Sadly the kittens took a turn for the worse last week. This isn't unusual or unexpected, especially with such a large litter from a feral colony. We always say after the first 48hour danger period, the next problem time is as you approach the two week mark. There are a number of reasons for this. In our experience we think as feral kittens are more often than not born with a worm burden, that takes it toll at the two week mark after regular and rich feeding but it is too early to intervene with worming medicine.
On Monday night the weakest of the kittens, who we called Baby Bobbin, died. Two other kittens are giving us cause for concern but are putting up a valiant fight and the other three, touch wood, are thriving well. We did visit our lovely vets for a kitten check up and to put our minds at rest more than anything, that we were doing all we possibly can. And I'm describing our vets as lovely not just as I know some of the staff visit the blog - it's all true, they really are a lovely practice with fantastic staff whose support of us as a charity and personally, support fo us as fosterers is much appreciated and a big comfort a lot of the time!
Closer to home we are also having to come to terms that WIlbur is getting on and showing the first signs of old age problems and the reality he may not be with us too much longer.
Wilbur was reported to us as an ill looking stray and when we picked him up that description didn't do him justice. He was obviously old, unneutered so the back end stunk and his mouth was full of infection, dripping with pus so the front end smelled equally as repulsive. He couldn't clean himself and was matted in dirt that was pulling what little fur he had off leaving sores. He was malnourished and had lost most of his back leg muscle mass yet had a bloated stomach and obviously a big worm burden.
We drove him to the vets, with all the car windows open, wretching with the smell and quite sure he would be put to sleep he looked in such a bad way but the vet said their was a chance. We fostered him and it became apparent he had another problem on top - he constantly shook. I can only compare it to how Parkinsons manifests in humans. The reason for the shaking wasn't clear, he may have residual brain damage from illness as a kitten or an accident.
The vet said he may make six months so we took him in and decided to give him the six month retirement of his life.
That was almost four years ago!
He is simply one of the most amazing beings I have ever met, let alone cat. He is fastidiously clean and rather than purrs he coos. He is the most loving, affectionate cat and a character who everyone immediately falls in love with when they meet him. Somedays his shaking is worse than others and walking with grace isn't his greatest assest!
Despite the ravages of old age, he is still a very happy chappy and brightens my days for being here!
On the subject of animals - great news that today the new Animal Welfare Act comes into force, the first new animal welfare act in 94 years.
kitten, kittens, hand+rear, hand+rear+kittens, cat, pets, animal+welfare
Was Baby Bobbin the lil' struggler? It's never nice to hear that some haven't made it.
I'm hoping that Wilbur will still be going strong by the time we get back to the UK bless him.
As for the Animal Welfare Act - it's about bloody time! I personally think that they should also bring back the dog licence. But that's another story. Finally the people that mistreat animals will get a stronger penalty, I'd still like to string them up by their bits and do to them what they have done to the animals and see how much fun they think it is then, but at least the law has more power now to do justice properly.
Posted by: Miss M | 05 April 2007 at 06:18 AM
I'm sorry to hear about Wilbur :-( It's awful when you know a much loved pet (and friend) is nearing the end. I know it's no consolation but at least his last few years have been happy ones.
Posted by: Kate | 06 April 2007 at 07:03 PM
That brought a tear on an Easter Sunday.
Posted by: andrea | 08 April 2007 at 02:50 PM
Aww, sorry to hear about little Baby Bobbin and Wilbur.
I lost an elderly (20 year old) cat last year and it was upsetting, but I'm pretty sure that she loved us as much as we loved her, in that strange way cats do.
Posted by: china blue | 09 April 2007 at 09:12 PM