struggling to make a bad situation better

littlebooty

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As a few know my Thomas gave birth to 5 gorgeous kittens just over a week ago and has been the perfect txt book mum(stupidly excepted we had a boy and not a girl as i had sexed a girl but vet said boy) then 2 days after kittens arrived i had to have my 13y old cat put to sleep due to poisoning.

What used to be the perfect cat/dog family that would sleep an eat together, groom each other has overnight become not so perfect. Tabatha and thomas now have to pass at opposite sides of the room, as tabatha will grummble at her, but is great with the dog!

to cut a long story short, a lot of denial and interigated children my youngest admitted that tabatha had escaped when she was going into the garden and im sure the rest is obvious.

Im not going to lie, im heartbroken/devestated worried

HAD TO GET OFF MY CHEST :'(:'(
 

Sarthur2

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So you are suspecting pregnancy? How old is Tabatha?

Your cats are grumbling at each other due to territorial issues regarding kittens.

I am so sorry about your older kitty. That is a heartbreaker! :(
 

mservant

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That is one big load of cat hormones in your home if Tabatha is pregnant - have you felt for kittens or anything now, considering pregnancy is possible?   Do you have any idea how far along she might be as she is looking quite large in the photograph you have posted.

I am assuming you have had Tabatha with you for longer and know how old she is, how her general health is and so forth?
 

handsome kitty

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Well I'm breathing a sigh of relief!  I thought poisoned or missing.  

Some members have posted pics of cat moms sharing duties or fostering extra kittens if one of the moms can't or won't nurse.

Will you spay the moms after they are done nursing?
 
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littlebooty

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Well I'm breathing a sigh of relief!  I thought poisoned or missing.  

Some members have posted pics of cat moms sharing duties or fostering extra kittens if one of the moms can't or won't nurse.

Will you spay the moms after they are done nursing?

Hey,

OH YES, they were booked in, as they were so close, almost inseparable I wanted them fixed at the same time so when Thomas true identity was known we have pretty much been on lock down, drilled it into the kids not to leave doors/windows open etc [emoji]128530[/emoji] FAIL

SO....this morning when I came down it appears musical beds had been last nights choice of entertainment, or maybe pass the parcel as Tabatha was in thomas's box with the kittens + an additional 4 [emoji]128558[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Moved her and her kittens into her box and seemed ok. She's not taken to mother hood as well as Thomas has and is rather clumsy, when her kittens cry she does what she has to almost reluctantly, if Thomas's squeak she is there In a shot!?!?

THOUGHTS.....

Do I get a bigger box and let them be together. OR. do I try and keep them in different rooms??

 

handsome kitty

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Get a bigger box so they can all be together.  There are a couple of posts where the mom cats take turns w/ the kittens or all just cuddle together.  The obviously want to be together.  Just think, no introduction woes w/2 litters of kittens who have been kept separate.  So cute
 

mservant

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I'm with Handsome Kitty, if they both seem happy to be together I would offer them a larger box that they can be safer sharing and there's room for all to feed and hopefully not get squashed.   The kits should all be nice and cosy that may too.  


It sounds like the birth went smoothly for Tabatha at least, but maybe she had a tiring time and will have a bit more energy and enthusiasm for being a mum over the coming days.  I hope so anyway, and that everyone continues to get on well.   Your home is going to well and truly over run by cats and kittens very soon!  I hope you've got all those windows and doors child and cat proofed now.  LoL.
 
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littlebooty

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I'm prob just worrying to much, Thomas's kittens are 2 weeks today and like barrels and Thomas is so gentle around them, tabatha however is not so carefull, I seem to be forever freeing squashed babies [emoji]128543[/emoji] WATCH THIS SPACE

mservant mservant . I think I can safely say that white cat (the one I thought was the daddy of Thomas's kittens)I posted on Thomas's thread IS the daddy of tabathas!!
 

mservant

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LoL, yes, I think you can. 
    They all look very sweet, and hopefully they will absorb all their fur mummy's domesticated behaviour and socialisation so that they can charm all potential adopters!   At least your kids should be kept out of mischief for a while as all these little furballs are going to need a lot of play and socialisation - oh and perhaps a bit of litter training for anyone who even thinks of letting a mummy cat run past them at an door open. 
   

Got my fingers crossed that there are no squashed babies...  
 

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Do not put them together just yet. Tabatha's kittens need the colostrum she is producing these first couple of days. They need to latch and nurse really well, and mom needs to adapt to them. I would keep them separate for a few days and see how it goes. The bigger babies probably need more milk than Tabatha is producing yet.
 
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littlebooty

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Do not put them together just yet. Tabatha's kittens need the colostrum she is producing these first couple of days. They need to latch and nurse really well, and mom needs to adapt to them. I would keep them separate for a few days and see how it goes. The bigger babies probably need more milk than Tabatha is producing yet.

It's would be amazing if they could team up and co parent, I've sat with her tonight just watching (she is like a bull in a china shop) trying to figure out what's bugging me, something just ain't right.


Kittens were born yesterday morning, she was cleaning the last one when I came down, comparing bump size to Thomas I was sure she was gonna have 5/6.
I actually was waiting for 5th to start.

She had a pretty good night last night, I can keep her in her box with voice and reassurance, I'm sure she is just concussed and quite agitated, her resp rate is pretty shocking at approximately 69. She is not panting she is eating drinking going to the toilet, and doing her mother duties. Spoke to get and have to monitor it tonight as he is sure it is stress and will settle with in 24/48h
 

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Oh dear! It is likely stress, or after pains or both, unless there is truly one more kitten.

Are her kittens latching and nursing?

You could try putting Thomas' and Tabatha's boxes next to each other for comfort, as long as she stays put in her box for now. The two weeks' difference is a problem with putting them together right now.

I hope Tabatha will settle down soon. Some kitties have a harder time than others the first few days.

Will she drink some KMR for nutrition? Her calcium and potassium levels may be low. The KMR and a raw egg mixed into her food may help to give her a boost.
 

mservant

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Hope Tabatha settles and no problems for her.
   It's good that you've been able to check in with your  vet and that you are watching her closely.   
 
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littlebooty

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handsome kitty handsome kitty
Sarthur2 Sarthur2
mservant mservant

After my post last night I went threw every option and every possible scenario!! I have for now decided to leave them as they are (only 3ft away from each other) main reason as sarthur2 said, Thomas's kits are 2 weeks and already plotting there escape plan!!! I'm on to their plan mmwwaahhh!!!



I took a big chance this morning, knew I would be out nearly all day so made sure all had fed and settled in their own boxes and left......I wonder if they actually moved at all cause came back to th the way I left them!!

Tabatha most definitely has been stressed but she is making huge steps in the right direction! She is having less periods of fast breathing but still won't relax, she is getting there!

I have Thomas on KMR (She is no thinner then before she was pregnant, but as she is a very petite cat she cannot afford to loose weight) she is a very slim cat as are both her parents

Tabatha drinks it to x
 

handsome kitty

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I like the set up.  The KMR for the moms is a great idea.  They will pass the extra nutrients to the kittens.  
 

Sarthur2

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It all sounds good!

I'm really rooting for Tabatha's stress level and fast breathing to calm down soon.

Glad they are both drinking the KMR.

I see that adorable little escape artist at work there! Looks like a little tuxedo kitty! :)
 
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