Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Checking on the kittens - forcing the issue


All day I watched the kittens on my meshare cam trying to determine if the kittens were healthy, how mom was doing, and if perchance there were any kittens not doing well. A black cat in a dark corner with dark kittens made it extremely hard to tell.


I know "Skinny" was eating and pooping, so she was most likely doing well. I was pretty sure I saw three kittens, and over time I seemed to find three distinct kittens within the frey, but I had no idea if everything she gave birth to lived or was cleaned up, or what it really looked like down in that corner.  Even when she left..


I know she wanted me to have absolutely nothing to with her or her kittens, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't not check. I couldn't not know if the kittens were okay or if they had defects etc. I also wanted to know how many I had... cause I'm just that selfish.

So.  I went down to the kitten room and pulled the couch closer to the door which opened up the corner she was in. She hated that. I put the baby gate on the far side of the couch to keep her from charging me, and she hated that.  I climbed up on the couch and wormed my way down to the far side (so my feet weren't on the floor) and she hated that. I peeked over the edge..


And she REALLY hated that. I received a very vicious hissing. I took a towel and put it between her and the kittens and quickly scooped them up to get a once over. She didn't charge me, she didn't attack the towel, which was a good sign.



I worked as quickly as I could.  I took photos, I assessed the health and soundness of all of the kittens - all of them are seem to be in good health - and gender. We have three boys and three girls. I put the basket in the corner and put the kittens in it hoping she would take to that so they wouldn't have to be on the floor. As soon as I left she started pulling the kittens out of the basket.  I ran down and found she only had time to remove one. I pulled the basket out from the corner and tried to get her to run away by poking her gently with a broom, moving slowly and cautiously and ready to give up if she attacked.  She had a lot to say about what I was doing, but she neither attacked nor ran.  I finally got her far enough away from the kitten that I could 'sweep' the kitten towards me.  I went very slowly and cautiously. I took the kitten and added it to the others and then put them in the cage which is covered in sheets. I hoped it would be quiet enough, but it isn't.  She took them out again.


ah well.  Guess we are going to be 'in the dark' for a few weeks... but I feel much better for having given them a once over and know what I'm dealing with. I wish I could get my hands on mom, but that is not going to happen.

Now the question becomes, am I going to give you kitten photos one day at a time, or all at once tomorrow.. decisions, decisions..

23 comments:

  1. I'm so glad all is well. Best wishes.

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  2. Six & aparently healthy! At least that mystery is resolved.

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  3. poor momma cat - she's been through a lot, but we are glad you took a chance to get a better look and make sure everything is ok with them all. that gray & black one made us smile....looks like the toner was running out on the kitten ink :)

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    1. it really does. You'd never know it look at the face.

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  4. What color is that weird half white kitten? Never seen that before. Watched the time lapse and was a bit sad seeing that last one left there alone for a little before mum came to get it too. WOW six O.o

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    1. it's a weird half frosted kitten. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it is older

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  5. It appears you have a torbie! And I'm curious about the coloring on the lightest kitten. She/he could have some unusual markings.

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    1. it really does... but I don't really get to explore that for a few weeks *sigh*

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  6. Six babies! Too bad you couldn't get her in the cage too... But at least they are healthy!

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    1. well I didn't want to limit her to the cage, because she's have to be right next to her litter box..

      Although I probably would have done it if I had known she was going to be like this originally.. *shrug*

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  7. Watching the black-and-white footage, made me think of tadpoles (or polywogs)! You did what you had to do; mama may have been unhappy, but you had to check up on the babes. She will come around; six bebbehs in a few weeks time are gonna wear her out!

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  8. The half-white, half-brown one looks so cool. It sounds like momma is feral. If she is, I hope that you can socialize the kittens easily enough. I had a feral momma that thankfully did not mind me handling the kittens as long as I didn't touch HER.

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    1. that has been my experience with the two I had in the past.

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  9. I am glad the kittens all appear healthy. She is very determined that things will be done her way.

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  10. I feel relieved for you seeing all the kittens appear to be healthy.

    Emma and Buster

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  11. That is a lot of kittens! We're glad you were able to make some progress in determining their condition. Hopefully mom will come around.. a little.

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  12. I'm glad you found out they are apparently OK, and I hope all continues to go well. Even if the mom is not letting you get near, I hope it's a comfort to you know that they are in a safe place.

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  13. We're glad you were able to see the kittens and check if they were healthy. The mom was not happy that you touched her kittens but the positive point is that she didn't attack you. Purrs

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  14. Wow, that's quite the brood. We're glad you got to check them out and they all seem well. Let's hope mama calms down a little.

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  15. Six kittens! We are glad they all seem to be doing well. :)

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  16. I'm relieved you were able to give the babies a look over. That poor momma cat - I wish she would calm down, though I doubt that will happen anytime soon (if ever).

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  17. I can only echo everyone else's comments. So glad you got to look at the babies, so heart-breaking that the mom is so untouchable. I, too, hope she'll allow you to handle the babies in time, so they can be socialized and adopted. Whether or not she comes around is another matter. As one of the comments mentioned, in a few weeks the mom will be exhausted with six little ones to care for, maybe that will give you a bit of leverage. Purrs from Nicki and Derry to them all.

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