initially didn't give them anything, but when they weren't eating well I took a can of premade kmr home and offered it to them. They drank it heartily, and if they were still here I would have gone and gotten them some goat milk for the ease of consuming more calories.  Trial and error.. yup, know it well.. I've been doing this since 2002 and my personal protocols have changed quite a bit from when I started.. I've also learned a lot from what other foster homes have done. (she is oh so lucky to have techs and a vet she can text!!)

Alana asked about testing the stool. Yup, it has been done twice now. I do not know the results of the second one, but considering they are keeping them there I am guessing it is negative.


I know you know I'll keep you updated.. cause that is what I do.. but...

I'll let you know what happens next..

18 comments:

  1. I am purring that somebody is able to help these kittens! Whatever is going on with them, it does not sound good. :-( I know you'll keep us posted.

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  2. I am angry that anyone would criticize you for anything! My guess is she/they have never fostered and have no idea what you go through. Doing it is the only way to understand it, and most people (including me) could never do what you do. You are awesome.

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    1. We agree. Haters gonna hate. Sadly....

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  3. I get upset every time I get some unwarranted criticism too. That never changes. Know-it-alls don't deserve the tiniest bit of your time or thought. I think advice not asked for is cruel in this instance. That is what the Delete and Block button on Facebook are for. Keep us posted on those wee ones.

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  4. Oh lord, the Facebook "experts". Barging right in, without knowing all (or any) of the details. Our rescue stopped posting about sick animals on Facebook, simply because no matter what we were doing, someone would start ragging about how it wasn't enough. They never offered to help with the vet bills, though. Just wanted to tell us that we were doing it WRONG.

    sorry - done venting now. *cough*

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  5. People who yell and are critical of others doing so much good should be banished forever.

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  6. I'm sorry this happened to you. You are doing the best that you can and I know you care about the kittens you care for.

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  7. mom says that people that like to give advice online without having any knowledge should "PUT UP OR SHUT UP". Just sayin'. Anyhow, you know as well as anyone that sometimes you have to trust the system you are working in to get it right..... we hope you hear something soon and the kitts are doing well enough to come back.

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  8. Those little babies are in our purrs and prayers. You are a great foster mom!

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  9. Keeping strong purrs and prayers going for those two babies.
    As far as FB....I don't know what it is about that particular medium but it seems like people feel it's OK to say anything without giving it due consideration. I suppose Twitter is like that to some degree as well. There is something toxic about typing out a comment when in face to face encounter one would most likely never say those things. It is too simply to say just "forgetaboutit", because I know how it feels to have someone say something completely off the wall. Just know you did everything you could and had to have help, you are by far a very knowledgeable and resourceful rescuer.

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  10. It ticks me off like nothing else when people--who usually have no idea what they're talking about--try to butt in with their $.02. What you do for your fosters is nothing short of amazing. You should be commended for how you care for them!

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  11. We're purring for the kittens ! You do an amazing work ! Purrs

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  12. Poor kittens. We're purring for them and hope they'll be okay.

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  13. Thanks for responding to the various comments from the blog (the FB backseat kitten-drivers can take a hike). The head peep says she thought of giardia, too, since Newton had it early on. He was tested a couple times before it showed up, too. But it sounds like these little kittens have a lot more going on than that. We're keeping paws crossed that they feel better soon so they can come back to a welcoming Happy Bear.

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  14. I'm so sorry that that mean woman yelled at you like that. You're obviously doin' all you can do and tryin' to do the very best for those babies. Yellin' doesn't help. Yellin' never helps. Yellin' is just rude. You know?

    I'm purrin' for the kittens. Purrin' that the doctors will figure out whatever is wrong, be able to help them and get them back into your lovin' arms. Yes, YOUR lovin' arms. You obviously love them. You're obviously caring for them. You're obviously doin' your best which, in my humble opinion, is probably better than most could do.

    Purrs,
    Nissy

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  15. ((Hugs)) We know you love them and will do your best for them, but you has rules you has to follow and you are right to do so. Don't let the hissy people get you down although we understand. One of the most painful things for Mommy when they lost Whiskers was the RUDE WOMAN, who told Mommy it was her fault Whiskers' died (2007 Petfood Recall) because she feed him a budget catfood instead of a premium cat food. As if Pet Food companies are entitled to put harmful ingredients in petfood that doesn't coast top $$$. Ironically the Rude Woman also lost her cat weeks later turns out the premium catfood was also tainted but the premium company held off on adding it's name to the list.

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  16. We are so sorry you and the kittens are going through all this... We have no doubt that they are in good hands. Sadly some people have used the internet as an excuse to check their manners at the door. So sorry you had to deal with that. I know how hard it is to shake comments like that. Hang in there... Hugs to you and purrs to the kittens. xoxo

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  17. Oh, and P.S. to that idiot woman. No kitty could be in better hands than our Aunt Connie. SO THERE.

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