Friday, May 13, 2016

A TFK AMA



I received a few questions for my AMA, so let me answer them.

Summer asked: "Was that kitten looking for chickens"
That kitten was not not looking for chickens ;) 

MeowMeowMans asked: "So, are there any chickens in the haus?"
Only the small furry kind that put on their floof suits when you freak them out ;)

Rene asked: "How many foster homes does your shelter have (do you know)? Are you one of the longest running foster homes?"

I didn't know, so I asked.  They didn't have the answer at their fingertips, but they think about thirty, and they have about 80 or so animals in foster care at the moment, including several pregnant cats, so there will soon be more. Outside of staff, yes, I am one of the longest running foster homes.

Maxwell and Faraday asked: "How many months out of the year do you NOT have fosters?"
There are far fewer kittens in the middle of the winter, and being in Maine we have a pretty strong winter. Generally my last set of fosters is with me through Christmas, and then generally it doesn't start up again until it has been warmer for nine weeks.. but sadly cats don't always listen to the general rules.  Sometimes cats get pregnant later on in the year than is in their best interest, and young cats often go into their first heat before it gets warm. In the past, I was often without foster kittens in February - which was the reason I started my Former Foster Fridays in Febrary posts.  But most years I was able to take in adult cats that needed a break from the shelter or a sick or injured kitty... so it is pretty rare that my foster room is completely empty for long unless I intend it to be. 
There are people who foster in warmer climates who don't have the winter break, and they foster all year round.

If you have any questions for me feel free to ask them in the comments.
We have a bit of an update on the kittens. Things in the litterbox department are going a bit better and  a bit worse. We seem to be having better compliance, but the texture and the smell said there was something wrong. I took a sample down to the shelter and they found some coccidia, so I was given some Ponazuril for them.

They were just sitting there having no idea what they were in for.. 

I decided to do their first nail trims as well. I have gotten a few scratches because they are so timid and they cling fiercely when you pick them up. I don't like to trim nails until they are weaned since claws are one of the ways they stimulate mom into making milk, but because I want to return her to the shelter next week it seemed as good of a time as any. So, each kitten received a dose of dewormer and a nail trim and it went pretty well. I was impressed.

I then went to give a dose to Art3mis, and it did NOT go well. I was hoping I would be able to hold her head and squirt the dose into her mouth and be done with it, but holding her head broke the trust we had going on and I was hissed at and she ran under the couch and would not come out.  I decided to see if I could wait her out, but that was taking too long.  I moved the couch instead and she came right out and looked at me like I was evil and I suppose I was. I put the couch back and sat down in front of it and just let her be. She decided to eat something which was a good sign.

I went over to see if I could pat her, but my approach was too much for her and she went and hid in the tunnel of the cat tree.  I slowly went over to her and started patting her.  I explained what I had tried to do and apologised for it. I patted her some more and then explained that she needed to have the medication because it would make her feel better. More patting, more talking, and a small bit of manipulation on my part and I was able to get her mostly out of the tunnel and this gave me access to her mouth.  More patting and she had her head turned so I could really scratch her ear and I went for it. I gave her just a small amount, and when she didn't bolt I gave her a bit more, and then a bit more after that. I was able to get her the whole dose, but a few drops did fall out.  Hopefully, this will help her feel better, because if you have ever smelled coccidia poops, you know that I really want this cleared up quickly

18 comments:

  1. Oh, no, poor Art3mis. Do you think she would eat the stuff if you put it in her food?

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    1. I guess Ponazuril is only three days anyway...

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    2. The shelter I foster for does one dose now and then another in five days. I considered putting it in food, but gave it one last try to get it in her and it worked. I'll save the food trick if it doesn't work next time.

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  2. I feel bad for Art3mis - she just doesn't realize you have her best interests at heart, always.

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  3. Poor felines! We wish Art3mis didn't have to go back to the shelter but we understand why. It's everyone's best chance.

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  4. Anonymous7:33 AM

    I would love to see a tour of your foster room. I foster too and I love to get ideas from more experienced fosters. Will you talk about how you clean and disinfect the room between fosters. I was wondering if I should not have the carpet covered cat trees and such because I don't know how to disinfect those. Thanks! I enjoy your blog.

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    1. a tour of the foster room isn't a bad idea. I'll see if I can't get that done next week.

      As for disinfecting, I do give the room a good clean after each litter; changing out litter boxes, changing out litter scoops, washing the floor with bleach, changing out the sheets on the futon.

      I have a spray bottle with bleach water that I've sprayed on carpeted cat trees when there was an issue.

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  5. Everyone feels bad for Art3mis ... I feel bad for YOU! I've had one -- just one -- kitten with coccidia and I thought it might kill me. Not just the smell, but the mess! She was developmentally delayed and could not get the hang of the litter box. She'd walk through her poop and then shake her paws. Cleaning up regular poop is one thing but the disinfecting protocol for coccidia?? I still shudder at the thought of it.

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  6. can you explain the kitten geometry in that picture?? we are trying to figure out how many are on Happy Bear and which way they are facing MOL

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Haha, I was wondering the same thing...

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  7. Coccidia is a nasty thing--Sadie had that--so I'm glad you found a way to dose Art3mis.

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  8. Coccidia and Giardia are the bane of my existence. It's rare that I get a litter without one (and most often BOTH), it's rampant in this area, so I definitely feel your pain!

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  9. Do you find that the kittens are sad or looking for their mom after she is returned to the shelter? And how does the mom cat feel - or is it a relief for her?

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  10. We wish Art3mis would realize you are just trying to help her...but we know how kitty minds think. After all, we are kitties. ;)

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  11. We're impressed at how far you have come with Art3mis in a relatively short time. Hopefully she'll feel better soon... and the stinky poop situation will ease up, too.

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  12. I am sorry that Art3mis lost trust in you, but I am sure she will trust you again soon. Thanks for answering everyone's questions. And that is great that you have fostered the longest- good job!

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  13. Poor Art3mis. We are sad she has to go back, but we understand it is for the best. We are so proud to call you a friend. Thank you for all you do!

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