My first foster kitty arrives tomorrow - stocked and anxious

OK then, I'm giving her a bath right now. Thank you so much @sarthur2. I will keep you updated!

Sounds good! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

She is gorgeous!

In a couple of days if the diarrhea still hasn't cleared up, it might be something more than diet and stress. If you were in America I'd say it sounds like giardia, but I have no idea if that's just as common in Europe or not. Just to be safe, because if she does have something she can constantly reinfect herself from cysts she sheds in her feces, a solution of 10% ammonia is the best disinfectant for cleaning her surfaces and her litter box, and wash toys and blankets with hot water. That should kill pretty much anything she could have.

Cats are naturally nocturnal and sleep during the day, so they usually don't have a problem sleeping in a bright room. Since they can see in the dark pretty well too, you can also leave the light off and she'll be fine. It's up to your preference.

Bath is done. That was a lot harder than I thought. I'm going to read up on it for next time.

I changed her bedding and my clothes. I'm going to wash it, but don't have ammonia, I'll get some tomorrow.

She did have another liquid poop, but that was before the yoghurt. I'm keeping an eye on her. I think she may be a little dehydrated, I'm going to give her some wet food, and try to encourage her to drink a little bit. I did saw her drink earlier.

Hi there. I am in Normandy, and I can help with finding any French equivalents to those advised by our US members. I also work in cat rescue, so may be able to advise generally. You have received excellent information from Sarthur2 and I am glad things are going better. I use Apta dishsoap liquid on kittens, with no problems. Sanytol disinfectants are great, and tackle pet odours well. Giardia is unfortunately common over here, but usually responds well to treatment and all vets are used to dealing with it. It could be the problem, but she will need a fecal test.

Let me know if I can help.

@JennyR Hi! We have Top Budget, but I can pick up some Apta. What scent do you buy? I'll also get some Sanytol. Thanks!

The last diarrhea (before the yoghurt) was still brown, and smelled like normal liquid poop. She's actually not dehydrated, but I'm still going to keep an eye on her.

I buy all scents - citron is fine. You only need a few drops in the water.

If the diarrhea is still hanging around after another 24 hours, you should see the vet for medicine.

Thank you again, that helps a lot knowing the French equivalent of products!

@sarthur2 About the vet, the association wants me to call them and tell them if something is wrong. Then they'll decide if a vet visit is warranted. Except for emergencies, I'm not supposed to take her to the vet myself. If I think something is wrong and they say no to the vet visit, I'll pay for it myself.

Sparrow has been growling at me on and off today. I think it's because I didn't change my clothes, although I did wash my hands each time before petting him.

On a cutter note, I did some scents swapping. They each have a sock that I rubbed on the other cat's body, insisting on the cheeks . Josephine didn't even sniffed it, and Sparrow is actually sleeping right next to the sock. He smelled it for a while, looked at me, and then went to sleep. That's a good sign I think.

Lyzzie said:

Thank you again, that helps a lot knowing the French equivalent of products!

@sarthur2
About the vet, the association wants me to call them and tell them if something is wrong. Then they'll decide if a vet visit is warranted. Except for emergencies, I'm not supposed to take her to the vet myself. If I think something is wrong and they say no to the vet visit, I'll pay for it myself.

Sparrow has been growling at me on and off today. I think it's because I didn't change my clothes, although I did wash my hands each time before petting him.

On a cutter note, I did some scents swapping. They each have a sock that I rubbed on the other cat's body, insisting on the cheeks . Josephine didn't even sniffed it, and Sparrow is actually sleeping right next to the sock. He smelled it for a while, looked at me, and then went to sleep. That's a good sign I think.

Click to expand...

That is normal for associations, especially if they don't yet know you well. May I ask which Association you are working with? There are a number in Normandy.

It's called "Planning Chat", and I think it's specific to my region, Poitou-Charentes. I actually live in La Rochelle.

OK. I don't know that one. I live in Calvados.

That was a pretty intense 24h. I actually loved it.

Update on Josephine first :

Last night she made a formed poop! It was still soft tho. Early this morning her poop was not formed and way softer, but not liquid. I'm keeping up with the yoghurt for now. I did buy some human grade probiotics this morning for the cats. When do you think she could start getting them? And how do I determine the quantity for her and for Sparrow?

She loves her MAC's very much, and doesn't really touch her dry food anymore. She still drinks from time to time.

I comb her again this morning, and I found 5 fleas : 1 dead, 2 alive, 3 undetermined. I didn't found any flea dirt. I'm going to keep combing her. If I found more alive fleas, can I give her a bath again? Or is it too soon?

I washed all the bedding and toys this morning, and of course my washing machine decided it was the perfect time to try and flood the apartment. Twice.

Miss Josephine and I spent our morning playing in the courtyard. It's enclosed completely, and it's paved. That girl is a hunter! She kept taking the da bird knock off and ran with it in her mouth. I had a blast, and so did she. She's full of energy, and not scared of us at all.

Her night in the bathroom went well. However, I had to use the bathroom around 6 AM, and she just wouldn't stop crying. I know I shouldn't have, but I ended up sleeping in the bathroom with her. That was really uncomfortable it's so small. I don't think it's more than 2m². But kitty slept in my arms, that was worth it.

Considering the size of the bathroom, we realized that we couldn't do the introductions like we should, it's just no going to work for us. So here's the new plan.

Yesterday, the exchange of socks went very well, neither one of them showed any sign of discontent whatsoever.

We decided to let them meet. I know it's dangerous, I shouldn't do that. Josephine hasn't been tested yet. I'm going to call the association, and ask that she be tested this week. We can't separate them for a whole month. If the price is the problem, I'll pay for it. I just want the OK from them.

For now, they are OK. Sparrow is laying down the law, he's really kind of majestic. There's so much authority emanating from him! He growls when Miss Jo gets to close, or is too fast. If she doesn't back down, he hisses. She doesn't growls or hisses back, unlike yesterday. She just turns around and find something else to do. They didn't touch each other, swiped at each other, nothing like that. Josephine even laid on the floor and was looking at Sparrow with a kind of longing I guess? I just hope she's not older than we think, and get into heat. Sparrow is neutered tho, but still.

As of this afternoon they both have free reign of the house. We are watching them like hawks. Sparrow is sleeping on the couch upstairs, and Miss Jo is investigating the upstairs. He's aware of were she is, but leave her be. She does the same.

I'm exhausted. These kitties are indeed a lot of work. I really admire anyone who does this on a regular basis, you guys rocks.

Josephine update :

It's Day 3, and she's fully adjusted. She eats and drinks very well, and as of this morning, is flea-free AND making formed poop with the right consistency! Thanks so much @sarthur2 for the yoghurt advice. It worked really well. She did get a spoonful twice a day for two days. I didn't gave her any today.

I talked with the association about testing Miss Jo, and I learned that they don't do it. Only if the cat is obviously ill or look like he's been having a hard life outside. Testing is between 45-50€ (that's around 50 bucks). I decided that I will not get her tested for now. We'll see at her vet appointment what we decide.

I realized I was really tense since Sunday, and tried to relax, especially around Sparrow. I don't know if it played a part or not, but Sparrow and Josephine slept with us on the bed. At the same time. I was stunned. There was still the growling and hissing until they found their place, but fewer and quieter. When I woke up, Sparrow was between SO and me near our heads, and Josephine was at my feet.

This morning I also realized that I've been handling meal times wrong. From now on, Miss Jo will be in the bathroom when it's meal time for Sparrow. Poor guy needs a break.

So, good news all around. It's going well.

Here is a new video :


Right now they are sleeping upstairs, Sparrow on the couch, Josephine on the bed. Some peace and quiet feels good!

It sounds like you've relaxed and sorted things out very nicely! They look happy! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

That all seems to be going great.

I finally got a good night sleep, and now have time to update.

I'm having so much fun, it should be illegal

Sparrow relaxed and is almost back to his former self. He's such a mellow guy.

Miss Jo just likes to use every litter box she finds, and Sparrow seemed to not really like that, he peed outside when I walked him this morning. A big one, too. So I added a litter box, grand total of 3. That should help.

Meal times are now good, they actually share the same plate, but not at the same time. I realized it when only one plate was getting eaten and the other one untouched.

Nights are good too, and we were waken up by them chasing each other on the bed this morning. I was scared, and then relaxed when I saw they were just playing together! It's only Day 5, I can't believe they are already this comfortable.

Food wise, they are both on MAC's for the day. I'm transitionning Josephine from Friskies kibbles to Pro Plan (no Orijen at Zooplus, I have to wait to get them) at night, and then Orijen.

Sparrow is also on pro Plan at night, and Orijen after that.

I couldn't resist and bought toys and a little sisal post. She loves them. She also loves Amé, the neighbor's little black cat. He's 2 months old, and she plays kind of rough with him, so we are limiting contact. He's already vaccinated.

I now know that last Saturday Josephine got a dose of Stronghold kitten, and some Milbemax for the worms. I was happy about both, they are good products.

Josephine loves to be brushed, and she let me trim her front claws right away. She's a sweetheart. Her ears are a little dirty tho, so I'm gonna clean them with some physiological serum.

Sparrow also got a trim right before Miss Jo arrived, and I gave him worming medicine and Advantage yesterday. He also need his ears cleaned.

They're keeping me busy

Wow, that is going so well. Are they scratching their ears at all? They may have ear mites. Use some cotton (not on a stick) to get a sample and take it to either the vet or a pharmacist, and they will give you some drops.

@JennyR They are not scratching their ears. Sparrow produces too much cerumen so I'm cleaning his ears regularly. But I do have some drops from the vet in case of ear mites. Plus Josephine got a dose of Stronghold 5 days ago. But if I see any scratching I'll call the vet.

Day 6 : All ears are cleaned, no ear mites in sight for now, just normal cerumen.

Since I introduced the kibbles, Sparrow decided he'd rather eat that more than his wet food. Which is OK because Miss Josephine would rather eat wet than dry. She is eating like an ogre! Yesterday she was 1.358 Kg. She was 1.240 Sunday. She gained 118 g in 5 days. I don't know if it's enough or not, I don't have anything to compare it to.

I did put both of them on probiotics, they get a capsule a day each, which is 4 billions CFU.