Little Sky and her 2 kittens

[feralvr]

It might help to have it over there, the topic has turned more towards the kittens and keeping them alive. Sky is doing well eating, definitely making up for lost time, so for now I am just working on her health and weight before I try to socialize her. These little babies easily have won over my heart and I am doing everything I can think of to do, I feel so lost I have never had preemie-kittens not to mention sick preemie-kittens before. They seemed great and then she took this sharp turn downward. Would it be easier to move this thread or me start a new one over there and try to make sure I include all the important information.

I agree, hun, that you might get more experienced kitten saving techniques in the Kitten Care Forum. Will notify a Mod right away. I am seriously praying for the kittens. I even thought of names for them if you want to use them. Kind of goes with Sky. Rainbow for the little girl - (meaning - good luck :cross :nod: And Cloud for the little boy..... You don't have to use them :lol3: I was just thinking about the babies all day today. :heart3:

 

[GoldyCat]

I moved the thread to Pregnant Cats and Kitten Care. Hope you get more help here.
I haven't read through the entire thread, so this may be a repeat of information. One of our members has put together a website on kitten rescue that has a lot of helpful articles on caring for these fragile babies.

for momma and babies.

 

[orientalslave]

If you are still syringe or bottle feeding the kittens, what are you feeding them?  And if you stop, do they stop gaining weight?  Weighing them each day at about the same time and recording the results is really helpful for knowing if they actually need supplementary feeding.  You need scales that can weigh to 1g.  The fairly cheap scales I can get in the UK can do both ounces and grams, hope it's the same where you are.  They are useful in the kitchen as well!

 

[catnamedpanda]

I agree, hun, that you might get more experienced kitten saving techniques in the Kitten Care Forum. Will notify a Mod right away. I am seriously praying for the kittens. I even thought of names for them if you want to use them. Kind of goes with Sky. Rainbow for the little girl - (meaning - good luck

)

And Cloud for the little boy..... You don't have to use them

I was just thinking about the babies all day today.

What is funny is I was thinking about what I could name the kittens today and Rain came to mind, then I thought she could be Rainbow and just Rain for short. Then I logged on her and saw you had the same thought. I guess great minds think alike.

I still hadn't decided on a name for the boy, but Cloud sounds perfect. My friend suggested that or Sunny when I asked her.

Just to update you on little miss Rainbow, I don't want to say she is completely better, but we are definitely having a good night. I'm scared that she can still take another turn downward. In my experience with bottle babies it can be a roller coaster and you can be doing really great at one time, and really bad just hours later. She does still have the diarrhea, and is so tiny for almost 3 weeks old. I noticed tonight they have little teeth coming in, and their ears are standing up which makes her look funny with her small size. But she has been crawling around and crying to be comforted. She likes to be held in my hands cupped like you would as a kid with a lighting bug you were trying not to smash

, with just her head sticking out. She will purr and purr if you do that. I just discovered it tonight and it is the first time I have heard her tiny little purr. And the fact that she completely fits in my hands like that might give you some idea of how small she is. She still will not go back to the bottle but she will be syringe fed. I have to stay on top of this little baby and hope she keeps improving. She is completely stealing my heart.

That she will continue to do well, and she has the strength to keep going.

Of course I have to talk about fluffy little Cloud. He is still doing well eating, but like Rainbow he is not gaining weight, but not losing it. Tonight has been full of pleasant surprises, but Cloud loves belly rubs, he will roll all around purring, it may be just one of the cutest things ever.

I think I may have mentioned it before that the kittens were peeing themselves and their bellies were raw from urine sitting on their skin before they came to be in my care. Even though I have been sure to keep them clean the damage was done. Now their skin on their bellies, inside of their legs, and their little bottoms are peeling. I know there is not much i can do but let it peel and keep it clean. But what I was wondering is would it be safe to put some neosporn on them. The vet had told me to use it on Ella's belly when she would not leave it alone after her spay (she can escape cones too) but I would not want to put it on them if it could hurt them.

I moved the thread to Pregnant Cats and Kitten Care. Hope you get more help here.
I haven't read through the entire thread, so this may be a repeat of information. One of our members has put together a website on kitten rescue that has a lot of helpful articles on caring for these fragile babies.

for momma and babies.

Thank You! I have used that site before, it has lots of useful information.

 

[StefanZ]

About Neosporn. Can you phone this vet and ask? They are his patients, so he will probably answer, even IF he is otherwise reluctant to free advices on telephone.

*vibes*

 

[catnamedpanda]

About Neosporn. Can you phone this vet and ask? They are his patients, so he will probably answer, even IF he is otherwise reluctant to free advices on telephone.

*vibes*

While I waited for the vet to open I did give them a few butt baths and that helped loosen the dead skin and it is peeling away fairly quickly and nicely. The skin underneath is nice and healthy too so I am not worried about it now. I was going through my kitten bin to see if I had anymore syringes to feed with and found a paste called suplical that I have used with sick kittens before, I had just forgot I had it until then. It is a high calorie paste packed with nutrients, and with the kittens having their baby teeth they can manage to take the stuff. I asked the vet and he saw no harm in it, so I am giving them a tiny little bit that they easily smack on for a second but have no issues with. Maybe it will help them out some.

I gave some to Sky too, I was going to put it in her bowl, but she decided to eat it off my finger instead.

Just to take advantage of the moment, I went and got treats that she would take from my fingers too. 

Granted she accidentally got my finger with one and hissed at me for it.

I couldn't help but laugh, it was like she was mad at me for her biting me. I guess she is starting to trust me enough to eat from my hand, or maybe with how much she is eating she only cared that it was food and smelled really yummy.

 

[feralvr]

AWWWW LITTLE RAINBOW :heart3: :heart3: and LITTLE CLOUD :heart3: :heart3: I can't believe it, that you were thinking the same names I think Rainbow is a beautiful name. I am SO happy to hear that she is hanging in there AND she has a little purr now. AW my heart just melted :heart2: I hope you get tons of support and advice in this forum for the babies. MORE PICTURES ix: when you can

 

[feralvr]

I gave some to Sky too, I was going to put it in her bowl, but she decided to eat it off my finger instead. Just to take advantage of the moment, I went and got treats that she would take from my fingers too.  Granted she accidentally got my finger with one and hissed at me for it. :lol3: I couldn't help but laugh, it was like she was mad at me for her biting me. I guess she is starting to trust me enough to eat from my hand, or maybe with how much she is eating she only cared that it was food and smelled really yummy. :dk:

:lol3: She scared herself accidentally nipping your finger - and out came a HISSSSSS.... :lol3: WOW - she is really making progress and take that as a HUGE sign - her eating off of your finger :nod: That is total trust - the main goal in socialization - that she took food from your hand!!! Your doing a fabulous job with Sky, Rainbow and Little Cloud!!! I really am so concerned for this little family and thank you for caring for them - they are all so precious and deserving of someone just like you to get them through this. You are just GREAT!!!!! :rub: :rub:

 

[catnamedpanda]

Although Rainbow was seeming to be hanging on and gave me hope of pulling through her little body gave out on her this afternoon. I had been so hopeful with her walking around and eating enjoying belly rubs that she had a good shot at pulling through even though we had a few downs where she scared me that she was starting to fail she managed to recover, but when I went to check up on her the last time she was already pretty lifeless and I knew there was no pulling through this time. I did the only thing I could for her at that point hold her close and talk softly to her until she passed. Now she is free of her sick little body playing at the rainbow bridge. You gave it a good fight little girl, you will be missed here, but I take comfort in knowing you are truly at peace. Enjoy sleeping in the warm sun there, just as you loved sleeping in the warmth of the palm of my hand.

This is her just last night, the last picture I ever took of her, sleeping peacefully after her belly was full.



Cloud and Sky are doing good still I will update on them latter.

 

[blueorchid]

I'm really sorry about little Rainbow. Cloud and Sky are lucky to have you caring for them.

 

[feralvr]

Although Rainbow was seeming to be hanging on and gave me hope of pulling through her little body gave out on her this afternoon. I had been so hopeful with her walking around and eating enjoying belly rubs that she had a good shot at pulling through even though we had a few downs where she scared me that she was starting to fail she managed to recover, but when I went to check up on her the last time she was already pretty lifeless and I knew there was no pulling through this time. I did the only thing I could for her at that point hold her close and talk softly to her until she passed. Now she is free of her sick little body playing at the rainbow bridge. You gave it a good fight little girl, you will be missed here, but I take comfort in knowing you are truly at peace. Enjoy sleeping in the warm sun there, just as you loved sleeping in the warmth of the palm of my hand.

This is her just last night, the last picture I ever took of her, sleeping peacefully after her belly was full.

I am truly saddened to read this report on Rainbow I just have tears - streaming. I am SO sorry you lost her. Look at her in your hand, sweetie :heart3: From your hand to God's hand she went. :sobbing: Bless you for caring and loving that little angel She was loved - so sorry little Rainbow Fly freely and play forever in the sun on that bridge. Sweet little angel

Continued for both Sky and her kitten, Cloud.

 

[iris]

Oh Sweetie..thanks for caring for these cats.

 

[catnamedpanda]

Even with Rainbow's passing there is good news....

I weighed little Cloud and he is now 8oz!

  He is so active and alert now he hears me come in and immediately perks up and is paying complete attention to me, if he is awake that is because he sleeps like a rock.

He is getting the hang of walking, very wobbly but starting to walk instead of crawl. His new thing he has started is grooming himself, I think it is so cute when they first learn. His diarrhea is gone and we now have tiny little formed poops!

My new problem is he has fleas that he got from Sky, so we are managing them until he is old enough to treat with daily flea combs. He does always seem to have a dirty face, part of it is formula and the supplement, but it also looks like he could have acne or flea dirt building up. I clean it as best as I can but he isn't too fond of his face being cleaned and makes it very difficult with all the squirming.

I think the eating from my fingers was a one time thing from Sky, she hasn't done it again since. You can tell she wants to sometimes, she will start to and then change her mind. She will eat them as soon as I set them down though. She has also decided that my toilet paper which hangs near the litter box is to cover up with when she is finished.

Here is a new picture of Cloud



And a close up of that adorable little face.



And a video of him practicing his grooming skills, little jerky but hes getting the hang of it.

 

[kitsey]

There should be a warning on this, that much cuteness is too much to handle!

 

[feralvr]

TOTALLY Cutness Overload I am IN LOVE :love: AW, hun, I am SOOOOOOO happy to hear that he is doing SO well too. Sorry about the fleas.... not sure what to tell you about treating tiny kittens for fleas. Very delicate situation especially since he was just recently touch and go. But now he is doing better. I do know that you could use a little wash - a sponge bath if you will - and use Anise Extract. Just about two to four drops in 16 ounces of water will knock the fleas out. Then you can pop them. I used to be a groomer - it is a trick of the trade, the Anise Extract. We use to add it to the Dawn Dishwashing soap mixture we made up for bathing cats with fleas. Works every time - safe too. BUT not sure on a teeny tiny baby like Cloud. LOADS OF VIBES that he continues to thrive under your impeccable care. :heart3:

 

[catnamedpanda]

There should be a warning on this, that much cuteness is too much to handle!

Quote:

TOTALLY Cutness Overload

I am IN LOVE

AW, hun, I am SOOOOOOO happy to hear that he is doing SO well too. Sorry about the fleas.... not sure what to tell you about treating tiny kittens for fleas. Very delicate situation especially since he was just recently touch and go. But now he is doing better. I do know that you could use a little wash - a sponge bath if you will - and use Anise Extract. Just about two to four drops in 16 ounces of water will knock the fleas out. Then you can

pop them. I used to be a groomer - it is a trick of the trade, the Anise Extract. We use to add it to the Dawn Dishwashing soap mixture we made up for bathing cats with fleas. Works every time - safe too. BUT not sure on a teeny tiny baby like Cloud. LOADS OF VIBES that he continues to thrive under your impeccable care.

I know he is just too cute, and sweet too.

I am so glad he is doing better. The fleas are so bad in this area right now, I think it is because we never had a winter and the fleas are just thriving. I have never heard of the Anise Extract, good thing to know about most of the cats I rescue have fleas. I do use the blue dawn dish soap, and I know that is safe on young kittens. I decided to give him a bath with dawn last night I just made it really warm in the bathroom with a space heater, and kept rubbing him till he was dry, he actually purred the entire time, I think the warm water felt good and being really clean probably helped too. He loves to be rubbed so the towel drying was heaven for him. He dries really fast too, so no harm from having the bath, and he is so fluffy and clean now. Still am finding fleas on him today and I have been changing his bedding daily. If dawn is safe on them would the extract be too? I can ask my vet, but I doubt they will know. And by pop the fleas, do you mean they are going to explode if I use that?

 

 

[orientalslave]

You need to treat the house to get rid of the fleas.  Finding fleas on cats is the tip of the iceberg - the bit below the water is all the eggs and larvae in the environment.  If you have any cats that go out they also need regularly treating with a drop-on to stop them bringing fleas back in.  You need to treat them anyway as part of eliminating fleas from the house.

However there are plenty of ineffective or even dangerous products out there.  Lots of good information including safe, effective products on the FABs website:

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fleas/info.html

 

[catnamedpanda]

No one goes outside, Sky came to me having been "treated" for fleas, but I didn't realize that was wrong until I started noticing them crawling on her and Cloud. She is staying in my bathroom so there is not carpet for fleas to hide in, and the only fabric is the bedding that I change daily. I have not tried to really handle her to give her a flea bath or put a topical on her, which I am hesitant about because now that she is feeling better she is actually spending time with Cloud, even though he is being bottle fed, and I don't want to risk anything with him crawling on her and licking it or anything.

 

[catnamedpanda]

I think I have the fleas under control now.

I managed to give Sky a bath, she has been chewing/ licking her feet so much she is causing bald spots, as well as scratching so I think she might have a flea allergy. I haven't seen any fleas on her or Cloud since.

Sky has decided she wants to be a picky eater, I ran out of a/d food and until I can get her some more I gave her fancy feast, which she has turned her nose up to and will only lick the gravy out. She only wants wet food and will not touch the dry food that is left out for her to free feed from. She will reluctantly eat the fancy feast some if I mixed in some formula but she wants the a/d again. She is just going to have to put up with this for the weekend and I will get her some more a/d on Monday.

I think she may be lonely though, because I didn't see Chloe slip in the bathroom when I was leaving it yesterday and when I came back a few hours later Chloe was curled up next to Sky.

I know Sky is FIV/FeLV negative and so is Chloe, and as far as I am aware the only thing wrong with Sky is being malnourished. Since the two like each other would it be an good idea to let Sky have a roommate to be friends with, or should I keep them separate in case they didn't get along for some reason when I was not around?

Chloe is the sweetest cat ever and likes any cat or kitten she meets, I don't think I have ever heard her hiss, not even meeting a cat for the first time.

Cloud is continuing to do well, he is growing and getting more steady on his feet. He is also in control of his bathroom functions, which means we need to start litter box training. I know when he is about to go because he starts wandering around talking, and lets you know the whole time he is going that is what he is doing.

 

[clynn11]

So sorry to hear about Rainbow. I had the experience of losing kittens before, breaks your heart because there's nothing you can really do <3 But you gave her a loving home for the time she was here and should be at peace with that thought. Good lucky with Cloud and Sky, he is just adorable!!!