When Jude came home from work this evening she had a basket with 2 tiny kittens that are only a few days old. Someone had found them late at night on the pavement so they must have come from a feral mother in the area. The mother was nowhere to be seen but it is thought that she may have been moving the kittens elsewhere and these 2 were somehow left behind. They were brought to the animal hospital in the morning and have been receiving care from the staff today. It was decided that staff would share the hand-rearing duties out of hours. I personally feel that it would be best for one person to do the rearing since the kittens will get into a routine with the same method of feeding etc. since others have different ways of doing this. They are very young (the smallest still has the umbilical cord attached) and many things can go wrong at this stage so we are really hoping that they both survive. They are both very lively and noisy so that is a good sign at least. Jude is very good at hand-rearing and had success at hand-rearing newborn wild rabbits which is extremely difficult to do. Both are now healthy pets. I'm hoping that she can take sole charge of rearing the kittens. She is going to ask tomorrow about this.

Here are some pics:
Me holding the largest kitten


Jude feeding the smallest kitten


Both in their basket after feeding

They are just precious and I hope everything goes well with them...saying kitten prayers..c.hert

Awww...how adorable Lindi! Poor babies though, mom must have been moving them like you said and I hope that the person who found them wasn't too quick to take them in. I would think that the mother cat wouldn't have forgotten them or lost them but I'm sure it's possible she did.

Good luck to the hospital staff and/or Jude if she ends up looking after them herself. I'm sure she could do a wonderful job in raising them since she has been successful in raising young bunnies. Keep us posted and I sure hope that they thrive and survive.

Thank you c. hert and Brad.

We're not sure what happened with the kittens but it was dark at 10pm when they were found and they could have ended up on the road. The temperatures here have dipped considerably and frost/snow is predicted for parts of Scotland over the next couple of days. They needed to be rescued but it is still worrying that the mother cat may have been looking for them. Perhaps there were others in the litter. Hoping she is ok. It must be so hard for feral cats with kittens especially during the colder months.

I will keep you updated about these two.

Cats have always been part of my life, so naturally, I'm adding my hopes that these two thrive and survive...somehow, with you and Jude, I know they will!!

Don't forget to wipe their butts so what goes in, has a chance to come out. But, of course, you know all of this!

They are adorable! Any thoughts about names yet??

Sure hope Mama cat and any other kittens are OK!!

We will ALL be watching and waiting for positive updates on your furry ones!!

My Twiggy and Timmy (who were kinda born feral too) send their loving "meows and purrs" to help the little ones thrive.

Love, Hugs and Scritches from the rest of us!

Shi and the feathered ones...

They are so cute! Here's hoping they go from strength to strength.

Good news..the kittens are home with us again tonight and I think Jude is now going to hand-rear them herself..with a little help from me. This is best for them to get into a routine and by using a feeding method that both the kittens and ourselves are comfortable with. Jude is away out this evening for a short while so I am on duty to feed them in about an 45 minutes. I helped feed one of them earlier and they are a bit tricky at times but this is good practice for me to help with rearing.

Still alive and scratching and thats wonderful news..Have fun feeding the little ones..c.hert

Oooooh, Lindi, they are SO tiny!

Best of luck with them. I know you and Jude will do your absolute best!

Linda

Lin H wrote:Oooooh, Lindi, they are SO tiny!Best of luck with them. I know you and Jude will do your absolute best!

Linda

You're not kidding Lin! They are really tiny wriggly squealers.

I've helped to feed them 3 times this evening and have found it easier each time. The next feed is at 3am and we will feed a kitten each. It actually takes more time to prepare the equipment than it does for feeding since everything has to be sterilised and rinsed in between feedings. They are getting 3ml of Cimicat milk just now at each feeding and are fed every 2-2.5 hours. Both are male.

I actually have a bigger problem handling the milk being a hater of the stuff. I end up with it all over my hands and I hate the smell of it. I'm having to face up to my 'OCD' urge to wash the milk off my hands asap. Good therapy!

Jax and Paddy, You are doing a good job and from the chat room a few weeks ago I found out that you detest milk and I really feel sorry for you and your traveling a hard path with the stuff. I am so glad that you folks are saving those tiny little cute kittens and hope everything works out real real good. thanks for the feline world....c.hert

The babies are adorable. I've had cats all of my life and they are great.
Thank you for giving them a great home

Jax&Paddy wrote:
I actually have a bigger problem handling the milk being a hater of the stuff. I end up with it all over my hands and I hate the smell of it. I'm having to face up to my 'OCD' urge to wash the milk off my hands asap. Good therapy!

I may have to pop over to watch you do that. I could do with a good laugh.

Can't wait for Nick to visit AND TAKE PICTURES!!

Continuing to send our BEST to the wee ones!!

Love and Hugs
Shi and Twiggy and Timmy

Lindi, too funny how everything has to be sterile to feed the babies, when if they were with Mom, they'd just latch on no matter what kind of crap she'd dragged through, and be just fine! But, I understand, you can't take any chances. I'd be the same way. I know just how tiny these guys are b/c we did have a cat years ago that gave birth in the house so we've seen and handled kittens one day old and up. So tiny and adorable! But, thank goodness, we didn't have to worry about feeding them. Although, at first we thought we would have to feed one, since the mother had rejected it at first. But, luckily, she changed her mind and accepted the baby after a few hours went by. We just sort of snuck her back in with the rest of the kittens when Mom was distracted, and it worked! lol

Glad to hear it sounds like everything's going well. Maybe you should wear gloves to keep the milk off your hands? Although I hate gloves myself.

Linda

Keep chucking lol lol c.hert

Just a little update on the kittens. Both are doing well and are around a week old now. They are feeding well and are purring in their basket after feeding which is very cute to hear. We were getting a bit concerned that they weren't pooping but the smallest one had a big poop tonight and boy did he have a happy little purr afterwards lol. We haven't seen the larger kitten do one yet but there was a bit in the basket so hopefully that was his. Since kittens of this age can't toilet themselves we are having to gently massage their little bellies and butts so they do the biz. They are now taking 4ml a feed and we can increase the time a little in between feeds. They have little microwavable slipper inserts in their basket which are really useful for small animals. They are soft and warm and the kittens love snuggling up to them. They have a small soft toy in as well which they cuddle into also.

Here are a few new pics which were taken tonight:

Those two are ADORABLE!!

AND, what a cozy "nest!" Heck, I want to come and sleep with them!!

Any thoughts about names? I know...(A)Dora and Able !!

I know they will be just fine....

WE are sending PURRS with Love, Hugs and Scritches

Shi and Twiggy and Timmy