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Well tinker is in labor - Page 4

post #91 of 126
12/31/08 at 6:06am
Thread Starter 
I've slept about 2 hours in the last 2 days. lol. they're ok i just have to keep everything going.
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post #92 of 126
12/31/08 at 7:23am
It's not unusual for cats to have trouble getting the routine right on their first litter, especially if they're fairly young themselves. Of course, you have the added complication of Wilbur.
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post #93 of 126
12/31/08 at 7:25am
Thread Starter 
you know what's funny? Wilbur isn't a problem. he's stopped worrying over them so much, and sometimes when tinker moves them, she takes them to where he's sleeping and puts them in his stomach. like she's trying to get him to feed them.
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post #94 of 126
12/31/08 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CruiserMaiden View Post
Yea you know - the kittens are saying to her "Mom! We're hungry!" and Tinker's like "Oh - yea? Well I know this guy who makes a mean bottle..."
LOL...that's great! If only we knew what was really going on in their minds. I imagine you have it pretty close!

JT, I don't believe I've posted in any of your threads, but I have been following them since you had your fosters! You've been doing great with a difficult situation. Just keep your spirits up!

It does sound like Tinker is making some progress...slow, but some. Hopefully within a couple of days she gets into the routine and you can get a bit more of a break! You're being a great dad to help her along with this.
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post #95 of 126
12/31/08 at 8:29am
WOW! You are doing great! Don't stress, the babies will be easier to care for after several days has passed.

I think you guys are onto something with Tinker bringing the babies to HumanDad when they are hungry... she is associating feeding with HumanDad. Keep showing her how to feed them, be consistent. Hook them onto her, pet her, soothe her, keep her still, keep her with them until they are fed.

Get ahold of that vet, the vet obviously has to take responsibility for this.

I have bottle-fed new borns before, and had to stimulate them myself. It's nasty work, but necessary. I used a little face-cleansing pad (or some folded-up toilet paper) and put it under the bum, then rubbed gently, massaging (light pressure), until they peed, and later, pooped. I had LOTS of old towels & sheets & whatuch in their bed area, in case of messing. Made for doing laundry constantly, but was easer on my carpets for sure.

My neutered male took over after a few days and stimulated them for me half the time, that made life easier.

I slept very little, I remember sitting on my kitchen floor sobbing because I was so stressed out and overwhelmed. You can DO this, stay strong, just look at thier little faces. I have faith in you, look how far you have come already.
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post #96 of 126
12/31/08 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
welp. i busted the camera lol
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post #97 of 126
12/31/08 at 9:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fastnoc View Post
welp. i busted the camera lol
noooo! say it isn't so!
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post #98 of 126
12/31/08 at 9:18am
Thread Starter 
lol i know it!!!

it's ok it's covered under warranty, I just won't be able to take pics of the little cherubs for awhile.

one question. is it normal for a little bleeding to happen on the mom for a coupel days? I swear I remember asking this because i think madonna did it too but I can't remember.

maybe i just need some sleep
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post #99 of 126
12/31/08 at 9:41am
Some do bleed a little after.
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post #100 of 126
12/31/08 at 9:42am
NO CAMERA?? How are we going to keep up with your babies? We need our daily cuteness fix.

I found little drops of blood from Goldy for about a week after she delivered. Mostly it was spots on the floor leaving a trail where she walked. It did start getting more watery after the first day or two, but you could still tell it was blood.
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post #101 of 126
12/31/08 at 10:25am
Yes bleeding is normal. Eden bled for a few days.
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post #102 of 126
12/31/08 at 10:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fastnoc View Post
you know what's funny? Wilbur isn't a problem. he's stopped worrying over them so much, and sometimes when tinker moves them, she takes them to where he's sleeping and puts them in his stomach. like she's trying to get him to feed them.
Maybe she is telling him, you did this now help with the kids
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post #103 of 126
1/1/09 at 9:51am
How are your babies doing? Have you gotten any sleep yet?
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post #104 of 126
1/1/09 at 9:52am
How are the babies today?
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post #105 of 126
1/1/09 at 10:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldyCat View Post
How are your babies doing? Have you gotten any sleep yet?
Sleep? What's that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by psjauntie View Post
How are the babies today?
The babies are doing fine. But Tinker has all but given up. She just didn't take to it. she doesn't sit still long enough to feed them anymore, so i've put them on KMR. It wasn't easy to get them switched but it was right at 2 days after birth, so according to what i've read, it should be ok. it's always better to have them feed from mom at least 2 days.

I still try to get tinker to feed them, but i don't want to mix things up so I'm giving up on that.

She's moving them around much more now too. It's REALLY frustrating because she does it right after i get them to sleep. So she wakes them up, gets them cold again and it's strange how she does it now. she takes one out, always a different one. And puts him in the middle of the floor somewhere. Then cuddles him a little. leaving the other two alone, crying.

I don't think i'll get much sleep for awhile but it's worth it to keep them healthy.
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post #106 of 126
1/1/09 at 10:29am
Sorry to hear that Tinker isn't taking to motherhood. I must have gotten really lucky with Goldy. I brought her into the house with two resident females, no slow introductions (what did I know?). I'm estimating her age at 8-9 months when she gave birth. She only bit through the first baby's cord and ate the placenta, so I had to cut the cords on the other two. Beyond that, she was a wonderful mother, didn't really need my help at all. Which was a good thing since I'm gone 14-15 hours at a time when I go to work.

I sure couldn't have done the bottle feeding the way you are. I know your mother can't help with the cats because of her allergies, but is there anyone else close by who could give you a break once in a while?

Keep up the good work.
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post #107 of 126
1/1/09 at 4:20pm
I just wanted to say, bless your heart for all you are doing for momma and her babies. I do believe our pets know when we are helping them and are thankful for it. Women aren't meant to be momma's at a young age--furry or human, I know its through no fault of your own, so give Tinker the benefit of the doubt, she tried!

Leslie
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post #108 of 126
1/1/09 at 4:31pm
Awww sorry you and Tink are having a hard go of things.....I have only had 2 cats give birth ...and they both basicly did everything....I guess some just don't take to being a mom....I hope she comes around soon enough....Or you can get some help after the holidays are over....

Nancy
http://www.messybeast.com/handrear.htm

Wow I just looked up hand rearing kittens.....looks like alot of work....for at least 3 weeks...Do u have someone who can help you or even take one of the kittens ? Anyone of this board live close enough to lend a hand ?
I just thought of something....do you have a heating pad or electric blanket ? That will work to keep them warm
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post #109 of 126
1/1/09 at 5:31pm
Hey, I'm really sorry to hear you're having a hard time once again. Poor babies, and poor Tinker! I'm lucky when Cassie gave birth at a young age, her instincts were strong enough to help her take good care of her little ones.

Suggestion: Since Tinker isn't bothering to feed them anymore, but is doing more harm than good by moving them around, keep them away from her altogether. Put them in a little box, maybe with a furry toy to cuddle/cling on. That seems to comfort them. Line the bottom with blankets that are thick enough to prevent the babies from boiling and put something warm underneath (like a hot water bottle). An alternative that I can think of since you don't have a hot water bottle, is a nice warm lamp to warm up the whole box. Line the box with newspapers, it is an excellent heat insulator so says my vet. Feed them once every hour, stimulate their pee and poop before and after every meal. Don't let Tink get to them, they just cannot keep getting cold!

Congrats, you're now a full-time handson grandpa! Keep up the good work, we're all rooting for you
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post #110 of 126
1/1/09 at 6:49pm
I used rice socks for keeping my orphans warm. Fill a sock with dry uncooked rice and tie the end. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Make a couple so you can have one ready to rotate. I put a cloth over the socks to disperse the heat and not be too warm. My kittens would crawl up the towel that was draped over the rice sock and sleep on top.

Have you looked here? http://www.kitten-rescue.com/ Developed by TCS webmaster and two mega experienced rescuers (hissy for one).

The best orphan kitten info I found.

KMR was expensive here and one of mine had a sensitive stomach on KMR. I switched to 'Just Born' brand and it was much cheaper and much easier on the stomach. Found it at Walmart. Comes highly recommended by many.

I know you are exhausted. Hang in there!
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post #111 of 126
1/1/09 at 6:51pm
Thread Starter 
Ahh, I don't want people feeling sorry for me because of the work. I do realize it's a lot of work. Remember I raised Tinker and wilbur on the bottle from like 1.5 weeks. feeding every 2 hours, stimulating them, etc. after about a week you get into a groove and it becomes easy. Plus let's face it, the reward is a hundred times more powerful than the work is dreadful. well except for tinker farts after eating tuna. That gets bad in this small room.

We're getting through it.
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post #112 of 126
1/1/09 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nance View Post
Awww sorry you and Tink are having a hard go of things.....I have only had 2 cats give birth ...and they both basicly did everything....I guess some just don't take to being a mom....I hope she comes around soon enough....Or you can get some help after the holidays are over....

Nancy
http://www.messybeast.com/handrear.htm

Wow I just looked up hand rearing kittens.....looks like alot of work....for at least 3 weeks...Do u have someone who can help you or even take one of the kittens ? Anyone of this board live close enough to lend a hand ?
I just thought of something....do you have a heating pad or electric blanket ? That will work to keep them warm
You know, I can not evern imagine things if Madonna had been like this. oh my god. 7 kittens?

She was the perfect mom cat. I simply left her alone for the first two weeks, until the kittens eye's opened and they began to move around without doing the breast stroke. I mean all I had to do was feed madonna and clean her box. She did everything else and was a fantastic mom. When she first had her litter she didn't come out of the box for 2 days. I ended up feeding her by holding the bowl next to her while she laid there feeding the kidlets.
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post #113 of 126
1/1/09 at 6:58pm
We don't feel sorry for you - we just know we'd all do it if we had to and would then expect YOUR support... duh!

I think BabyWukong is right though you probably should keep them away from Tinker if all she's doing is moving them around. They're so small yet, maybe you could make them a warm bed inside one of the carriers you used to bring Tinker and Wilbur home? Then Tink could still see and smell them, but not move them around and let them get cold?

Just a thought. I will once again mention I know nothing about kittens!
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post #114 of 126
1/1/09 at 7:32pm
Well I am new to this site but not new to owning cats.....so I am not totally aware of everyone's situations....but from what I have been reading...sounds like those little babies are in great hands.....

Nancy
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post #115 of 126
1/1/09 at 11:46pm
You're doing SUCH an amazing job! The fact that they're still alive is a credit to you! I know you're exhausted and frustrated, especially after all you've been through, but hang in there, you'll be fine.

New mothers of human kids nap whenever the kids do - I think you need to be doing everything to do the same if you're not already.

Keep up the good work
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post #116 of 126
1/2/09 at 2:29am
Hi fastnoc!

Sorry I haven't been on since the first page.

I'm glad to hear you've got some live babies. I think part of the problem would probably be that first contact with Wilbur - I know it's cute but Mumma's are so protective. My kittens will be four weeks old tomorrow and they've just been introduced to the other cats.

I think you're doing a great job however, I envy you. In my 11 years of breeding I've never had to bottle feed, just supplement.

I love the pics too!
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post #117 of 126
1/2/09 at 3:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms. Freya View Post
Awww. Kittens on my birthday! Congratulations!
Happy belated birthday! Those kittens are adorable. Your a grand meowmy now. How wonderful.
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post #118 of 126
1/2/09 at 7:51am
I know it can be hard to tell but do you know if they are boys or girls? Not that it matters, just wondering.
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post #119 of 126
1/2/09 at 10:52am
You've had quite a rough ride with all of this, haven't you?

Sending some "hang in there" to you.

I do agree that you could keep Tink away from the litter totally, if you intend to keep bottle feeding them 100% of the time. And that part does get a bit easier, because as they grow, the frequency will become less for you, and they do grasp independence quickly with each week that goes by.

You're doing a fantastic job. It isn't everyone that can hand-raise kittens, and so far so good!
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post #120 of 126
1/2/09 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 
There's a problem there though. I'd love to separate them, but i'm confined to one bedroom here. There's really nowhere to put either of them. I'll just have to keep working on it.
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