u/StevieJanowskki — reddlx

Update: Exhausted

Hi everyone,

I waited to update after my last post because the small girl (the white kitten) I posted about continued to decline. The dewormer made her extremely sick to her stomach although there were no worms in her stool and no signs of an obstruction. She was so tiny, maybe the dose was too large, she immediately had diarrhea after being given it orally at the vet. The diarrhea became bloody and she vomited up all her milk. Her brother had no side-effects except loose stool.

Her weight went from a plateau to a downturn. I tried everything, so many of tips you all gave me on my last post. When I thought she might not make it I asked her for one more day and she looked up into my eyes and man, I cannot describe that feeling.

You guys, she is gaining almost 20 grams each day. She absolutely loves soaked kibble with a probiotic and her brother does need to be separated during mealtimes or he will overtake her (even with multiple plates). She needs to have an audience when she eats though lol. We found our rhythm and her stools have been normal for a few days now, no more vomiting.

She had better get adopted by a seriously incredible person. She loves to just sit on your knee and observe the world and she loves looking up into your face.

Thank you everyone for the moral support, what a kind community this is. I needed a reminder to take care of myself too. Her brother is doing awesome by the way (tabby) a super sweet and hearty kitten. We did a little photo shoot for the shelter in hopes that they might have an adopter lined up before they go back at 8 weeks. Here’s to the emotional work we do in the privacy of our homes that is never seen. A life is a life, no matter how small 🐈‍⬛

u/StevieJanowskki — 5 days ago

▲ 30 r/FosterAnimals

I have to be honest, I’m exhausted

I’m fostering two four week olds kittens from an overpopulated kill shelter. Kitten season is exploding here and people in this area largely don’t spay or neuter. I knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park but ill be honest I was not expecting to feel this worn down.

When I got them home the female had a horrible flea infestation (of course they didn’t tell me so I could be prepared to treat her). So immediately when I open the box im faced with live fleas darting everywhere. Instantly gave her and her brother a flea bath with dawn. Her white fur was totally stained rust with blood. I removed all the dead fleas and then they were both absolutely ravenous which was great.

A couple days later she seemed sickly again and of course the shelter doesn’t worm any kittens preventatively even though these two were in a field and flea infested. I brought them back to the shelter vet and insisted on worming which they did. Meanwhile the eye infection sister had spread to brother and I’m treating both (it’s going well). The shelter vet said they were likely aged incorrectly by staff and still need formula with food. I gave them milk and slurry and probiotic yesterday, it went well.

Today the girl is totally disinterested in milk and slurry, she’s already 50 grams smaller than her brother and she’s lost 10 grams since the worming yesterday. Everytime she goes to eat her brother shoves her out of the way and she immediately stops trying. She won’t eat if I remove her brother because she thinks he’s getting more attention. I don’t want to fail her.

I’m constantly cleaning and disinfecting and trying to give comfort. I’m overwhelmed and frustrated because I care about them so much after only a few days. I don’t want her to fade.

reddit.com

u/StevieJanowskki — 10 days ago

▲ 274 r/Riverside+1 crossposts

Fostering the Pokémon kittens

We are fostering two tiny kittens for the county animal shelter during this kitten season. Jiggly Puff (white female) and Pikachu (tabby male) will be available at the Riverside County Animal Shelter in California in approx 4 weeks when they are ready to go home.

Jiggly Puff is tenacious and brave! She survived an wicked flea infestation and now we are treating her eye with some antibiotic ointment. She is either a zen master or a little warrior, there is no in-between. Very patient when getting her medicine and did not bite once during her dawn bath. She will make an excellent pet.

Pikachu is a purring boy with big paws. He‘s very interested in his environment and loves human touch. He’s not as brave as his sister, but he is a very loving little guy. I hope they will find a home together.

u/StevieJanowskki — 11 days ago