Posted on 12/07/2011 5:03:40 PM PST by jocon307
I need some advice on the two new kittens we adopted Saturday. They are very lethargic.
That is such a sweet picture! We are giving them LOTS of love, that part is for sure.
Their poops look good. One had an accident with very runny poop, but that was in the first few hours they were in the house. Since then they’ve been perfect about using the box, and they cover up the waste and everything.
I sure hope I got the records, I have to check. They got some shots I know that.
Last night they were actually exploring around a little bit, so we were happy to see that.
One of them eats everything you offer her. The other seems uninterested in human food, but they are eating the cat food like little champs.
I had a pair of kittens arrive here and do pretty much the same thing for a week.
They stayed in a closet. They were getting used to the sounds of a new place.
Before long they were going on adventures, exploring the house.
Your kittens may just be overwhelmed at the newness of things.
“I had a pair of kittens arrive here and do pretty much the same thing for a week.”
That’s reassuring.
My daughter said if there are 2 of them they’ll kind of stick together, if there is only one the cat is kind of forced to interact with the humans.
Hubby insisted we let them roam last night and today they’ve made the great advance of sitting under our bed.
We named them Lola and Nikita, but I told them yesterday that if they continue to be so tragic I’m going to change it to Juliet and Ophelia.
I had a Calico that would only eat dry catfood. Thats all she wanted, even turned her nose up at canned food and Tuna.
Each kitten appeared "overawed", for lack of a better word, with its new environment and took some time to get comfortable enough to even explore the limited area of the cage, spending most of their time lying in their bed, watching and listening.
I started by putting the cage in a back room where there wasn't much traffic for the first few days and then moved the cage, day by day, out to the family room where most of the noise and human interaction was.
After it looked like they were comfortable, I put a baby gate across the exit to the room and opened the door to the cage, letting them explore the room but able to retreat to their sanctuary whenever they wanted. At night, they would go into the cage and I would close the door until morning, when I would open it again and give them free run of the family room.
When they reached the age where they could climb over the baby gate, I removed the gate and showed them where the cat-flap was on the back door, which leads to an open-air, but enclosed by wooden lattice, back porch where the main litter boxes are. That way, they can be "outside" but still "inside".
Finally, when it appeared that they were no longer using the cage and its litter box and food and water bowl, I cleaned and packed up the cage, putting it away for the next adopted kitten.
That sounds like a nice set up you have for your babies, they can be outside but still safe.
I’m glad these little ones are not out in the wild that is for sure.
Our “longest serving” cat, Flower, was also a calico. She lived to be 19 and was truly a harmless little fuzzball, she was afraid of her own shadow. She would eat tuna, a little, but no other human food, except lamb chops, she was crazy about them.
Those brought out a completely different side of her personality. Every time we had them she’d jump up on the table and steal a bone then sit on the floor gnawing at the remnants of meat like a wild animal.
And our last cat would only eat yogurt and ham. She loved ham, but nothing else, not even other pork foods.
Take em to the vet. Even if the vet just thinks they’re from a naturally calm breed mix or something, at least then you know, you have peace of mind.
Definitely take them to the vet. There may be a problem or they may be a variant of the ragdoll breed. Ragdolls are very loving but also very quiet cats with a high pain tolerance and lose limbs.
I hope your cats feel better. I hope you have plenty of time because kitty threads on FR are never trite.
Adoption event........ pppffftt...........
If a pet shop was involved, it makes this very suspicious. Hate to sound like gloom and doom, but those kittens should be checked for leukemia immediately.
Lethary was the way I noticed it starting, leading to not eating and not drinking. By about that point, the cat was dying.
“Ragdolls are very loving but also very quiet cats with a high pain tolerance and lose limbs.”
I’ve heard of those cats but I didn’t know they suited their name so well.
I don’t know anything about pure bred cats, but I think if I hit lotto I’d try to learn about them.
We have a part-Ragdoll. She doesn’t go perfectly floppy like a full blooded one, but she’s a calm, gentle, affectionate kitty who clings like velcro and does love to just relax when being cuddled.
Hi all, here is a kitty update.
We have seen some real playing going on, but admittedly it is limited. Also some exploring.
They are very cute when they walk around together as one is all black and looks like the gray one’s shadow.
I talked to the lady from the adoption and she advises to give them time. There are no adverse health reports about the other 3 litter mates of these girls.
Right now they are in their ownest room, safe and sound as we are going to have a dog and an old duffer kitty visiting today since my friend who is re-locating from Maine to New Orleans will be stopping by.
I’m not sure how that is going to go over, I’m a little worried about the dog barking, otherwise of course we’ll keep the animals apart.
But, my thoughts are that if they are to be shook up better it happen now rather than in a week or two when (I hope) they’ll be out of their shells and something like a woofer might drive them back in.
To everybody, thanks again so much for your advice and feedback (and yes, silly jokes, limp kitten stew might still be an option - JUST KIDDING!).
Hubby is very impressed with the feedback.
I’ll post again and let you all know how things are working out.
Do that please.
It’s good to know that they are starting to come around.
Thanks for the update, and bless you for taking care of these precious little ones.
Thanks so much for the update. Nice to know that the little gals are progressing apace.
Truly. Sounds like they just needed a little time to adjust.
Hey, thanks for the update. Your kitties seem to be getting used to their territory, and happy to hear they are exploring more - I’ve seen kitties fall asleep in the middle of a joust-a-bout with littermates. Could be too that you have a couple of “quiet” kitties who maybe haven’t grown into their “personalities” yet. I agree it’s best to keep them separated from other pets, especially since they are still on meds and their immune system may be still fragile. Keep us posted!!!!
A little play, petting, and grooming each day will probably see them normalizing in no time. God bless them and their new family.
Cats, even older cats, get feelings of security from having their fur licked or brushed. Get a soft bristle brush and give those kittens brush time, especially around their ears and head, then down along their body and even their rear ends. You will be surprised at how fast they acclamate to you and their surroundings when they feel loved and secure.
Good to hear they are perking up. When my wife brought home out Siamese kitten, he hid under the bed for several days. Scared hell out of the wife thinking there was something wrong. Likely he was upset with being taken from his litter and spooked by the new surroundings. He was berserk within a month, tearing around.
How long have you had them? Sometimes they are just scared for a few days. Did they do a fecal? Are you giving them albon? Because to completely rid them of parasites, they need to get it 2 weeks to be completely safe. 9 days will allow them to grow it back. They could also need other medicine for different parasites. Another fecal is needed. Were they dewormed? Did they get their shots just before you adopted them? If they gave them shots when you adopted them, that could account for some of the lethargy. MAke sure they get their follow up shots if they gave them the FVRCP shot. They must get them at least 2 times to keep them immune of the diseases.
ha! The kitty in the photo is literally saying wordlessly, “Poor little ME!” “Someone rescue me!”
“Help me!” “Me, Me, Me, Me, Me-ow!”
A little egg yolk in their formula is key. The vet’s formula is lacking in some nutrients. Enough iron; and they can get anemic without it. Pet Milk, mixed with a little water, an egg yolk, a little corn syrup. Mix well.
Check their fluid level. I know it’s easier said than done. So, go to your vet and ask them for syrInge for hydrating them. They’ll either give you one, charge you for one or ask to see the kittens. When you give them water, ensure the water goes down their esophagus and not the trac. Otherwise, they might aspirate with the water going into their lungs.
To be honest, I’d take them to the vet ASAP!!
Good luck and keep us posted.
Any more updates? Are they continuing to improve? Has a vet seen them?
Thanks for asking, it has been sort of two steps forward one step back.
Hubby bought some feline pherenome (something like that) aerizer that he read about. It’s like a glade air freshener but supposedly it emits some hormone like scent that is like what the cats secret when they rub their faces. It’s supposed to relieve anxiety. It has no effect on other creatures. It might have a slight scent, but I can’t smell it.
It seems to be having a bit of a good effect, Saturday night they were pretty playful with me and the mouse on the stick, and according to hubby one was dive bombing the other from the back of the couch late at night while I was asleep.
However, Sunday they were back to being two little stuffed muffins!
Today is the last day for their meds.
I’ve been holding off on doing another update until I see more progress or (hopefully not) clear regression.
I gotta say, they may just be quiet cats. They purr like mad and they really don’t seem physically ill at all.
The little black one is (recently) much more lively and brave, the little gray one may just be sort of a goofball.
I’ll let you and everyone know more soon. I really do appreciate the concern.
Hi folks, I just wanted to give you all another update on the kittys. Sorry it has been so long, but first there was Christmas and all my year-end stuff at work and since mid-Jan I’ve been working at my second job.
But anyway....the kittys are doing fine!
The little black one, Nikita, has become a real lovey-dovey. She really is our “Maryann” as our friend M. says....the gray one, Lola is still quite the Ginger (diva!). But even though Lolita is the most anxiety-ridden animal I’ve ever known, she continues to show signs of improvement.
She jumps on my chair to look out the window and no longer runs away at the merest glance.
With each other they are very happy and have a good wrestle every day.
And somehow they’ve managed a feat our former cat Holly never could, even though she was much larger. They somehow manage to slide my closet door open and nestle in the sweaters.
Hubby is happy, I’m happy, and all you guys and gals helped so much, so thank you A LOT!
If hubby ever puts their pix on smug mug I’ll post a shot of the two cuties.
Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing your two little mischief-makers.
Thanks for the update. So glad they are doing well.
Pictures, please =^..^=
Also, if you do have a quiet time with The LORD each day I found holding a kitty on my lap while praying causes them to get in on being ministered to by God's Spirit. Animals seem to have a special affinity towards the Spirit of God and His Spirit helps them tame. That has been my experience and I have helped tame any number of trapped, wild kitties and often they become real lovers.
Well anyway, glad to hear about your kitties and hope to see pictures :>)
Glad all humans and fur babies are becoming acclimated. The three feral babies we brought in last fall are also settling in and are much more tame and loving than the ones we’ve had for years. Guess they appreciate their new, safe, digs.
Thanks for the update! Yes, please post pictures!!
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