I walked into the kitten room earlier this week to find the nest was empty. I don't think I'll ever get used to the fact that mothers move kittens. I know it happens, It happens all the time with me, but when you are expecting to see kittens and nothing, your heart does stop for a second..
Fortunately, it didn't take too long to find them. She put them in the box I purchased specifically for nursing mothers before I found the basket. I had put bedding in it so Hedy would have choices when she gave birth (which you might remember she shunned all of my choices and gave birth on my couch)
I shared on social media that she moved her kittens and several people thought she might have moved them because I was handling them "too much". That is not why, this is why..
The babies have developed diarrhea and are messing the nest up and making it smell. It is a survival instinct to move the babies when the nest starts to smell. Strong smells often invite preditors and there is no convincing them that this isn't an issue - not to mention hanging out on diarrhea stained sheets isn't very healthy.
Gratuitous adorable kitten photos |
I feel the need to remind you these kittens were 11 days old. |
This was not to Hedy's liking.. And just where were they the next time I saw them?
This was far from ideal as they were urinating and there was nothing to absorb it but their fur. I tried putting them back in the basket but to be safe I put a towel down under Raffe in just in case that was Hedy was determined to make Raffe a kittensitter
Which she was
Our little Sunsweet has the worst of the diarrhea. I was able to get a sample and I ran it to the vet to be tested and they didn't find anything. We are taking care of him and Marble who also seems to be having some issues. I am hoping this is just a blip and in a day or so we'll be back on track.
Anything to keep you guessing. Hope they are feeling better quick
ReplyDeleteHedy is a good mama, obviously! Paws crossed that the little ones get well soon.
ReplyDeleteWe hope the kittens get better soon. Purrs
ReplyDeleteHow awful about the diarrhea. Hope they get back to normal quickly. I know it's a lot of hard work.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I hope the diarrhea clears up soon. It's not good for kittens to go through that for too long.
ReplyDeleteI will pray for this illness to pass quickly. Hedy definitely has a mind of her own. Her babies, her choice.
ReplyDeleteWell that Momma sure is keeping you busy trying to find all of them. She certainly is being a good Momma. Thank heavens they are inside and not far to go. Have a great day.
ReplyDeletePoor little ones; they are too small to be losing fluid. Here's hoping it clears up FAST! I can imagine looking to where the kittens were the last time, and finding it empty can send a pulse of adrenaline pumping!
ReplyDeleteHoping hard that everyone gets healthy and stays that way!
ReplyDeletehay ewe wee onez....we R sorree ya haza caze oh de bad bellahz N we hope bye two day everee onez bak ta feelin soooper grate again ~ ☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteAwwww, super adorable family.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
Purrayers and POTP that Sunsweet and Marble get over their illness and that no one else gets worse.
ReplyDeleteHow funny that she keeps moving the kits. She's such a good mom. Purrs for the kittens that the diarrhea clears up.
ReplyDeleteA friendly mom I took in to give birth and fostered her and her kittens in 1988 moved her kittens every two weeks to.the.day. My veterinarian at the time explained the need to move kittens, including nest soiling, but more or less at the end of two weeks, four weeks, six weeks they've also grown enough in size and ability that they need a space that accommodates the next step in their development. I'm really glad I learned about it that early or I probably would have had a long list of angry mom cats for my interference. When I used my studio they certainly moved them around, and Mimi tried to move her kittens out of the crate when they were about two weeks, but my studio had a frightening amount of stuff so I moved them all to the bathroom at three weeks. It's too small to move anywhere so no more of that with more recent litters. Hope the D+ clears up soon!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to kittens, there's no such thing as gratuitous pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh they are so darn cute. Hoping the diarrhea is over soon and they're feeling better.
ReplyDelete