New Babies - Critical Condition

[TIFFERS]

I'm the Neonatal Technician at work, and today I got a pair of kittens. The owners came in, say the had a litter of 5, and they're all dropping like flies. She had two with her. She said the mother wants nothing to do with them, so she's been forcing canned food down them. They're about 6wks, but you would've guessed maybe 2 or 3 weeks. Very, very skinny, small, and dying. Eyes glued shut with discharge, definately have URI's. Sneezing constantly. The little orange one came in in stable condition. The little gray one, lifeless. They're just bones, barely enough skin for SubQ fluids and medications. They are swarming with fleas! I mean swarming. They've got flea anemia, URI's and eye infections. The woman has $72 dollars to her name and she's torn up about it. Okay, compassion says to feel sorry for her, but then she later makes a comment about how she wanted them to be her babies and she wanted to be their mommy, so then you have to wonder if it's her fault that the real mommy has nothing to do with them. She has not been stimulating them to potty, so that may be why a few died. If you hadn't pottied in 6wks, I'm sure you'd feel pretty crappy, too. They've only been fed canned food. They're in really poor shape. The little gray one was on oxygen all day long, and had a blood transfusion along with SubQ fluids. After the blood transfusion, he's a little perkier, but we're still not out of the woods. Anyway, here's some pictures. Keep them in your prayers.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5002278.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5002281.jpg

Tomorrow, the owner is supposed to take the little orange one back once she's bombed her house. However, no one at the clinic thinks she should get them back. Besides that, she's about to have her own baby in about three or so months. Granted, she didn't know that what she was doing was probably killing them slowly...but, I'm one to believe that if you're going to take on a responsibilty, you need some research and at least a general idea. Anywho, I'm done ranting...pray for the babies. I'll be up every three to four hours medicating, warming, stimulating, and feeding. : )

[PatchO'Pits]

That is so horrible. I don't think the original owners should get them back if they waited until the kittens were that bad to bring them in ... how sad

I hope they make it

[LadyPirate]

I certainly hope she does a better job with her human baby!! That is so sad! Why would you force feed a kitten that small, with canned food!! Common sense alone should tell you they need milk, even if it is the canned mothers milk found in the store!

[NewfieGrl]

Wow, that's really sad. I really hope that they can recover. A few years ago my sister ended up with 6 newborn kittens. They had been dumped outside a home that she works at, so she took them home. She was up doing feedings every 2 hours. Amazingly 5 of them survived, she lost one. That was heartwrenching for her. I can only imagine how hard this must be for you to see!!!
Please keep us posted on how they are doing.

Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[TIFFERS]

Well, the gray kitty died last night. He was the one who had the blood transfusion and was on oxygen all day long. The other little kitty, he's doing well. He's on dewormer, antibiotics, and lots of vitamins. I've been letting him run around as he has no muscle on any part of him, and he absolutely LOVES Chica. Remember how I told you Chica loves all things small. She makes the kitty potty, plays with it, and bathes it and stuff. So, things are working out well. But, we're trying to talk to the lady out of taking it back. It'll have a lower immune system for the rest of it's life, she's going to have the baby to care for and no time for the kitten...I guess that I just don't want to give it back. I don't want to keep it, but I definately want it to go to a great home. I just don't think she could give them that. She still hasn't exterminated her house. She was supposed to do that yesterday morning, I talked her into letting me take care of the little orange one until it's better...maybe I can talk her into not taking it. Is that wrong?

But...I need a good name for him, guys. He's very noisy, LOVES Chica, kind of has a random purr that lasts about two seconds, then he breaks up, then purrs again. Kind of like a static-y radio station. He wobbles around, looks like an alien, and it's just so darn cute. : )

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5002292.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5002305.jpg

[TIFFERS]

Chica loves him. They're so cute.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/tiffydyann/S5002303.jpg

[maisy]

Thats soo sad about the other kittens...I don't think that the original owner should be allowed access to the remaining surviving kitten :mad: I think that it is a tragedy that the other kittens passed away in unfortunate circumstances. I think what your doing is wonderful though :)

I like the piccies...the animals are lovely

[TIFFERS]

Thanks for all of y'all's support!

[NewfieGrl]

I'm so sorry to hear about the gray kitten. How sad! I hope the orange kitten continues to do well. What adorable pics!!
And no, I don't blame you for not wanting the woman to take her back.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[dlaura]

I am so glad you didn't allow the woman who brought the kittens in to have the orange one back. My sympathy on the little grey one going to the rainbow bridge. At least it is no longer suffering. This is so sad.

Chico has a baby to care for - they look so sweet together. Isn't there any way you can keep these two together. They should be life long friends!

[Goldfishlove]

thats good that the women didnt get the orange one back she is so cute. I dont understand some people why they get animals and then dont take care of them. people like that shouldnt have animals or kids.

[berrysale]

I'm sorry about the other kittens~~
But the pic of the orange kitty and the doggy is SOOOOOOO cute!!

[TIFFERS]

UPDATE

Well...as it turns out, Hercules has now become Herculeesa. Yes, he/she is indeed a female. No one had bothered to look for ourselves and the previous owners had said he/she was a he. So, a client comes in and asks how you tell a boy from a girl, and since my little man/woman was standing there, I decided to use him/her as a tutoring object. ...and low and behold...it's a GIRL! My little strong hero...is actually a heroine. : )

He/she still hasn't been adopting, but he/she is one healthy baby. Definately a beast though, absolutely WILL NOT share a food bowl with any of the other adoptable kitties, and he's/she's the smallest...what a terror. : )

[NewfieGrl]

Hahaha that's funny!
So is she staying at the vets, or does she go home with you?
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[TIFFERS]

I don't bring her home anymore, Catillac hates her and I was getting very attatched... : (

[NewfieGrl]

Awwww!
Kind of funny. She looks exactly like the little kitten that my daughter and xh found on Christmas Eve. She was sitting on the center yellow line of a very busy road. The vet figured she was about 4-5 weeks old. Her name is Eve and she's deaf. Must be something with those little orange cats!
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[TIFFERS]

...orange tabbies and white haired kitties...my favorite! ...especially little ol' Herculeesa...I saved her from a terrible death...and well...I always get attached to the babies I nurse back to health. I choose to not be present when they walk out the door in the arms of the adopting parents. : (

[marg]

She looks like what my cat looked like when we brought him home from a shelter. He was so sick, poor baby. He got pneumonia one time within about a week of getting him, but hasn't been sick since. He has really become a healthy, happy little dude. :) I love him.

[TIFFERS]

: ) Well, Herculeesa used to be a dude...now, she's a rather content, yet sassy, little dudette!

[swtnikki]

That's one cute kitty! I was thinking the name Tigger before you said it was a girl. :p

[Goldfishlove]

Well I hope she finds a good home. Someone to love her . !

[gophertee]

How awesome is that that Chica knows to give a little TLC to the kitty! I feel bad about the other kitty and I know for a fact that kitten is in a much much better place.
Thanks for post - makes my day when we think we have it so rough! We sit here and complain about traffic or finances and here these little guys are fighting because they want to live. We have so much to learn!
Thanks again - terry

[TIFFERS]

How awesome is that that Chica knows to give a little TLC to the kitty! I feel bad about the other kitty and I know for a fact that kitten is in a much much better place.
Thanks for post - makes my day when we think we have it so rough! We sit here and complain about traffic or finances and here these little guys are fighting because they want to live. We have so much to learn!
Thanks again - terry


Chica LOVES when I bring babies home. I never have to stimulate them to potty as she always does it for me. : ) She cleans them up and gives them the maternal love they need to get better. : ) I feel awful about all the other kitties, but I know the kind of death they had. It's terrible.

But, I totally agree with you by us thinking we have it rough. We can fight to live...they are dependant on us, and it's a shame that we're their only hope and what saddens me most is that those other kittens didn't even know what a loving home is like. : (

[NewfieGrl]

I agree. It really bothers me to think about the way some animals live. I always get people telling me how spoiled my pets are (not in the fresh spoiled way) because they are with me all the time, they go everywhere with me, and they are always getting attention and love. To me that's not spoiled, that's the kind of life they should have and that they deserve.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007

[Jenna79]

Your wonderful Tiffers for what you do. & that pic of the dog & the lil orange kitty is the cutest thing!!