|
Post by daintipawz on Jul 16, 2013 20:23:45 GMT
Yesterday had been really hard work as the kittens seemed to hit the wall of exhaustion; they lost their appetites and were becoming dehydrated and you could see the weight loss almost immediately; we took them all to the vets and had them all checked out...the vet said that it was down to the weather and that they were exhausted from the high temperatures...
They now have electrolyte drinks that we are having to syringe into them 4 times a day, doesn't sound a lot but we have to give 4 x 2.5ml syringe to each kitten at least 4 times a day... that's 64 syringes a day to get them having the correct amount...it takes an age as they don't exactly welcome the syringe...they have a special vet food that should stimulate their appetites and a paste to help settle their tummies these need to be done twice a day for the paste for each kitten and four times a day for the special food for each of them individually.
On a good note their temperatures are all fine, they are all bright and they are still playful...the vet has assured us they should all be ok...there was a litter of puppies there at the same time being prescribed the same treatment for the heat exhaustion.
We have rigged a tower fan up in their room which has helped somewhat, but at the height of the day its just impossible to get the temperature down...not wanting to put a damper on this lovely bit of summer but we think enough is enough now,lol...we started at 5.30 this morning tending to cats and kittens and finally managed to sit down at 8.30pm... all part of the easy breeding programme lol. We take the rough with the smooth and always aim to do our very best.
It is quite difficult to come on the forum often as we are just so busy with the kittens and answering e-mails from potential owners, past owners and future owners for next litters, but I do try to look on every few days when I get the chance.
|
|
|
Post by spider on Jul 16, 2013 21:11:43 GMT
o my u are busy poor little things hope they feeling better i think all pets cats and dogs find this heat hard to cope with its lovely in the mornings and late eve we just used to this nor are they
|
|
|
Post by camorris on Jul 16, 2013 21:45:48 GMT
I know what you mean about the heat Sharon, we had to do an emergency search for an air conditioning unit today because my daughter in law, 38 weeks pregnant, was flaking out. We finally found some, at a Homebase 24 miles away. We bought two, one for them and one for us.
I'm really worried about the two little ones in this heat, Poppy especially seems lethargic. I'm putting down bowls of water in every room and have put a duvet over the washing line to give her some extra shade.
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Jul 16, 2013 23:52:38 GMT
Crikey that is a lot of work with the kittens, they can't be comfortable in this heat, how's mum doing?
Hope your daughter-in-law's OK, Christine. At least you should both be cooler now. Hope Poppy is OK.
We've opened up the summer house (not for us) & Roman's spending the day in there, with a bowl of water & some dried food. Lexie is making use of the same facilities but spending her day gadding about but mainly under the big leaves of the hostas & artemisia. Osiris is being rather pernickerty with his food & rather more grumpy if Lexie's around but sending his day under local hedges & bushes. Penny is happy in our bedroom. All of them are more active as the evening progresses.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jul 17, 2013 9:41:10 GMT
Oh dear I hope they are doing ok now. Just how dedicated you are shows the difference between reputable breeders and the infamous back yard breeders. Hopefully when we get Mrs.woman spayed we won't see any more kittens in our area that never seem to make it to adulthood, except for a huge pure white tom going around, most likely our kittens father. I suppose Mrs.woman and her kittens are lucky they are white, Charlie being black has no choice but to sleep the day away. We have the 2 windows by her bed open and there is a low vent which helps when there is a breeze, we had it all closed up for their first week so they wouldn't get cold.
|
|
|
Post by heartpawprints on Jul 17, 2013 12:21:13 GMT
Bless, I'm sure you have done this, but a few suggestions - turn the lights off where possible as they will generate heat, have curtains closed during the day to block out the sunlight and heat from that. Do you have any marble/porcelain tiles you could put down for lying on as they won't absorb the heat like carpet? Are the kittens in a north facing room, i.e. less sunlight?
I think the heat is zonking Ruppee out and he's an adult. Perhaps getting a second fan into the room too? Keep us updated.
|
|
|
Post by heartpawprints on Jul 17, 2013 12:24:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by SarahHound on Jul 17, 2013 12:40:59 GMT
And we're praying for sunshine! It's cold, wet and windy up north Hope it can come your way x
|
|
|
Post by scallywag on Jul 17, 2013 12:55:19 GMT
And we're praying for sunshine! It's cold, wet and windy up north Hope it can come your way x Awwwww SarahHound here you go
|
|
|
Post by daintipawz on Jul 17, 2013 16:21:59 GMT
Thankyou Pat for your comments, two are bouncing back and eating a little more but two are very poorly and Kevin has just taken them back to the vets for water syringed under their skin, not sure if they are going to survive this.
Christine I hope your daughter in law feels better soon and gets through her pregnancy without feeling too poorly, this heat is terrible, just not comfortable at all.
Toni, Taylor is doing well, she is trying her best to look after her kittens but she has nothing left to offer, she seems to know they are poorly and tries to let them suckle, it is heartbreaking to see the kittens go down hill and Taylor doing all she can to help, she was trying to feed them this morning and looking up at me crying as if to say "I'm doing my best Mum, I really am", she is too hot too, all the cats are just flaked out but are coping, the kittens are not coping with it very well at all.
Judi we do try our very best, I am just fortunate to not have to go out to work too, I hate to think what would happen if I was at work all day, I don't know how other breeders manage to breed and hold a full time or even part time job down, it must be difficult and stressful too.
Heartpawprints...yes we always keep their blinds in their room closed, their floor is laminated so no carpets and we don't need the lights on here.I have two fans on in their room at the moment, they are on all day long, not sure if their room is north facing but we just live in an exceptionally hot house, it is hot all year round, we have our french doors open right up until October and hardly ever have to have heating on, it is too insulated I think. Ice in water bowls is a good idea.Thanks for the tip.
Sarah where do you live? All my family are from the North in West Yorkshire and it is roasting where they are, hope we get some of your cold wet weather soon.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jul 17, 2013 16:26:23 GMT
Best wishes hope the fragrance litter get better soon
|
|
|
Post by BorderTerrier on Jul 17, 2013 16:40:27 GMT
Poor Sarah! Poor dantipawz! The heat affects all pets, in a negative way. Hopefully it will at least cool down a bit... I can only think of helpful tips to keep dogs cool, not cats unfortunately. Wishing the best for the hot kittens.
|
|
|
Post by heartpawprints on Jul 17, 2013 16:54:48 GMT
Perhaps rent an air con unit? It breaks my heart to hear that 2 have gotten worse.
|
|
|
Post by judypops on Jul 17, 2013 16:59:01 GMT
I know you have probably exhausted all possibilities but maybe a high energy and protein food. I know when Mrs.Woman was very run down with a cold about a month back we gave her some hills a/d critical care that gave her a boost, unfortunately after trying it once she never wanted it again. Just an idea.
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Jul 17, 2013 21:15:42 GMT
Sharon, keeping my fingers crossed for the kittens, I've lost track, how old are they now? Taylor is certainly proving to be a really good mum, what must she be feeling.
|
|