kittens

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing
these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive. The
rescue group's policy is to put them down then. (


Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our
policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision
unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not
just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

"Sharon Talbert" wrote in message
. washington.edu...

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing
these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive.
The
rescue group's policy is to put them down then. (


Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our
policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision
unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not
just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

They caught the 7th kitten and brought her over tonight. She's in isolation
for now. She has a wound below one ear. I noticed she had a tuft of fur
hanging. I originally thougt it was a mat. When I went to snip it out I
discovered there was a torn flap of skin attached to the tuft of fur. I did
snip the fur and cleaned the wound with peroxide and then put some triple
antibiotic ointment on it. I'll have to see how she is in the morning. Not
a struggle from her when I was doing all of this either.

I'm getting the live trap Saturday so we can get mom before she gets
pregnant again (if she isn't already). She's going to have to be a TNR for
now at least because nobody has room for another cat.

W

"Sharon Talbert" wrote in message
. washington.edu...

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing
these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive.
The
rescue group's policy is to put them down then. (


Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our
policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision
unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not
just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

They caught the 7th kitten and brought her over tonight. She's in isolation
for now. She has a wound below one ear. I noticed she had a tuft of fur
hanging. I originally thougt it was a mat. When I went to snip it out I
discovered there was a torn flap of skin attached to the tuft of fur. I did
snip the fur and cleaned the wound with peroxide and then put some triple
antibiotic ointment on it. I'll have to see how she is in the morning. Not
a struggle from her when I was doing all of this either.

I'm getting the live trap Saturday so we can get mom before she gets
pregnant again (if she isn't already). She's going to have to be a TNR for
now at least because nobody has room for another cat.

W

One shelter I foster for tests them all. The other will test one of the
litter or the mother and assume that if one is negative they all are.

I know one will try to place positives in homes w/out other cats or in house
w/other positives. They prefer to place them in single cat household. But
there are some homes set up to house positives only.

Just had a scare that one of mine *MIGHT* have FIP. No test to determine
for sure, no cure, no treatment, no vaccines. Told me if cat is dead in a
few weeks probably FIP. That was awful to hear. You don't know what to
do - you're in a pickle. "Wait and see" - which is sooo hard. Anyway,
whatever it was, she is now fine, no longer sick and acting better than
before. Her personality has changed slightly - I think she's schizophrenic!
(she hated other cats, now she's playing - go figure).


"Sharon Talbert" wrote in message
. washington.edu...

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing
these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive.
The
rescue group's policy is to put them down then. (


Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our
policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision
unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not
just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

One shelter I foster for tests them all. The other will test one of the
litter or the mother and assume that if one is negative they all are.

I know one will try to place positives in homes w/out other cats or in house
w/other positives. They prefer to place them in single cat household. But
there are some homes set up to house positives only.

Just had a scare that one of mine *MIGHT* have FIP. No test to determine
for sure, no cure, no treatment, no vaccines. Told me if cat is dead in a
few weeks probably FIP. That was awful to hear. You don't know what to
do - you're in a pickle. "Wait and see" - which is sooo hard. Anyway,
whatever it was, she is now fine, no longer sick and acting better than
before. Her personality has changed slightly - I think she's schizophrenic!
(she hated other cats, now she's playing - go figure).


"Sharon Talbert" wrote in message
. washington.edu...

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing
these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive.
The
rescue group's policy is to put them down then. (


Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our
policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision
unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not
just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

One shelter I foster for tests them all. The other will test one of the
litter or the mother and assume that if one is negative they all are.


We have discovered one can get mixed results within a litter. And somehow
it is always the sweetest and spunkiest kitten who gets the virus.


I know one will try to place positives in homes w/out other cats or in house
w/other positives. They prefer to place them in single cat household. But
there are some homes set up to house positives only.


We will no longer adopt out a FeLV+ kitten, even with aforeknowledge.
Did it once and never again. FIV is more of a possibility, but only if
someone comes forward.

Just had a scare that one of mine *MIGHT* have FIP. No test to determine
for sure, no cure, no treatment, no vaccines. Told me if cat is dead in a
few weeks probably FIP. That was awful to hear.


Horrible. I am so sorry. I hate FIP. We have lost one kitten to that;
she was not symptommatic until after adoption, so she broke a lot of
hearts. When she went, her adoptive mother, foster mother, and myself
were blubbering by her side. And the vet staff; mustn't forget them. I
really really hate FIP. I hope your kitten comes out ok. Doesn't the vet
recommend you keep her isolated from the other kittens at this point? FIP
isn't that catchy, but prolonged exposure will do the trick.

Good luck to you.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

One shelter I foster for tests them all. The other will test one of the
litter or the mother and assume that if one is negative they all are.


We have discovered one can get mixed results within a litter. And somehow
it is always the sweetest and spunkiest kitten who gets the virus.


I know one will try to place positives in homes w/out other cats or in house
w/other positives. They prefer to place them in single cat household. But
there are some homes set up to house positives only.


We will no longer adopt out a FeLV+ kitten, even with aforeknowledge.
Did it once and never again. FIV is more of a possibility, but only if
someone comes forward.

Just had a scare that one of mine *MIGHT* have FIP. No test to determine
for sure, no cure, no treatment, no vaccines. Told me if cat is dead in a
few weeks probably FIP. That was awful to hear.


Horrible. I am so sorry. I hate FIP. We have lost one kitten to that;
she was not symptommatic until after adoption, so she broke a lot of
hearts. When she went, her adoptive mother, foster mother, and myself
were blubbering by her side. And the vet staff; mustn't forget them. I
really really hate FIP. I hope your kitten comes out ok. Doesn't the vet
recommend you keep her isolated from the other kittens at this point? FIP
isn't that catchy, but prolonged exposure will do the trick.

Good luck to you.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

TNR?

"Cat Protector" wrote in message
news:xi5Fc.42769$rh.38241@okepread02...
: Where are you located? As for the mother cat, hopefully it will be TNR.
That
: is the best thing you can do for ferals.
:
: --
: Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
: www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
:
: Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
: www.catgalaxymedia.com
: "Wendy" wrote in message
: ...
:
: "Cat Protector" wrote in message
: news:4a3Fc.41590$rh.24219@okepread02...
: I have heard that feral kittens are much easier to be amongst humans
: that
: the adults. You probably got them at a good time but I would ask a
: rescue
: group that deals with ferals for some tips. You said you moved them
but
: was
: the mother cat around?
:
: --
: No mom wasn't there when the dh snagged the kittens. I think they're
going
: to try to trap mom and get her spayed so she doesn't do this again.
:
: I've got a call into the rescue group but haven't heard back from them
: yet.
:
: W
:
:
:
:

TNR?

"Cat Protector" wrote in message
news:xi5Fc.42769$rh.38241@okepread02...
: Where are you located? As for the mother cat, hopefully it will be TNR.
That
: is the best thing you can do for ferals.
:
: --
: Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
: www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek
:
: Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
: www.catgalaxymedia.com
: "Wendy" wrote in message
: ...
:
: "Cat Protector" wrote in message
: news:4a3Fc.41590$rh.24219@okepread02...
: I have heard that feral kittens are much easier to be amongst humans
: that
: the adults. You probably got them at a good time but I would ask a
: rescue
: group that deals with ferals for some tips. You said you moved them
but
: was
: the mother cat around?
:
: --
: No mom wasn't there when the dh snagged the kittens. I think they're
going
: to try to trap mom and get her spayed so she doesn't do this again.
:
: I've got a call into the rescue group but haven't heard back from them
: yet.
:
: W
:
:
:
:

dh?

"Wendy" wrote in message
...
:
: "Sharon Talbert" wrote in message
: . washington.edu...
:
: Wendy, the Campus Cats website has a blurb on socializing that might
help
: you. You've taken on a real project, though, with so many kittens! Are
: they all from the same litter?
:
: Step one, is get the kittens to a vet who is comfortable in dealing with
: fraidycats. They should be vaccinated and wormed at least, tested for
: FeLV if possible. If they are of sound health and weigh at least 2
: pounds, they are old enough to be sterilized as well.
:
: Step two, is catch the momcat and get her spayed. If she is also feral,
I
: hope she can be returned to the backyard as a mouser. Food and shelter
is
: the only compensation she would require.
:
: A vet visit for the kittens will also determine their age. A kitten as
: old as 12 weeks generally takes much more time to socialize (though
we've
: had good luck with kittens as old as 4 months). An 8-week kitten is
more
: likely to quickly turn around.
:
: Right now, Campus Cats has a 7-week kitten in foster care who put up a
: great front, hissing and spitting and trying to escape. She came in on
: Sunday and today she is snuggling in my arms, purring her brains out.
: She is going to her foster mother tonight, to continue her studies as a
: housecat, and I expect her to be ready for her new home in 1-2 weeks.
: Each animal is different, though, and must be evaluated as such.
:
: Read the article, Taming the Tiger, posted to the Campus Cats website.
It
: may help. You can also contact me at home:
:
: Good luck!
:
: Sharon Talbert
: Friends of Campus Cats
: www.campuscats.org
:
: Well I guess these guys must be closer to 8 wks than 12 because they are
: coming along pretty well. The dh and I were away for the weekend and
kitties
: were left with my 24 yr. old son (still lives at home) to feed water and
pet
: them if they seemed inclined otherwise just talk to them and hang out
around
: them when he was home. We got home this morning and I needed to clean
their
: cage out. I was able to pick them up under their tummies to relocate them
in
: the cage while I swept out the bottom with no hissing and just a few "hey
: what's this lady doing" looks. Once I got the cage back into tip top shape
I
: decided to try picking them up and holding them if they didn't put up too
: much of a fuss. They all cooperated well enough to at least establish that
: we have three boys and three girls. One of them is super laid back and
ended
: up draped over my hand while I pet him. This is the same guy whose purr
: motor turned on while I was petting him under the chin on Friday. The gray
: and white little girl who took a few chunks out the dh when he caught them
: is the other one who is most relaxed being handled. There are two girls
who
: would prefer I bug off but are putting up with being handled. A few growls
: and a half baked hiss but my skin is intact. At this point I should be
able
: to get them into a carrier for the trip to the vet though. Of course I
: expect they will look on me with a little less favor after that trip but
it
: has to be done.
:
: W
:
:
: