somebody help me... HELP

Willowy

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That DE sounds like useful stuff!    I have so much trouble with insects on my plants but hate to use toxic stuff.   Do you have to worry about the kittens breathing in dust or dust getting their eyes?
You aren't supposed to breathe it in. Like talc--not supposed to breathe that in either! I don't know about eyes but I imagine it wouldn't be pleasant. Just apply carefully and it shouldn't be a problem.

Is Comfortis approved for cats now or is your vet letting you use it off-label? I thought it was just for dogs, but I sure am glad to know it works on and is safe for cats too!
 
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jcribbs

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Well, progress........  They are not going to be so hard to tame....

Last night, both kittens were in the crate and I got my pillow out and lay down half in and half out of the crate.  Both hissed at me.  The small one  hissed only until I started petting her and the large one hissed for several minutes.  The small one actually purred and stretched it's little 3" legs out when I scratched it beside it's ear.  Cutest little legs I have ever seen.  It will be a tame lap cat.  No doubt in my mind.  

The large one however, hissed and hid it's little face.  I just kept rubbing, stroking and petting and talking to him.  Eventually, his little chin lifted and he let me rub under there, which all cats love.  I think next time will be easier on him.  This little kitten is going to be BIG.  It has a big body. 

They are both gaining weight and looking better, as is mama.

I also got two of the kitty balls and tied them end to end on a long piece of twine/cord.  Since they like to sit at the foot of the bed behind the comforter, I pulled the balls along the edge of my comforter while I lay on top of the bed.  Soon those little arms were reaching, swatting and playing.   They had so much fun that if I jingle the balls now, they come get in this spot. (they are trained!!) I'm glad our comforter is long on the sides.  They run under the edges back and forth and feel hid and safe.  Their little arms reaching out from under it to play makes me laugh.

Shortly after we played, the small one was sat on the crate with mama cat and I dragged the balls over the bed, where I was sitting, to see if she would actually get on the bed with me -- and she did.  One foot away.  She would dash down and then creep up the side and peer at me.  I just kept rattling the balls.  They seem to really like them.  The only thing they have ever played with is each other, so they are having to learn how to play.

This morning what woke me was both kitten pouncing on my stomach in attack mode.  (attack the sleeping giant) hahaha.... I screamed since I was sound asleep when this happened and they dashed away but the little one actually slept on the foot of the bed.  I petted her while she lay there after I noticed her sometime in the middle of the night.  Her back was actually to me with her little head laying down.  Her back to me is a good sign.
 
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jcribbs

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oh my goodness.  The little one is going to be a handful..  I am not petting her yet on her own terms, BUT.....

She now comes within 10" of my face on the bed biting and playing with my hands and feet under the covers.  My feet and hands are under the covers and she is on top.  It is not direct skin contact.  Just want to point that out.  I think she knows it's me now, but this way it is a very safe play mode for her.   She makes direct eye contact when I talk to her.  Mama will run up to me by my face while I lay there and baby joins her on the far side of her body.  The bigger one is still just watching this weird behavior of his sibling/mom with the giant.  

Last night I took my hand out from under the covers and wiggled my fingers at her.  She slapped me several times on the finger tip sans claws.  Then I lay my  hand still and she came up and smelled my hand and gave it a tiny little lick.  How sweet it is.......
 
 
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mani

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Last night I took my hand out from under the covers and wiggled my fingers at her.  She slapped me several times on the finger tip sans claws.  Then I lay my  hand still and she came up and smelled my hand and gave it a tiny little lick.  How sweet it is.......
 
AAAaaawww
 
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jcribbs

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The little gray one let me pet her today while she was on the stairs....  I got to scratch her neck and her belly and rub behind her ears.  After I touch her a few times, she will get in a comfort zone and play with my hand.  She was very skittish and mama was there, but she came to me.. So exciting.  The bigger one just watched but he is coming closer every day.  I am not pushing him at all or I will have a setback.  The fact that he can openly watch my interaction from from 5' is good enough right now.

If I had my glasses on this morning, I would have been able to tell if the small one was a boy or a girl.  But alas, I am blind as a bat without  glasses.
 
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jcribbs

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the little one is definitely a little gal.  While I was petting her, I scruffed her and looked.  She did not even mind being scruffed.  She went completely limp, like when mama does it and cooperated completely.

But she is a girl.  I thought she was by the shape of her face.  Now, just have to figure out a perfect name based on her personality.

I think the other is a boy.  He is still a hisser, spitter etc...  And will be twice as big as this girl.  He is huge.
 
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don1945

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Male cats are definitely more of a challenge and tougher in some ways than females, IMO.  Over the years we have had probably 6 females and currently have two males.  The males are always looking for some way to get into trouble and just have different temperments than the females we have had.  I think females tend to be a little cleaner when it comes to never missing using the litter box, whereas males (especially large ones) will occasionally stop using it if for unknown reasons. We have  also been blessed that every cat we have had has been very gentle and friendly.  None have been like the ones you see on that TV show, My cat from hell."

I brought Snowball home from the shop the other night and let her stay in my room, then I introduced her to our two male cats.  They actually got along well, although the males were very curious.  I am trying to convince my Son, who I live with, that 3 cats are not too much.  In any event, I am already too attached to her to see her go to someone else who might not take the care we would.  We will just have to see what happens.

Don
 
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jcribbs

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Male cats are definitely more of a challenge and tougher in some ways than females, IMO.  Over the years we have had probably 6 females and currently have two males.  The males are always looking for some way to get into trouble and just have different temperments than the females we have had.  I think females tend to be a little cleaner when it comes to never missing using the litter box, whereas males (especially large ones) will occasionally stop using it if for unknown reasons. We have  also been blessed that every cat we have had has been very gentle and friendly.  None have been like the ones you see on that TV show, My cat from hell."

I brought Snowball home from the shop the other night and let her stay in my room, then I introduced her to our two male cats.  They actually got along well, although the males were very curious.  I am trying to convince my Son, who I live with, that 3 cats are not too much.  In any event, I am already too attached to her to see her go to someone else who might not take the care we would.  We will just have to see what happens.

Don
Three cats is nothing!   I don't blame you one bit.  And thanks for the info on the male kitties.   That might explain why he is so much more hesitant than the little girl.  (and I'm only guessing the other is a boy).  I'll try to choose an appropriate moment in the next few days and confirm male/female.

I've actually never seen that show "My cat from hell".  We don't watch tv except DVD.  We have about 500 movies.  However the last few months I have been trying to convince myself to get service.   We've lived without it for nearly 4 years..  What I miss is the news.  Internet news is just not the same.  But sitcoms --- nah, don't need em.  Sci-fi might be a different story however.....haha

Mama name is definitely going to be Ally.  My husband named her and so it shall be. 

But this little girl -- I'm just not sure yet.   I've thought about Gracie, Twinkle, or Lily.

Or Cinderella (Cinder for short) because she is blossoming into a beautiful blue princess kitty.  And she is going to be beautiful.

I've lost my camera today or I would post a little photo of her.  I got it out of our room today and laid it somewhere.  I have looked everywhere. 
 

feralvr

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Mama name is definitely going to be Ally.  My husband named her and so it shall be. 
But this little girl -- I'm just not sure yet.   I've thought about Gracie, Twinkle, or Lily.
Or Cinderella (Cinder for short) because she is blossoming into a beautiful blue princess kitty.  And she is going to be beautiful.

I've lost my camera today or I would post a little photo of her.  I got it out of our room today and laid it somewhere.  I have looked everywhere. 
AWW momma has a name now. ALLY :rub: AND I love the name Twinkle for the little girl. I hope you find your camera :cross: :D :pix:
 
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jcribbs

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I found the camera and got some pics of Twinkle... She is so freaking adorable. When I look at these pics, I think, she might not even be here now if I had not saved her.  This is the one that was trying to eat the crate in my yard.  She is the last one I caught and she is so precious and her personality just captivates me.

I cannot get her brother to even initiate play with the balls.  I may have to think of a "Plan B" for him.  I'm not sure what that is yet, but I have to think of something to spark his attention so he will wnat to interact with me.  I still pet him in the crate, but he still hisses.

She wants to trust so much, so she is still so unsure.  I'll try to post these in order.

Here's the scenerio.....  I was sitting on the bed with my legs under the covers so it felt or looked like I was further from her than I actually was.  Ally was sitting beside me.  I did not pet her in these pics.  I want her to come to me...  and she will.  She already has a couple of times, but I want it to be out of trust and not just because I can.

So I'm rattling the balls, and she peeks over the bed.... (that lamp is sitting on the top step at the foot of our bed, so she is on the stairs here).  Isn't that a cute little face? 


She gathers her courage and creeps intently across the covers "in stalk mode"...


She can't stand it so she comes to get the balls.  


I can  hold the balls close to my hand and she tap them.  She has so much to learn, but I can tell, one day she will be a lap kitty. 


She's thinking here "play or run", because I moved my hand.  She actually did end up getting down but she got back up on the bed.


And this is reaching out to touch me... No claws.  just a tap.  Acana sure is making her shiny.  She is a beautiful kitten.


And we ended our play session with a leg stretch and a look in our eyes.....   Her budding trust is very very fragile. 


I want to post this picture too.  This is both the kittens.  "Twinkle" is in the front.  The brother is laying on top of her.  See her 4 ears... Their bodies kind of blend together.  If you can separate them in the pic, you can see how much bigger he is than her....  He is just terrified.  They are in their den.  He does come out when no one is in the room and sleeps on the bed with mama, but he is very afraid.  Twinkle is the brave one.  Maybe he needs a manly name to give him courage..... 

 
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jcribbs

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I caught the little girl on the 10th.....  Look at the difference 11 days has made.....omg...  This is the same kitty girl.  they were starving because mama was starving...  the little boy looks good too but I don't want to freak him out with the flash on the camera.  That's why I waited so many days to post update pics..  Since I have had them, I have caught Ally letting them nurse.  I don't think she has milk, but she is a wonderful mama now that she has the chance to relax.


 
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catspaw66

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Like two different kittens.  You are so wonderful for doing all that work for them.  I think the pictures of them on the bed are so cute I almost OD on sweetness.  At first I didn't see the 4 ears.
 

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WOW, that is incredible! Excellent work!! I am new here and wanted to check out posts. It doesn't seem my problem will be as difficult as yours, so I have hope. Best of luck to you, mama and babies!
 
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jcribbs

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WOW, that is incredible! Excellent work!! I am new here and wanted to check out posts. It doesn't seem my problem will be as difficult as yours, so I have hope. Best of luck to you, mama and babies!
Welcome to TCS TracyQ!.  You will find may wonderful people here with tons of experience.  It is a wealth of information.  And thanks, this has been an very exciting experience.  I was so afraid I would not be able to catch them.  I'm not sure what the norm is, as this was my first experience in trapping, but I thought they were hard hard hard to catch.

~~~~~~~

Also, while little Twinkle slept/rested some last night on the step, I kept my hand on her and she purred......awwwwww.................   A good firm purr, f you know what I mean.  I also have a pic of little guy kitty's face watching us last night.  Ill download in a bit. (hard to type with no glasses......dang I'm blind.)

Jenn

p.s.  Just love her name.
 
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jcribbs

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They are on the steps watching me last night....  Had to decorate a little bit.  I am enamoured with them.  Sparkle is totally content..  I'm thinking about naming the boy, after I confirm he's a boy, Popeye.  But I need him to trust me a little first so I can learn his personality.  Sparkles names suits her to a T, because she just sparkles.


And this is Ally's latest picture.  She is better but not gaining as quick as I had hoped.  Her breathing bothers me in spite of the vet saying it was fine.  I have never seen a cat breathe this rapid and shallow.  As she gains weight, it has improved some, but I'm going to re-worm her tomorrow with more Profender.  And I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but I just have a bad feeling that she will not be long-lived.  It's pretty sad.  The only cat I feel this way about is old Yellow and he is fixing to hit 18 yrs old.  I just feel she will have a short life -- even with me and me giving her all the best I can give her.  I just have a sense of something wrong.  Nothing specific, nothing urgent, and nothing I could take her to the vet on.  But in a month or two, I'm going to take her for another checkup to another vet who I have great confidence in.  I have my ER vet who is great, but I have ONE who has great insight into animals and that's who she needs to see.  Her kittens are perfectly healthy.  I'm going to get them their shots this pay period and give them myself and worm them with commercial wormer from the vet.  At this point, they only had the DE.  I need to do this because eventually they'll be breaking out of my room.  I need them to come to me before I let them out. It will be their protection out here.  They have to know me and know my voice and know my calls..  They will spend their lives with us and be great hunters... I need to get them fixed as well, but I plan on getting Sparkle fixed first.  Her, in a month or so if the vet agrees.  The male, I want to wait until he is at least 6 months old so his UT tubes will be a little larger.

I hope I'm wrong about her... She is incredibly sweet and she has a strong will.  I hope I'm just being paranoid.  I may go raw with her.  I do feel that's the best she could possibly eat. 

 
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jcribbs

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Here's another pic of ally I took today.  She just seems tired all the time.  Not a lot of zip in her zing..  But she is gaining weight and as she gets healthier that may fix everything.  Maybe she just needs to rest and get caught up.  I hope that's all it is.  She meows and purrs and takes care of her babies.  I'm leaving her in the living room while I go to work tonight so she can relax away from them.  They are sure entergetic...  I haven't been around a mama cat in so long -- maybe they are all like this.  She was in pretty bad shape, starving, got rescued, had surgery and got re-homed with her babies.   That's a lot to happen in a short time period. 

 
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