Two Queens...One house....HELP

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barry

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Absolutley none of my children handle the kittens at any time...In fact My Fiance'e and I are the only ones to ever pick up the newborns...And then its very carefully and very briefly...Not for our entertainment but usually for some adjusting reason such as moving them back to the box etc....

The kittens are kept warm and in the dark as I read that was the best for them....

Yes I believe my fathers castration method was just his sick humor as he HATES cats...We know how cat haters are always talking threats....

I intened to Neuter the male first....As I can afford so I will spay both females and properly spay or neuter which kitten we choose to keep....

I usually am very responsible about these matters....

everyone here brought up an interesting point that I could use more advice for...
Several of you mentioned not giving the kittens away for free...why?
What was the reason for charging money?
And if so how much? Should I charge just what the first shots cost me?
If so am I likely to be able to get rid of all 10 or more kittens?
Maybe charging for the first shots would help my wallet as much as making more RESPONSIBLE owners potentially for the kittens themselves....
I am guessing and would love to hear your reasons and points...
You all have been tremendous help...
The kittens are on their 5th day today.....I was mistaken and was corrected by Niccole my Fiance'e...
They are opening their eyes slowly today...some are only part way open...some are not yet...One has both clear open...The Runt at that....
God does special things for the littlest ones I believe...
All in all this is allot of work...I am learning and taking your advice...
But they are so very precious...And this is a wonderfull gift of life I shall not take lightly...
I only pray I can find homes as good and loving as we would be to any of them....
Barry
 

momofmany

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You never offer kittens "free to a good home". People that collect animals for labratory experiments answer these adds and your babies could wind up as a bad experiment. They may look good on paper, but don't trust them.

Ask for $25 and waive the fee if you absolutely know the person or are entirely comfortable with them.
 

scavenger

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Well, I don't know of the reasons other people give, but I do know that reputable shelters in my area not only charge, but also conduct interviews and check out the homes that their animals are going to. Why? Because when someone has to pay for an animal, it ensures that they are serious about adoption, and that they'll go that extra mile.

It's sick, but some folks do take free pets for malignant uses. Some sell them to animal experimenters, some use them in fights, and others can abuse them just for the sake of it. At the very least, a person truly looking to give an animal a good home should be willing to open themselves up to an interview on their intentions. Good questions to ask is if they will spay/neuter the animal (if not, they shouldn't be given the animal), whether they will declaw it (opinions vary, I'm against it and would not give an animal to anybody that would declaw), and what they would do if they had reason to need to get rid of the animal (would they put it in a shelter, find a new good home, kill it?). Also, what would they consider a "good" reason to give up their animal? Some people take on animals and then abandon them when it turns out that they are simply "inconvenient" or because they started dating someone allergic.

Charging often eliminates people unfit to truly extend themselves into pet ownership, and definitely eliminates those seeking to use animals for experimentation, since it becomes a money-losing proposition.
 

gayef

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Originally Posted by BigOrangeMenace

... you do not want to give them free, because people from animal testing labs, breeders, and all sorts of other bad people can try to get a kitten ...
First, what do you honestly think that breeders would want with a mixed-breed domestic cat? And second, are you saying that breeders are bad people???
 
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barry

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Originally Posted by gayef

First, what do you honestly think that breeders would want with a mixed-breed domestic cat? And second, are you saying that breeders are bad people???
I wondered that myself when they said it....
Surely a breeder can't be a bad thing...
But whats wrong with a domestic mixed breed?
I love my kittys the way they are
 

elizwithcat

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Originally Posted by Barry

I wondered that myself when they said it....
Surely a breeder can't be a bad thing...
But whats wrong with a domestic mixed breed?
I love my kittys the way they are
There is nothing wrong with domestic mixed breed. But no breeder would breed them on purpose just to breed them.
 

hissy

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no knowledgeable, ethical breeder would- even backyard breeders that run kitty mills know that there is no future in breeding cross-breeds and will go with the purebreed kittens above all else.


I charge $10.00 for each adopted kitten I place. I also check on the homes if feasibly possible several times in a year, to be sure the kitten is okay. I tell anyone that adopts out my kittens if at any time something happens and the kitten/cat is no longer wanted, I want the cat back. I have only had 4 returns in over 20 years.
 
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barry

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Originally Posted by elizwithcat

There is nothing wrong with domestic mixed breed. But no breeder would breed them on purpose just to breed them.
I guess when you mix em all up It's just a roll of the dice anyway isn't it....
I had a full blood persian....
It died from a rather unfortunate event...
My two year old opened my fish tank lid before bed one night a couple years back.....
The oscar jumped out...
Cat caught oscar....
Got sick...
the rest is history...
Woke up to a wet floor...a missing fish and a dead cat....
;(
I have always thought the seal point Himalayans are gorgeous...
But franky I have a ****zu that consumes all my time with brushing and such as it is...
I don't feel I could fully and responsibly care for the cat so I just don't get one....
Maybe later in life....
Barry
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Barry

I wondered that myself when they said it....
Surely a breeder can't be a bad thing...
But whats wrong with a domestic mixed breed?
I love my kittys the way they are
There is nothing wrong with a mixed breed tabby....but the reality is..there are far too many of them being accidentally bred, both domestically and in the wild. I don't know about your state...but in Virginia...only 4 out of every 10 cats/kittens make it out of shelters alive. That means that 6 out of every 10 cats/kittens is euthanized for no other reason than there are simply too many of them. That is why it is critcal to spay/neuter your cats unless you are part of a responsible breeding program.

Katie
 

loveysmummy

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Also, as you have never had a litter before, are you aware that pregnant and nursing moms should be receiving high quality kitten food due to the extra calories they need to consume at this point? The food should be free fed whenever the mams are hungry.

Just wanted to add that in case you weren't aware.
 
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barry

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Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Also, as you have never had a litter before, are you aware that pregnant and nursing moms should be receiving high quality kitten food due to the extra calories they need to consume at this point? The food should be free fed whenever the mams are hungry.

Just wanted to add that in case you weren't aware.
I was in fact aware of that one...I did some reading on this site before I made my first post
How else would I have known the things that I have set in place to make this go smoother for mom...I can't imagine all the backyard litters out there that struggle to make it..In horrible conditions and under stress and complications that could have been avoided with a little KNOWLEDGE....

Momma has her own food bowl with her own Kitten Formula...Plenty of water...The kittens are kept in a warm location dark and covered. As well as secluded from the rest of the cats in the house (NOW) thanks to your advice.
They are doing very well....As is momma...
It's nice to see her coming around once in awhile for her pets again...
She didn't do that when she was late term.....
Barry
 
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barry

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Update.....

The kittens are on their 9th day today....
I followed everyones advice here and move the kittens and mom into a large dog kennel, with the door on...I let momma out several times a day for food, water and potty breaks...
Had to use the door as I was leaving them in just a secluded room. And she was hiding the kittens in the weirdest places...Bedding is fresh and clean...dark and secluded form house traffic. However momma has issues with people unless SHE wants to initiate contact....

They all have their eyes open at this point. I am worried about one of the little kittys...One of the gold ones has crust in one eye and can't seem to keep it open.
They all have round bellys, and momma seems ok too...
I have been feeding mom IAMS Kitten in the purple bag...
Everything seems right on track...except for the one with the eye issue....
The other Momma has not delivered yet...
Enjoy the picture....

http://home.woh.rr.com/barrysnider/kittens9days.jpg
 

gayef

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Awwww, how very sweet they are!!! Thank you for updating us! I was wondering how you all were getting along ...

As for the eye, get a little piece of gauze (NOT COTTON because it leaves a residue - get the little gauze pads) dampen the gauze with warm, not hot, water only and gently gently gently dab at the crust until it is soft and loose. Do not try to force the eye open at all, just soften then remove the crust so that it can open on it's own. If you see green, pus-like substance, get baby in to the vet for some antibiotic eye ointment, but if it is just crusty with no discharge, just perform the little cleaning ritual several times a day until the eye is completely open on it's own.
 
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barry

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seems to be just a yellow crust and it cleaned up with warm soft gauze as you mentioned.....
Appears that I may not have able to get it all...As it's under the eye lid...And I didn't want to go prying around on a 9day old cats eyelids...BAD BAD....

Hopefully it works out....

Today the runt of the litter found its voice...Sounds like a kitten car alarm in there...keeps wanting to get out....hahaha
I figure it has eyes now it feels it needs to roam.

Also thought I would share with you all the kitty pics....

The first pic here is of my old persian "Snickers" he passed two years ago over a bad eating experience mentioned earlier in this thread...I miss him dearly.

http://home.woh.rr.com/barrysnider/snickers.jpg

This next one is the OTHER pregnant momma now...My Fiance'es pride and joy...CALICO we call her "Bi**h Kitty" when shes being stubborn...but her name is CALI.
Isn't she sooo cute?

http://home.woh.rr.com/barrysnider/calico.jpg

This last pic is of all three of my current adult cats in the house...Hanging out in a milk crate for nap time....
The black one is Fred, then Cali and the Grey is Misty....the momma thats already had hers...
Hope you enjoy them....

http://home.woh.rr.com/barrysnider/cali,fred,misty.jpg
Peace
Barry
 

gayef

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Originally Posted by Barry

seems to be just a yellow crust and it cleaned up with warm soft gauze as you mentioned.....
Appears that I may not have able to get it all...As it's under the eye lid...And I didn't want to go prying around on a 9day old cats eyelids...BAD BAD....

Hopefully it works out....

Today the runt of the litter found its voice...Sounds like a kitten car alarm in there...keeps wanting to get out....hahaha
I figure it has eyes now it feels it needs to roam.
Just keep working at the eye with the clean, moist gauze (I have the most difficult time typing that word!!!) several times a day - yellow crust sounds normal. It is green I would worry about. A lot of times, when the kittens are getting into position to nurse, they kick and scramble to get to their chosen and marked "faucet". Sometimes, as little eyes are starting to open, an ill-placed claw will rake over and cause a little crust ... it happens frequently. Just keep observing to make sure it doesn't get infected and I am positive Baby will be right as rain in no time.

Don't you just love it when they discover their voice? LOL I declare the first time I ever heard one of Lexus's babies scream like that I dropped the plate I was washing into the sink where it broke into a thousand pieces and went running like the house was on fire to see what the problem could be. Little brats. I just love 'em!!!
 
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barry

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Originally Posted by gayef

Just keep working at the eye with the clean, moist gauze (I have the most difficult time typing that word!!!) several times a day - yellow crust sounds normal. It is green I would worry about. A lot of times, when the kittens are getting into position to nurse, they kick and scramble to get to their chosen and marked "faucet". Sometimes, as little eyes are starting to open, an ill-placed claw will rake over and cause a little crust ... it happens frequently. Just keep observing to make sure it doesn't get infected and I am positive Baby will be right as rain in no time.

Don't you just love it when they discover their voice? LOL I declare the first time I ever heard one of Lexus's babies scream like that I dropped the plate I was washing into the sink where it broke into a thousand pieces and went running like the house was on fire to see what the problem could be. Little brats. I just love 'em!!!
Yeah the runt at that...Always has to be first this runt...What it lacks in size it makes up for in spirit...The little bugger was first to open her eyes. First to make a racket...First to come out. and First to want to escape the cage...
 
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