Val's Foster Kittens ~Weesilvie Kitten Surgery

[Val Amirault-Vale]

I have been very busy! I haven't had a chance to post in my cat thread, but I have some news to share! Last Monday I adopted two more BLACK cats! I adopted them from the same rescue that I adopted Harper from. I will post more about them in my cat thread later on as they have a story to tell that just tugged on my heart strings.

Anyway, since adopting Harper, I have kept in touch with the lady who runs the rescue. Her name is Danuta. She is a true crazy cat lady who is completely devoted to saving cats and kittens from the many "kill" shelters up in the Los Angeles County area. Danuta is also a registered nurse at Kasier Hospital by trade and just about every dime she makes goes toward running her rescue.

The last batch of 4 cats that she got from that kill shelter were pregnant. Two of the cats had their kittens last week for a total of 13 kittens. Sadly so far 4 of the kittens have died from URI complications or maybe even some other virus or disease such as Panleukopenia (feline distemper). It's just unknown for certain but Danuta said that the shelter she got the cats from is really a rotten shelter, one of the worse.

Then yesterday the third pregnant cat had delivered 6 gorgeous kittens. Danuta called me and practically begged me if I would PLEASE help her out. She wanted to get those newborn kittens out of her rescue so she could clean and disinfect and care for the other sick kittens and not have to worry that these newborn would be exposed to URI as well. She has several foster mom, but all of them have other cats or kittens right now, so Danuta was really in dire straights of what to do. I really felt so much compassion for Danuta and what she is going through with all these sick little kittens. Danuta was so distraught over loosing so many kittens that I felt I needed to lend her a helping hand.

I'm only going to keep them for about 2 to 3 weeks and then they will be moved to another foster moms house or back to Danuta's, depending on if all the kittens there are healthy. I've never had newborns before so this is really exciting for me.

Here they are......Some of the kittens still have their umbilical cord still attached. Two of the kittens are gray tabby, Two of the kittens are calico's, one is pure white, and the last one is a orange tabby.













Danuta even brought me all the supplies I would need too! She also brought food dishes and litter box and cat bed....all brand new!!

[piggiepop]

Awww.. adorable! Great job Val!

[piggylove]

Val, it's so great that you're helping out Danuta. All those kittens are so lucky to be in your wonderful house!

They are such beauties and she looks like a real nice momma cat.

Are you going to name them all?

[Stanley Max's Mummie]

Val keep the white one. Soo cute is it a boy or girl?

Bless your heart helping her out. It is fun watching a handful of kitties play together.

Loved the calico on sleeping on its back. Lol

[donna]

Val you are a truly amazing person. That is great that you are fostering the mother cat and kittens to make sure they are away from any illness from the shelter. They all look adorable and I am sure you will make sure they grow big and strong before they go back for rehoming. I must say I always have a soft spot for the mother. Does she have a name Val, she is beautiful.

[Clover]

Val, you are so very kindhearted, I'm sure both mum and kittens will have a lovely start being fostered by you Val.

They really are beautiful and what a wonderful mum she is being. Mum looks so contented.

Danuta sounds so devoted to helping shelter cats, such great dedication to helping them. I really admire you both.

[weesilvie]

Oh wow, I go away for a week and look what happens!
This lot are ALL GORGEOUS!
That's a tough job you've taken on - well done and good luck, I'm sure you'll be a great foster mum
x x

[pickles]

I LOVE CATS!!!

[Pigjes]

It's great that you can help this way!!! Bless your big heart!!

[gogoplant2]

They're so cute! Can I have one?

[Val Amirault-Vale]

Thanks everyone.

I made a couple of videos below and would like your opinions. In the first video I'm not certain if that gray tabby kitten is sneezing or coughing or if he/she is just trying to hiss? Can anyone tell me? I'm so worried that they will become sick since URI's are going around in the rescue. Maybe I'm just paranoid?

May 15, 2009 5:15:17 GMT piggylove said:

Are you going to name them all?

I haven't really thought about it??? Maybe we ALL could pitch in together and pick out names for them?? What about theme names?

May 15, 2009 5:52:10 GMT Stanley Max's Mummie said:

Val keep the white one. Soo cute is it a boy or girl?

Aw Angel, I did think about keeping the white one! Funny you should say that. I'm not sure if it's a boy or a girl. I haven't inspected them that close up yet! lol

May 15, 2009 17:57:34 GMT gogoplant2 said:

They're so cute! Can I have one?

I don't see why not! Which one would you like? lol

[piggylove]

I would just watch keep an extra close watch on the gray tabby. As long as it continues to feed, it should be okay. If you notice that it stops feeding, I would talk to Danuta immediately about syringe feeding it. Did she leave you any supplies for that? Also keep feeling its tummy to make sure it's staying nice and plump like the others.

Those kittens sure are adorable! I love how they all pile on each other!

[newpig]

Very much looks and sounds like a sneeze to me. Watch for discharge from nose and eyes.

Val, I'm starting to worry about you - naming short term fosters is dangerous! As soon as you started talking about these mums and babies I knew you would cave. Are you being extra careful about quarantining them?

[Stanley Max's Mummie]

Val it would be cool cause you have 4 black cats and adding a white one to the mix would be fun.

[3piggles]

They are so cute and tiny. I'm so glad they have a safe, loving home with you until Danuta can get her rescue cleared of the problem.

[Stanley Max's Mummie]

Hey Val why not stick with H.

I got a few I think would suit the white one.

If it is a girl, Hannah or Hallie

For a boy either Halen after Van Halen or Hendrex.

[weesilvie]

Hi Val
I don't know how anyone could choose just one of those kittens - I'd want them all, Momma included!
I'm with Newpig, it sounds like a sneeze, although I have no experience with newborns so don't quote me! Like she says, just keep a close eye on the wee one. I guess its like it is with pigs - the odd sneeze and cough here and there are nothing to worry about, but if it's more frequent then there could be something amiss.
I have trouble naming two pigs at a time - six kittens and a momma cat is totally beyond me! Let us know when you think you know what sex they all are.
Being nosey now - where do you keep them, as I assume you'll need to keep them apart from your own brood?

[Val Amirault-Vale]

All the kittens survived another night! I'm watching the kittens really close to make sure they are feeding and that everyone gets equal share and nipple to latch onto. OMG they are so cute, and Momma is the sweetest little lady and such a good Momma. She is very protective of her babies.

Angel, I like the name Halen!...a lot!

May 15, 2009 21:31:28 GMT piggylove said:

If you notice that it stops feeding, I would talk to Danuta immediately about syringe feeding it. Did she leave you any supplies for that?

No, I don't have the supplies for that, but Danuta will of course supply them should I need them. I have Danuta's work phone number too so if I need to contact her, I can. She will rush right over, and I already told her I won't hesitate to call.

May 15, 2009 22:39:05 GMT newpig said:

Are you being extra careful about quarantining them?

Absolutely! I have all the kittens and Momma in my enclosed walk-in shower in my bed room. I also have a baby gate in place to block any chance of Ruby or Pearl going in there, as well as I am keeping my bedroom door shut. I've not let any of my animals come in contact with the kittens.

However, the first day that Danuta brought the kittens and Momma over, and we got everything all set up in my bedroom and shower, we had a mishap. Neither Danuta or I realized that Harper and Indy were hiding underneath my bed. Momma Cat came out from the shower area and was having a look around the room. She found Harper and Indy under the bed and the fight was on! She went into attack mode. It was pretty scary! I got Indy out from the bed without any damage but as I was pulling Harper out, Momma lashed out to attack him and got the back of my hand.

Both Danuta and I felt like such fools for not looking underneath my bed first. It all happened so quickly and now Momma is on high alert that there are other cats in the house. I'm being overly cautious now.

May 16, 2009 8:20:43 GMT weesilvie said:

Let us know when you think you know what sex they all are.
Being nosey now - where do you keep them, as I assume you'll need to keep them apart from your own brood?

I'm still trying to figure out what their sexes are. I think there are 3 boys and 3 girls but I'm not positive.

I like you being nosey! lol Shows your interested! lol I am keeping them inside my walk in shower. It's nice and big and plenty of room for Momma Cat to stretch out so all her kittens can nurse easily plus I think she feels safe in there. I leave the shower door open so she has access to her food and water dishes plus her litter box.

[Stanley Max's Mummie]

So do I Val

[weesilvie]

Sounds like you, Indy and Harper had an interesting time when the fosters arrived! How have the two of them reacted to the thought of a room full of alien felines?

A similar thing happened to me when I brought Taz home - my friends came to see her but despite my instructions, left a door open behind them and Silvie wandered into the kitchen where Taz was. Taz jumped off a high surface on to the floor right behind Silvie, frightened Silvie who then hissed at Taz. Taz then took this as an invitation to attack and I'm afraid that that enccounter was what set the pattern and meant that Taz had to go and live with my mum.

Taz is a tortie too - they're feisty, aren't they?! I really like the look and sound of Momma Cat - I hope she finds a lovely happy new home very soon!